The other day I came across an article that said men and women spend around $15,000 in their lifetime to look good.
At first that amount of money seemed like a lot, but when I really thought about it, $15,000 really did not seem like enough at all.
When you include, beauty products, hair cuts, spa treatments, clothing and so on, the number is probably much higher than $15,000 in your whole entire life.
In fact, I came across another article that said the number is actually around $12,000 per YEAR (according to Siren Magazine). $12,000 a year sounds like way too much to me though.
$12,000 a year would be around a third of what the average person makes a year.
Here is how much I estimate that I spend each year:
- Beauty products (lotions, makeup, brushes, nail polish, etc.) – $250
- “Normal” items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, etc.) – $75
- Haircuts and coloring – $250
- Fitness – I'm not really sure how to estimate this since we just bought a home gym. The ongoing cost is $0 though since everything is paid for.
- Clothing and shoes – $1,500.
That makes my grand total of how much I spend each year to look good at $2,075. The number is a lot less though if I don't include my estimate for clothing spending.
I used to spend a lot more to “look good,” but I now do many things to lower the amount that I spend. Below are different ways for you to lower the amount that you spend:
Go for the natural look.
If you want to save the most money, then staying your natural self will most likely save you the most amount of money. For example, if I wanted to be blonde, that's going to cost more than if I stayed with my natural brown color because of the upkeep that would be required.
The same goes for if you want to tan, you want to wear makeup, and so on.
Also, if you decide to go completely natural and go without makeup, beauty products, or clothing, your cost would be $0 each year! Haha, that wouldn't work for most though because clothing is pretty much a necessity for life… 🙂
Find an awesome hair stylist that is in your price range.
I have been going to the same girl for over a year now, and no one can beat her prices. I refer all my friends to her because she is affordable and always does a great job. A cut and color is usually less than $65 if I use her, which is better than what most of my friends pay for their stylists (usually $150+).
It does help that I don't do much with my hair, I usually only color it variations of dark red and/or brown. I'm not gutsy enough to do much else!
Take surveys and/or mystery secret shop.
This is something that I used to do all the time so I could save money on my beauty spending. There were many beauty mystery/secret shops available when I used to mystery shop.
I would sign up for mystery shops for products that I already used (such as Estee Lauder). This way I would get the product for free, and I would also get paid something around $10 to do the shop. It was great and definitely a win-win for me.
Try makeup dupes.
I am not the type of person to spend $500 on face lotion. I am also not the type of person to spend $100 on face lotion. There are plenty of makeup dupes out there that can save you money.
A makeup dupe is when there is a cheaper version of an expensive product that almost works the exact same. Here is an article from Buzzfeed that lists 9 makeup dupes.
How much do you spend each year to look good?
What do you do to lower your costs?
P.S. Lets try to not get into the politics of it all about why people feel the need to spend money on beauty. If you can afford spending money on beauty, then I see no problem with that. People can spend their money on what they want. Also, many people feel more confident when they look good, which is great. Many people also enjoy clothing and makeup, so no need to judge others about that also 🙂
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NZ Muse says
April 14, 2014 at 4:19 amWhen T worked in sales he was spending more than me on grooming.
I’m pretty low maintenance and I don’t need to dress up for work. I use hardly any products and also get a lot of free stuf through work or mystery shopping. I would literally only spend a few hundred a year personally.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:17 amThat’s how it was when Wes worked in sales too. He needed so many haircuts!
MMD says
April 14, 2014 at 4:47 amThat is such a crazy figure! No way do I spend this much on me (I’m a guy, I’m low maintenance). In fact, I’m so cheap that I bought a bunch of Axe grooming gift sets AFTER Christmas for 90% and have been using them all throughout the year. Best purchase ever!
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:26 amHaha that is a good purchase!
Alicia @ Financial Diffraction says
April 14, 2014 at 6:23 amI’m fairly low maintenance, but I’m working on polish. That being said, I know for certain I don’t spend that much per year. I just got a hair cut that was $40, with tip and tax… and it wasn’t bad (I hadn’t found a new stylist since I moved). I wish I could still go to my old stylist because she was amazing! $125 got me cut, colour, and eyebrows waxed. Gotta love someone working out of their basement 🙂
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:36 amWe sound alike! 🙂
Brian @ Luke1428 says
April 14, 2014 at 6:28 amI don’t spend that much to look good, probably not even for our entire household of six in a year. Our biggest expense would be clothing, probably spending around 6k/yr.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:37 amYes, clothing is our big category.
DC @ Young Adult Money says
April 14, 2014 at 6:37 amI spend about $360 on the gym and probably about $500 on clothes a year. My wife cuts my hair and most of my toiletries are purchased with coupons. Then again, I’m a guy so costs are expected to be lower imo.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:44 amI need to learn how to cut W’s hair!
jefferson says
April 14, 2014 at 6:53 amThat’s just goofy-ness! Twelve grand per year to look good?…
I don’t believe it.
They say .. the better you eat.. the better you look.
