The pressure of the beauty maintenance day is piling up and emptying the pockets of many.
There was a time when “beauty maintenance” meant styling your hair and maybe getting it trimmed before school picture day. That was all that was required of you. Now? The expectations for women in particular feel endless – lashes, nails, hair, waxing, eyebrow shaping, facials, wig installs – the list just keeps growing. What used to be simple personal grooming has evolved into a full-time job, that requires a whole day off.
Let me be clear: personal grooming is important. Looking after yourself can boost your confidence, self- esteem, improve hygiene, and contribute to your overall self-care. There is nothing wrong with wanting to feel put together. However, somewhere along the way, beauty maintenance stopped being about feeling good and started feeling like a requirement.
A full “maintenance day” for me can easily cost up to R1500. That’s a significant amount of money to spend. Between work, transport, and everyday expenses, budgeting for lashes and nails every few weeks isn’t always realistic. Social media and societal pressures can make beauty maintenance feel necessary.
Braamfontein and Johannesburg CBD has a huge selection of beauty salons and maintenance spots. On almost every corner there are nails, brows, or hair services on offer. The options are endless, but unfortunately, the quality isn’t always guaranteed. Many students have experienced rushed appointments, unprofessional service, or results that don’t match the price paid.
The bigger issue, though, is the societal pressure attached to it all. When i walk into a lecture hall and the majority of people have their nails done and frontals installed, it makes me feel like I do not fit in. There is this unspoken expectation that to be “put together,” you must have your lashes done, nails fresh, edges laid, and brows perfectly shaped. And for young women, especially myself, navigating identity and confidence, that pressure can weigh heavy.
I think beauty regiments should be about self-expression, self-care and evoke joy. They should make you happy, not anxious about keeping up with the trends. It should feel like self-love, not a compulsory checklist, added onto your budget.
So, before you book your next appointment, do it because you genuinely love how it makes you feel, not because it’s trending.
FEATURED IMAGE: Hair being braded. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
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