How Much Do You Spend Monthly On Beauty Maintenance?
Not everyone has access to makeup artists, hairstylists, nail technicians and eyebrow gurus like Kelly Rowland, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian and Rihanna. But for many everyday women, the pressure to be glamorous every time you step out of the house is the same.
I can’t count how many conversations I’ve had with girlfriends, stressing over how they need their eyebrows done or their nails are a mess. I’ve even known women who won’t come out to an event if their hair isn’t done.
We know black hair is a billion dollar industry, and eyebrow grooming services and nail salons are successful as well. It’s in large part due to the social demands of having “nails did, hair did, everything did,” and putting your money behind the meme.
Monthly beauty costs can easily border on the expensive side, when you factor in a manicure and pedicure, a weekly visit to the hair salon, body hair waxing and more. When you add up all the money you spend on beauty needs a month, and a year, you realize looking beautiful can come at a steep price.
Once I tallied up the costs of my glamorous habit, I quickly saw an opportunity to save and keep some extra money in my pocket. I was able to cut down some of the expenses by opting to do my hair and nails by myself, though after an eyebrow plucking session gone wrong, I still leave waxing to the professionals.
$35 for a retwist, and extra $15 with a style. Lately I’m in love with the sock bun so I just get it retwisted and do my own bun :)
oh, and if i get my eyebrows done it’s $47, but that’s usually trimonthly. I paint my own nails/toes.
I usually try to get a mani/pedi and my eyebrows threaded at least once a month. With my hair, since I know how to do it myself even though I do get relaxers, I wash it every two weeks. So I guess I pay about $50 a month. I feel like as long as my eyebrows are done, I can work around everything else on my own.
wow, i am cheap.
I’m a DIY girl; I haven’t had a pro in my hair for 10 years ( but I’m gonna cave for a cut and color soon), so I’m usually averaging under 20 dollars a month for hair unless replenishing tools or product which is still accounted for in the under 20 average over the course of a year.
I’ve accumulated a larger than average makeup wardrobe over the past few years, so unless I’m replenishing staples like foundation (which I rarely need/wear), mascara and liners or grabbing a new limited edition item, I can easily (once again) remain at about a 20 or less average per month.
As for skin; my hugest cost was an up front investment in a Clarisonic, so replacing the heads ( buy the twin pack and save) and cleanser (Mario Bedescu runs me about 15 over 3 months), so I’m still running under 20 a month (AGAIN!), there.
I can get wolfy from the neck up, so keeping up my threading runs me 40 a month.
My Achilles heel has been nail care: I have a nail wardrobe that’s better than the average salon, so I do my own manis/pedis on my natural nails, but polish and nail supplies usually run me about 40 or so a month; thankfully I’m able to shop at a pro supply, because it’d be at least twice as much to buy retail. I’m not buying any new polishes until the new year, but I went a lil crazy for spring so yeah, LOL
So in total, I’m clocking in at 120 dollars a month average at worst. I could definitely stand to chill with nail related purchases, and I will.
I had to chill on my nail purchases too. I realized it was taking me years to even put a dent in a bottle…I am trying to get rid of some of my fave colors before I buy any more. And even then, I have yet to buy an O.P.I at full price….I always go for less expensive but comparable items… no matter if we’re discussing purses or socks.
Nothing…..MAYBE $20 on thrift store finds but I had to stop even THAT. Times are definitely hard. I shop my closet like I’m addicted. Facebook will just have to deal with seeing me in an item from 2009.
I have stopped doing over-the-counter makeup, and trips to BEAUTY SCHOOL salons….Wouldn’t you know, I really believe there is NO DIFFERENCE???!! You would be amazed.
My goals are to be very hygienic and polished while I take care of myself AT HOME. I did have awhile where I was addicted to at-home beauty buys…
But I stocked up on my Iman makeup, olive oil, body scrubs, and nail polishes. My trusty flat-iron and box-kit relaxers. I honestly don’t feel any different, and SOMETIMES BETTER, than when I had money to waste and let other people do the job.
It is all really, really subjective. Take pride in what you can do for yourself ladies…the true test comes when you are out with your friends, take that photo, and notice you look just as good as the rest. You will pass that test EVERY TIME.