The Balance of Save and Splurge in My Soft Luxe Life

 

The Soft Luxe Mindset

In a world that glamorizes extreme - either hyper-consumption or strict minimalism -I've chosen to walk the middle path. I call it soft luxe: a gentle luxury lifestyle guided by intention, not impulse. It’s not about designer labels or penny-pinching. It’s about making room for beauty and abundance while being conscious of where I place my energy and money. It's about prioritizing what I want and need and not the cost. 

🧴 Where I Save: Everyday Consumables

Because of my sensitive skin and immune system, I need to rotate beauty products like lotion, toners, soaps, and masks. I save on these items because:

They get used up quickly. I don’t see the point of spending a fortune on something that needs to be replaced every few weeks.

KKV has a lot of moderately priced beauty items and toiletries. I have tried a few of them and it seems KKV will be a regular part of my beauty routine. 

They’re experimental. Sometimes my skin reacts, so I go for budget-friendly but high-performing options that won’t hurt if I have to stop using them. Imagine if I paid $20 for a bottle of shower gel and it leaves my skin itchy? I'd have to stop using it right away! Goodbye $20!

Variety is necessary. I have to keep switching up products to avoid triggering a reaction. That means quantity over luxury—without compromising quality.

Beauty Tools

I have a variety of makeup brushes, as you may know. From Bobbi Brown to MAC to Sigma, and so on. I used to think that expensive brushes = high quality. How wrong I was. 

Over the years, I've discovered drugstore and independent store brands that not only have the same quality as the more expensive brands, but sometimes, they even last longer than name brand brushes. 

Watsons is a treasure trove of excellent brushes. 

Cleansing Tools

This is another area that I don't splurge on. I buy what's on sale. Ignore the dish sponge. I got that on the day I bought the other tools. I was showing pics to my mom of what's on sale. I got the cleansing beauty sponges for only 17 cents each. The cotton swabs were $1.19, I think. So, no to Q-Tips, yes to on sale or Daiso cotton buds. 

And here, we have makeup brushes which I got for 85 cents each, if I remember correctly. I use a lot of different eye makeup brushes, so I really stocked up. I don't like to keep washing them several times a week. I have enough brushes that allow me to just wash all my brushes once a week. 

Coastal Scents was actually a pretty popular brand back in the day

Pouches

Regular Glow Girls know that I don't splurge on pouches. I like them pretty, functional, and cheap. Why? Because I toss them out after some time. These things harbor bacteria and I don't want to get sick. 

Middle Ground

Sometimes I have to balance what I want vs what I need vs what's practical. Take for example those bath lilies. I can get them cheap, like 17 cents each, but I don't. Sure they're consumables that I have to toss after several uses and sometimes I even toss them during travels. However, the cheap ones are too thin and are troublesome to use. They're a waste of time and don't give a good lather. Plus I need to put a lot of shower gel in order to make it bubble up. I also don't like how they feel on my skin. So, I opt for something that's more expensive, but still won't make me feel bad for throwing it away after several uses. 

Bamboo Tissue Paper

Lots of people like Charmin, but they're very expensive here. The next best thing for me are these Watsons bamboo tissues. They're thick and don't get ripped easily. I also like the fact that they're more sustainable and come in pretty packaging. 

These are a staple on my working vanity (more on that soon) and my totes and bags. 

👗 Where I "Soft Splurge": Timeless Pieces

I soft splurge—not reckless spending, but intentional investing—on things I don’t want to keep buying again and again:

Clothes: I pick well-made staples that flatter my body and reflect my personality. Pieces that last through seasons, trends, and moods.

It's no secret that I love skirts, so when I find something I'm in love with, I buy it. I've had this skirt for a long time now. I think two years or so, but it still looks gorgeous. 

Shoes: Comfort and durability are a must. I’d rather buy one great pair than five that hurt after an hour.

Charles and Keith shoes fit my feet perfectly. I have small, but wide feet and I found no other brand here that fits me well.  And they're very comfy. I can use these slip-ons for a whole day of shopping. 

Bags: I go for classics that I can use across occasions, rather than trendy items that I’ll outgrow in a month.

Charles and Keith is my go-to for structured bags, but I'm not brand conscious. I can pick bags from the sale rack or from the Baguio market or the streets of Crisologo, Vigan. 

Let's deep dive into the bag talk. I avoid buying overly expensive designer bags because I'm ADHD. I will lose interest in that bag in a few months and then it will just gather dust or the leather will chip. That's a waste of money for me. 

Second, I like a wide variety of colors, shapes, etc. I love buying artisanal bags from local artisans. I'd rather spend my money on those to help them with their small business or livelihood. I like quirky, unique pieces that only I have, instead of getting lost in a sea of Louis Vuittons. 

This isn’t maximalist luxury. It’s soft luxe—understated elegance, well-chosen details, and purchases that feel like self-respect. I know my style and I don't get swayed by trends. I don't go thinking that I need to have an LV bag, an Hermes belt, or Gucci shoes, just because a lot of people around me do. I respect myself enought to know exactly what brings me joy. I'm not hating or criticizing those people who do. To each his own. If those designer labels make them happy, then they can splurge all they want. My happiness can be found somewhere else. 

In saying that, I do have a Furla wallet that I've had for years. It's probably between 5-7 years old. It still functions well, no chips on the leather, no fading. I will continue using it until it becomes ratty and chipped. And then I'll buy another Furla wallet. For items that I really don't want to regularly buy, I opt for very high quality so they can last for years. 

🧠 The Why Behind It

This balance keeps my mind at peace. No guilt from overspending, no deprivation from over-saving. It’s feminine, fluid, and rooted in awareness.

I save where rotation is key.

I splurge where longevity matters.

✨ Final Thoughts: Soft Luxe is a Feeling

Soft luxe is lighting a candle just because. It’s finding joy in a good hand cream. It’s wearing a dress you love even if you’re just at home. It’s being wise with your money and generous with yourself.

Because the most luxurious life isn’t filled with things—it’s filled with intentions that feel good.

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'Til my next post,

Stay soft. Stay strong. Stay Glowing.

LET'S GLOW.

With elegance and quiet fire, 

Lady E

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