Toothpaste
Minty-fresh breath is great but at $6 a tube? Oof. Premium formulas with whitening or enamel-strengthening boosts have bumped up prices. Fluoride hasn’t changed, but somehow, your total at checkout has. Unless it’s brushing your teeth for you, maybe don’t splurge on the triple-action-gel-matrix-technology stuff.
Deodorant
Your pits may be staying dry, but so is your wallet. Deodorant prices have climbed thanks to ingredient costs and aluminum shortages. Some brands are pushing $14 a stick—suddenly, smelling neutral feels like a luxury. Who knew staying fresh would become a budget line item?
Shampoo
Sudsing up is now a splurge. Shampoo prices have lathered up thanks to packaging costs and supply chain hiccups. And don’t get us started on the “salon-quality” ones—those bottles are basically liquid gold. At this point, you might as well name your shampoo and invite it to brunch.
Conditioner
As if your strands weren’t needy enough, conditioner prices are climbing right alongside shampoo. Add in all the “hydrating,” “strengthening,” and “smoothing” promises, and you’ve got a pricey potion. Many conditioners now come in smaller bottles than shampoo because nothing says “moisture” like sneaky shrinkflation.
Razors
Shaving? More like splurging. Razor blade refills have seen double-digit price hikes in the past few years. Some packs now cost more than dinner. With all the moisturizers, pivots, and vibrating handles, you’d think they could do your taxes, too. Honestly, stubble is starting to sound like a lifestyle choice.
Body Wash
Your shower isn’t exactly a spa retreat, so why is your body wash priced like it is? Those “ocean breeze” scents don’t come cheap. Ingredient markups and fancy packaging have pushed up costs—even though most of it ends up going down the drain. Literally.
Bar Soap
Bar soap used to be the humble hygiene hero. Now? Some artisanal bars are pushing ten bucks a pop. It’s soap, not caviar! Even the basic brands have crept up in price. It might be time to start treating your bar of soap like a luxury loaf—slice it thin.
Dry Shampoo
This hair-saving miracle spray went from cheap to chic real fast. Blame TikTok trends and brand hype—dry shampoo demand is through the roof. Some cans now cost as much as a full tank of gas. It’s ironic how the lazy-day option now requires a financial commitment.
Toothbrushes
Dollar toothbrushes are so last season. Now, it’s all sonic pulses, charcoal bristles, and Bluetooth connectivity. Even manual brushes are feeling the price pinch. And yes, your toothbrush might have more tech than your first cell phone. Welcome to the future of brushing.
Mouthwash
Swish and spend. Mouthwash prices have gone up, especially for the “advanced” formulas that promise everything short of eternal youth. Sure, fresh breath is worth something—but nearly ten bucks a bottle? At that price, we expect it to whisper compliments while it disinfects.
Moisturizer
That little tub of “hydration magic” has gone luxury. With ingredient shortages and fancier branding, moisturizers are now pricey to “how much?!” Even drugstore brands are creeping up. Good news: your glow is still free. Bad news: your skincare routine might need a budget spreadsheet.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen used to be a beach bag basic. Now, it’s a full-on luxury item that makes you feel like you’re shopping for couture. Mineral? Tinted? Reef-safe? The options are endless—and so are the prices. Some SPF creams are over $30—tiny tube, big ego. Protecting your skin is important, but must it feel like investing in skincare stocks?
Lip Balm
A tiny tube with a big markup! Lip balm’s humble beginnings are long gone. Specialty balms with “ultra-healing” ingredients or sustainable packaging are way pricier than your old cherry ChapStick. Some brands are charging $10 a tube. If your lip balm costs more than lunch, maybe your lips should start paying rent.
Facial Cleanser
Cleansing your face used to be simple. Now, it’s a multi-step ritual with foams, gels, balms, and oils—all with inflated price tags. Even the “gentle” options have gotten aggressive at checkout. If your cleanser costs more than dinner, maybe let your pores chill with plain old water tonight.
Facial Toner
Toners have rebranded from their alcohol-soaked past into hydrating, balancing, pH-perfecting elixirs—aka, pricier. Bottles are smaller, prices are higher, and your pores remain unimpressed. Some bottles are now flirting with boutique wine prices. It’s water with attitude, and you’re paying for it. The glow is real, but so is the sticker shock.
Face Masks
Face masks used to be the lazy girl’s spa night staple. Now, they’re marketed like miracle treatments, packed with charcoal, gold flakes, or snail goo—and priced accordingly. That $12 sheet mask feels fancy, but it’s also sliding off your chin and making your bank account break out. Glamorous? Kinda. Expensive? Absolutely.
Perfume and Cologne
Scents have always been pricey, but the last few years have seen serious sticker shock. Ingredient scarcity, fancy packaging, and celebrity endorsements all drive the cost up. If your signature scent now costs the same as a concert ticket, maybe let your natural charm do the talking for a while.
Hand Soap
Hand soap used to be a dollar-store grab. Now? It’s a lifestyle statement. Handwashing got a glow-up during the pandemic—and prices haven’t come back down. Fancy packaging, “antibacterial” claims, and scents like “coconut rainwater dreams” have driven prices through the roof. Some bottles hit $8 or more! For that kind of money, it better lather up, sing you a tune, and make you feel emotionally supported.
Nail Polish
That tiny bottle packs a punch—on your nails and your wallet. Once a $2 treat, nail polish now boasts “chip-resistant, salon-grade, gel-like” formulas that cost up to $15. And let’s not forget the trendy names like “Mauve of Doom.” Honestly, for that price, it should paint itself and compliment your entire outfit.
Hair Gel & Pomade
Styling products for your luscious locks are getting seriously high maintenance. Whether it’s a matte clay, glossy pomade, or gravity-defying gel, prices have risen with demand. Even drugstore options are going premium. Your hair may look great, but your wallet’s definitely got bedhead.
Feminine Hygiene Products
From tampons to pads to menstrual cups, prices are on the rise. It’s not just supply chain issues—there’s also a lack of regulation on pricing. Some states are working to eliminate the “pink tax,” but for now, stocking up feels less like a necessity and more like a financial strategy.
Cotton Swabs
They’re tiny, and apparently, they’re made of unicorn hair now because prices are creeping up. Between supply chain issues and packaging upgrades, even these humble hygiene heroes cost more than they should. They may clean your ears, but they’re starting to whisper sweet nothings to your wallet, too.
Makeup Remover
Wiping off your makeup shouldn’t cost a fortune. Yet makeup removers—whether wipes, oils, or waters—have seen noticeable price jumps. Add in buzzwords like “micellar” and “infused,” and suddenly, you’re buying liquid gold. Honestly, for what you’re paying, it should erase your regrets along with your eyeliner.
Hair Brushes
Once a $5 beauty aisle grab, hair brushes are now runway-ready price-wise. Want one that promises to detangle, smooth, and shine-boost? That’ll be $30 or more. Even the basics are creeping up. At this point, your brush better double as a life coach and a Wi-Fi router.
Cotton Balls and Rounds
These are soft, fluffy, and shockingly expensive. Whether you’re removing polish, applying toner, or fixing mascara disasters, these little puffs are no longer a dollar-store grab. The price hike may be small individually, but they add up fast—especially if your skincare routine has more steps than a staircase.
