Comments on: The Cost of Beauty, Part 2: The Numbers http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/ As narrated by five of the most charming and vicious women on the internet Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:05:20 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Would you like a side of mascara with your hot wings? - The Pursuit of Harpyness http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-9080 Would you like a side of mascara with your hot wings? - The Pursuit of Harpyness Thu, 28 May 2009 14:00:56 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-9080 [...] because make-up costs women money and time that might be better spent elsewhere (although of course it does). I’m concerned about the message sent by requiring a certain, highly stylized form of [...] [...] because make-up costs women money and time that might be better spent elsewhere (although of course it does). I’m concerned about the message sent by requiring a certain, highly stylized form of [...]

]]> By: Links for March 31st from 13:09 http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-7923 Links for March 31st from 13:09 Fri, 08 May 2009 06:47:05 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-7923 [...] The Cost of Beauty, Part 2: The Numbers - As to what sucks up all of those HarpyBuxx (they’re not just good for abortions anymore!): our lovely, lovely tresses: 43% of expenditures go towards hair cuts, coloring, or other services. Make-up takes up another 29%…(tags: none) [...] [...] The Cost of Beauty, Part 2: The Numbers – As to what sucks up all of those HarpyBuxx (they’re not just good for abortions anymore!): our lovely, lovely tresses: 43% of expenditures go towards hair cuts, coloring, or other services. Make-up takes up another 29%…(tags: none) [...]

]]> By: lijakaca http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4968 lijakaca Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:30:25 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4968 My data is not in there (got here too late), but I'm at the low end of the spectrum for women and it's mostly because of hair. I don't colour it, and never use styling products or applicances (due to nothing but my own laziness). I'm also not big on manicures/pedicures, so that's the other thing that keeps my costs low. My data is not in there (got here too late), but I’m at the low end of the spectrum for women and it’s mostly because of hair. I don’t colour it, and never use styling products or applicances (due to nothing but my own laziness).
I’m also not big on manicures/pedicures, so that’s the other thing that keeps my costs low.

]]> By: ceejeemcbeegee http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4908 ceejeemcbeegee Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:47:10 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4908 Black woman here... the average I spend per week on my hair is about $50. And it's money well spent, because my hair is healthy. I could learn to do it myself, but I'd most likely do major damage to it in the learning process. Besides, I don't want to learn, because a) the salon is my weekly refuge, a place to catch up with some girlfriends who are super-busy career women like me that I otherwise might not ever see, and b) after a hectic week I like getting pampered by someone else. Same goes for my bi-weekly mani/pedis and monthly massages. You know how many books I would have <i>never</i> read had to not been for those hours in the salon? It's worth the money to help maintain my mental health. Also, I'm putting money in the pocket of the people who have the skills to provide these services. I've had the same hairstylist since 13yo and the same nail tech and masseusse for 3 years (all of them work independently of a salon/spa owner)... I'm sure they appreciate my business. Spending money is not just about ME, but about the people I choose to spend it with. Black woman here… the average I spend per week on my hair is about $50. And it’s money well spent, because my hair is healthy. I could learn to do it myself, but I’d most likely do major damage to it in the learning process. Besides, I don’t want to learn, because a) the salon is my weekly refuge, a place to catch up with some girlfriends who are super-busy career women like me that I otherwise might not ever see, and b) after a hectic week I like getting pampered by someone else. Same goes for my bi-weekly mani/pedis and monthly massages. You know how many books I would have never read had to not been for those hours in the salon? It’s worth the money to help maintain my mental health.

Also, I’m putting money in the pocket of the people who have the skills to provide these services. I’ve had the same hairstylist since 13yo and the same nail tech and masseusse for 3 years (all of them work independently of a salon/spa owner)… I’m sure they appreciate my business.

Spending money is not just about ME, but about the people I choose to spend it with.

]]> By: funnyface http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4894 funnyface Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:53:23 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4894 Another aspect of this I'm wondering about is: what about all the TIME we spend on beauty? And if that time was priced the same way our work hours are, how much would that time be costing us? Another aspect of this I’m wondering about is: what about all the TIME we spend on beauty? And if that time was priced the same way our work hours are, how much would that time be costing us?

