We dared a high maintenance woman to take on a budget queen’s beauty routine

NOT all skincare regimens are created equal. We dared a high-maintenance woman to take on a budget queen’s routine for a week. Elle Halliwell reports

Beauty Swap

NOT all skincare regimens are created equal. Kelly Smythe admits she has spent thousands of dollars on her skin in her lifetime, not to mention hundreds of hours cleansing, toning and moisturising in front of the bathroom mirror.

Her multi-step morning and night regimen could compete with that of a beauty therapist, with each product featuring active ingredients and her entire routine costing more than return flights to Bali.

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For Smythe and many other women, skincare is an investment, like buying a Chanel handbag.

For others like Laura Ellis, a two-step routine using affordable products saves her not only time but plenty of money.

The senior account manager said she doesn’t have time to spend hours on her skincare and lives more of a “skincare from the inside out” approach.

“I think exercise, healthy eating, balanced lifestyle and not too much alcohol definitely helps.”

Insider challenged the two women to swap beauty regimens for the week to see if their skin and hair could handle a week at the other end of the beauty spectrum.

KELLY SMYTHE

Kelly’s routine:

Morning Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser, Ultraceuticals Ultra Brightening Serum, Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Concentrate, Skinstitut multi-active oil, Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 50+, Skinstitut multi-active mist.

Night: Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub, Ultraceuticals Ultra B2 Hydrating Serum, Ultraceuticals Ultra A skin Perfecting Serum Mild, Skinstitut moisture defence.

Hair: Aveda Smooth Infusion shampoo, conditioner and treatment/serum

Total: $828

“I was a little shocked when I saw all my skin products in a line up, and that was just for the face,” Smythe admitted when she saw her $828 regimen lined up during our photo shoot.

“I knew how it made my habitual routine look: high maintenance, expensive, time consuming and confusing to the average eye, but to me it is as important as drinking water, a necessity not a luxury.”

The Sydney fashion identity has maintained the same skincare philosophy since her early 20s and believes her skin is better for it.

“When I was 23, I started using active ingredients after my friend Dr van Park said to me ‘Kel, prevention is better than cure’, and that was the beginning for me.”

“I’m in the industry so I’m always surrounded by the knowledge, but thank goodness for that; I would look ten years older by now if I hadn’t understood the importance of good skincare at a young age.”

During the swap: “I felt like rubbish for most of the week; my hair was limp, my skin was dull, I broke out and I ran out! One moisturiser for everywhere was impossible. I drank that in three days; my skin felt hydrated on the surface but like leather underneath. Yes, I am known to be obsessed with dewy skin. But I have 10 years on her and also spent too much time in the sun when I was younger, biggest mistake.”

Verdict: “I’m definitely going to stick to my day-to-day regimen. I’ll happily continue to invest in the only face I have as I plan on having a long-term relationship with her.

I would like to be armed so I don’t have to look at surgery in 20 years time.”

Kelly Smyth has a $828 beauty regimen, Laura's is less than $50

LAURA ELLIS

Laura’s routine:

Morning & night: Swisse bamboo face scrub, Sephora moisturiser

Hair: Garnier shampoo and conditioner

Total: $35.45

Laura couldn’t be more different when it comes to her day-to-day regimen. Supermarket and chemist products are her go-to skincare destinations, at a total cost of $35.

“I am lucky, my skin’s always been pretty good, it’s only lately I feel I’m getting a few wrinkles, but it’s always been fuss free,” the Sydney resident said. “(But) I’m becoming more conscious of my skin as I get older.”

During the swap: “Going from using maximum of two products a day to minimum of four was a big challenge. On the first day I used the Skinstitut glycolic scrub and it felt like it took a much-needed layer of skin off. Doing the whole thing each morning and night took about 30 minutes and I’m not sure if it’s just because it was winter but my skin felt drier than ever before. I don’t think my skin is used to this many products because half way through the week I started to break out, but at a work meeting one of my clients commented that my skin was glowing and asked if I had been on a holiday.”

Verdict:“I enjoyed using everything when I had the time. I definitely think the products Kelly uses are great, but I really didn’t see much of a difference in my skin.”

Originally published as We dared a high maintenance woman to take on a budget queen’s beauty routine