girl math made me buy it
(My Face Says Thank You)
Girl math says that if you split a $300 serum into 90 days of use, it's basically free. And while we might laugh at the TikTok logic, there's actually something to it.
After years of thinking drugstore everything was the move (spoiler: my sensitive skin did not agree), I finally get why some products are worth saving up for.
Think of it like this: Your face is the one thing you're wearing every single day. Not the designer bag that's still sitting in your cart. Not those shoes you've been eyeing. Your skin.
Making Your Money Make Sense:
Put your coins into your daily essentials (cleanser, moisturizer, SPF)
Save on things that wash off (masks, makeup)
Spend on ingredients that actually work over time
What Actually Works: That vitamin C serum everyone's obsessed with? It's doing more than just making your skin glow today. The retinol you start using at 23? Your skin at 30 will be thanking you. One perfect product that works beats having five okay ones cluttering your bathroom counter.
And yes, a 10-step routine can be worth it. Each step builds on the last, giving your skin everything it needs. The trick is knowing which steps deserve your whole paycheck and which ones don't.
What's Worth Your Coins:
The Skip List:
Overpriced eye creams (your regular moisturizer works fine)
Whatever's viral on TikTok this week
Anything promising "instant results"
Money-Saving Tips That Work:
Stock up during Sephora sales
Always get samples first
Keep track of what you actually use vs what's just pretty
Think about how long it'll last
Here's the thing - building a routine you love isn't about having the fanciest shelfie or following every trend. It's about finding what works for you and your budget.
And yes, maybe that luxury serum is still a splurge. But if it's going to serve you every single day for the next three months? Girl math says go for it. Your future face will understand the assignment.