Perhaps they are factoring in organic groceries in to the equation 🙂
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:47 amHaha maybe they are! 🙂
John @ Sprout Wealth says
April 14, 2014 at 7:08 amWe haven’t figured it out on our end, though I’m quite certain it’s pretty low since we work from home. I guess that’s one of the perks of never leaving the house. 😉
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:57 amHaha yup it is!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
April 14, 2014 at 7:11 amI do get my hair professionally done a few times a year, but that’s about it. I still wear cheap makeup and I never get my nails done….too much typing! =)
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:58 amHaha I never get my nails done either. It’s been years!
Jeff @Project Ikonz says
April 14, 2014 at 7:52 amI think that depends on where you live, like at the capital city. Where a lot of people reside with different cultures so you spend more money on looking good coz you represent where you came from. Rather than if you live in the province where wearing expensive clothes makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable around you. Also the type of job you have. A farmer versus a salesman. However i agree to spend less on that and focus more on saving money for your retirement options. Do i make sense?
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 9:59 amYep, you make sense Jeff 🙂
Amanda says
April 14, 2014 at 8:56 amI consider myself to be pretty low maintenance, and my 2013 spending would verify that! I spent $450 on all personal care items (including all beauty products, normal items and haircuts) and $550 on clothes, and nothing on fitness (running is thankfully free!). Meaning I spent a grand total of $1000 to look good last year. How’s that for being frugal? 🙂
I keep this cost down by trimming my own hair between cuts, I gave up the gym membership and opted to go for walks or runs, I use next-to-no beauty products, and I have a tendency to “hoard” a little when things like toothpaste are on sale.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 10:05 amGood job being frugal Amanda!
Catherine says
April 14, 2014 at 8:58 amOh man I dont even know of I spend $500 per year. I honestly need to spend a little more on myself.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 10:10 am🙂
Andi says
April 14, 2014 at 9:13 amOh god, I probably spend triple your number!
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 10:42 amIs it because of clothing? Or, why do you think that is? 🙂
Kemkem says
April 14, 2014 at 9:28 amIf l could afford it, l would lather myself with La Mer, so l won’t fault whoever chooses to spend so much money on themselves. I average probably about $500, but it used to be a bit higher, no more hair care costs.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 10:44 amThat’s how I feel. If you can afford it, I don’t care how much you spend!
Tanner says
April 14, 2014 at 10:51 amWow, I. Don’t even think I spend $12k on food and personal care combined! I think that’s definitely depending on the person and their income brackets. I spend maybe $500 on clothes and such. Less than $75 on makeup (mostly face lotions and chapstick, haha!).
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 11:03 amHaha yes most of my makeup spending is lotions and chapstick!
Scott @ Youthful Investor says
April 14, 2014 at 10:53 amThat’s incredible! Maybe as a guy I don’t get it, although I make great attempts to dress well, I hardly buy new clothes. I only get them at ridiculous discounts and make sure they can pair with a lot of balanced and timeless pieces in my closet.
As far as spas and that, I just found out that they were covered on my insurance so I went for my first massage a few months ago. It was amazing but, I would have had a hard time justifying the cost if insurance wasn’t involved. I can easily see how that and tanning visits, nails, hair, etc. can get really high really fast.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 11:07 amThat is awesome that your insurance covers that! I am jealous 🙂
Grayson @ Debt Roundup says
April 14, 2014 at 11:43 amI am glad I don’t have to deal with beauty products. My wife doesn’t spend that much as she likes to stick with the basics. $12,000 is way too much!
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 11:45 amYes, $12K is insane!
Rachel says
April 14, 2014 at 12:36 pmIt’s tough to justify spending a lot on make up and other beauty products so I try to save on those items as much as possible. I use a lot of samples and review products, I also buy make up/bath items with coupons or on sale and buy in bulk what I can (things like razor cartridge refills and even eye liner). I’d probably estimate that I spend about 3,000 a year on my looks, but it’s hard to keep track because a lot of those items fall into our grocery budget.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 12:38 pmI’m the same way. It’s hard to estimate because I usually go to Target and buy other things as well.
Rachel says
April 14, 2014 at 12:40 pmAbsolutely. A better question might be: how much do I spend at Target a year?!
I tend to “splurge” a little though when I’ve been given (or won) a gift card to stores like Target, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret or Kohls.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 12:41 pmOh god I don’t even want to think about how much I spend at Target each year!
Tonya@Budget and the Beach says
April 14, 2014 at 1:27 pmI’ve never actually totaled it up. I have to get my hair cut around every 8 weeks because I keep it short. Believe me I’d love long hair and to be able to let it grow, but with my age, face shape, and texture of hair it looks really bad long. I’m still trying to find a new stylist I like because mine with tip before ran close to $90. Luckily I color my own hair. I try to do things like pedicures sparingly, and I don’t spend much on clothes at all, so hopefully the cost of my hair balance that out a bit. 🙂
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 3:14 pmMy hair is long so I don’t get it cut often. I’m sure if my hair stylist was more expensive then I would be getting it cut even less! haha
Taylor says
April 14, 2014 at 3:10 pmI like to say I’m low maintenance, but I really need my hair to be just right LOL. It’s so funny you posted this today because I had to put my fav hair product back on the shelf last night because it cost $14 big ones. That’s a lot for a jar that my hair will suck up in a few weeks.
