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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how much you pay for beauty services like your nails, hair, etc?

442 replies

ChattyChai · 17/07/2025 13:48

I’m 39, turning 40 at the end of the year.

My husband thinks I’m being ridiculous with what I spend, but we can afford it comfortably and it makes me feel good.

I spend £42 every 3-5 weeks on nails, and every 3 months or so an extra £15 to get my eyebrows waxed and tinted.

i spend £140 every two months on getting my hair extensions moved up, and then every 4 months an extra £77 to get my roots done.

he thinks this is silly money and an extra £110 a month we could be saving, but I work, it’s my only real splurge each month and it makes me feel great. Am I spending too much? How much do you spend?

OP posts:
Hdpr · 17/07/2025 23:15

YourWinter · 17/07/2025 14:03

I’m 69 and had my nails done for the first time ever in June for DD’s wedding, I love them. They were re-done after four weeks (BIAB), probably three would be better if anyone but me was going to see them. It’s £34 and despite my extremely low pension income I’ll carry on until the novelty wears off as they delight me every time I look at them! Long term I won’t be able to justify it.

I have longish hair twisted up in a claw clip or ponytail and just lop bits of fringe off myself if it annoys me. Never had brows or lashes done and I don’t really like being touched, so facials and massages are a no-go.

Edited

Good for you!! Do what makes you happy

MyBlueSloth · 17/07/2025 23:06

£0. And it shows

UnderThePressure · 17/07/2025 23:04

My haircut costs £30 every 4 weeks (I have a pixie so needs trimming often). I use box dye at the same which is £8.
I am lucky that my adult child works in the beauty industry and my other child is at college learning beauty therapy. So I can go to the college and get manicures, waxing and facials done for peanuts or for practice.
If I didn't have this opportunity then I wouldn't pay elsewhere; I'd just do it myself at home.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 17/07/2025 23:03

Never get nails or brows done, haircut once or twice a year £45 ish.

I do treat myself to a massage every now and then but not sure if that counts 🙈😂

LucasBuck · 17/07/2025 23:00

Nil. Hair cut done by my Mum for free (non professional but she does almost as good a job as the lady the used to do it for £30 every 6 weeks). Hair isn’t dyed as it’s too much upkeep and I’m not keen on all the chemicals. Nails kept clean and filed but polish is too much hassle. I use an epilator on body hair (so also “free” after the initial outlay) and don’t bother with lash tinting/brow tinting or makeup apart from concealer if I get a really bad spot and maybe some tinted fruity lip balm for fun (as I just find it pleasant to apply).

I did bother with all the hair dying, makeup, lash and brow tinting, professional body hair waxing, nails done etc when I was younger. But (and I don’t know how to say it in a nicer way) I feel like I’ve grown up and am over it now? I’m now in my forties with DC and I dread to think about the thousands I probably spent on stuff like that over the years, mostly because everyone else did it and I thought I “enjoyed it” too.

Possibly because now I’m older and have the benefit of more perspective/hindsight, I understand that actually I really don’t like the feel of most cosmetics on my skin and I honestly don’t think most of them (or the treatments) make people look any more attractive - they look just the same but with their hair/colour/nails/brows/makeup done to me. I now embrace the greys and my natural, very average/fairly plain looks (I have a non- professional job so don’t need to look “polished” for it ie. wear makeup 🙄).

BUT you do you. By that I mean it’s your money, your life and if it truly makes you feel happy then it is worth it and imo your husband doesn’t have any right to tell you differently. I don’t see how in principle it’s any different to spending money on any kind of frivolity- and that includes your DH’s golf membership. Plus based on threads like this, I mostly seem to be an oddity on my current views on beauty products/treatments anyway 🤷‍♀️

hellokellie · 17/07/2025 22:59

I don't spend a penny on anything like this - nail varnish has never stuck to my nails well and I'm not allowed it on at work anyway so no point. My eyebrows I just tweeze and they look nice, and my mum just trims my hair for me (I'm 32) but I'm lucky in that my natural hair looks nice enough without anything needing doing to it (I don't straighten, curl it or anything)

But I spend a LOT of holidays and travel each year because that's what matters to me!

If you can afford it comfortable, I don't see a problem!

madamovaries · 17/07/2025 22:57

My haircut / colour is ridiculously expensive (about 300 quid, do it 3 times a year).
No other treatments at all

Fairnair · 17/07/2025 22:56

Zero.

My Mum cuts my hair, and I don’t have my nails done, brows, any waxing done etc.

Klp122 · 17/07/2025 22:56

I do my own manicures, don't have lashes or botox etc.
Brow thread £8 every 4-6 weeks
Monthly pedicure £36
Facial/massage as and when, around £50
Hair colour and cut every 2 months anywhere between £60-£140 depending on whether just roots or colour refresh. This might change soon if I can find the right product to colour at home.

SnacksAndChaosThanks · 17/07/2025 22:55

Nails and toes every month around £50.
Botox £180 every 3 months.
Fillers around £500 every couple of years.
Hair £60 every 3 months.
I did laser hair removal on my legs years ago when it first came out and they've never grown back so that was a good £3 or £5k spent.
Beauty products like; Retinol, rose hip, Vitamin A - all oils, vitamin supplements, cream, hylauronic acid, perfumes, hair creams, body sprays, 2 types of deodorant - literally priceless.

There is SO MUCH STUFF that there is no room for a man that moans about beauty treatments, if he wanted to marry a man like himself, he shoulda did that.

