Social media has normalized the need to get certain enhancements done. Nails, hair and eyelashes are all common treatments. Repetitive beauty treatments can, however, result in being labeled high maintenance since these habits can consume a lot of time and money.
A morning routine might include the application of makeup, which can make one feel more confident. Counseling secretary Desiree Sa-Gasper explained that even though she does not wear makeup often, she sometimes enjoys the glow she gets from wearing cosmetics.
“I feel great that I don’t have makeup on all the time, but then it also makes me feel a little bummy sometimes,” Sa-Gasper said. “I want to feel brightened up. It makes you feel lifted. It makes you feel like getting out the door.”
Senior Ariana Aviles explained how as a nail technician, she experiences clients who have expressed their desire to regularly get manicures. According to Aviles, making appointments can make someone feel complete.
“From what I’ve heard from my clients that come to me once a month, they express how without nails, they feel plain and just not themselves,” Aviles said. “Some girls like to express themselves through their nails and the way that they dress, so getting their nails done can help them feel better.”
With today’s economy, cosmetics can come at a great expense. For Aviles, the prices vary since she and her mother both offer cosmetic appointments. Designing her own nails saves Aviles from great expense, but her clients are not so lucky.
“I do nails myself, and my mom’s a lash tech. I don’t spend as much money because I get the service for free, but my friends and my clients that I do nails for, they come almost every month, and the money that they spend is around $90,” Aviles said.
Sa-Gaspar is aware of the high cost of cosmetic maintenance. Like Aviles’ clients, she can spend a decent amount on aesthetic essentials.
“I’ll spend a good $1,000 at least twice a year on all of my skincare, and that’s not including any makeup,” Sa-Gaspar said. “I might get my nails done six times in a year, and that’s on a higher scale.”
For some, high maintenance means keeping up with hygiene and other self-care necessities. Junior Douglas Patten Roesch explained that one’s cleanliness is the first thing others notice.
“I think I feel more influenced to keep up with personal care societally just on social media,” Roesch said. “A big part of self care for me is wanting to make a good impression on others.”
Roesch mentioned that routine is important and having something to look forward to everyday can distract from insecurities.
“I have a routine for my personal maintenance that I rely on to keep me feeling fresh daily, even if I wake up feeling lousy,” Roesch said. “If I were to stop this, I could see myself losing a lot of confidence and feeling worse about myself.”