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- I consider myself to be pretty cheap, often buying the less costly version of everything from deodorant to appetizers.
- But this $17 lip balm has changed the way I think about investing in everyday items.
- The main life lesson here is that if you put a little extra in now, you'll get a lot in return — and you may even start thinking more critically about the other things that clutter your space and mind.
Generally speaking, I am a total cheapskate. I have nearly always opted for the less expensive version of whatever I want or need. This mentality occasionally backfires, as I'm sure you can imagine.
As a result of said backfiring, I've begun to invest in a few things that really matter to me — specifically, the things I use every day. Better furniture for my apartment, better clothes for my closet, better sheets for my bed. I'm beginning to realize that for certain items, if I put a little more in now, I'll get a lot more out later. Plus, I'll be a lot less likely to lose or ruin something I consider expensive or a "favorite thing."
That's why I now willingly spend $17 on this Jane Iredale lip balm.
Please hear me out. I know this might sound nuts. Don't run away!
I have three really good reasons for why I justify spending so much on something I can generally get for free from my local dentist's office.
Let's start with the first reason, which is that the last time I cleaned out all the drawers, makeup bags, purses, and medicine cabinets in my home, I found over 25 rogue lip balms that were all half-used, or that I thought I had lost years ago.
As with the furniture, clothing, and sheets situation, it dawned on me that maybe I should just get the good lip balm to avoid ever having to buy 24 other crappy ones.
The second reason is that this Jane Iredale lip balm is actually the most hydrating, longest-lasting option out there. It keeps my lips feeling soft and moisturized for hours (as long as overnight), has no petroleum, is cruelty-free, features SPF 15, and comes in tinted options for when I'm feeling fancy. Again, it's better to buy one thing that works than 25 things that only sort of do.
The third, and perhaps most pertinent reason is that spending $17 on really good lip balm causes one to be very careful never to lose it.
Frankly, even if your favorite thing is cheap or reasonably priced, if you really love it, you're going to be much more careful and concerned with taking care of it.
If you are anything like me, you will never have to buy another $3 tube because you will cling to this $17 one for dear life, and you will always know exactly where it is. You will grow fond of it because it will be important to you that you always have it on hand and that you are sure to make it last.
This last reason is probably the best case I can make for spending so much on lip balm, or anything, really. It's not just about investing in something that works better than the cheap kind (because sometimes the cheap kinds are really the best) — it's about putting resources toward a thing you love that will encourage you to treat it gingerly, thus ensuring that it lasts its full lifespan and brings you joy when you use it.
More broadly, it's about paring down all the unnecessary clutter around you by holding on to what you really like and letting go of everything else. I'm talking about the other 24 tubes of lip balm, yes, but also the 46 terrible pens in your house that don't work anymore, the hair ties that are too stretched out to use, and the charging cables that you no longer need.
Spending $17 on lip balm has taught me a lot about what's worth having and what isn't.
We're so used to surrounding ourselves with more things, not better things, yet we almost always gravitate toward those favorite things when they sit among so many lesser versions. I have a favorite pen at home that I've always chosen to write with over the others — but it was only once I bought this $17 lip balm that I felt emboldened to throw away all the other crappy pens I'd amassed.
I know it seems frivolous and somewhat silly to ascribe such a life lesson to a lip balm, but this one purchase has helped me think differently about all the small things I've collected and lost or forgotten about over time.
I am now more careful and intentional about the things I bring into my life, only purchasing the good version (or the best I can afford) that will last a while and spark joy whenever I use it. This simple approach has kept me more organized, focused, and clear.
Jane Iredale LipDrink Lip Balm, available at Nordstrom, $17
Sally Kaplan Executive Editor, Insider Reviews Sally Kaplan is the Executive Editor for Insider Reviews, the product review wing of Insider's service journalism team. Sally started at Insider in 2018 as an editor and has since held the role of senior editor and deputy editor on Insider Reviews. She has interviewed startup CEOs and brand founders, reported on the rebirth of a fashion company that narrowly escaped bankruptcy, written guides to wardrobe staples like the best loafers, developed testing methodology for hundreds of stories, and edited countless reviews, buying guides, deal articles, and gift guides. She has over 10 years' experience covering product reviews and major deal holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day. Prior to joining Insider Inc., she was the lifestyle editor at Hearst's BestProducts.com, where she wrote product reviews and gift guides, and developed the site's coverage of big deal days. Previously, she helped to shape BuzzFeed's early shopping and reviews coverage, which included introducing its popular "What's trending on Amazon?" series. Say hi to Sally at skaplan@businessinsider.com, give her a shout on Instagram @saltykaplan, or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
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