Is it just me?

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

My one luxury in this category is the occasional pedicure. I always have one if possible on a cruise, or if I go to a hotel with treatment rooms. It’s wonderfully relaxing and especially good if you are going to be walking about more than usual.

I don't think you are that unusual but you really need to try them to understand how they could benefit you. As others have pointed out it's as much about how you feel as what you look like.

Massages can be brilliant to help relieve tension and, sometimes, pain. Facials and spas can also help relieve tension if you like them, but they just stress me out. I have a very occasional pedicure because it's not so easy to reach my feet these days but mainly I take care of my nails myself.

Used to occasionally go to the hairdressers in my 20's, and had a free makeover at Boots at an over 60's event shortly after I hit that milestone, but apart from that, I'm with the OP in never having had any of the things in the original post. I suppose its each to his/her own for self indulgence, especially when lockdown ends to make up for lost opportunities during lockdown. I will be self indulgent in other ways!

What a shame that giving oneself some pleasure - which beauty treatments and massages may do for some people - is referred to as an indulgence. Self-care is fundamental to good self-esteem, and good self-esteem is fundamental to good mental health. And self-care can take many forms - 'indulging' in a theatre ticket, a large box of chocolates every week, weekend away, retail therapy, etc., - each to her own. To use the word indulgence suggests that one is not really entitled - surely we all are entitled to care for ourselves.

I hate people touching me so I would avoid anything like that. However, I have looked into having my red veins on my face being treated by laser as I feel that I would feel a lot better about myself when I had to look in the mirror.
Quite frankly, I can't believe the excitement about hairdressers being open again. Setting such store by the length of one's hair completely passes me and my husband by. Mind you, we are scruffy Herberts!

I agree with Icanhandthemback - I'd hate to be touched by some stranger. I visit the hairdresser because I have to, but I even hate those “posh” ones who do that weird head massage thing with the conditioner! I also do wonder what kind of person wants to become a masseuse - getting strangers naked and rubbing oil into their bare skin! Yuk!

I work with some women who go in for facials and all sorts of treatments and have to say that often, the love of such things is directly proportionate to shallowness of character (but not always obviously).

I love some of the beauty treatments and consider them to be a lovely treat. I love to have my hair done every 6 weeks or so and feel so much better when I’ve had a back, neck and shoulders massage - about every couple of weeks when it’s allowed. I also like waxing, well not the process, although she is always very gentle, but love the feel when it’s done. I have my nails done occasionally, but as I’m a hobby gardener then it’s not really worth it. I love going and feeeling really pampered, so it must be good for my mental health even if it makes no difference to the way I look. I can afford it and enjoy it, so I’m looking forward to returning.

I do love a massage or beauty treatment and find them so relaxing; however, wish I could have more of them without feeling they are a waste of money! They aren't - but I always think '£50, I could have bought a nice jumper with that!' Comes from the days of my childhood when money was tight and I yearned for nice clothes. Even though now I can afford nice clothes and beauty treatments, I still find it hard to justify spending money on me. After reading this thread, I'm going to definitely make an effort to have a beauty treatment more often ? I think I deserve it!

I am not one who goes in for beauty treatments apart from a good hair cut, but I sometimes wish I knew what to treat myself to! I have just been and fetched myself one square of chocolate- that is my indulgence. It is not a question of not being able to afford it either. It just doesn’t appeal to me.
Yes, each to their own, but even so, I think I would rather give to a charity for the homeless or similar.

I think I might be slightly strange as I am not bothered by facials, or any beauty treatments. I once went for a spa day and thought the massage was very light and did nothing for me although I did like the swimming. I also had a 'make over' in our local Debenhams many years ago, It was so bad that I went upstairs to the Ladies and washed the lot off. I do indulge in a haircut but that is about it. I appreciate that many ladies like to have their nails done, eyelashes extended and all the other indulgences and some of my friends do that. I dont judge them but know that it is not for me. You never know I may try something once Lockdown is over and I am no longer immunosuppressed.

