I’m more of a do-it-yourself beauty treatment girl. I have had pedicures and manicures done professionally, and while it takes me longer to do it myself, I find the results are better and last longer than when I go to a salon. Plus, I find doing my own nails relaxing. A professional facial is something I would like to try to see how I like it.

I figure that if it’s within a person’s budget and they enjoy going to a salon for their beauty treatments rather than doing them themselves, then more power to them.

I don’t have family or friends who indulge in any sort of spa treatment so have never done so myself. At the gym I hear women bemoaning their fungus infected nails so they keep them covered with fake nails. It’s enough to scare me from the very thought of nail services for fingers or toes. For my face I’ve found products that give just the right amount of defoliating when I use them regularly. Drinking lots of water and eating lots of veggies also helps. It’s a case of haven’t done it so don’t miss it.

I would like to start with the facials, since I’ve turned 35 my skin has changed. I think a facial every few months would help over all. I do take care of my skin but found that something changed.

I am also a do-it-yourself girl, mainly due to budgetary constraints. But I do like getting pampered. The only spa service I have ever tried was a relaxing full body massage and it was worth every penny.

I’m not sure I can really compare salon services to DIY, as I’ve had so few of them. Any time I’ve had a manicure at a salon (for a special occasion) I’ve loved the results, but I’m good at doing my own nails, so it’s not worth it for the money. I’ve never had a pedicure because I can’t stand people touching my feet- I’m very ticklish and I’d probably kick the poor woman in the face (accidentally, of course)! I could probably use one, though- I find my feet harder to care for than my hands.

I’ve never had a facial, but always thought that when I “grow up” (still a good ten years away) it would be lovely to get regular ones. Ironically, it’s probably the last thing I actually need- my skin is pretty good and I almost never get zits. They sure sound nice, though!

I am with Joy and Ana. I only go to salon for hair styling. Everything else, I do myself. I prefer to do it myself for various reasons which include budget, lack of trust in public hygiene and lack of time for all the pampering. So far so good, but this might change in the future…

I get a pedicure at least once a year, at beginning of summer. I love pedis because they last soooo much longer than manis! Manicures I will get when there’s a special occasion, which is more frequent, but never lasts long. I cannot paint my own nails or toenails to save my life, so yes I think it is worth having someone else do them for me! However I do often worry about the possibility of acquiring an infection, which is why I go so rarely.

I also have learned the pleasures of having my eyebrows professionally threaded. This is another task I am not very good at doing myself. It doesn’t cost much and it’s quick and easy, and the results are excellent.

I’ve never had a professional facial. I guess I am of the “less is more” type when it comes to skin care. I don’t like to touch my face too much, or poke and prod it, or slather on too many chemicals and stuff, as I believe this is irritating, can introduce bacteria which encourages break-outs, and too much rubbing of the skin can even create wrinkles. Either my approach is the reason I have very little break-outs and skin issues, OR because I have pretty trouble-free skin I simply don’t *need* much more! I’m guessing it’s probably the latter.

It may surprise you, but I haven´t been to a spa ever and i don´t intend to go there. I don´t even like having my hair cut, I´d do it myself if I could.

For me, it´s a waste of time and money. As a mother of two little girls plus a full-time job, there´s no time for that. I stay at home and relax with my books, I meet friends, go to the theater and so on. But I don´t have to pay someone to rub cream on my face. I save the money and buy the best beauty products, I save the time and relax at home in the jacuzzi.

I can understand, though, that others enjoy such treatments. Perhaps I´m too much of a control freak who can´t relax and let others do the work…;)

I do my own:
Manicure
facial treatments (mascaras, exfolianting, dermoabrasion, pore cleaning, creams)
wax
Brows shape

I need professional help with:
Pedicures
Laser hair removal, I started today on the bikini area (an area difficult to wax at home)
Hair (cut and color)

I totally support the idea of pampering yourself, manicure, pedicures, facial, massages, I love them all. I think relaxation is the key to your mental and physical health. Someone who take care of themselves regularly definitely do look younger and more pull together.
However pampering is not only expansive but also time consuming, with 2 young boys and a full time job I have no time for myself, I wish there is a 24 hours spa that I can sneak to when my kids are sleeping.

