The cost to looking ‘pretty’ for a professional woman at work

So I came up with this little inforgraphic for my Instagram @saverspender. I’ve already talked about the price of beauty and why we buy,

ATTRACTIVE PEOPLE EARN 20% MORE

Yes. There was a study out there, and it says that pretty people earn 20% more.

…BUT IF YOU ARE A WOMAN, YOU CAN’T BE TOO PRETTY

Because it works against you. People don’t trust you if you are too pretty.

Also, women have to look perpetually young even at 60. Men? Zero standards there, they can be handsome silver foxes with grey hair, but NOT WOMEN.

Now ain’t that about a b*tch!?

Here’s what my breakdown of my beauty costs for a BASIC ROUTINE costs:

ONE-TIME TOTAL: $2075

This includes stuff that you don’t buy twice:

• Hair Lasering Procedure: $1000 – Legs and underarms only
• Safety Razor for shaving: $30 — Not a disposable razor, a safety one with refillable blades.
• Eyelash curler Shu Uemura: $29.90
• Sephora Makeup Brushes: $101.20 – A range of them, I buy the kit then a few other brushes I need
• Amope Pedi Rechargeable: $69
• Tweezerman Tweezers: $40.25 — they are truly the best. I have tried other brands but these are amazing.
• Dyson Airwrap: $805 – I bought the complete kit, Dyson review here, and I used the straightening brush the other day and it was awesome.

ANNUAL TOTAL: $1882.23

When I finally did the tally, I was not surprised. It is almost $2000 just for basic upkeep.

Skincare includes: $1090.70

• Whole Paula’s Choice Range BHA, AHA, Retinol 1%, Niacinamide, BHA 9, Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%, Oil removing cleanser, Foaming cleanser $317.40
• ORG Body Mineral Exfoliant: $57.50 – I use it for my face though, it’s the same as the face one and cheaper
• Coola Tinted SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen: $55.20 – I use this when I don’t wear makeup for SPF
• Body Lotion/Rosehip organic cold pressed oil: $161
• Shampoo: $96.60 – I am in transition to try out bar shampoos that are plastic-free.
• Amope Pedi Refills: $23
• Safety razor blade Refills: $23
• Pedicures: $360 – only for the 6 months my toes are showing now (I cut out 6 months)

And this is a CHEAP budget of what I used to spend.

I remember trying all of these different mainstream drugstore brands, tried to go natural at one point and broke out in a fit of acne, then really expensive, like ridiculously $$$$$$ skincare brands such as Skinceuticals, and it wasn’t until I finally went back to Paula’s Choice, I never looked back.

My skin is finally clear, smoothing out and the scars are fading.

I don’t even do anything to my hair other than wash and curl it.

I have no hairbrush, no styling aids, no hair products, and I even CUT MY OWN HAIR! I also don’t dye it. Yet.

Makeup includes: $791.53

• I.T. CC Cream: $59.80
• I.T. Cosmetics Concealer: $36.80
• Kat von D Tattoo Eyeliner: $30.48
• Princess Essence False Lash Mascara: $20.67 – You’re supposed to toss them every 3 months
• Hourglass Highlighter in Dim: $73.60
• Tarte Clay Amazonian Blush: $43.70
• Maybelline Lipstick: $11.49
• Anastasia Perfect Brow Eyebrow pencil: $34.50
• EyEnvy Eyelash Serum: $80.50 – These things GROW my lashes. Full review here.
• Eyebrows (Microblading): $400 – Full microblading experience here. I’d do it again but with the numbing cream.

I am not even talking about extras – extra lip colours or lipsticks, different blushes, etc.

I don’t even include facials in there or any skin / spa treatments I have tried because those are not necessary. I just do them and try it out, but I can’t say I really see a difference in my skin, so I will unlikely be trying them again.

If you want to know what other women spend, WSJ posted about the cost of 4 women’s beauty routines. Allure also says we spend $250K on beauty products in our lifetime.

I could rail against this..

But do I want to be the only one paying the price for this?

For looking less professional and therefore not taken as seriously at my job?

Do I want to take that $$ hit to stand up for it?

More importantly — would it do ANYTHING?

I can’t fight as a single person against ALL. OF. THE. MEDIA out there and advertising juggernauts pushing makeup as the STANDARD for women, and none set for men.

I just lose on all counts.

The good thing is that I enjoy all of this

The good thing about it, is I actually enjoy skincare and makeup. I like it. So I don’t feel so terrible about it because I think it’s fun.

I also don’t go out of the house only if my face is done – I’ll slap on some sunscreen after washing my face, and head out with not a lick of makeup on. I feel perfectly fine.

But I also enjoy doing my face, my eyelashes… and I have definitely, DEFINITELY noticed a warmer response from everyone (men and women). People are friendlier, you can even ask nicely for discounts, and people will try and help you more than if you don’t do a little bit of makeup / care.

It is such a double standard, to have to put on a bit of makeup to be at the same level of a man, isn’t it?

What do you think? Have you calculated what you spend?