How much do you spend each year to look good?

Its funny how many changes I have gone through in my life on this. I wasnt allowed to wear any makeup until I was an adult, and then i wouldnt even go check my mail without my face on. Then I got married, then after two kids i didnt seem to have any time to take care of myself at all. I quit wearing all makeup completely. I just decided, after prodding from my hubby, to get a new stash and i couldnt bring myself to do it, what used to cost $5. is now $10.00 and what was $10.00 is now $20.00. I will eventually take the plunge, but man, why cost so much? Even what used to be the cheap stuff is expensive now. There is no $5.00 foundation anymore. ouch.

I spent about $700 / year for skincare and cosmetic , clothing about $3000 .. My husband said, I spent too much money .. but I think, some women spent more than me .. I think, it came down to how much you earn and total should not be more than 10% of your net income.

I have very sensitive skin and use expensive products. I don't even want to think about how much I spend. On my face alone I spend about $35/month. I get my eyebrow waxed, lip waxed and haircut at the same time every 6 weeks. That costs about $45 plus tip. Lotions- I spend $7 to $10 per 8 oz bottle that lasts about a week and a half. Add that up and I surpass the $3000/year. Do I think it's worth it? Hell ya!

i do my own roots for $3 a box, my own nails, feet, eyebrows, facials, once or twice a year get prof. hightlighted at a reasonable place, use really good products in my hair but use a teeny amount so one tube lasts a year, rare haircuts, also reasonable, bikini wax in summer, shave the rest, cheap shower gel at trader joe's, good brand skin products at marshall's on clearance, so i save lots of money. can't believe how much some people spend! i thought i spent a lot!

i think that we spend a much more than we should, but nowadays Hollywood and TV make us believe that the only way to feel good about ourselves is by spending more and more money on beauty products. I admit it, I do spend a lot on cosmetics!

One thing is for sure though, none of these products can create what we call "natural beauty", which in my opinion, is the real and only beauty. So, no matter how many different products I try and no matter what kind of look I create, I'm never completely pleased with the final look, because it's not natural.
Any thoughts on this?

I don't wear a lot of makeup. I feel make up ages you and makes you dependant on it. I do spend money on lotions and mosturizers to keep my skin looking great. With out all of the makeup I feel free and don't have to worry about going out of the house without putting on my face. If I wear anything it is just a little sheer color gloss and mascara. My hair I do it all. Right now I have a weave giving my own hair a break from chemicals. I shampoo and style it myself with products you buy from the drugstore... it looks great although the hair was expensive it last a long time with proper maintenance. Hands and feet I take care of those myself as well. Over all I get a lot of comments on how good I look at 45 years of age.... although I started my routine in my early twenties...It has paid off. My advise is to take care of your skin and watch the smoking and drinking and you will love the results. 45 and beautiful:)

i spend pretty much $0

I'm well below average in the spending dept but it's not necessarily intentional. I buy products and services when I need them and I don't splurge on expensive products. I get a hair cut once a year at $25 and I don't color it. I do use bare minerals, but that's only $40 twice a year. Add in the Cover Girl eye shadow at $5, mascara totals probably $20 a year, shampoo is maybe $40 year, if that. I use target's "Oil of Olay" knock off and I cut coupons and save big $$ on nice razors. I spend less than $1,000 annually on beauty products and I don't feel that I am missing out at all. In the end, my fiance still thinks I'm beautiful (even in Cover Girl & Maybeline), my legs are smooth and my skin is soft.

Boy, my husband thinks I'm high maintainence (I haven't processed the coffee yet and can't spell!) Anyway, I've had the same hairdryer for 10 years...it works. I like my hair to look good, but I don't color or highlight it. Although, I have been seeing more GPI (grays per inch) than I like. My haircuts cost $16-$20 each time (every 2 1/2 months or so). I do like to try new hair smoothing products. I wish the companies would put out samples of more products (not just shampoo). I have Bare Esscentials that I bought when I was feeling down on myself. I use them sparingly. I also have to say that I don't go out of the house without mascara (Great Lash waterproof). I splurge on Philosophy Purity Made Simple (I love it) cleanser. I use Avon moisturizer. I love Avon makeup. If you find a special sale on it, its less expensive than drugstore brands! Plus you can stock up on a sale. Body lotion--my must have is St. Ives Intensive Healing. I use it daily and all over..love it and a large bottle last for several months ($4). The other thing that costs is my perfume, but I usually get it as a gift! I don't paint my fingernails, but my toes I do myself. I spend more on remover than polish. No waxing, shaving is my bag. I pluck (ouch) my eyebrows.
Trust me. I'm not a naturalist, but I do think that if you have natural beauty, why change it. Play it up. For those of use who need a little help..don't always believe the ads that say one thing is better than another. Use what works for you. The most expensive is not necessiarly the best.