I have my eyebrows threaded because it is so much easier than me trying to teach myself to do it. I currently have no experience and my brows grow fast. I do get pedicures in the summer particularly now because pregnant women deserve to have their feet massaged. (I do not like the exfoliating part but I bear 5 min. to get 15 min. of massage.) I have gotten full body massages and facials before but these are generally special treats because it is such an expense. Once again, since I’m pregnant I will probably treat myself to a massage at some point.

It’s interesting because except for hair removal I definitely view spa treatments more as pampering than grooming opportunities even though they provide both.

Pre-recession I had it all done professionally and regularly: pedicures, facials, massages, waxing, you name it. But as our business slowly declined and finally closed its doors I was forced to stop. At first I panicked at the thought of having to “let myself go” but I was fortunate enough to be able to slowly release each one at a time. After years of watching professionals work their magic on my feet I found doing the pedicures myself was the easiest transition to make and my feet get lots of compliments. The most difficult transition was doing my bikini wax at home but with lots of practice & after finding the right waxing kit I’ve gotten really good at doing it quickly and realitively pain free (I can even do my own brazillians now). I still get my hair professionally cut and colored but I do an at-home root cover treatment to stretch out the time in between. I also continue to get my eyebrows waxed professionally; being pretty hairy it is is well worth the $12 once a month. Its not as relaxing to do it at home but the end result is still good. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to get well educated in the salons and I am equally grateful for all the wonderful home products that make it accessible to me even now.

Like others, I’m mostly a do-it-yourself person. I like the results I’ve achieved with my home manicures and pedicures. I could probably stand a good facial, but haven’t done that yet.

I do rely on the salon for grooming my brows. I’m not sure I could do a good job with that and am afraid of making myself look ridiculous if I mess up.

I’m with you, Angie, I loathe pedicures but I do submit to one once or twice a year during the summer months. I make a mess of my nails if I try to do it myself.

I’ve heard that the whirlpool tubs that are used for soaking the feet can be breeding grounds for bacteria. Apparently, debris and dead skin gets caught up in the jets and can be recirculated. For that reason alone, I only go to a place that does not use these type of spas. They have stainless steel sinks for your feet that are thoroughly disinfected between each use. No whirlpool jets. It’s more expensive but worth it to me. I also don’t shave my legs on the days I’m getting a pedicure and I don’t get one if I have any cracks or fissures on my heels.

I’m going to have to try a facial, next. You’ve convinced me!

I’ve had manicures and pedicures from salons, but I prefer to do my nails myself. I don’t think the salon results are any better nor do they last any longer. Plus, I like doing my nails myself, and changing the color on my hands weekly. I’m also pretty good about taking care of any callouses I get on my feet.

I’ve had brow shaping too, and didn’t find it any better than when I do it myself. If only I’d keep up on the diy brow shaping a bit more.

I’d love to have massages regularly to treat tense muscles from sitting at a desk for long hours and sore muscles from physical activity, but massages are so expensive that I don’t indulge.

If I had tons of extra time and money, I probably would take advantage of more salon services.

Interesting.

I *wish* I could do my own feet. I just can’t get it right to my satisfaction. I am also VERY ticklish and I can’t stand people coming anywhere near my feet. But so far, the lovely lass who does my feet has it down and I can’t top it.

For the most part I have good skin too (it just gets really dry in Winter). But you can see the results of a facial on my skin for sure. I guess I grew up with the service too. My late Mum believed in facials and so do I. Her skin was flawless till the day she died. I hope to accomplish a similar effect.

Wendy, time is a biggie. I am impatient about having my feet done and do NOT relax during the treatment. All I can think about is how quickly we can get the process over with. In fact, it has become necessary punishment.

I love a manicured hand–but I have awful nails–so I indulge in nail care (re: fakes). Note to Joy–women who have nail fungus are going to unsanitary salons. Fake nails won’t hide fungus and only make the problem worse. During the summer months, I enjoy 1 or 2 basic pedis. I once tried the expensive, bells and whistles pedi, but found the satisfaction ended once I was presented with the bill.

