
Cost of living crisis? At least buying make up makes us feel better
'Traditionally, skin care represents an attempt to deny the inevitability of the future,' Jia Tolentino wrote in her 2017 essay for the New Yorker. 'For me, right now, it functions as part of a basic dream in which the future simply exists.'
Read more House hunters are flocking to this previously unfashionable Scottish commuter town
'Death by a thousand cuts': Cluttered Edinburgh streetscapes threaten heritage status
Build skyscrapers as tall as you want, just please stop building eyesores
Would you ask ChatGPT for dating advice? I did. Here is what it said
I might never be able to afford property, and even if I did, there's every chance some climate change-derived natural disaster will just destroy it anyway, assuming the boys in charge haven't nuked us all yet. I wince at the cost of electricity, broadband and the weekly food shop. Don't even get me started on the price of a pint of Tennent's these days. But £40 for a tiny tub of cream to slather on my face? I wouldn't bat an eyelid. A pencil to define some part of my facial anatomy for £25? Sold.
It used to be called the Lipstick Index. In the early 2000s, Leonard Lauder (then chairman) of Estée Lauder, noticed that sales of the brand's lipstick spiked after 9/11 and the 2001 recession. The head of the beauty behemoth put it down to consumers seeking comfort in small luxuries during tough times. This recession indicator has morphed over the last 24 years as consumer habits change. But I still think it rings true that for many, indulging in skincare and beauty during tough financial times is one of those small kindnesses you allow yourself when your pay check drops at the end of the month.
Over the past year, Glasgow has been at the forefront of a surge of store expansions in the health and beauty sector, indicating others like me might feel the same about spending on these little luxuries. NARS is the latest retailer to open a flagship on Buchanan Street, following MAC Cosmetics and Charlotte Tilbury. Space NK has expanded its shop in Princes Square. In 2024, health and beauty spend was up 8% across the 100+ UK shopping centres Savills manages. In 2025, spending on pharmacy, health and beauty had its strongest growth in almost three years, according to Barclaycard Spend data, rising by 10.7% in January.
I don't agree with the narrative that taking an interest in make up and skincare is vapid. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it does deserve love, even if that just means slathering on some SPF in the morning. But more than that, taking care of one's appearance is not a bad thing (and means something different to everyone). For me, it just involves the generic trappings of millennial womanhood.
I've learned a lot about chemistry in the pursuit of perfect skin. Applying various serums, creams, essences, and gels each morning and night makes me feel like a mad scientist. And there's an art to it all as well.
H Beauty in Glasgow's Silverburn shopping centre (Image: free) I must have more paint brushes than Picasso, I think, as I swirl each one across my cheeks, forehead, and chin in various stages of blending and colouring before heading into the office. Those nifty pencils that cost more than a main dish at The Ivy are next, tracing and highlighting features to make them 'pop'. The ritual is my form of mindfulness and meditation. A little mask to protect me from the world. I realise it's a little ridiculous, and I am by no means very good at applying make up. But it does brighten up my mood most of the time.
Inside the new H Beauty shop, by far the most impressive retail space for beauty in the city at the moment, rows of light pink and chrome shelves are lit like altars. I'm giddy with excitement, navigating the seemingly endless product displays, dabbing various concoctions on the backs of my hands and sniffing perfumes until my septum burns. Sucked in by the allure of buying a lipstick, I let an ethereal blonde sales assistant help me find the perfect shade of glowy lip oil.
This, I think, will be the perfect little treat. I smack my pout together, neatly coated in an oily mahogany sheen. I'm gearing up to swipe my card, palms sweaty, until I realise this beautiful 6mL filled with all that dazzling shine is actually £33. I sadly shake my head and sulk away. Not in this economy. I'll be back when I'm ready to allow a big kindness for myself.
Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
43 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
B&Q's £10 gadget saves 70% of water & keeps your plants thriving while you're on holiday – and it's half price of Amazon
BLOOMIN' LOVELY B&Q's £10 gadget saves 70% of water & keeps your plants thriving while you're on holiday – and it's half price of Amazon WHETHER you're jet-setting to sunny destinations or planning a staycation this summer, this budget buy will look after your garden for you. For just £10, B&Q has a gadget that conserves up to 70% of water and keeps your plants thriving while you're on holiday. 1 B&Q's £10 gadget saves 70% of water & keeps your plants thriving while you're on holiday Credit: B&Q It can be a challenge to keep on top of your gardening tasks but this gadget will keep your plants happy and it's half the price of similar ones on Amazon. The B&Q gadget Reduced from £28 to just a tenner, The Verve Irrigation kit is a Micro-Drip-System drip that results in economical irrigation aligned to requirements and perfect for a medium garden. Because of the pinpoint accuracy of the Micro-Drip-System and the even water delivery - the water will be there where the plant it needs, at the roots - no matter where you are. It will also conserve up to 70% of water due to adjustable drip heads and drip watering. So you will also save time when you are at home because no conventional pouring is necessary. And you can enjoy your holidays without worrying about how your garden plants are doing in the summer heat. Shoppers love the system With an overall rating of 4.7, customers have been raving about the irrigation system. One wrote: "This is a great kit. I have quite a large garden so I decided to install it in my father's medium sized garden. "He is an avid gardener and takes great pride in it. In recent years his mobility has greatly reduced and I thought this would give him peace of mind that on his bad days his garden was still being tended to." Another added: "Perfect kit for a medium sized garden like mine. It has everything that is needed and it's easy and practical to use. