Sex, chocolate, coffee? No thanks I prefer my cosmetics

The study, carried out by L’Bel USA on over 1300 women, also found out that women are more likely to let an airline security take a pair of beloved shoes and jeans, than give up their favorite skincare or makeup items.

"Women not only want beauty products that make them feel radiant inside and out, but products that are customized for their skin and lifestyle. It's no surprise they would rather go without a few of life's other simple pleasures. Once you find a product you love, that's affordable and works, you never want to let it go,"​ said John Krites, L'Bel USA's beauty expert.

A better understanding of women’s attitudes​

With its parent corporation Belcorp being the third largest skin care company in South America, L'Bel USA says it commissioned the survey to gain a better understanding of women's attitudes on beauty and lifestyle, and the products that are top of the mind for women this spring.

The study also found that three-quarters of women (76 percent) report that they carry a make-up/skin care related product in their purse regularly, with lipstick/lip gloss (63 percent) topping the list of beauty-related items, which L’Bel claims highlights the importance of cosmetic products in consumers’ lives.

According to the survey, the top ranked item that women report as a ‘must-have’ when they go out at night is their lipstick or lip gloss.

Fifty nine percent of women prefer lip gloss to lotion (17 percent), fragrance (12 percent), foundation/concealer (9 percent) and mascara (6 percent).

Where to spend the paycheck…​

Fragrance was found to be the number one item on which women would spend their paycheck.

An estimated 25 percent of women would use their paycheck to splurge on fragrance, and one in ten women said that if they could use their paycheck to splurge on one beauty product, they would choose foundation/concealer (12 percent) or lotion (10 percent).