]]> By: elibard http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4863 elibard Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:52:16 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4863 I gotta say, I don't feel badly about spending that much money. A certain standard of upkeep is expected in order to look professional in my field, and how together one looks plays a huge part in how people think of you. I've been stunned at how successful one's own propaganda about oneself can be in the workplace, and makeup and hair are subtle but important parts of that. Yes, I think it's more important for women than for men. But I've got aspirations, not to mention responsibilities (being a sugar momma!), and the money is an investment. I could do it somewhat cheaper, but that would also require more time, which has its own costs. But what else could I do with that money? Buy a few more nice outfits. Get some more massages. Pay for more babysitting and dates with my husband. Fly to visit my family and friends a couple of times. (now that one is compelling) I gotta say, I don’t feel badly about spending that much money. A certain standard of upkeep is expected in order to look professional in my field, and how together one looks plays a huge part in how people think of you. I’ve been stunned at how successful one’s own propaganda about oneself can be in the workplace, and makeup and hair are subtle but important parts of that. Yes, I think it’s more important for women than for men. But I’ve got aspirations, not to mention responsibilities (being a sugar momma!), and the money is an investment. I could do it somewhat cheaper, but that would also require more time, which has its own costs.
But what else could I do with that money? Buy a few more nice outfits. Get some more massages. Pay for more babysitting and dates with my husband. Fly to visit my family and friends a couple of times. (now that one is compelling)

]]> By: rodriguez http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4859 rodriguez Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:06:16 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4859 <a>@bittermik</a> Yeah I stopped getting my haircut when I got laid off work. That was July. Just last week I couldn't take it anymore. I looked like an unmowed yard. Go get your hair cut if you want to. @bittermik Yeah I stopped getting my haircut when I got laid off work. That was July. Just last week I couldn’t take it anymore. I looked like an unmowed yard.

Go get your hair cut if you want to.

]]> By: bittermik http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4831 bittermik Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:15:53 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4831 I am reaching for the phone to cancel my hair appointment on Saturday and stopping at the drugstore to pick up a pair of hair scissors so I can trim my own hair instead. It also doesn't help that I'm on a "saving money" kick and feel antsy and anxious about every penny I spend, even if it's necessary! Haircut on Saturday is definitely not necessary. I'll mebbe go in a couple of weeks. I am reaching for the phone to cancel my hair appointment on Saturday and stopping at the drugstore to pick up a pair of hair scissors so I can trim my own hair instead.

It also doesn’t help that I’m on a “saving money” kick and feel antsy and anxious about every penny I spend, even if it’s necessary! Haircut on Saturday is definitely not necessary. I’ll mebbe go in a couple of weeks.

]]> By: rodriguez http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4783 rodriguez Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:18:08 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4783 Some people have housing expense rules-of-thumb that range from 20-35% of income. Then, food and clothing make up the balance to 50% of income. (Of course these are rough guides.) There's probably some little rule of thumb for these expenses too. I wonder if these stats fit them, and if not, does that mean that society is more obsessed with beauty than before? The IRS seems to think that one person should spend $372 per year on "personal care products and services". So I'm past double that expense. http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20090315/bci_data/national_expense_standards.htm Some people have housing expense rules-of-thumb that range from 20-35% of income. Then, food and clothing make up the balance to 50% of income. (Of course these are rough guides.)

There’s probably some little rule of thumb for these expenses too. I wonder if these stats fit them, and if not, does that mean that society is more obsessed with beauty than before?

The IRS seems to think that one person should spend $372 per year on “personal care products and services”. So I’m past double that expense.

http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa/20090315/bci_data/national_expense_standards.htm

]]> By: aspiringexpatriate http://www.harpyness.com/2009/03/31/the-cost-of-beauty-part-2-the-numbers/comment-page-1/#comment-4782 aspiringexpatriate Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:08:42 +0000 http://www.harpyness.com/?p=3852#comment-4782 I'm glad I didn't take part. Looking at HillRat's, I would've come in as a non-committal dude. But I don't even look dirty or ratty, I guess I'm just lucky. I’m glad I didn’t take part. Looking at HillRat’s, I would’ve come in as a non-committal dude. But I don’t even look dirty or ratty, I guess I’m just lucky.

]]>