Invest in yourself now: influencers Vivian Tu, Simran Kaur explain

Skin care has become an increasingly prevalent part of monthly budgets, especially for younger generations who aren’t ready for injectables or cosmetic surgery. With 60% of women and 39% of men reporting that they have a consistent skincare routine, there’s an apparent demand for affordable, basic products.

While the average American spends $1,754 annually, Millennials spend $2,670 on skin care each year, and Gen Z is not far behind at $2,048. There is a growing appetite for quality, budget-friendly skin care products that deliver long-lasting results.

One in three adults (31%) believe that spending on beauty is a necessity, and 11% consider quality skin care to be a wise financial investment. SkinCeuticals agrees, having recently launched a new serum, P-TIOX, as an alternative to injectables.

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Vivian Tu and Simran Kaur partnered with SkinCeuticals for a financial empowerment campaign to highlight that investing in your skin is one of the smartest investments you can make.

TheStreet sat down with Tu and Kaur to discuss how women can start their financial wellness journey. Both financial gurus note that a quality skin care regimen is akin to a well-researched investment strategy: quality and reliability pay off in the long run.

Your future is your most important investment – spend your time and money wisely

Like traditional asset investments, it can take years for your personal investment to mature. Vivian Tu shares insight into how she built her Your Rich BFF empire and how women can follow her lead by betting on themselves.

“I think one of the most valuable things I have in my life that I can’t buy more of is time,” she explains. “Making investments in my time, whether it’s hiring a paralegal who can help me with everything in my business, or investing in things that will pay off in the long run.”

“One of my favorite investments has been in my skincare and beauty routine, so using SkinCeuticals is incredible. There is proven effectiveness and long-term benefits, and by investing in my skin care now, I save time by not needing full makeup every day. By practicing really smart skin care today, I can save money down the road.”

You emphasize the importance of investing in yourself professionally, financially and even physically.

“It’s crucial to invest in yourself,” she said. “Whether it’s your passions or your skills, make sure you can level up by constantly learning and earning.”

“You can’t have a ‘happily ever after’ if you don’t have a road map to get you there. I always say write down your goals for the next 12 months, five years, ten years and then come up with exactly how you’re going to get there.”

She also stresses the importance of planning for the future by taking advantage of employer 401(k) accounts, traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs.

“These are great ways to save on taxes while doing the right thing for your future. And it is not enough to open these accounts. You need to make sure you invest in those accounts, buying target date retirement funds and index funds that make sense for your risk profile and tolerance.”

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When asked how women can prioritize enjoying their lives without breaking the bank on luxury, Tu explains “Is It Worth It?” equation.

“Look at where your values ​​lie,” she explains. “Instead of talking in terms of dollars, think of expenses in terms of hours worked. So whether I’m shopping for a new outfit or having dinner and drinks with some girlfriends, I think about the financial trade-off. Instead of looking at it like, ‘this costs x, y, z dollars,’ I say, ‘How many hours of work is this going to cost me?'”

“This was so incredibly affirming in what I should be spending my money on,” she says. “When I think about using high quality brands, it makes sense – it pays off over time and I can very much justify the cost.”

Tu also shares practical advice for women who want to take a more active role in their finances, emphasizing the importance of community and knowledge sharing.

“I think we’ve been told for years that women shouldn’t talk about money. It’s rude, it’s rude, it’s taboo, it’s clumsy,” she says. “But look at the men on the golf course teeing off on the 3rd hole, talking about their real estate portfolios, their investments, or how much their kids’ college is costing.”

“They have those conversations and they are more empowered and stronger to have them because they have more knowledge. They know what they should ask for at their next annual raise meeting. They know what is fair and what the mortgage rate should be because of whose lender it was. We need to have those conversations as women.”

The Fearless Girl statue is seen facing the New York Stock Exchange.

Johannes EISELE / AFP

“We also need to be aware that it’s not as easy for young women to find a mentor as it is for young men,” she continues. “When I was working in finance, there were so few ways to build that connection that a lot of other people had the advantages of.”

“So to women, I say find a mentor, talk about money, and know that we’re stronger and better together than trying to pit each other against each other with a false scarcity mindset. There is enough room at the top for all of us to succeed together.”

Consistency is the key to investing, financial literacy and breaking down gender barriers

Podcast host and financial columnist Simran Kaur founded Girls That Invest in an effort to take control of her financial future. When she discovered that there wasn’t enough content and financial tools aimed at women, she set out to create an inclusive space to help women realize that anyone can start investing.

Asked about the investments she made in herself that led to her success, Kaur also emphasizes the importance of education and self-confidence.

“The best investments I’ve made in myself have been in education and self-care,” she says. “Financial Literacy was a game changer for me in terms of personal wealth and how I could empower others. Investing in my health and well-being was just as important.”

Related: The average American faces a major retirement 401(k) dilemma.

“Discovering how the right beauty and skincare routine can boost my confidence has been transformative. When you feel good about yourself, it reflects in your personal and professional life. These investments have allowed me to be my best self in every aspect of my career.”

Kaur compares quality skin care products to a well-researched investment. “I believe in science, whether it’s investing or my health. The effectiveness and long-term benefits of quality products are worth the investment. It’s similar to choosing a well-researched investment strategy over a riskier, less proven one – you’re paying for quality and reliability, which can make all the difference in results.”

Kaur also emphasizes the importance of financial education and community when breaking cycles and raising the next generation of women.

“Financial literacy is crucial for everyone, but especially for women and women of color, who have historically been underserved in this area,” she explains. “It’s about more than understanding money – it’s about empowerment and the ability to make informed decisions that can change your life. By educating ourselves, we can break cycles of financial dependency and create generational wealth.”

While the investment can be daunting, Kaur hopes to level the playing field for startups, especially women.

“You don’t need a lot of money to start investing, just the desire to learn. Start with understanding the basics of savings and budgeting, then move on to investment options like ETFs, which are often a great entry point. The key is consistency and patience; financial growth is a marathon, not a sprint.”

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