Im addition to personal preference, I think this is very dependent on the kind of life you have. I work in an office and an a lot of client meetings so it feels important that my hair and nails look polished. My friends who tend to go a ton of time between haircuts or not get their nails done largely work from home.

After one too many times of having to wait 30 minutes+ for my hair appointment, I decided it can't be that hard to cut my own hair. And guess what -- it isn't. I have wavy/curly hair that I have cut into some version of a shag or a bob since before the pandemic started. Youtube is your friend. I also do my own haircolor, nails, and pedicures. Honestly, by the time I would have gone to the salon, waited, and driven back... I'm already done my personal at-home beauty service. I did it mostly to save time, but the money I've saved over the years isn't insignificant either. I consider myself to be fairly stylish and into beauty/fashion, but I'm also highly intolerant of mediocre professional services. I do a better job myself.

The YouTube unicorn cuts are quite good if you use good scissors. But for my thick and coarse long hair, a great stylist can give it much better shape.

The YouTube unicorn cuts are quite good if you use good scissors. But for my thick and coarse long hair, a great stylist can give it much better shape.

I hate being inside a salon, although I've been to the best and most expensive ones around the DC region. I get a good cut about 2X/year. I color my own hair using Ion products purchased at Sally's. I combine two colors to get a great base color. I also give myself highlights at home every few months using foils and productd from Sally's. I pay a lady to thread my brows about 4X/year and maintain myself at home. I wax my bikini line at home. Nails are done at home but I get a pedi once each spring then maintain from there and use a pumice stone daily in the shower. I have a foot soaking thing and a paraffin wax dip to get the full spa effect.

I'm 58 with 3A/B curly hair. I learned a long time ago that to get a good haircut, I need someone who understands curly hair. I've been going to the same stylist for years now and appreciate the relationship. I get cuts about 3 times/year.

I have embraced my gray and, in the rare instances I get a mani/pedi, I don't usually get polish. Don't like how it feels, don't like what it does to my nails, don't like having to touch it up/remove it.

I do, though, take excellent care of my skin. If you pay attention to the ingredients, you can get excellent products without paying luxury brand prices.

Anonymous wrote:I cut my own hair and paint my own nails when I feel moved to do so. I know I’m not normal but I also don’t care. I’d rather spend my money on other things.

I'm with you!
I get photographed regularly and am featured in media so it's not terrible

Anonymous wrote:My hairstylist has about doubled since I first saw him ten years ago. Anyone have a good reference for wavy, difficult hair?

Double in 10 years sounds about right. They deserve to make a living don’t they?

Do what works for you.

I used to have a hair stylist, but had to stop seeing him due to relocation. I haven't really found anyone as good, and yet everyone charges a lot more.... so I trim at home.

After one disgusting pedicure, I stopped bothering with those too. I still file and shape my nails at home. I just can't' deal with the lack of hygienic standards at these places.

Wow, you’re so cool and unique, not like other girls at all! I bet you also like beer and sports !

I go to the hair cuttery once every 9 months or so for a cut. Any stylist is fine. My hair is straight and pretty thin and it’s hard to mess up. I don’t get my nails done. I rarely wear makeup. I like spending my time and money on other things.

I know it makes me a bit out of the norm, but I still like to be considered a girl’s girl. My hobbies are traditionally feminine (arts and crafts, cooking, baking), I like shows and books geared toward women, and I like women (platonically). I appreciate the artistry it takes for women to do amazing hair styles and makeup.

All this to say, I think we can still be feminine and not do hair and makeup, and I try not to consider myself as “different.”