I think spa treatments are wonderful- if you can afford it. There was a time I had weekly massages and the difference in my body was amazing. I have had great facials and facials that broke capillaries, so I think for so much of this it’s finding the right person to do it. Right now, facials are out of my budget, so I do a lot of research on good skin care and products. My skin has improved tons in the last few years since I made skincare changes.

Looove pedis- and it’s the one place I’m going to bite the bullet and just spend. BTW, here in Seattle, Julep nail salon is really good at hygienic and non-toxic pedi-manis.

Growing as a “tom boy” I tended to label all spa treatments as too girly for me. But as I have grown older (and perhaps a bit wiser) I have seen that spa treatments have their benefits. I do like to indulge in professional mani and pedis on a regular basis. For special occasions I have had facials and massages. But now with a tighter budget, I am learning how to recreate these spa treatments at home.

I just don’t have time for regular pampering. I have a really tight schedule … 2 hour daily commute, work minimum 45 hrs/week, workout during lunch hour three days/week, and run errands during lunch the other two days. Any pampering would take time away from me being with my kids and that’s what’s not worth it to me. I do manage to fit in hair coloring every 6 weeks but for a long time I did that myself along with nails, brows, hair removal!

Also, manicures are wasted on me with all the washing dishes, treating laundry, and giving baths to kids when I do get home from work!

I am with Melody. I do get that occasional day when kids are out, I am not working, and I am free, and go all out (facial, haircut, pedicure, the works). However, for most part I only go in for a quick haircut and even skip the blow dry. Since I have curly hair, I like to air dry my hair anyway.

I firmly believe that regular facials are good for you. However, pedicures, manicures, body massages are just luxuries and cutting nails, dealing with cuticle, and coloring nails can well be done at home. I am thankfully blessed with reasonably good skin and so I can afford to skip those facials for the most part.

I used to get my brows waxed or threaded – but after someone at YLF gave me the super-duper tip to use vaseline before plucking, I have been able to do that at home too!

Facials once a month are a must-do! I will get a pedicure a few times a year when my feet are just in dire need. Same applies for my eyebrows- once every few months to clean it up and I can handle it on my own for a bit.

I’m very lucky to have an Aveda institute in town. I can get a very, very good 60 min. facial and 30 min pedicure for $55. A steal.

Angie, what product do you use for brow tinting? I would love to do my own, the last tint I got made my brows black! I have auburn hair color. Thanks, Co

I have no choice but to get some waxing done, I come from a very hairy family Some waxing I can do on my own at home, along with bleaching, tweezing and shaving. I would really like to get laser hair removal one day as this takes up a lot of time, and has since I was 12 yrs old. Before I was a SAHM it wasn’t worth my time to do things myself so I got everything done at a salon, which averaged $60-80 a week. I now spend only $15 a week.

I do my own nails and feet now as well, trim my bangs, but leave major trims and hair cuts up to a stylist. I only got a facial a couple times and broke out badly both times, plus it’s so costly that I just take care of myself as much as I can at home. But if I was still working I’d totally be getting a number of treatments done professionally.

I’m the odd woman out here. I go to salon for my hair, cuts and colors – I turned my hair greenish many years ago and that was the end of my “stylist” at-home. I go when I need it to have waxing done on brows, upper lip and chin – as I’ve gotten older, “where did that come from” happens more. I do my own manis, unless it’s for an event – my work trashes my hands so I keep my nails very short. Pedis are worth it, to me, so about once a month during the summer (’cause those feet on display), less during the winter. I have had significant sun damage and some skin cancer, so I’m vigilant about facials and skin care and have had laser treatments – I consider these maintenance and health treatments, versus pampering.
I love to spa, have had mud baths, and massages, rubs, etc. But it does take time that I just don’t have right now in my life. But now thinking about it, I need to schedule some time, maybe early fall, Calistoga for a pamper relax weekend – mudbath and lavender massage anyone??

This question translates to “how much money do you have?” to me! I can’t fathom ever finding any of these treatments necessary…even as I age. My mom is about to turn 58 and has never indulged herself except the very occasional manicure.

I’m a hairy person like Athena but I have learned to just live with it because it’s too time consuming, painful, and expensive. If society is going to require that I move every stray hair on my body, it is going to have to make it a lot easier and cheaper. I know there are some people who find it ghastly but they will just have to get over it.

