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Original poster

How often do you pay for self care luxuries?

54 replies

Whathefisgoingon · 31/01/2023 21:28

Today I had an hour to kill before picking DS up from nursery and decided to go for a cheap manicure, the first time in years.

I’ve been to the hairdresser twice in the last 7 years, I have my eyebrows waxed once every few months, and that is it.

When I was in the nail salon regulars were in and out having treatments and it got me thinking that maybe I’ve let myself go.

I left my job last year to look after DS and DP went back to work full time. When we were both working we both did part time but worked out our income would only be marginally less if I quit and he went back full time.

It is “our money” and he would never have a problem with me treating myself but of course when i haven’t worked for the money, I would never have big blow outs.

What are your circumstances and how often do you pay for things like this for yourself?

OP posts:
N00bz · 01/02/2023 14:04

Regularly.

I’m not naturally attractive so need to spend money to look presentable!

Manicure (gel/builder) and eyebrows every three weeks.
Hair dyed/roots done, cut, highlights, treatment every 6 - 8 weeks.
12 week Keratin treatment every 10 - 12 weeks.
Teeth whitening every 6 - 8 months, as needed.

4thonthe4th · 01/02/2023 14:05

Hair trim & highlights every 8 weeks
Nails every 3 weeks
Pedicure every 6 weeks
LVL every 4 weeks
Brows every 8 weeks
Good hair & skincare- usually lasts me around 2 months
Gym membership including swimming

The most important ones are free: good sleep, walks in the fresh air & drink lots of water

spuddel · 01/02/2023 14:14

I have a (fairly cheap) gym/pool/sauna membership which I use several times a week and take myself off for a five star hotel/spa overnight every two months where I love a full body massage/indian head massage. But when it comes to manicures/pedicures, I prefer to do it myself. I find it absolute torture someone else touching my nails for some reason. Hair I can leave for a year untouched, just cannot stand going to the salon and those basins absolutely kill my neck! I spend a fair bit on vitamins and good food. I like good quality clothes and use Caudalie skin products. But prefer to tint and shape my own eyebrows.

emmathedilemma · 01/02/2023 14:17

I don't even know what some of the things on this thread are!!
I have a cut and blow dry 2-3 times a year.
Used to get my armpits waxed but since lockdown I've had them done twice and keep on top of them with the epilator.
I have fairly regular sports massages but that's not exactly an enjoyable experience and more for injury prevention than self indulgence!

Iwantabloodypizza · 01/02/2023 14:21

I have my eyebrows waxed for £6 every 2 months. By the end of those two months, I could be mistaken for one of the Gallagher brothers.

I have my hair cut once a year in the hairdresser down the road who does a dry cut (well, sprayed with a bottle of water) for £8.

I buy a £6 box of hair dye every 6-8 weeks or when the halo of white hair gets too much (i’m 43 ffs). It looks shit though.

Other than that, nothing, got no spare cash at all for anything else, I used to wear minimal
make up to cover my awful dark circles, but I just can’t afford to buy it.

I always look a mess. I would love to look nice, just once!

FinallyMrsE · 01/02/2023 14:24

I’m also a SAHM, I have haircuts every 6 months and home colour every month.

I have my lips filled every 6 months, I have bought lots of things to make my life easier (laser hair remover/dyson hairdryer) I spend a lot more on my hair care (curly hair) than I do on the rest of the family so although I don’t have lots of treatments, I have invested in me.

i also have a gym membership, 2 PT sessions a week and go hiking. My kids are school age so I’ve done the hard years so this is when it gets more about me, the school holidays are completely different and all the me stuff stops

PhoebeBridger · 01/02/2023 14:25

Hair cut and coloured (with extensions coloured and retaped) every 6-8 weeks depending on funds and plans!

eyebrows waxed and tinted during hair appointment

Im a nurse so can’t have my nails done but just had my first luxury pedicure which I’m hoping will last me right till summer, that was £45 with a foot massage and felt AMAZING

PhoebeBridger · 01/02/2023 14:26

Oh I also try to have one hour long massage a year, I’d have them every week if I could

gogohmm · 01/02/2023 14:28

Nails every 3 weeks, hair once a year (curly so unruly always!) facial once or twice a year

gogohmm · 01/02/2023 14:29

Oh and pedicure in April then every 6 weeks through to September

BridieConvert · 01/02/2023 15:01

£55 for hair (cut/colour) and eyebrows (wax/tint) every 5-6 weeks.
Will do a big boots order for makeup/skincare every couple of months
Buy a bottle of perfume yearly with my boots points

I've had one massage and one facial in my life 🥴

spuddel · 01/02/2023 15:07

spuddel · 01/02/2023 14:14

I have a (fairly cheap) gym/pool/sauna membership which I use several times a week and take myself off for a five star hotel/spa overnight every two months where I love a full body massage/indian head massage. But when it comes to manicures/pedicures, I prefer to do it myself. I find it absolute torture someone else touching my nails for some reason. Hair I can leave for a year untouched, just cannot stand going to the salon and those basins absolutely kill my neck! I spend a fair bit on vitamins and good food. I like good quality clothes and use Caudalie skin products. But prefer to tint and shape my own eyebrows.

