Is it just me?

I more or less agree with you Quizzer. I do love a massage, but although I can afford to, think they are mostly an unnessary extravagance. And I don't indulge in any of the other treatments.

Fine I guess if you can afford them and enjoy them. I think mostly the things I enjoy don't have a financial cost. A day on the beach with my GS. Reading and enjoying the sun on my body. Sitting or walking by a river, watching the fish and the ducks.

I'd be asked if the place had been still closed ----on exiting the beautician's.

I defy anyone, including, the OP to say they have never permitted themselves to treat themselves to a self indulgent waste of money at some time in their lives. It doesn't have to be beauty treatments, it could be an extra cup of coffee, a favourite food, a packet of seeds.

When it comes to beauty treatments, I am among those who do not particularly enjoy massages, but DH, DD and I love a day at a spa, one of those which is a water playground with indoor pools, outdoor pools, jacuzzis, different hot and cold showers heat rooms, saunas. We have no interest in any other facilities they may have. Actually that is a good idea, why do we not celebrate the end of lockdown with a spa day at our favourite spa?

I am looking forward to a haircut and getting my brows shaped and tinted, but that is just normal self maintenance contracted out.

There is no virtue in never having beauty treatments. but perhaps a bit of virute signalling, which, of course, is also a self indulgence.

I love having have these treatments.
I can’t wait to have a chocolate body wrap

Am I unusual in thinking that all these ‘beauty’ treatments are a self indulgent waste of money

How are "beauty treatments" different to going to the hairdressers to have your hair cut? You could cut your own hair at home if you're so disinterested in your appearance or unwilling to be seen as "self indulgent". What's the difference?

I have had a couple of spa days with my sister. Indulgent, definitely! A waste of money? Absolutely not, we felt relaxed, soothed and so good. I don’t know if it made me more beautiful but the hydrotherapy pool and the massage definitely made me feel a lot better. My aches and pains melted away.

Only indulgence is hair cut which is booked for when we come out of lockdown and every 5 weeks. Dye it at home.
Had a massage when on holiday and it was lovely, but also had manicures and would only have them for special occasions as felt it left my nails in poor condition.

GagaJo
You might consider massages as an unnecessary extravagance
but the health benefits are:
Reduces your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Boosts production of serotonin and dopamine.

It's up to every individual how they spend their money. Personally I've never had anything apart from having my hair done. Perhaps these treatments boost their self esteem. I wouldn't dream of telling people that what they enjoy is a waste of money.

Whatever makes you happy!
I have had quite a few beauty treatments (but have drawn the line at waxing after I was used as guinea pig for a friend who was a student beautician at the time !)
I must say, something like a manicure or a pedicure can really boost your feeling of well being.
Don't knock it until you've tried it!

To each his own. Their life their choice.

We're all different, Quizzer!

It's not a waste of money to those who want to spend money doing these things

I'm not much into pampering either . Years ago my husband's business organised a day off for staff and partners.
I was not best pleased to be shuttled off to some pamper place in an old stately home.

The men were off to drive Lamborghinis' and the like at a racing place.

I pointed out to my dearest that it might not be just me who would rather have a spin in a fast car so maybe the choice could be given

About 20% of the women wanted to do the speed car day out

I do love acupuncture. Costs me about £40 a week. Well it did until Covid.

Some may say that's a waste of money but it's horses for courses.

I have a massage booked for 10am on April 12th. It's £25 for an hour's head/shoulders/back rub, and I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to physical contact after so long.

I needpedicures and massages. I get a lot of hard skin on my feet, which I can't get off myself; and I have back problems, so have a monthly sports massage (not the relaxing sort) to loosen my muscles.

How judgemental! It’s a personal choice. I’m sure some who enjoy treatments think you are strange to feel that they are a waste of money!

Each to their own. Over the years I have enjoyed Spa days, massages etc especially in beautiful surroundings (not all were gifts some I paid myself). I now prefer long country walks in beautiful mountains. I cannot understand how some people pay extortionate amounts of money for their cup of coffee each day or the astronomical cost of their favourite wine at their favourite eating place. Come to think of it some people are prepared to pay amazing restaurant prices on things I can cook at home at a fraction of the cost. It's all individual preferences. I am so looking forward to having some choices soon. P.S. I cannot understand spending vast sums on inappropriate outfits, high heels, make up, the list goes on and on.....

Anything that makes you feel better is money well spent. DH loves cars and his car is waaaay more expensive than mine, but still does the same job getting us from A to B. He does enjoy driving, so why not?

Have had pedicures since I lived in South America years ago. Wearing sandals year round means feet are on display. Started having facials about 20 years ago, very relaxing.

I don’t particularly like going to the hairdressers (apart from the chat and gossip?) but I still go every 8 weeks for a trim and highlights.
My indulgence is having a pedicure, I just love it and walk on air after having one.

My DD and I have a couple of days at Champneys every year and we love it!! It's a bit of quality relaxing girly time together and being pampered! What's not to love? We missed it dreadfully last year but hope we can go again this summer
Is this a self indulgent waste of money? Definitely not!!

Yes I thought the OP was a bit judgemental too. Of course not everyone enjoys beauty treatments but we are entitled to spend our money as we see fit. I treat myself to books, gin and lunches out with friends ( when we are able to ) these could also be classed as self indulgent. What is wrong with having things we enjoy, we have not taken vows of poverty or eschewing the pleasures of the flesh.
"Hie thee to a nunnery" Quizzer

I agree - each to their own, but for me I could think of nothing worse. A group of friends clubbed together and bought me a spa day with 3 "treatments" for my 50th birthday (years ago), and the voucher is still somewhere in a draw. I didn't have the heart to tell them someone massaging me or wrapping me in mud/chocolate/seaweed (take your pick) gives me the heebie jeebies. I don't even like going to the hairdressers and leave it as long as I can between appointments.

Apart from regular haircuts, and more recently, wax, shape and tint of eyebrows, my only other indulgences are having a manicure periodically, and in the summer, I have my legs waxed. But, everyone to their own, I don't think that anyone having beauty treatment is being self indulgent or wasting their money. We all have our own idea of a 'treat' and unless you wish to cut your own hair and scrub your face with a flannel every night, it is a little hypocritical to sneer at those who decide to go a little further in what makes them feel good. The beauty industry is a big one, employing mainly women, and self employed too, and I am happy to help.

I think that saying these things are "a self indulgent waste of money" is hideously judgemental and self-righteous. What a puritanical way to think! I have my hair cut regularly, so that I look well-groomed (well, I did before lockdown!) and my nails gelled every month so that they look pretty and well kept instead of the raggedy, flaky and ugly objects they were before I began having them done: I adore the feeling of being pampered with a good aromatherapy massage, or a facial at my local college, and since left alone my eyebrows are like Denis Healy's and I can't control 'em myself I enjoy the luxury of lying back & having them waxed into shape. I appreciated these things and the compliments he gave me when my darling husband was alive - now that he's gone they give me a feeling that I'm still making him proud of me, and they greatly lift my mood. So they're NOT self indulgent OR a waste of money.

Hi well I get my hair and my nails done with having arthritis. I struggle to do myself. You don’t know what reasons ppl get things done or what is going on in their personal lives. Maybe you do something that they don’t and they think you are wasting money on. Each to their own and who is anyone to judge anyone for what they enjoy.