The only thing I have done professionally are my brows. They are a force to be reckoned with and require a lot more than just plucking a few stray hairs. I used to do both my brows and upper lip, but I’m no longer that self conscious about my lip. It was worse as a teenager because well, I was a teenager…but now I realize it’s really not noticeable. I don’t want anyone seeing much less touching my feet, so a pedicure would be like hell on earth for me. Anyway, I like having callouses on my feet as they keep blisters at bay. Might not be pretty, but they serve a purpose. I have had manicures but my nails are so oddly shaped and uneven that it isn’t even worth it. Facials and skin peels…please, I am 25.

Another do it herself-er over here. I’ve had a microderm done, several peds, several manis, a facial, and a full body massage.
The microderm was nice, but the results were not much better than my philosophy microderm face wash. The manis were nice, but I have to keep my nails short and it’s just as easy for me to do them myself. I love pedis, but I’m a runner and my feet get janky in just a few days’ time so I do my own pedis weekly. I loved the massage (with all the working out we do my body constantly feels like it’s been hit by a semi, so the massage was heaven) and the Euro facial (best $60 I ever spent), but I haven’t budgeted them in so I haven’t been back. I usually prefer to buy clothing or shoes with my spending money. I would love to get a facial again. I love the steam treatment and the extraction, etc. Someday when I get my life in order I’ll budget that in.

I LOVE salon facials, but my budget just won’t back me up on this. I love at-home beauty treatments, and taught myself to do just about everything pretty well. I used to barter manis & pedis to friends & roommates!

I do need to make more time for at-home facials… my sensitive skin would probably thank me.

I may be style-free, but I’m well-groomed!

I’m in the minority here it seems but I’m a spa fan! They are expensive so I don’t go as frequently as I’d like. And more importantly, they take a lot of time – my most precious commodity. So while I’d like to go for a facial once a month (my skin isn’t great and could use some professional help), I go about once or twice a year. Same with pedis. I find manis a waste since, with young kids, my hands are in the water quite a lot. The only thing I get regularly and more frequently are massages. Once a month. That’s because I have a fantastic masseuse who’s willing to come to my house. Oh, I do get waxed as well (brows, underarms, lip, chin) on a regular basis since I can’t stand to shave and am quite hairy if I leave them untended. However I don’t think of them as spa treatments – more utilitarian since I wouldn’t categorize the experience as relaxing

If I could afford it, I would regularly do the whole package at a salon – facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, waxing. I just had good experience with the few I visited. I also find that it’s the one place I relax as soon as I walk into the door. For now I have to be a DIY girl though.

I would love to indulge in something regularly but have had bad experiences with both facials and pedicures. I used to do both at least monthly. The facials aggravated my cystic acne – despite the aesthetician telling me it was my face “clearing out” and it would soon be better than ever, I gave it a year and it never stopped.

And – this is disgusting – I got a staph infection from a pedicure (at a reputable place, really) and I lost a toenail! It grew back, but that was an entire summer with no sandals, not to mention having to take antibiotics for a month. No thanks.

I have only had pedicured maybe three times in my life and they were all gifts. I loved it completely, but just can’t make myself spend myself.Same for facials and manicures–had one each in my life, loved them but won’t splurge on them myself. I keep my toes in nice condition )most of the time, the remainder I just wear closed shoed to be honest).Manicures are wasted on me because I wash my hands maybe fifty times a day at least, and the nail polish just wears off.I keep them moisturized and nails trimmed but that is about it. Plus, I would rather spend the money on clothes and going out to eat anyway…:-)
If you can afford it and it is part of your beauty routine to stay looking great, more props to you. But I’ll keep the extra 50 or so bucks for a couple of brunch dates now and then

I have had a couple full body massages (as gifts- i loved ‘em!) but would never make that a regular splurge. I’ve also had a couple facials (gifts again) but since I’ve broken out afterwards each time, I’ll just stick to my St. Ive’s Apricot face scrub. I get my eyebrows threaded once every 5-6 months, then maintain with tweezing at home. I do my own nails every two weeks or so but i got gels put on for a wedding last month and i think i’m addicted to them, at least for the summer. They’re just so much stronger than my natural nails and such fun! I can do my own toes ok, but I don’t always remember to exfoliate and all that…so salon pedicures are a splurge in the summer. I get my hair cut at a salon only about twice a year (though i hate how expensive it is now that i want to keep my hair long!)….
so I guess I’m a bit in the middle? I do alot of things myself and don’t spend extravagantly at spas and salons. But when I do, its to perk things up when my home maintenance gets lazy..and then I definitely hunt around for the best price/quality combination I can find.