LOL.......I love being high maintenance and I am definitely that. I work a job, volunteer on the weekends and take care of my husband and 16 yr old. I deserve to treat myself right and as long as I pay my bills and take care of my family I deserve to spend money on myself.
But not everyone takes that responsibility.I am 42 and without makeup, I could scare someone to death..lol
I could probably spend less on hair products and getting my hair done every 6 weeks but I was born with black hair and now it's salt-n-pepper so, to me,it's a must.

oh, and i only use products not tested on animals

I am so a girly-gril it's so fun! I alwasys have 2 where make-up and my hair has to be prefect! Oh,shopping is my thing! Everthing of mine is fashionable and so cute! What can I say, thats what grils do! We love it! MY skin is so clear and soft! I use proactive it works like a charm! Spending alot of money on your nails is so stupid! I rather pait my own it's even better it's free! Love it!

I spend nothing on makeup, and find I like myself and get just as many complements on my skin, eyes, than when I wear makeup, so I don't, and my skin looks great for nearly 50 yrs old. My hair is another matter, as I get it done professionally and it costs about $120 to cut/wash/color weave, or whatever it is to paint 2 colors on a few hairs at a time and use a paper to fold over it and keep going. This is only done every 3 months or so. I think it is attitude that men are attracted to, rather than makeup. For most of my life, I have not dressed up, and still have lots of male friends, and a husband. It is clear they like someone who is friendly, compassionate, and treat them fairly.

Who cares! Spending money on myself and getting primped is a highlight of my day. No, men don't spend as much money on their looks - they spend their money on video games! Let's stop comparing ourselves to men, for one thing, and for another, as long as you use and enjoy the beauty products you're buying, hell - buy on!

And I only spend this money, becuase it is just me and I have no one else to worry about. If you are a parent getting hair extensions, manicures, and pedicures but your family does not have proper clothing or food. You should be ashamed of yourself!

I enjoy looking nice but can't bring myself to spend a lot of money on products and such... I cut and color my own hair and have since I attended cosmetology courses in high school 10 years ago. Same thing with nails and skin care... I actually went for my first real faciail ever last week as a bday gift to myself. $65 to have someome else clean my skin... while it was immensly relaxing and enjoyable I don't think I'll be doing that again any time soon. I cannot fathom it when that money can fill my gas tank for the week, feed me for the week etc... I actually felt guilty about spending that much money on my face. I pay $14 (thank you Target) for my hair color every 2 months or so and that I'm okay with!

I dye my own hair, but my sister became a cosmotologist so now it is free except tip. I paint my own nails, Dont like pedicures, I dont want someone else touching my feet. I use store brand make up and shampoo and conditioner. I buy decent stuff though. I tried tanning and felt I was wasting money. I shave, not wax, and I pluck my own eyebrows. I think I keep it rather cheap. I basically only use mascara. an Eyelash curler is a must have too.

I guess I probably indulge too much, but it comes and goes. Some months I'll only spend money on the basics (shampoo/conditioner, body wash, razor blades, etc) while other months I find myself splurging on makeup and face products like masks and scrubs. I always want to try to the new thing it seems. I try to stick to high quality makeup and prefer using Bare Escentuals, which can be pretty expensive if you buy retail price but I buy all mine, eyeshadow, foundation, mascara, on eBay. You can get it at really reasonable prices. As for other products, I guess my shampoo and conditioner is expensive, but I use Nexxus and it seems to be cheaper than some other salon brands, especially since it comes in enormous bottles. I try to use high quality hair products too that may seem more expensive but they last longer than the cheaper stuff (plus my hair always looks like crap with the cheaper stuff). As for skin care products, I tend to stick to Olay because it works for me. Some of their stuff might seem expensive, but they really last a long time and actually work. I only get my hair cut maybe 3 times a year and it's $25 each time. I don't color it or anything special. I get my eyebrows waxed every couple of months or so, which is $10 each time.
My husband only has issues with how much makeup I buy, but I am a junkie so it's hard not to buy when I see a great color. I am trying to cut down though.
And to swatts1, not all men prefer the "garden" to be "mowed" (so to speak), some prefer a natural "garden," just make sure you have good hygiene!

My biggest beauty expense: the gym
My beauty regimen: nothing but the best fresh fruit, veggies and all that healthy stuff
My makeup: sunblock, lip balm and body lotion for the dry days.
My savings: I have a very nice salary (and no kids) so I have more savings then I know what to do with.

With glowing skin flawless skin and hair and a healthy toned body who needs makeup and all that hair stuff? The best side effect is people think you're years younger (though getting carded after all this time is annoying) then you are cause you're so naturally pretty. :)

Throw away the makeup and embrace the sunblock!!

Well lets see I don't really add up how much money I spend on beauty product b/c I count them as a necessity! LOL But there are a few splurges that I allow myself to indulge in every month or so . . .

1) MAC Studio Fix Powder! Its light on skin and it gives great coverage I refuse to use anything less!

2) Pro Active! It helps to keep my skin looking great, b/c I have tendancy to break out horribly without it!

3)Mani/Pedi and eyebrow waxing . . . This is to keep me looking femine and fresh!

Everything else I usually try to keep to a minimum