On natural hair… I’m black and am trying to avoid all forms of heat. Curly hair products are so expensive! grrrr. But you can use a lot of DIY mixtures like mayo, eggs, olive oil, avocado etc. I do save on hair cuts, cutting naturally big hair is so easy because you can’t really see any mistakes. LOL
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 3:15 pmI’m much more low maintenance with my hair now. I usually just put it into a pony tail if I’ll just be at home all day.
Jason B says
April 14, 2014 at 4:42 pmI’m 100% sure I don’t spend $12K to look good. That number is probably closer to $2000.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 5:09 pmYes, $12K is a ton!
Raquel@Practical Cents says
April 14, 2014 at 4:54 pmI dye and style my own hair and do my own mani/pedi so I save lots of money there. I don’t even buy that much clothes anymore but I used to. When you buy quality pieces they really do last longer and so I noticed that I didn’t need to replace them as fast. I think I probably spend about $600/year now.
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 5:28 pm$600 a year is good! 🙂
Chellie @ DebtandtheGirl says
April 14, 2014 at 5:14 pmI am not the type of person who are into beauty products. Sometimes I prefer home remedy products to get me beautify! (plus its cheaper and more natural) However, when it comes to personal hygiene, I didn’t pull off my wallet. I think I spend $3k/yr because I believe in the saying that “Simplicity is beauty”! :))
Michelle S. says
April 14, 2014 at 5:30 pmSounds great Chellie! 🙂
Alexa says
April 14, 2014 at 7:56 pmSounds like both numbers are pretty far off to me. I would definitely say its more than 15k in a lifetime but much, much less than 12k a year. I spend about $300 a year on my hair, $100 on makeup and beauty products, and probably around $500 a year on clothes (if that).
Michelle S. says
April 15, 2014 at 8:22 amI agree with you Alexa. 12K a year is just insane.
Holly says
April 14, 2014 at 8:56 pmI agree those numbers seem off. I would have to do some math for myself but I know it’s less than most women my age. I would say most are spending several hundred dollars a month. Now… I would love to get massages more often and that would blow my budget up!
As for how I keep the cost down I have been getting into DIY recipes and making many of my beauty products at home. I also make my own Mineral Veil Face Powder which saves me about $18 per container!
Michelle S. says
April 15, 2014 at 8:25 amThat’s awesome Holly that you do so many DIY recipes. I need to start doing that.
Kasey @ Debt Perception says
April 14, 2014 at 9:21 pmI honestly think my husband spends more money than I do to look good. He goes through soap and razors faster than I do and has to get his hair trimmed about every two months. Plus his Navy uniforms can be pretty expensive. I don’t wear makeup, know how to make liquid/gel toiletries last and I get most of my clothes second hand for free if not cheap. I’m going to guess I spend about $500 a year on those things.
Michelle S. says
April 15, 2014 at 8:26 amGood job Kasey!
Miss Entrepreneurette says
April 14, 2014 at 10:02 pmI think I’m pretty low on the cost of that kind of stuff. Out of the categories listed I probably spend MAYBE $40/month so maybe around $500 a year? Most of that is just health/beauty basics like razors, shampoo, etc. I don’t really care for make up, I get my hair cut twice a year and I hardly buy any clothing that isn’t from yard sales/thrift stores. Got a brand new jacket, brand new tank top and a pair of skinny jeans at a yard sale for just $3 total this past weekend 😉
Michelle S. says
April 15, 2014 at 8:28 am$3 is amazing! 🙂
David Ryan says
April 15, 2014 at 2:12 am$12,000 per YEAR? Wow, that’s a lot. I’m pretty vain myself but I believe I only managed to spend $4000 for the last year on my beauty regimen.
Michelle S. says
April 28, 2014 at 9:07 amYup, $12K is insane to me!
lyle @ the Joy of Simple says
April 15, 2014 at 3:57 pmHey Michelle and thanks for an eye-opening post!
“Do You Spend $12,000 Each Year To Look Good?” – if that is indeed the number on average, then I must look horrible ’cause I only made a little over $13,000.00 in 2013 and believe me, none of that went to looking good…well with the exception of tooth paste, a couple of cans of shaving cream and a few bars of soap!! No wonder I can’t get date 🙂
Thanks again Michelle and take care. All the best.
Lyle
Michelle S. says
April 28, 2014 at 9:08 amHaha Lyle. It seems like all of us here who read this article spend no where near $12K, so you are not alone 🙂
Chellie @ Debt and the Girl says
April 15, 2014 at 6:53 pmI am not the type of person who are into beauty products. Sometimes I prefer home remedy products to get me beautify! (plus its cheaper and more natural) However, when it comes to personal hygiene, I didn’t pull off my wallet. I think I spend $3k/yr because I believe in the saying that “Simplicity is beauty”! :))
Michelle S. says
April 28, 2014 at 9:09 amYes, I’m all about simplicity 🙂