I also do most beauty treatments myself. I do go to a salon to have my hair cut every 6 weeks, but I usually just get the cut because I always end up going home and re-doing my hair so it’s not worth the money to have the stylist do it. I color my hair at home and really like the results. If I had more patience and wanted to spend the money, I’d love to have some highlights. When I was younger (with less grey) I had them and liked them.

I do my own hands and feet also because I can do them as well or better than a salon and I’m like Angie and don’t like to have my feet messed with.

As for facials, I have had them and enjoyed the experience. I don’t go on a regular basis, but may in the future. Luckily, hair removal isn’t a big problem for me so I can also take care of that myself.

This reminds me of a picture I saw of Gweneth Paltrow a few years ago with cup marks on her back. Evedently they used suction cups to extract impurities from the body. The circles were quite large like a water glass. I guess she has plenty of disposable money for these things.
By looking at the stars, it seems the spa treatments do work, but I do my skin and nail care at home partly because of the time and expense, and partly because I am afraid of the fungus. I have already had to cure toenail fungus by taking pills for 3 months, while having blood work done to check that my liver function remained good. I don’t want to go through that again. I do not know how I got it, I just want to stay away from places where I might contact it again.
I would have a facial on a regular basis if I knew where to go for a good one. I have had one in the past that seemed really no better than something I could do myself at home, so that’s what I’ve been doing. I buy what I think are the best products and try to take good care of my skin. It has been through terrible conditions when I worked outside for 20 yrs in all weather conditions with no sunscreen.
My neighbor reccommends a deep tissue massage tharapist and after reading Sinead saying above that there was a big difference in her body with regular massage, I might try that to go along with my yoga, for good posture.
I think the ticket is having good recommnedations. I had a massage once that hurt and I couldn’t wait for it to be over, and I’ve had them where I wanted it to never end. It depends on the talent of the therapist.
Basically, I do my own spa treatments at home because of the cost, time, and fungus possibility.

I just spend money in the hairdresser. I started to do my brows with one of these stencil kits I got last year. It works wonderfully for me! Srujana, I also break after facials I do masks at home. I don’t do manicures or pedicures. I also love soothing massages: my BF and I took a course and got a great book. We do to each other. Even if not the most professionals I love them! I believe it is one great skill to develop in life for it is a great gift to those around you.

One more thing. My aunt who is a retired aestitician, says she can tell just by looking around who is and who is not taking care of their face. She says sometimes she just wants to grab a stranger who needs it and give them a good scrub.
There’s one point for regular facials!

Oddly ,I don’t like to be fussed with.:(

I will get my nails done for special events. I try to get a pedicure every couple of months because my shoes are almost all open toe.

My daughter (who is also a stylist and instructor) and I will help eachother out on the hair thing if we can’t manage it ourselves, but most of the time I am a fuss free do it yourselfer.

I guess I would rather work on people than be worked on…I am just too restless to sit for any length of time.:)

Getting facials regularly is a high priority …once I get a job. It’s one of the first things I’m going to do!

I only enjoy a pedicure if I’m going with a girlfriend. It’s fun girl time to chat and take a day (or half-day) for fun. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time for me. I’d never do facials or anything else. And I’d NEVER get waxed. I’m with Maya. I inherited rather annoying genes that require constant eyebrow plucking and shaving, but I’d never be tortured with hot wax on my body just because – who, exactly? – tells me I should be constantly hair-free.

That said, I spend money at the salon every 5 weeks to color my all-grey roots (I’m a brunette who turned grey very young, and my hair grows VERY fast). When it’s also time for a haircut (every 10 weeks), that appointment gets pricey. But I’m not giving that up! I refuse to go grey, and I did enough damage to my hair coloring it at home for years (not to mention the stray hair color on the bathroom walls and floor).

