The Beauty Burden: Why Women Deserve More Money

"Women's work" extends far beyond traditional household tasks. Besides having careers, caring for others, and maintaining a household, we’re also expected to always look our best. We must invest significant time and resources into our appearances. This expectation has been ingrained in us through societal standards, with women's worth being directly correlated to our appearance. Women observe how other women are treated, especially by men. We notice how we are treated differently when we have our hair and makeup done, and how we only get some form of respect when we look pleasing to men.

The labor and expenses of looking good are overlooked and undervalued despite the major impact they play in our lives. To conform to these impossible and ever-changing beauty standards, women can spend large amounts of money on makeup, skin & hair care, clothing… The list goes on and on. The cost of looking good adds up quickly, and the burden of this expense falls heavily upon us. Studies have shown that women spend significantly more on beauty products than men. A 2019 survey found that women spend an average of $3,756 per year on beauty products, while men only spend an average of $2,928 per year. This disparity is due in large part to the expectations placed on women to invest time and money into their appearance, while men are not held to the same standard.

Another survey revealed that women spend approximately 55 minutes every day beautifying themselves. 55 minutes of daily beauty prep equates to approximately 335 hours—or two full weeks—of hair and makeup work. And it is work! It is not easy nor relaxing to get ready—in fact, it takes years to perfect our craft to the point where we even look presentable in public.

The cost of this work extends beyond personal expenses. The beauty industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, with its practices contributing significantly to environmental devastation. From the production of cosmetics to the disposal of packaging, the industry's impact on the environment is undeniable.

These products are harmful to the environment and our bodies. Not So Pretty (2022), a documentary directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering and narrated by Keke Palmer, is a powerful exposé of the beauty industry and its impact on our health and the environment. It exposes the hidden toxins and harmful ingredients in many beauty products and their potential long-term effects on our health. Through interviews with experts, scientists, and industry insiders, the film uncovers the truth behind the billion-dollar beauty industry and its marketing tactics that continuously prioritize profits over people's health. It reveals how companies use deceptive marketing and greenwashing to mislead consumers into thinking that their products are safe when they are actually loaded with extremely harmful toxins.

The documentary also shows the lack of regulation in the beauty industry and the need for stricter laws to protect consumers. It encourages individuals to become more informed and to demand safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products. Although it may be simpler to call for safer beauty products rather than change societal beauty standards, perhaps we can challenge the male gaze by rejecting the need to wear toxic chemicals on our faces daily. With this small act of civil disobedience, bare faces or undone hair, we can show that we refuse to conform to the narrow and often unrealistic beauty standards that have been imposed upon us. If enough of us take this stance, men may get so tired of looking at our under-eye bags and feel compelled to help us push for cleaner and safer beauty products. Just a thought!

Of course, men are not the reason women create beautiful and unique looks. Many women express themselves through hair, makeup, and clothing and don't care what men think about their appearance. Either way, we deserve clean beauty products.

Given the significant amount of labor and expenses involved in looking good, it's not unreasonable to argue that women deserve to be compensated more for their work. After all, many women spend a significant portion of their income on beauty products and treatments, which means they have less money to spend on other necessities like housing, food, and healthcare.

Many bosses have told me not to come to work with a bare face. If that is a requirement, I should be compensated for my time and reimbursed for my makeup expenses.

Some will argue that women do not have to conform to societal beauty standards and that the pressure to look good is simply an excuse for excessive grooming and spending. The reality is that societal pressures can be incredibly powerful and almost impossible to resist. From a young age, we are bombarded with messages that tell us that our worth is tied to our appearance. This message is reinforced in every aspect of our culture— from advertising to movies and television to real-life encounters. Women who do not conform to these beauty standards are often marginalized and excluded from social and professional opportunities. The pressure to conform is not a suggestion but a requirement, and it can have a significant impact on women's behavior and self-image.

Society must recognize that the labor and costs involved in meeting societal beauty standards are not trivial and that women deserve to be compensated fairly for their work. Whether it's through better wages, more job opportunities, or greater recognition for their efforts society needs to start valuing the work women do to look good and feel confident in their own skin.