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' "I've used it for about 2 weeks and so far it seems very durable and efficient. Easy to fit and install, too." A third stated: "The Verve Irrigation Kit is a game changer for anyone who wants a beautiful well watered garden. "The system is so easy to set up and you can water up to 40 plants whether they're in the ground or in pots. "It makes watering effortless and also great when you're away." Best shops for garden bargains WHILST garden centres offer a huge selection of garden bargains, if you're on a budget, here's where you need to head... B&M: Shoppers have raved about the huge selection of cheap buys from B&M that will add style to your garden this summer - from cheap artificial rose garlands to bargain string lights. Home Bargains: You can also stock up on bargain buys from Home Bargains - there's £1.29 buys that'll brighten up your garden and cheap lights too. Tesco: It's also worth visiting supermarkets such as Tesco if you need to stock up on outdoor plants and stylish outdoor lighting. Sainsbury's: If you're on a budget, Sainsbury's are selling solar lights for only £1.50 - but you'll need to be quick to nab them. Other gardening bargains For less than £1, your flowerbeds are guaranteed to flourish and bloom whether you're home or not with Lidl's £2 gadget. And Home Bargains is also selling a gardening gadget that keeps your plants healthy while you're away and it's only 99p. Meanwhile, a garden gadget that lights up your outdoor space is now available for just £1 at B&M. The latest addition to the retailer's seasonal range has already seen plenty of attention online with garden fans snapping up the bargain buy. And a budget-friendly B&M buy can help keep pests away from your home and garden in the summer weather. Plus, Tesco shoppers are rushing to stores to buy stunning "reduced to clear" garden furniture that's up to 40% off. With temperatures soaring, the sale provides some great options to add to your outdoor spaces this summer - but be quick as the offers end soon.


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
First look inside luxury golfers' hotel after stunning £7.5m transformation
Read on to find out when the hotel will open HOLE IN ONE First look inside luxury golfers' hotel after stunning £7.5m transformation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LUXURY hotel located near an iconic Scottish golf course has shared a first look at its major £7.5million transformation. The Ardgowan Hotel on Playfair Terrace in St Andrews, Fife, will also be renamed The Kithmore following the revamp. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Ardgowan Hotel is set to get a huge revamp and a name change Credit: Google 4 The luxury hotel on Playfair Terrace in St Andrews will be renamed The Kithmore Credit: The Kithmore 4 The Kithmore will boast a luxury 44-bed hotel Credit: The Kithmore The multi-million transformation includes refurbishment, a building extension, and a full redesign. The Kithmore will boast a luxury 44-bed hotel, a 60-cover bar and restaurant complete with an extended terrace. Its sister properties, The Leddie and The Bushmills Inn, will also be joined during the project. The hotel will offer a warm and inviting haven where golfers, visitors and the local community alike can come together and soak in the relaxed clubhouse vibes. There will be a focus on quality where guests will be able to enjoy a menu expertly designed to celebrate St Andrews' local larder. This will provide light bites for summer nights or a comforting spread to refuel after a round on the links. The Kithmore is due to open in June 2026. Kathryn McNairn, General Manager of The Kithmore, said: "We're excited to share the name of our new hotel – The Kithmore. Inspired by the Scots word 'kith', meaning friendship and familiarity, it's a name that reflects everything we hope the hotel will be – a warm, welcoming place for golfers, tourists and our local community. "The Kithmore brings boutique luxury to Playfair Terrace, with a range of rooms – from cosy and comfort options to spacious suites. "Our bar and restaurant will serve quality local cuisine, from à la carte Scottish breakfasts and mid-morning coffees to lunchtime sandwiches and an all-day menu filled with comfort classics and fresh new dishes. Inside Scots hotel where you can stay in Outlander heart-throb's room and take an e-bike ride from your doorstep "So whether you're rolling in after a day on the links, catching up with friends, or simply looking for a quiet corner and a great dram – my team and I can't wait to welcome you to The Kithmore." The Kithmore brand has been developed by global hospitality agency Crown Creative with the design created in collaboration with local St Andrews architects RKA, alongside Scottish interior design studio ICA.

The National
an hour ago
- The National
Tesco launches probe into pallet depot over loyalist bonfire claims
Tesco ordered the probe following claims that pallets from a distribution centre in Livingston are being used for a bonfire at Craigyhill in Larne, Northern Ireland, according to the Irish News. The pallets are not owned or managed by the retailer, but are run by an international supplier, Chep, which Tesco has reportedly ordered to carry out a full investigation into the claims. Pallets by Chep are reportedly used for the pyres due to their distinctive blue colour, with other white and red pallets sourced from other firms. READ MORE: Work to begin on £8 million Gaelic cultural centre on Scottish island The bonfires are built as part of the remembrance of the Battle of the Boyne on July 12, with thousands of pallets arriving in Craigyhill in advance to be stacked into a tower. The bonfires are lit on the night of July 11, with the pyre where the pallets are allegedly being used regularly reaching almost 200ft in height. The pyres are often lit with pictures of republican politicians on them, along with signs with sectarian language. It has been reported that Chep has a policy not to donate or sell to the public, and there can be no unauthorised movements of pallets for use in bonfires. According to the Irish news, it was estimated that of the 8596 pallets believed to be on the Craigyhill bonfire last year, around 3470 were owned by Chep. Tesco and Chep have been approached for comment.