— A Honey Without Flowers Budget-Friendly Confessional

They say money can’t buy happiness. But it can buy drugstore dupes that feel like happiness, and that’s close enough.

Here’s what really happens when I open my Amazon app for “just one thing” and find myself elbow-deep in reviews, swatches, and skincare dreams

💻The First Lie: “I’m just restocking.”

I open Amazon with pure intentions: reorder the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($18) because my face is thirstier than a man in your DMs after one gym selfie.
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Two hours later, I’m deep in the abyss of beauty bestsellers, wondering if I also need a lip plumper, lash serum, and five new glosses that all claim to be “universally flattering.”

Lie I tell myself: “These are staples. I’m being responsible.”
Reality: My cart total says otherwise.

💋The Lipstick Loop: “This will change my face.”

I’m emotionally attached to Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in ‘Lover’ ($8), which survives tacos, coffee, and my tendency to talk too much.
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But then I see NYX Butter Gloss in ‘Tiramisu’ ($5) and suddenly I’m like, “Do I have enough warm pinks?” Spoiler: Yes. I do. But this one might be the soulmate pink.

Lie I tell myself: “It’s only $5.”
Reality: Yes, GIRL, but so were the last twelve.

🧴The Skin Care Spiral: “This is basically a facial.”

Here comes The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($7). Every influencer says it’s the potion that will unearth your pre-teen glow.
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And don’t even get me started on Elf Holy Hydration Face Cream ($12). The packaging says “clean beauty” and I say “yes ma’am” like I’m on trial.

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Lie I tell myself: “This is preventative maintenance.”
Reality: I’m 57 and just bought wrinkle cream based on a TikTok by a 23-year-old.

👁️The Eye Cream Delusion: “I’ll look rested.”

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream ($18) is the stuff of middle-aged legend.
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It claims to de-puff, de-line, and de-age — all things I claimed I didn’t care about… until I caught myself on the front camera.

Lie I tell myself: “If I pat it in gently enough, it’ll erase 2007.”
Reality: That was the year I tried to pluck my brows and trusted a guy named Kyle. No eye cream can undo that.

💄The “I Deserve This” Cart Justification

Let’s tally it up:

• CeraVe Moisturizer – check.
• Maybelline lipstick I already own – check.
• Skincare I may never use consistently – check.
• Random jade roller I saw once in a self-care meme – check.
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All for under $50… which makes me feel like I’ve pulled off some kind of luxury heist. Except, I willingly gave Jeff Bezos my money and got glittery highlighter in return.

Lie I tell myself: “It’s basically free with Prime shipping.”
Reality: That’s not how money works, but okay.

✨The Honey Truth

If glowing skin, glossy lips, and two-day shipping are wrong—well, then I don’t want to be right. Until next time, I’ll be here pretending my $7 serum is a miracle elixir and my drugstore haul is a spiritual experience. Stay fabulous, stay moisturized, and remember…

✨You don’t need a Sephora budget to look like you own the runway at Publix.✨

Xoxo,
Natalie 💄💋 #CartQueen #PrimeAndPretty

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