So, spa treatment, no. It’s money/time I could better spend elsewhere. Hair salon, definitely!

I have always wanted to do more spa treatments and know that I should at least get a facial, but I always end up putting other things first. I have only ever had one facial in my life. I do intend to at least start getting facials and do need to start getting pedicures because of a callus on my right foot from lots of walking. Hopefully time and finances will allow.

Another fun topic!

Regularly: Brows wax’d about every or every other haircut $10. DH also started getting them done as my soon to be niece does this service & we have a “wax off Friday” every month or 2 at my brother’s – it’s quite fun! I’ve seen the threading but haven’t tried it yet. Wondering how it compare’s? Pedi’s – I used to do every 2 weeks but since I started running again & wearing pumps vs. sandals I cut back to about 1x/month.

Irregularly: Manicures – seem like a waste of $ to me but I get once in a blue moon when I need it. Acrylic’s – I’ve worn a couple of times over the years & just decided I hate them! My poor nails underneath paid dearly for it & it was a waste of an hour & $ about every 2-3 weeks for me. The plus was the polish stayed on quite long & they did look nice. The cost/benefit just wasn’t justified for me. Facials – every 3-6 months —– soooo relaxing, I love it! Full Body Massage – anytime they are offered on a beach on vacation – no relaxing feeling like it & about every month or 2 otherwise. Totally for relaxation for me. I go to our local beauty college for them. Pretty cheap $20 for 1/2 hour & I’ve always had great students! Oh yeah, I would not recommend the pedicure’s at the college’s while I’m on the subject. One time I had a male student he was cute & funny but I swear when he put the lotion on he practically went up to my thigh! That’s a whole other story. The other time I had a student a child could have painted better & faster. I’m sure there are many success stories with the pedi’s as well – I just haven’t had them!

I do like to indulge in massage, but just don’t do it that often. I believe it makes a big difference in mind, body, and spirit. I also have no problem spending on a good cut and color…

It is difficult to justify the expense of many spa treatments. And it’s maddening when they’re just not good. However, I think it’s crucial for all women to take time out to pamper themselves! For the cost of one or two spa treatments, you can get a few great products (that will likely last a while) and set aside a Sunday evening to create your own home spa. You’re relaxed, and best of all you don’t have to drive anywhere afterward! We all deserve a little luxury – even if it is at home!

Oh my gosh, I am more than happy to pay someone else to groom me!

I just started getting weekly manicures, which I love. Pedicures are once a month during the summer, and longer in the winter. They also do my eyebrows, or I go to my girl at my hair salon.

Facials or massages are a rarer occasion for me, but they’re a nice indulgence — maybe once a year at most, and usually on a special trip with girlfriends.

However, when I was in Tucson in June, I did get my first-ever body scrub, and the difference in my skin after was ASTONISHING. I had such dry and flaky skin all winter, and then losing the weight was making all kinds of strange things happen to my arms, but one sugar scrub treatment and all those issues are still gone! I will definitely do that again after next winter.

Hee, I am definitely getting my manicure done tonight. Now you’ve got me in the mood!

I enjoy getting a facial done once every 2-3 months.I also get the upper lip and threading done at the same time.It is one hour of me time while hubs takes care of the baby.The parlour lady gives a good neck massage also,so I thoroughly enjoy it.I have never been to a spa and dont intend to go unless someone recommends it.I moisturize my hands and feet regularly.I like to my hands and legs waxed every 4-5 months.

Facials have been invaluable to me in keeping my acne prone skin in good condition. Only after I started getting monthly facials did my skin become presentable enough for me to dare go out of the house without makeup. It made such a huge difference not having to deal with ugly, painful red bumps and harsh acne medications. So yes, I think it’s worth the expense. People with naturally clear skin don’t always appreciate how lucky they are!

Long time reader, first time writer-
I do my own manis and pedis-but I do love a professional pedi when I can afford it! They are so awesome! I also get my hair professionally cut due to my own lacking ability.