I have facials for the me time, to relax, be pampered and be away from my family, I am so old and skin like leather it actually makes no difference to the way I look

I had a gift of a full massage and facial at a beauty salon. Other than the half hour lying on a lovely bedouin type bed for half an hour relaxation afterwards felt it was all lost having to get in the car and drive home. Difficult to assess any benefit derived from experience. Never fancied it again. Also had a spa weekend as a gift. Other than enjoying company of DD would have been just as happy going for a couple of walks and meals. You are not alone but each to their own.

I think it might be helpful to be 'self indugent' sometimes. After all we the retired have a bit more time and perhaps more aches and pains- after exercise. So I love to go to our local massage palour for a pampering. If we don't look after ourselves no one else will even if they try their best!

I have been a Beauty Therapist for 40 years and perform regular facials on clients, I think that is quite an unkind comment about your colleagues. I get amazing feedback about how my clients' feel, renewed, refreshed, relaxed etc.
Try it, don't knock it!

I had a massage many, many years ago to ease a tense muscle in my shoulder that just wasn't going away.

I visit my chiropodist every few weeks to get my ingrowing toenails sorted out.

Haven't been to a hairdresser since I was a kid, never had a facial or a manicure and I'm not sure I would want to. I can't stand being faffed with.

I also hate people touching me. I have had two massages in my life, one as part of a hen do and another as part of a spa day package. Each one was torture, although I did feel relaxed afterwards- I think it was just because I was so glad it was over! I also had a facial once (another hen do) and it brought me out in spots for the wedding. Never again!
However I do love being massaged by jets of water in a jacuzzi or hot tub, so I can appreciate how some people would get pleasure from such a beauty treatment. As others have said, a bit of self-indulgence is not a waste of money if it makes you feel good.

You're not alone Quizzer. Apart from the one time I had a bit of a make-over (hair, make up, clothes) I don't go in for this sort of thing either. That one event was when I was chosen for a publicity campaign 'model for a day' and it was quite enjoyable.
As for facials, it's not difficult for many of us to do these ourselves and I can't really see that a salon version brings better results. The main benefit is lying back and being pampered which makes you feel special.

No, I have never had a facial or any other beauty treatment either.

However, my eyesight is deteriorating, so once lockdown is over I may well need someone to remove the hairs from my chin!

I know they are flourishing, but I can't see to remove them!

I also hate the hairdressers, Buffybe. I hate the looking in the mirror and having to look at myself front on for an hour or more. I hate having to make polite conversation with the hairdresser. I hate the way they blow dry my hair into a pouffe. I only go because I have to and even then space out going as much as I can.

It is lovely to be pampered, but I certainly don’t have regular beauty treatments due to cost. I must admit the rare treatment or spa day is a lovely luxury and does make you feel good. To be a slave to pampering doesn’t appeal to me, but saying that I do like to take care of myself.

If you enjoy it, go for it. I am like the OP in that I have my haircut (not for more than a year!!) and don't bother with the other stuff. I have had all the treatments at least once in my life and don't really enjoy them. I am the one in the group who hates the idea of a spa day. I'd much prefer a cultural visit or a meal out.

Having my hair cut and blow dried is a treat - I feel like a new person. Occasionally I indulge in a pedicure - especially when summer is coming and I want to paint my toe nails, it is a lovely to have perfectly neat toes and no hard skin. Once in a blue moon I enjoy a facial or a back neck and shoulder massage; again, this is just to make me feel good, not because I am hoping to look like Joanna Lumley. Small, occasional indulgences when I feel a little drab. I am very low maintenance for the most part - Nivea is my all round 'beauty' treatment.

Eating loads of chocolate, planting out your garden, buying your pet treats or a nice lead, getting your car washed could all be considered a self indulgent waste of money by some. My choices are different from others, but I wouldn’t dream of judging. That’s why we have free will, if you can afford it ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’.

I love a Spa day and find it very relaxing. My married DH and I go once or twice a year to spoil ourselves and spend time together.