Woman Shocked by Amount Spent on Beauty Products in Just 3 Years
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A young woman from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, found herself in disbelief after realising the staggering amount she had spent on beauty products over the past three years. Alyssa Gillis, a 23-year-old makeup enthusiast, came to this realisation when she decided to document her makeup collection on TikTok. Instead of aiming to promote the latest beauty trends, Gillis sought to address the issue of excessive consumption in the beauty industry.
As a full-time worker with a passion for makeup, Gillis noticed that her spending habits mirrored those of beauty influencers rather than someone living within a regular budget. Wanting to take a more mindful approach to her content creation, she calculated the total cost of all the beauty products she owned, and the figure that emerged shocked her.
This moment of revelation led Gillis to participate in Project Pan, a popular beauty challenge that encourages individuals to fully utilise the products they have before purchasing new ones. In a viral TikTok video that amassed over a million views, Gillis disclosed that she had spent over $4,200 on lip products alone. The total amount she had spent on perfumes and body products after tax stood at $3,983.08 and $879.39, respectively.
Combining the expenses from just these three categories, Gillis had already invested over $9,000 in beauty products. This sum did not even account for the costs of her other makeup items such as eyeshadows and foundations. With plans to purchase a home in the near future, Gillis has come to recognise the significant impact her cosmetic spending has had on her finances, potentially affecting her ability to make a substantial down payment.
Reflecting on her purchases, Gillis acknowledged how the allure of new product launches and influencer endorsements had swayed her spending decisions. She admitted to being an impulse buyer, often succumbing to purchasing products featured in TikTok videos without considering the cumulative effect on her wallet. The realisation that these seemingly small purchases had amounted to a substantial sum was a wake-up call for Gillis to reassess her beauty buying habits.
Despite her love for certain formulas and packaging, Gillis noted that many of the products she owned remained unused, either because they did not suit her preferences or because they failed to live up to the expectations set by online influencers. She emphasised the role of both traditional advertising and influencer marketing in perpetuating the notion that consumers constantly need to acquire more, even when they already possess an abundance of similar items.
Gillis hopes that by sharing her own experiences and regrets, she can provide her followers with a reality check regarding their own consumption patterns. She advocates for a shift towards more conscious buying habits, urging individuals to consider the opportunity cost of their purchases and the environmental impact of excessive consumerism. By acknowledging her past mistakes and vowing to alter her approach to beauty shopping, Gillis aims to inspire others to make more mindful choices in their purchasing behaviours.
In conclusion, Alyssa Gillis serves as a testament to the transformative power of self-awareness and reflection in fostering financial responsibility within the realm of beauty consumption. Her story highlights the importance of scrutinising one’s spending habits, resisting impulsive urges, and questioning the influence of external marketing tactics on personal choices. Through her candid revelations, Gillis encourages others to reevaluate their priorities, align their purchases with their values, and strive towards a more sustainable and fulfilling relationship with beauty products.