I wish I could afford to have waxing regularly in ahem certain areas. I get terrible razor burn for anything except my legs, and I end up looking like a lobster. It would be well worth my money and time, if I could afford my under arms and my bikini area. Sanity is definitely worth the price.

Thank you for all your posts, they are either fun to read or inspiring every day!

After one extremely painful ingrown toenail and a stern lecture from my podiatrist, I never got another salon pedicure. That blue liquid looks pretty, but it doesn’t sterilize the instruments. And I’ve never seen a spa with an autoclave. I’m satisfied with my DIY efforts.

I had one facial. Hated it. I lucked out in the genetic lottery and take good care of my skin; I don’t enjoy having a stranger poke at it.

I do my own manicures [without polish as it chips in a day anyway], facials/masks. I pay for pedicures when I can as it helps with my chronic in-grown nails and for hair cuts/color as I am hair impaired. I was also elated when I found out I could pay someone to wax my eyebrows, as opposed to looking like Bert [from Sesame Street] so I do that too.

I take my self to a spa for the full treatment [massage, body scrub, facial, etc. etc.] once a year on my birthday. I love to be pampered and I think taking the time to do something for you, no matter what that is, is a great for one’s mental health as well. The expense can be prohibitive but no one can say I’m hard to buy a gift for at Xmas, when spa gift certificates are easy to get and always appreciated!

Hmm, this is very timely for me. I just got a gift certificate for a spa that will cover either a manicure or a pedicure. I’m debating how best to spend it. Maincures make me feel really fussy, so I’m leaning towards a pedi although my feet are pretty ticklish.

Or I could put the $$ towards my first facial ever, paying for $30 out of pocket. (My skin is sensitive and only occasionally clear, so I’m not sure whether a facial would make things better or worse. Joelle’s comment makes me think I should try it, though.)

I do pedicures once every 3 months or if I remember.. but I HATE THEM. THey hurt and tickle.

I love massage especially at a local spa called Sumbody. The atmosphere there is so relaxing that i would love to move right in. Can’t afford the indulgence but in the past I have tried to go every three months or so. I carry tension in my neck so therapeutic more than “beauty”.

I love pedis too and am not good at my own but once a month works for me during sandal season. Manis I do myself.

Had a facial recently for first time in ten years – can’t say I saw a huge improvement though. May try one more to see.

I do my own color but pay for cuts every 6 weeks or so.

I think I am in the middle-maintainence range!

I’m at the massage parlor once a week. Massage as a preventative medicine is big in East Asia — no surprise, really — and therefore it’s quite affordable. I prefer getting neck and shoulder massages from the skilled masseurs/masseuses rather than at salon, where the emphasis is typically weight loss or spot removal and the technicians nowhere as skilled. Regardless, I do get a facial once a month at a trusted salon, where they don’t add bleach to everything out of request, and I typically steam my face once a day as a part of the oil cleansing method.

I don’t like the fumes of nail salons and therefore take care of my own nails and feet. Some massage parlors will offer pedicures, but I don’t like the scraping of the feet that comes with it — a quick run on the sandy beach helps with much of the issues.

In the summer I get pedicures every four to six weeks. I have a local pedicure place that uses all-natural scrubs and lotions and will serve you a cosmopolitan or glass of wine if you show up at the right time! I love the relaxation and enjoy knowing I can wear sandals without hesitation. In winter the frequency drops to about once every couple of months. I go for a facial twice a year, but the rest of the time I invest in my favourite line of skin care products (Evan Healy). I give myself a clay mask every week, which helps maintain my skin. I have the means to steam my skin here, which helps. I find spending money on the products will enable me to give myself the equivalent of several facials for the price of one. Evan Healy products seem pricy at first blush, but they’re well-priced for what they are and well worth the investment. They last a long time and work wonders for me.
I used to love having my fingers done, but there’s just no point now. I’m constantly using my hands to do things in the kitchen or around the house, and obviously I rely on my sense of touch more than others. Maybe if I get a dishwasher I’ll be able to have manicures that last longer than a day or two (I can only use the freshly-painted-nail excuse so long before my boyfriend gets sick of doing dishes on my nights)!

