On any given Friday in Houston, beauty salons and lash lounges brim with the unmistakable hum of dryers, laughter and affirmation. For many Black women, the beauty shop is more than just a place to “get cute” — it’s a cultural sanctuary, a confidence booster and a non-negotiable ritual.
But what does it cost to stay “put together” in a world where presentation is often everything?
“I used to call it self-care,” Shayla Thomas, 31, a marketing executive, said. “Until I added up how much I was spending each month: $90 for lashes, $120 for nails, $200 for my hair, and don’t even get me started on skincare and Sephora. I realized I had a second rent, just on beauty.”
Thomas isn’t alone. According to a 2023 report by Allure, Black women spend an estimated $1.2 billion annually on hair care alone. Monthly beauty maintenance — hair appointments, lash fills, brow threading, gel manicures, facials and makeup hauls — can easily surpass $400-$600 per month for many women.
So why do we spend so much? And how do we find balance?
Beauty as Identity & Armor
“For Black women, beauty is not frivolous,” said Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist and founder of Therapy for Black Girls says in her book Sisterhood Heals. “It’s tied to history, to resilience, to how we show up in spaces that often don’t affirm us. Looking polished becomes a form of protection and power.”
For many women, beauty spending fulfills deep emotional needs. It’s not just vanity. It’s ‘I want to feel seen.’ It’s ‘I need to feel worthy.
She added, “There’s pressure — especially for Black women professionals — to always appear ‘together.’ It’s exhausting and expensive.”
Beauty as a budget line item
Tiffany Aliche, also known as “The Budgetnista,” said the first mistake many people make is not budgeting for beauty at all.
“People act like beauty isn’t a real expense — but it is,” she said. “If you get your hair done every four weeks, that’s a utility, sis. It needs to be in your budget.”
She warned against the emotional swipe culture that social media encourages.
“TikTok hauls and ‘that girl’ routines make you feel like you need a $60 serum or a $300 wig install to be worthy,” Aliche said. “But luxury doesn’t always mean expensive — it can mean peace of mind.”
So, how do you reframe luxury and self-care from a financial wellness lens?
“Ask yourself: What’s the return on this expense? Does it build your confidence for work? Does it bring joy or stress?” Aliche said. “If it’s debt-inducing, it’s not care—it’s a burden.”
The social scroll & spending spiral
Social media is a major driver of beauty spending and insecurity.
“I’ll see a girl with flawless skin and immediately go down a skincare rabbit hole,” said Simone Allen, a 25-year-old teacher in Houston. “Next thing I know, I’ve spent $200 trying to copy her glow and my rent’s due.”
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube constantly showcase glam routines, sponsored product links and viral “must-haves.” And for Black women, whose representation in mainstream beauty was once scarce, there’s added pressure to keep up now that visibility has increased.
Finding balance: Beauty meets budget
So, how do Black women balance beauty and budgeting every day?
“I had to get real about what mattered most,” Ariana Williams, 35, a nurse practitioner, said. “Hair and brows are non-negotiable for me. But I do my own nails now, and I’ve cut back on Sephora runs.”
She uses a “beauty sinking fund” — setting aside a set amount each month specifically for maintenance. “When I want to splurge, I save for it first. No more impulse spending.”
Redefining what beauty means
At the heart of the issue is redefining beauty—not just how it looks but also how it feels.
“Beauty should feel good, not like a bill collector,” Aliche said. “When your budget and your self-worth align, that’s the real glow-up.”
Tips for Budgeting Beauty Without Breaking the Bank:
- Create a beauty sinking fund: Set aside monthly cash for recurring beauty expenses.
- Rank your routine: Prioritize what makes you feel best and cut back where possible.
- Embrace DIY where you can: Learning to do your own nails or brows can save big.
- Don’t buy the hype: All that glitters isn’t gold — or necessary.
- Choose quality over quantity: Invest in trusted products that last.
In a world that demands Black women be everything all the time — polished, professional, presentable — the beauty chair can be a place of power. But so is financial freedom.
And maybe, the most beautiful thing of all is choosing both.
