These days it’s nearly impossible to know what women are spending on the way they look. Someone with Instagram-flawless contouring might have honed her craft using the finest from the drugstore aisles, and the utterly makeup-free type might be spending thousands on laser treatments or face serums. Enter our series “What It Costs to Be Me,” where we’re asking interesting women for radical transparency.
Up this week: Reese Blutstein, a 22-year-old fashion influencer (and identical twin!) from Atlanta, Georgia. Her annual total? $1,721
Reese Blutstein’s beauty approach, in a word: Simple. (That much you can guess from a glance at the appealingly minimalist fashion and clean-skinned looks on her Instagram account, @double3xposure). But “simple” is a far cry from uninformed: her medicine cabinet is a finely curated collection of natural-minded oils, chic scents, and sheer, creamy, there-but-not-there makeup formulations. “I’m more into skin care than actual makeup,” she says. “As far as my makeup point of view, I keep the emphasis on big eyebrows and glowy cheekbones.”
My Skin Care Regimen: $295
The face wash I use is Cle Cosmetics Melting Cleanser ($28). It’s super light, doesn’t leave any residue, and makes my skin so soft. And the Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil ($80) saved my skin. I get hormonal acne on my chin from time to time, but since using the UFO oil four times a week, I only get maybe one zit each month, if that. I’ve never had a product work as well as it, which completely justifies the price. On the other days, I’ll use the F. Miller Face Oil ($75), which has the most soothing smell. I like to put it on when I’m trying to relax at night. That’s my favorite, but I also use Little Barn Apothecary Orchid + Blackcurrant Antioxidant Face Serum ($52). I’m also into the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich ($35), and for protection, the Glossier Sunscreen ($25). I like it because it doesn’t even feel like you have anything on your face.
My Daytime Makeup: $129
Brows are a big thing for me, so I swear by the Dior eyebrow wand in brown ($29). It gets my brows to stay exactly where I want them to all day long. I’ll do a little Glossier blush in Haze or Puff ($18, each), then finish with a combo of Make Beauty Dew Pot ($20) and Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter ($44) right on my cheekbones. That’s pretty much all I do for everyday makeup.
My Shower Routine: $163
I love the Le Labo Hinoki Shampoo ($27) so much. It smells incredible and leaves my hair feeling so silky. I never use conditioner because I don’t feel the need for it. I also use its body wash ($24) and coffee scrub ($44), which I highly recommend. I also love Le Labo Hinoki Body Lotion ($40). As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of their products. In terms of styling and leave-in products, I use the Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose Dry Shampoo ($28). Honestly, it’s a lifesaver, because I don’t like to wash my hair too often. Dirty hair always looks best!
My Nighttime Makeup: $54
My evening makeup is pretty much the same as my daytime look except I’ll swipe on a lipstick like Glossier in Jam ($18) or a shimmery eyeshadow. Chanel has a really pretty cream pink shimmer eyeshadow ($36) that I love.
My One Evening Skin Care Must: $60
Not much changes from my morning routine, but I will add an eye cream by Grown Alchemist ($60) before bed.
My Occasional Skin and Nail Treats: $825 a year
My favorite moisturizing sheet mask is by Saturday Skin ($6). It’s got a jelly-like consistency and makes my skin so soft. I’ll use it three times a month to keep my skin in check. My other favorite mask is the Dior Pores Away Pink Clay Mask ($69). It smells so good and it makes my skin insanely smooth. The only other thing I do consistently is get my nails done at Lush Nail Spa twice a month. I always do a gel mani, which sets me back around $30, but they last so long!
My Hair Maintenance: $195 a year
I don’t do anything to my hair except get it cut every four months at Zonolite Studios ($65 per haircut). Tara’s my girl—she’s the best! I try to take biotin for my hair and nails, but I’m bad at remembering to take it, so that doesn’t really count.
My Exercise Routine: $0
No gym membership for me! HA! But for real, I should probably work out more often. I will take a walk on this really pretty boardwalk near my house, though. It’s through a forest, about two miles long, and it’s incredibly relaxing.