A pedicure is a treatment I’ve splurged on twice, and I loved it! I’ve never had a facial, and I’m interested in trying it once I get a good reference. I’ve had a few massages and love them too, but they are few and far apart because of cost.

I think that beauty treatments are worth the money if you get the desired result; but usually I have to decide if I want to spend my money on clothing or a spa treatment, so the clothing or shoes always win.

I thinking I tend towards the pampering end of the spectrum.

I try to get a manicure monthly, probably because I wear sandals so often – even in winter!!

I adore getting neck, shoulder, back massages too, but I have a lot of shoulder/neck problems so that sometimes feels like more of a necessity than a pampering. And there are times like this week when massage isn’t enough and I need some physiotherapy for a neck that just won’t move. Ugh!

I get my legs and eyebrows waxed, because I am too lazy to do anything to them myself.

I’ve only ever had 2 facials and 2 manicures. I liked both, but not enough to get me hooked on them. I colour my own hair (well technically Andrew does it). And I am lazy about getting haircuts. It’s been 7 months since the last one and the ends are feeling rough and nasty. Time to sort that one out again soon!!

I only started having facials at age 39 after my work colleagues gave me a gift voucher, and have been having them every 6 weeks ever since. I go to Jurlique (they started the company here locally so I also feel good about supporting our economy) and I can thoroughly recommend them. My mother never had facials so I guess I just never bothered (as I get older I think about the influence mothers have on their children and how different my daughter might be). I think it’s very important to look after your skin, especially in skin cancer central; Australia, and I wish I’d been encouraged to do so at a much earlier age.
I have never had a manicure or a pedicure, probably because I used to work in a laboratory where we wore gloves and had to wash our hands with ethanol to clean them (true!) and it would have been a waste of money, plus I hate the look of very long fake nails. Again this is probably due to the influence of my mother. Unfortunately my nails are very brittle but I keep them neat and use hand creams, but rarely use nailpolish. I always keep my feet neat and polished in summer as I think it is important with open shoes. I think I’m genetically lucky that my hands and feet have always looked OK despite the lack of professional manicuring!

I love pampering, but over time I’ve found that I do almost everything better myself.

I do my own brows because I do them better than what I’ve seen the local salons do. (I’ve noticed they tend to make brows thinner than I like.) I’ve gotten compliments on my brows so I know I am competent enough to do them myself. Also, I don’t like the idea of hot wax yanking at my delicate eye-area skin.

I also do my own threading of upper lip and chin. It’s easy, quick, and gentler on skin than waxing. (If I could find a threading salon around here, I’d consider paying for it.)

I’d rather shave my legs and underarms than wax (I guess I hate wax!) and the rest of it, I don’t worry about even though I’m quite hairy.

I would love to get pedicures and manicures, but I’m too afraid of fungus, etc. so I just take care of that myself.

I’d also love to get facials, but I’d rather spend the money on luxurious products that I can enjoy every day.

The one thing I absolutely go to the salon for is my hair (cut and color). Doing those things at home is way too messy, and the salon does it better than I can. I spend $$$ on a somewhat fancy salon appointment every 6 weeks.

I am a true believer in being well groomed, but I am a very hairy Italian girl, so my regular wax is my brows–hands down. I get bikini, but I go about every 8 weeks, so I can manage it, and I go to a nicely priced pedi place–I don’t really do manicures, and pedis can last up to 2 months. (not always, but often).

I don’t wax legs, underarms etc, which I know most girls do–i won’t spend the money on that–I also don’t get massages or facials unless they are gifts or I am w/my college girls for a weekend.

K

i like to look clean and well-groomed so i regularly visit the salon to get my hair done (cut and color).
as much as possible, i try to have my manis and pedis weekly but without the lacquer as my nails tend to get yellowish.
to be safe and sure, i go to the dermclinic for my scrubs and facials. i have a very oily T-zone so keeping my face free of dirt and grime is a must. i alternate monthly between a facial and a diamond peel. works well for me and my budget. and i’m lucky i live in a place where these pamperings are affordable and within reach for an average working girl like me.
my ultimate pampering is the body scrub; it makes me feel so clean and gorgeous and pampered afterwards.
it’s the only skin i got. i have to take good care of it.