Let's set the scene: You're shopping at Sephora. Again. Buying stuff you convinced yourself you just have to have. You might be a makeup artist, or not — Or you're just browsing to stay updated with trends, with no plans to spend money until you're surrounded.

A re-enactment using headers, words and totally relatable .gifs will now commence...

1. Deciding what to buy

They all look amazing but exactly same, at least for a non-make-up artist. To most men, it's "purple." To a non-MUA, there are about 5 shades of purple on a scale that goes something like "lilac," "medium purple," and "very-purple purple." To an MUA, there are 52 shades and they know them all. Understand your place in the Sephora shopping hierarchy.

2. Sampling perfume you probably won't buy

Stacks of shelves line gorgeous bottles of perfume and cologne. You have no idea what they smell like. Glitter doesn't tell the whole story. The wands are there. You spray all the scents you can and wind up smelling like a fashion runway closet. Why only smell like blossoming iris when you can be the whole forest?

3. You make a day out of it

Rather than get exactly what you came for, why not take a stroll through the aisles? Inevitably buying more than you came in for. A+ marketing for the store's layout.

4. Choosing to use a shopping bag or not

You only came in for a few, tiny items. But why carry them at all? Will using a carry-on Sephora hand cart look too much? Patiently wait for a sales associate to save you and offer one.

5. Get your free samples

You didn't really want to sample that new Versace scent, but there it is. A 0.25 oz all for yourself. You've earned it, so take it! Or, if you spend a little more, you get other freebies. That's how they get you. Your cart continues to grow.

6. The time has come: your final total

Seeing all those numbers next to each other on the screen can be surprising even when you knew exactly how much each item was. The initial reaction is usually shock and confusion. You question the fabric of unchecked capitalism.

7. Then you briefly consider putting it back

It's makeup. You suggest other things you can buy. But you came all this way. And waited in a long line that wrapped around the store. That lipstick is YOURS.

8. Where's the rewards card?

You made your choice. Another moment of fear eclipses you. You don't have your rewards card. Now you have to guess which of the ten million email addresses is it. Be strong. Get your points. No one said getting to red Rouge status was easy.

9. Trying to convince people the makeup is worth it

Non-Sephora shoppers won't understand. If and when the question comes – "That's so nice! How much did it cost?" – lie to them. One generic reply can do the trick: "I don't remember."