Forgot you asked circumstances. My ds is 18 now and I work pt from home so finally have time to spend on me. When he was a child though, I really did put myself last in the 'me time' stakes. It's absolutely lovely now to have time to exercise and walk and meet friends for lunch or trips away.

JessicaBrassica · 01/02/2023 15:10

I just can't bring myself to do anything that costs money. I feel too guilty. I have however treated myself to a day with log burner and a book ... To have a strike called and my children at home. So clearly I can't do anything that doesn't cost either.

BridieConvert · 01/02/2023 15:15

BridieConvert · 01/02/2023 15:01

£55 for hair (cut/colour) and eyebrows (wax/tint) every 5-6 weeks.
Will do a big boots order for makeup/skincare every couple of months
Buy a bottle of perfume yearly with my boots points

I've had one massage and one facial in my life 🥴

I work full time term time (although currently on maternity) have 2 DDs - 2yo and 4mo. Feel like I don't spend a great deal of money on myself yet still end up skint at the end of the month!

SweetSakura · 01/02/2023 15:33

JessicaBrassica · 01/02/2023 15:10

I just can't bring myself to do anything that costs money. I feel too guilty. I have however treated myself to a day with log burner and a book ... To have a strike called and my children at home. So clearly I can't do anything that doesn't cost either.

I feel your pain @JessicaBrassica i tried to take a days annual leave several times in the autumn to just sit and read, and every time one of the children was too ill for school or DH decided to WFH !

MarchingBand · 01/02/2023 15:35

Regularly for me.
Haircut every 6 weeks, color every 3 months
Manicure every 3 weeks, I do my toenails at home (polish and foot mask)
Lash extensions every 2 1/2 weeks
Eyebrows microbladed every 2 years, I get them threaded about once a month
Facials less often, probably 2 a year
Gym 3/4 times a week
Typing this all out makes me feel like I'm high-maintenance but I swear I'm not! I wear minimal makeup (hence the lashes and brows). I work long hours, as does my DH, so this is how I reward myself.

Comeback25 · 01/02/2023 20:08

Monthly sports massage to help old injuries. Monthly facial. Hair as its needed.
I'm worth it 😉

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 01/02/2023 21:29

Hair every 6-8 weeks. Eyebrows and eyelashes every 8-12 weeks. Pedicure twice a year. Massage every 6-8 weeks.

ChristmasJumpers · 01/02/2023 22:00

Hair cut every 2 months or so, but my big luxury is getting my nails done every 4 weeks. That is it though. I don't spend anything on makeup, hardly anything on clothes (I've had the same stuff for years apart from replacing things that are falling apart) and no waxing or anything of that nature.

Oh I do get my hair chemically straightened every 4-6 months but this is for my sanity as it saves my straightening my frizzy, not-straight-but-not-curly-either hair

WalkAwaySugarbear · 01/02/2023 22:08

Hairdresser every 3 weeks for roots and blow-dry. Lash lift, Hollywood wax, brow tint and wax every 7 weeks. Works out about £125pm. I do my own nails.

Full body massage and facial every 6 months costs £65.

Full pedicure at the chiropodist £50 every 4 months.

ChristmasJumpers · 01/02/2023 22:09

Circumstances - married and with first baby on the way but me and DH already give ourselves a small monthly personal spending budget which shouldn't need to change when baby arrives

EezyOozy · 01/02/2023 22:15

A friend cuts my hair for £30 per cut, about 3-4 x per year

i do buy day cream , night cream
and make up (tends to be “drugstore”
brands but that’s fine)

I do my own mani / pedi, tint my brows and lashes, use nice and easy in my natural colour every couple of months to hide white bits….

our household income is about 100k, but lots of outgoings on kids and renovating, but I don’t feel like I want to spend more

EezyOozy · 01/02/2023 22:16

(I work pt, husband ft, kids 3 and 5)

NameNotRelevant · 01/02/2023 22:21

Hair cut and coloured every 8 weeks, either t-bar or full head
Nails manicured and biab gel every 3 weeks, pedicure and toes gelled every 6 weeks
Eyelash extensions every 5/6 weeks
Brows waxed and tinted every 6 weeks
Facial every 4 weeks
Sports massage every 4 weeks

reluctantbrit · 01/02/2023 22:21

Hair - every 5-6 weeks (I have a really short hair cut).

I hate having my nails done, so never is the answer.

I absolutely love a spa day, had one last Summer at the resort we stayed and need to organise another one one soon. I do my face on a regular basis at home but it's the whole body scrub/massage/float I love.

For me, a nap, books and more books, soft blankets and nice wine is equally good.