Comments on: The $20,000 Manicure Question

By: Lise

Lise — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:37:52 +0000

Thanks for the input, Nicole. I’m basically trying to improve my appearance, little by little. I started by getting a new haircut, which got rave reviews from my coworkers. I’ve made it a habit to wear my contacts daily. Still working my way from there.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:03:16 +0000

I’m more into my appearance when it matters (date night, events, when I care to put forth the effort), but I don’t put that much into it otherwise. Given that, it’s important not to look like death warmed over.

To look nice, quickly and easily?

1. Invest in a good haircut, one that compliments your features and hair. It will take no time to do it.
2. Get your eyebrows done regularly. It’s only 2 – 3 x’s a month & will basically make you look like a totally different person with no daily effort.
3. Moisturizer, sunscreen, mascara and blush. All you need.

Great bra, good posture and friendliness.

From a girl who wishes she could go to work in her pajamas but still can’t deny she loves pink.

Hope it helps.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:02:19 +0000

$12/manicure is insanely cheap, I’ve never gotten one for less than $20. While a manicure is an investment in one’s looks, it’s also actually quite relaxing and fun. I’m girly than you, but by no means a girly-girl and I bite my nails. I’ve only gotten manicures for special occasions, but I’ve always found them fun and pampering. I keep trying to stop biting my nails and I always try to bribe myself with the promise of a manicure (stress beats bribery still though). See how you like it, but remember that the relaxation may be a benefit beyond what the manicure will bring you in appearance. Also despite what Chad said manicures do not last a month, they last at most a week and a half, though learning to touch them up yourself can prolong them.

By: Frugal in the Fruitlands » Monthly Wrap-Up: March

Frugal in the Fruitlands » Monthly Wrap-Up: March — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:03:18 +0000

[...] The $20,000 Manicure Question [...]

By: Lise

Lise — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:54:17 +0000

Chad: you’re absolutely right. What I’m proposing is a series of habit changes, and those have to happen slowly over time to be realistic.

By: Lise

Lise — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:52:07 +0000

… yeah, you’re totally right.

I think I realize what I did. I started with twenty years, as the measure of someone’s long-term career path, and then decided “But someone generally only stays at one job for five years…” and changed the text without changing the math. Yeah. So I’m going to fix it now to say 20 years, not 5.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Oh, and on your other point: I think you underestimate the extent to which women judge other women on appearances. It’s sad, true, but unfortunately we all end up having to play games to get ahead at work. Men have their own, I’m sure.

By: Anon

Anon — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:41:18 +0000

Not to be rude, but you did invite readers to do their own math.

$12/week * 52 weeks/year * 5 years = $3120

Even if you compound it weekly at a 5% rate, you’ll still end up with less than $4000; no where near $20k.

That said, the fact that career advancement could depend on manicure just appalls me. What a horrifying world we live in.

By: Chad

Chad — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:30:45 +0000

Sometimes you have to play the game to change the game.

You need to start small, and see if small efforts provide small payouts or large ones. If there are no payouts, you can try adding something else, but beware the law of diminishing returns. Also by starting small, you can get out without much invested (time or money), and not feel you lost a lot in the trying. Also, by starting small, you won’t look like you’re completely reinventing yourself or changing yourself on purpose.

Maybe start with a haircut and a manicure? Small investment (time and money), effective for at least a month. Then hairdrying is an easy add, with a logical source of inspiration (new hairdo!). Then creep in bits of makeup at a time?