The Thing About Beauty: When Did Pampering Become a Chore?

Remember the days when a trip to the spa was synonymous with relaxation and self-care? I sure do. But recently, while chatting with a friend, I couldn’t help but notice a stark contrast. As she rattled off her list of “must-do’s”-lash fill, gel manicure, pedicure, even Botox-I was struck by a paradox. She exclaimed, “I don’t have time for myself anymore!” Wait, what? Aren’t these spa treatments supposed to be all about pampering oneself?

Zoom Boom and the Pressure Cooker of Beauty Standards

It’s no secret that beauty standards are vast and ever-evolving. Thanks to the “Zoom Boom” and our hyper-connected lives on social media, everyone’s chasing that flawlessly filtered look-offline! The catch? This often means signing up for an endless cycle of maintenance. Suddenly, what was once a fun and relaxing spa visit now feels like ticking off a to-do list. When did “I can’t wait to” morph into “I have to?”

The Evolution of Beauty Norms

Let’s roll back a bit. Once upon a time, our beauty regimes were pretty straightforward-showering, cutting nails, brushing hair, and maybe some light makeup for special occasions. Fast forward to today, and we’ve added teeth whitening and routine microblading to the mix. And let’s not forget, injectables, once taboo, have now become the norm.