Sometimes I feel like crap because I can't afford salon prices

[secretsmiler50]

I realise it's first world problems in comparison to the cost of living crisis currently, but there are times I feel crap about the fact I can't afford beauty treatments and stuff like fillers and botox when so many people I know are having it done. I take excellent care of my skin and body at home but sometimes just kinda wish i could afford the more popular treatments that everyone raves about . I realise I'm probably just being silly and it's a case of fomo, but does anyone else relate and what are some of the things you do to feel good about yourself?

There are so many things I want to say in response to this. Where to begin?

It makes me a little sad you have a fear of missing out on tweakments. What you need to remind yourself about Botox and fillers is that they're really not a necessity, and many whom have them done do not choose wisely and their work isn't great.

Botox and fillers look awful. You are not missing out!!

I can afford both Botox and filler, and am never getting them done. Not ' everyone' gets them.

Have you checked whether your local college have a training salon on site? They offer very much reduced cost treatments because it's students but they are all supervised. Plus as they are in training they usually have the most up to date treatments and products.

On a side note nobody I know has Botox or fillers unless it's Botox for medical purposes so no I don't relate at all.

In my set no one gets them done afaik. And we are all in our 40s, 50s and even 60s.

You are not obliged to.

I think it’s fair enough to feel like you want something that you see your peers have, that you feel is unaffordable. Be that a nicer home/car, meals out, holidays, luxury goods, being a stay at home parent etc etc (the list is limitless!)

Im not going to criticise what you want.
The options you have are maximising your income, cutting back on other choices you make to afford the things you think are a priority, or debt. I wouldn’t advise you or anyone to get into debt for something that isn’t going to give you any returns.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It's just me being stupid to be honest . I know I don't need any of this stuff, but it's just more of a pressure than anything. @ToHellBackAndBeyond I think I probably do have something like that in my town, I'll look into it thanks

Feeling good about yourself shouldn’t be contingent on injecting poison into your face.

I can afford both but would never get them (unless medical e.g. Botox for migraines).

I have never seen anyone who looks good after them. Those who have lip fillers talk like an anaesthetic is wearing off. My SIL has Botox, I don’t look at her and think “oh, she looks young”, I just see someone who has had Botox.

Same for everyone, they just look the age they are but having had stuff “done”.

You're welcome. Just be careful chasing something you think you want, that if it doesn't turn out how you'd imagine, that it doesn't send you down further? Good luck.

I get it OP. Your friends have their brows, eyelashes, nails done regularly and you don’t feel as polished in comparison. Watch some beauty tutorials online and when you can afford it, buy the kit you need to do it yourself. You’ll be thanking yourself later for not doing botox or fillers. It might make people look a bit better when done subtly for a few years but wait til you’re naturally ageing and your friends have fat stretched faces that look terrible.

Tretinoin ( from Dermatica or elsewhere) will look better than fillers in the long run.

I can relate to you. Times are hard for many of us, and it would be lovely to be able to afford a little pamper now and again. Doesn't make you silly at all.

It doesn't look "polished" though, it looks tacky and ugly.

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this but I thought you were going to say something like having your hair done or brows/nails not fillers and Botox!!

i think you’re inadvertently doing yourself a favour by not using them

@secretsmiler50 You might enjoy this article by Anna Murphy who is one of the few fashion people who hasn't succumb to botox and fillers.

I saw that too. How great does Anna look?

@PolkadotZebrasAndStripyGiraffes Can I ask, do you consider these images to look tacky and ugly?

All of the women are groomed with lash extensions, brows and some Botox etc.

Personally, I think they look like identical hardboiled eggs. And they are all so young!

I hate this look.

Just try to be happy in your own skin. I look at least my age (45) and wouldn’t consider any of these treatments. Looking natural is great!

It's difficult when the circle you're around all do it. I could technically afford to. But I'd have to sacrifice other things I want to do too like travel and experiences. Impossible to keep up with it all.

I do sympathise but agree with others.

I have had Botox once and the results were pretty meh. I don't it as essential at all. A very expensive thing to have done for not a lot of return IME.

I also had gel nails done as a big treat TWO MONTHS ago and I have only this evening got the fucking stuff off my nails. It looked horrible all grown out and I won't get them removed as they charge for it and I'm a tight bastard and also it's another trip to the salon etc and more time making small talk when I'm busy enough as it is.

If you're doing a good job with skincare at home I think that's fine.

I do know how you feel though. I work in a perfectly normal secondary school and all the other staff look amazing. All seem to have their nails done and even wear heels which I hadn't seen out in the wild for ages until I started working there. It does make you start questioning things a bit 💐. I bought a new lipstick recently though and that has made such a huge difference to my glamness. At least as good as gel nails (see above)

It's the crowd you mix in - most people don't do any of that stuff