My cut and color nearly tripled in price when we moved from OH to IL. I’m still suffering a bit of sticker shock.
Up until recently I think I was fairly low-maintenance. Haircuts every two months. Usually letting hair dry naturally. Infrequent makeup, never very good at it! Manicures only about 3 times ever. Pedicures just to start the summer or before a vacation, and then doing it myself the rest of the time. But now that I am a bit older, I feel very plain.
I am considering doing something for my skin, like a laser treatment? I don’t know. I am also thinking that once Covid is done, I’d like to do a makeup lesson of some kind.
The big expense in recent years is that I started getting regular massages, about every three weeks, and I love it. Not sure when that will be available again–one of the things I miss the most during social distancing.
Massage is pretty expensive, $100, but it has helped so much with various aches and pains and just overall feeling of well-being.
I usually pay about $60 for a haircut, by the way.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/womens-haircuts-cost-more_l_5e9600fcc5b6e9d524adea72 describes how barbers / hair salons often automatically charge women higher prices for similar services compared to men, but that some use gender-neutral pricing.
I gave our stylist $60 yesterday for H and my private haircuts in her house ($60 total, not each). She protested saying it was way too much (she wanted $30). I told her it was a Covid tip and she accepted it, thanking me.
It feels good having short hair again vs what it was like having grown out for 2 1/2 months since my last cut. I usually got it cut every 4-6 weeks pre-Covid at $20 cut (including tip). H used to go to the barbershop every month or so for $10. He prefers my private stylist now because of his barber’s political leanings and not knowing how seriously he is taking Covid. (Doesn’t care about the political leanings otherwise. If we cared, we would have to move or do nothing. We live in deep red territory.)
I have been growing my bangs out since March. I did have yard haircut in late July/ (The stylist “charged” me $65 total for the 2 haircuts, me and hubby. But actually it was just using up the first part of my credit because I sent her a tide-over check early in the pandemic. I gave her $10 travel fee in cash). Methinks it is time for another cut, but I have to decide whether to revert to bangs again. Not getting a perm (first time in 40 years) has been a real hassle for me.
omg - bangs - good luck deciding
No haircut for seven months. No professional haircut planned till pandemic ends.
My former very short signature bob with bangs is now shoulder length with bangs down beneath my eyes. I’m trying to grow out the bangs… if not now, then when?
Today my fingers are just itching for the scissors.
Wife & daughter are good for $300 every 6 weeks cut & color. Another $100 nails, & $150 waxing, facials ect…
Being beautiful is expensive???♀️
BTW $20 every 6 weeks for my haircut
I also have some cosmetic derm treatments from time to time – some laser treatments to get rid of tiny veins on my face, and freezing of skin tags on my trunk. But those aren’t cheap, so they are rare – maybe every other year.
Your insurance doesn’t cover that treatment? Mine does; I’ll have to look at the billing code next time.
My regular nail salon is opening today, after six months of closure. I’m grateful they were able to hang on this long, but not too sure I’ll be back very often. My feet could use a really good pedi. but other than that, I’ve managed - and I am not to keen to pay a 20% hike in prices!
I don’t keep track which I know is a privilege. Pre Covid I would get a facial once a month which would average about $125. Hair color every 4 weeks which would be 75-140 depending on what needed to be done. I only get my haircut two to three times a year. Manicure and pedicure a few times a year.
I’ve had laser treatment once about 5 years ago and I would consider doing it again. I also get skin tags removed. Insurance covers it if they are irritated otherwise they consider it cosmetic. Same for a lot of the other skin things I get burnt off.
I need to schedule a dermatologist appointment for a full body check. I have a number of things I want removed which insurance won’t cover. Nails haven’t been done since pre Covid. Same with facial. I did finally get hair colored this past week. $80.00 which was on the less expensive side as I didn’t have any highlights done.
I feel terrible for the family that owns the nail salon and my facial person as they just got the green light to open again after months of being closed. I’m not comfortable getting a facial as obviously that can’t be done in a mask.
I also love a massage. Massage therapist moved away but that used to be 150 once a month.
I also like expensive serum, shampoo, conditioner and face cleanser. I don’t wear much makeup so don’t spend a lot in that department.
The feminist in me must retort that being beautiful doesn’t require all that. 
My stylist no longer does backyard haircuts. I will go to her apartment (1 chair “shop”) tomorrow.
Any hints about getting a haircut while wearing mask? Cloth or medical/disposable? I wore one in the backyard but was not as nervous about things outside.
I have long hair but I like to get it trimmed regularly, so I’ve had 2 trims since early summer. Any mask that just goes over your ears is fine. For color, you will want the disposable one. Otherwise, whatever fits you comfortably and lets your stylist lift the hair up from around your ears. It really works fine.
@BmacNJ I’m impressed! My H would not have a clue!
As for the laser, either I looked really bad pre-laser, OR, laser is magic. I get so many compliments on my skin these days; in fact, two separate compliments this week!
“My H would not have a clue!” - Based on some of the high costs I’ve seen noted here, perhaps that could be a good thing.
Of course families likely don’t spend like that if not affordable. It’s probably a bit like cars (where we splurge a bit on our Audi) - cheaper is possible, but it’s nice to spend more in high priority areas when it is easy to do so.
Cut my dad’s hair. My sis bought the clippers etc and she had been doing it but I got drawn into it. I hate learning curves! But I did rather well despite not knowing what I was doing with the electric clippers. Sort of fun. Figured it’s hair and it’ll grow back!
Not going back to self coloring. My stylist does root color and highlights, but will hold off on the latter if I don’t want to add that to costs. It makes ME happy. The post-feminist in me is is satisfied. When you find the right stylist, imo, you keep them, treasure them.
Stopped doing my gel nails during closure, but still do the basic pedi.
What’s going to cost a lot more is the hair and make-up for D1’s wedding (plus a trial.) That’s someone D1 knows. Hair will be colored and ready the day before, this is just a little extra curl, maybe a pin back.
I do somewhat envy gals who can take any cut, wash without even blowng dry, and look great. And women who look so fine when all grey.
@doschicos ”Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”?
@colorado_mom i wear a disposable mask when I have my hair done. That way I can keep it on while she colors my hair and then washes it. It gets wet and has color on it. I usually take the mask off as soon as I leave and throw it away. There’s a garbage can right outside the salon.