My ex used to ask me how much I spent on things and then loudly moan about it, but if I ever asked him how much he spent on his Land Rover or personalised plates, he would jokingly say "A fiver!" so that it was never up for discussion.

I will never disclose to anyone ever again unless they are asking to pay for it.

Cherrytree86 · 17/07/2025 22:53

RachTheAlpaca · 17/07/2025 22:42

Yes that seems hugely excessive

Can you not grow your nails and hair instead?

@RachTheAlpaca

eh? What just let them grow and grow? She’d look like a witch 🧙 🤣

Thelaundryfairyhasbeenassassinated · 17/07/2025 22:47

Going by your updates it doesn't sound like he cares about what is good for you and how your resources should support your wellbeing. Your resources in his opinion belong to him and are fully for him to decide how they best benefit his objectives. Arsehole.

Marriage is suppose to be about love and mutual respect.

IridiumSky · 17/07/2025 22:44

Nina1013 · 17/07/2025 14:07

Also, who made your husband God of all?

As one of my grandparents used to say, it’s no good being the richest person in the graveyard!

Ha Ha!

But one’s children may disagree. 😀

BountifulPantry · 17/07/2025 22:43

Im a similar age and very DIY. I have a gel nail kit I bought myself so do my own mani pedi. My bfs sister cuts my hair for free. There’s no need to dye my hair as no greys yet, and I like my natural colour.

I learned to do my own waxing so every month i sit on a towel on my bed, watch and film and rip out every hair I possible can 😂 it’s actually quite satisfying!

I tint my own eyebrows and lashes- the at home kit costs I think £10 but lasts ages as you don’t need much dye. I also do my own tan, especially in the summer. Again this is under a tenner for a massive bottle. I use Colgate whitening strips rarely due to teeth damage potential. They’re literally a few quid.

Shampoo, products and skincare wise I stick to the basics. I think I look pretty good and well put together. I defo don’t feel hard done by.

Honestly I think part of it with me is I really done like being messed about with by a stranger 😂 like I cannot be arsed to go to a hairdresser and have them arse about for hours with my hair.

namechangeGOT · 17/07/2025 22:43

MayaPinion · 17/07/2025 21:57

Blimey, I didn’t realise nails were such a big deal. I don’t think I’ve ever spontaneously noticed anyone else’s. I just keep mine clean and neatly trimmed. Do you notice other people’s nails?

I absolutely notice if other peoples nails! I notice if they look lovely with bright colours on them and I especially notice if they’ve been chewed and picked to death. The same as I notice teeth.

JockTamsonsBairns · 17/07/2025 22:42

I don't spend anything! Probably partly because I can't afford it but, also, I'm not really bothered about 'grooming'?

I'm 52 and would quite like to get my eyebrows tinted though. Mine are so thin, they're barely visible.
I feel a bit silly though, because I don't know what to ask for? 😳

RachTheAlpaca · 17/07/2025 22:42

Yes that seems hugely excessive

Can you not grow your nails and hair instead?

CheshireCat1 · 17/07/2025 22:42

Hair £12 every few weeks, I’m otherwise happy with myself as I am.

AInightingale · 17/07/2025 22:40

Why do you have to 'pay him back' for caring for four children - HIS children - when they were small?! That's the hardest work anyone will ever do and a fuck sight more important than poncing round a golf course. Does he have any idea how much childcare would have cost over that period?

He sounds vile OP honestly. Sorry.

Fundayout2025 · 17/07/2025 22:37

Cut and blow dry £5, nails ( rarely) £10. Eyebrow threading £6 . Lash lift £15.

Oh and occasional facials at £10 and massage at £5 ( abroad)

TwistedWonder · 17/07/2025 22:37

Nails .£25 every 3 weeks
Brow wax - £10 every 6 weeks
Aromatherapy massage - £60 every month
Hair cut every 8 weeks (every other cut with balayage) £80/£130

ColinCaterpillarsNo1Fan · 17/07/2025 22:36

Leg wax £20 every 6 wks
Hollywood wax £35 every 8 wks
Hair £50 every 3 months
Eyebrow threading £15 every 2 months

Booklover2021 · 17/07/2025 22:34

ChattyChai · 17/07/2025 13:48

I’m 39, turning 40 at the end of the year.

My husband thinks I’m being ridiculous with what I spend, but we can afford it comfortably and it makes me feel good.

I spend £42 every 3-5 weeks on nails, and every 3 months or so an extra £15 to get my eyebrows waxed and tinted.

i spend £140 every two months on getting my hair extensions moved up, and then every 4 months an extra £77 to get my roots done.

he thinks this is silly money and an extra £110 a month we could be saving, but I work, it’s my only real splurge each month and it makes me feel great. Am I spending too much? How much do you spend?

I don't know if this is an option but I've started using moyou nails. Gel stickers and a UV lamp. Feel as strong as acrylic but easy to remove and no damage x

Allmarbleslost · 17/07/2025 22:34

Nails £32 every three weeks, haircut £52 twice a year. I colour my hair myself and have never had anything done to my brows or lashes.

Cherrytree86 · 17/07/2025 22:33

Genevieva · 17/07/2025 14:35

So you list c.£1,635 expenditure per year after tax. I think it’s a lot. I spend about 10% of that. Two hair cuts a year. I do my own nails. I only like short, neat nails with clear nail polish. I am also unwilling to support nail bars, given their association with people trafficking.
Presumably you also buy shampoo, conditioner, face cleaners, moisturisers… Are these expensive or budget?

You can only spend money once.

@Genevieva

my hair would look terrible if I only went to the hairdressers twice a year. I’m not going to do that.