I got Invisalign this year because I was tired of always cringing when I saw my teeth in photos and this seemed like a great investment in my confidence. And I am glad I did it. I am in my late 40s and have also been investing in coin care this year—tretonoin, a red light mask, vitamin c serum, because the visible aging was starting to freak me out. I go to work a couple days a week now, but these were things I wanted to do do “family time” as well. I just wanted to look better.

Anonymous wrote:This is an actual question, not a judgment! I generally look kind of blah, but considering my life mostly consists of working from home, running errands, and family time at home, I have a hard time justifying things like botox or lash lifts that would make me look better. We have the money, but I just wonder what the point is. I'm not a social butterfly and only have formal events 1-2x a year at most. Anyone else feel like this? How do you decide if it's worth it?

I feel the same way op it's not needed and I'm also not vain either. If you want to spend money maybe take more vacations instead of beauty splurges.

I work in a profession where appearance counts (not everything, but its part of the package). I dress decently well, but not designer. Mostly I spend a lot of money on my stupid hair. Its fine, and its blah brown and there's no gray (I would love it to go silver) and I look much better with lighter hair (I'm pale with light blue eyes, look best with platinum blonde). So a good cut and highlights work wonders, but these days with tip its 400$. That's the most of my stupid beauty money.

I buy cosmetics and such at cvs. I do botox on a limited basis (2x/year, starting early 40s). I tried latisse but didn't work on me.

I've decided that instead of spending a ton of money all the time on maintenance I'll get an upper bleph when I need it and decide whether I care enough to do something about my neck in my 60s. Rest is sunscreen, exercise, water, sleep and limited booze and sugar.

I dye my hair, and consider that a necessary expense for my own mental health, because I think I'm too young to have that many white hairs.

I'm not bothered by my incoming wrinkles or any other sign of aging.

Do what you think you need for your wellbeing.

It’s not for anyone but me.

That said being “a pretty girl” was always part of my identity and even though I’m in my late 30s I’m not ready to drop it.

My routine:
Highlights in my hair blended to hide any greys/lean more blonde
Dysport
Lasering of any discoloration
Monthly waxing
Minimum tinted moisturizer with blur and mascara every day
Teeth whitening strips
Lash lengthening serum
Retinol
Standard uniform of feminine dress with feminine shoes with some jewelry

Honestly it’s not that expensive.

It's "worth it" if it makes you feel better about yourself. Life is short.

I justify my costly wardrobe as part of my duty as a professional. My image and the way I present is important. If I could figure out a way to make it a business expense, I would totally do it.

For you it might not be justifiable. For someone who does a lot of interfacing with people and whose appearance is used, for good or bad, as part of how people in their professional life will respond to them, it is probably significantly more justifiable.

I view beauty as self care so I enjoy indulging.

Do you not go out with friends? Do you attend any school activities or kid extracurricular activities with other parents?

How I look affects how I feel and how i present myself to the world, online and in person.
Age discrimination and the halo effect are real, and I want to keep myself employable as long as possible and perceived as competent and trustworthy at work. (https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a7043/makeup-affects-career-study/)
Beyond these effects there are exactly two people on this planet who matter when it comes to my appearance. Me and DH. We both work from home and he notices when I put on a (cotton, easy, comfortable) dress and wear a little makeup. He might not even know he notices anything in particular but he responds differently. This is important too.

How I feel about myself impacts my confidence. If I look my best, I feel my best. If you don’t have this same issue, than the money likely isn’t worth it.

No. If I can comfortably afford it I don’t mind spending money on things that bring me joy. We both work very hard at our jobs, so I don’t feel guilty for indulging in small pleasures.

People have to stare at my face on zoom calls every day. And I have to look at my own picture too. If is start noticing my elevens it’s distracting from my getting my work done. So to me it’s worth it to not have the distraction, lol.

But you do you. If they don’t bother you, then it’s not worth it to you

This is an actual question, not a judgment! I generally look kind of blah, but considering my life mostly consists of working from home, running errands, and family time at home, I have a hard time justifying things like botox or lash lifts that would make me look better. We have the money, but I just wonder what the point is. I'm not a social butterfly and only have formal events 1-2x a year at most. Anyone else feel like this? How do you decide if it's worth it?