This was by far the year where I experimented the most with my beauty routine, most likely due to postpartum hair loss, and an overall presence of exhaustion of dealing with a toddler. Although I’m not yet your girl getting lip injections and botox, I did experiment with new treatments this year that surprised me and surpassed my expectations, and will probably be continuing into 2020.

However, with the added expense of new beauty routines, one must look at the cost and time associated with the old ones as part of her 2020 beauty budget. As I have limited time and tend to be pretty frugal, I can only add in a new treatment if I remove others that cost money and take time away from working or being a mom.

With no further ado, here are the 10 beauty treatments that I did this year, and my ranking of what I will continue or stop doing in 2020.

2020 Beauty Budget: What was worth it, What was not in 2019

Face/Body

1. Massages
2. Spa Facials
3. Results-Oriented Facials
4. Manicure
5. Gel Manicure
6. Pedicure
7. Microblading

Hair

1. Cut
2. Color (Partial Balayage)
3. Micro-Link Extensions

and coming in dead last…

10. Spa Facials

I will probably never again get a facial at a hotel/spa wherever because frankly, I think it’s a waste of money. I don’t need you to slather on some cream on my face and watch it sit for 20 minutes, and then pop a few zits and call it $150. I can do all of that myself, and do, often. And I see much better results. Although I used to think it was a fun indulgence, I would now rather use that money for a much-needed massage!

9./8. Manicures and Gel Manicures

I did Gel a few times this year thinking it was better bang for my buck, but the toll it took on my nails and my nostrils was more than I could bare, and had to call it quits. Regular manicures do nothing for me anymore, and probably only get them once or twice a year now as a social event… since I can do my nails myself just as well and they last about the same amount of time… 3 days, hah! When you add up that $25 6-8x a year that I maybe used to do… I’m hoping to save $200 easily!

7. Pedicures

I will get these slightly more often because 1. I enjoy the foot massage 2. It lasts MUCH longer than on your hands and 3. I don’t do it quite as well myself. However, we’re talking 2-3x a year max, so basically I never see a nail salon anymore!

6. Hair Cut

Listen I still get hair cuts, but since I started getting extensions it has definitely fallen to the wayside a bit. Namely, when you have your extensions put in they “dust” your ends so that the worst part is cut off, and then the overall length style is typically managed by the extensions you put in, not your actual hair. I have probably cut 1 or 2 official haircuts a year by doing this which is easily $200 where I live, so I’m thrilled to be able to use that money elsewhere and my hair doesn’t suffer!

5. Results-Oriented Facials

This type of facial tends to be a lot more focused on your skin’s needs, such as an oxygen facial, microdermabrasion or chemical peels. I have had mixed results with chemical peels not working that great (most likely because my non-toxic home peel is the best in the biz) but great results with Oxygen facials, meaning that once you find a few techniques that work for you, they will actually make your skin look tighter, brighter, and clearer.  As opposed to spa facials where it’s more relaxing, these types of facials don’t include massages, but work a lot more effectively, creating much better results. Definitely worth the dough if you’re in the market to actually make a difference to your skin!

4. Massages

Call it ‘running after a toddler’ or ‘sewing hunch’ body, but I can’t seem to get enough massages. My back aches non-stop, and have had to upgrade the few massages I do get a year (maybe 2-3?) to deep tissue or chiropractic massages in order to temporarily remove the pain. I ask them to only focus on my upper body so as not to waste time on my legs, and typically with 60 minutes I feel good about what I pay for. Although I don’t find these types of massages incredibly relaxing, at least they help with the pain!

3. Hair Color

Still vitally important to me… for now. For years and years I colored and highlighted my hair myself and it looked ok… but was not healthy by any means. Now I feel like I’ve gotten to a good place with my highlights where I can get it done every 3 months and feel like I am not frying my hair. I have gone a little darker with my blonde to help stretch it out by a few more weeks than I was able to with lighter blonde.. which definitely saves me cash in the long run!

2. Hair Extensions

I hate blowdrying or heat styling my hair. Hate it hate it hate it. I’ve often said that if I could have someone do my hair for me every day I would, and extensions are kind of like that. Although an added expense for sure, these save me SO MUCH TIME in getting ready because I can airdry my hair and it always looks good. I’m serious. Then, when I took them out after 6 months my natural hair was so extremely shiny and healthy from the lack of heat styling for 6 months I couldn’t believe it! I left my natural hair for 3 months before getting fed up with a straightener again and am getting my extensions put in again today… probably as you read this. Yes, the first time I did it it was gifted to me, but I have paid for the remaining visits myself and truly think it makes me a happier, more confident human, so this will continue into 2020!

1.Microblading

If I could afford nothing else in my 2020 beauty budget, this would be my one ‘splurge’. Although you can’t really call it that, because at $300-$500 for one time and then $100 for 9 month touch ups, it’s hardly a splurge when you compare it to the rest of this list. Microblading my brows has changed my face… for the better. No longer when I fill in my brows does one look crooked compared to the other. No longer do I have to fill in my brows every morning, after every workout, etc. They are there for 6-9 months (this picture taken at 6 months… so clearly I’m good to go for a while!) and then you have a quick touch up when the dye starts to fade in order to make it last another 6-9 months. Easily the best money I will ever spend on my beauty routine, and I imagine I will be doing it forever. If you are in the Bay Area Amy at PowerMD is my go-to girl and she will definitely make sure you leave looking incredible!