Anonymous wrote:$175/month average. The vast majority of this is for good skincare products that help me deal with the oily/aging skin dilemma (retinols, AHA, good sunscreen and moisturizer). I wear minimal makeup, only get my hair cut 4-5 times a year, but I do splurge for manicures and pedicures on a fairly regular basis. It is my version of a massage and way to keep me from taking my anxiety out on my fingernails.

Anonymous wrote:I'm hoping to revive this old thread to see what women in their 40's and older spend.

I’m curious to know if my spending is in line with other 40-something women. As I get older, I notice that I need to spend more on my appearance just to look presentable. (I am not naturally attractive and so have to work hard at it.)

In line at CVS Pharmacy this morning, I saw a woman who looked really great in yoga attire and I figured she was in her mid-50’s, or 60 years old at the most. When the pharmacist asked her birthdate, I heard her say 3/7/43. Wow! She’s 73 years old -- the same age as my mom (who I think looks pretty great), but looks so very young. In contrast, my mother-in-law doesn't like to spend a dime on herself. She's in good health and is relatively young (age 67) but looks older (mostly because she doesn't cover her grey hair).

Anyone can look good in their 20’s. But I’ve noticed it takes effort (and perhaps some money if you’re not genetically blessed) to look good when you’re older.

Here are my details:
Age 45:
Salary: $180,000
Type of job: Attorney

Here are my expenditures
Clothing: $350 per month
Makeup: $25 per month
Manicures and pedicures: $75 per month
Haircuts and color (necessary to cover grey): $200 per month
Skin care products: $50 per month
Gym membership and fitness class: $100 per month
Botox: $200 per month

My husband doesn’t object to these expenditures, or at least it’s never come up. (He doesn’t really know the exact totals as I handle most of the bill-paying, and I would never tell him about the Botox anyway.) I figure my salary covers my expenditures, and I need to look presentable to succeed in my job.

I welcome input from other 40-something women (or older) about what you spend on your appearance. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Botox once a year - $300
V-beam laser treatment (for Rosacea-related redness) once a year - $250
Haricuts - $90 x 3 times a year = $270
Pedicures - $60 x 6 times a year = $360
Skin care - $50/yr
I also get fillers once every 4-5 years and did get laser hair removal on my lower legs and arms a while back, but that was a one-time expense.

So, if you don't count the infrequent procedures, that's a grand total of about $1200/yr, or $100/mo.

Mind if I ask how old you are? I'm 31 and that seems like a lot, but I have to claim total ignorance on what my budget in my 40s and beyond might be.

I just turned 38. I have a wrinkly forehead and a skinny, pale and dry face that started showing aging rather early. And believe it or not, I'm extremely low key as far as clothing and makeup, so this is not a "boob job"-type work, just maintenance.

Thanks for answering. I'm 34 but oily as sin (Italian-American) so I was thinking of it from that perspective. I can't say I haven't thought about botox at some point if I get beetle-browed -- you only need it once a year? Is it painful? Do you like the results? Can they use less since you're pretty young?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who are these people getting under 100 haircuts, most women spend 3-500 a time every 2-3 months.

A cut without color or highlights shouldn't be more than $100. No way am I going to one of those overpriced "celebrity" joints. My $65 haircut is perfectly fine!

No wonder most dc chicks look like hell