Real talk on the expenses of maintaining dating standards.
Let’s drop the illusion: no one rolls out of bed “effortlessly hot.”
That perfectly tousled hair? A $350 balayage and regular blowouts. The poreless, glowing skin? Probably microneedling, LED facials, and a lineup of serums that reads like a pharmacy receipt. Lash extensions, waxing, gym memberships, nails, a closet curated like a mood board—none of this is free. And it definitely isn’t low effort.
Still, we live in a culture that insists on glamorizing the idea of “low-maintenance beauty.” The kind where you magically look amazing with nothing but hydration and lip balm—where effort is seen as insecurity, and financial investment in your appearance is somehow a red flag.
Beauty is work. And beauty is expensive. It’s time we stop treating it like it just “happens.”
The Cost of Showing Up
On TikTok, beauty influencers are blowing up for being honest about the cost of their routines. We’re seeing entire genres of content—maintenance vlogs, “how much I spend on beauty a month,” glow-up budgets—that break down what it takes (and costs) to show up polished.
And it’s not about vanity. It’s about precision, presence, and choosing how you want to be perceived. A proper facial runs $150–200. A lash fill is $60 every two weeks. Botox? Easily $400 per session, and that’s if you’re lucky with pricing. Then there’s hair, brows, body sculpting, skincare, designer heels, waxing, and enough Ubers to fund a weekend getaway.
So when your date walks in looking immaculate, word: she didn’t just “throw something on.” She’s been budgeting for that entrance.
The Myth of the Chill Girl
We’ve been sold the fantasy of the “ultra-cool girl” for decades. She’s pretty, but doesn’t try too hard. She’s hot, but somehow oblivious to it. She doesn’t talk about her skincare routine because she “has good genes.” And she definitely doesn’t expect you to acknowledge the effort that went into her 90-minute pre-date prep.
But who is that girl? She’s a myth. A product of male fantasy, female conditioning, and too many sitcoms with impossibly perfect characters—does Rachel and her always-perfect hair ring a bell?
In reality, the woman you’re meeting for cocktails after work likely booked a hair appointment last week, timed her wax around the date, did a 10-step skincare routine the night before, and planned her outfit down to the earrings. Not because she’s desperate. Or because she’s fake. But because she cares about how she presents herself, and she’s good at it.
We need to stop pretending that effort is a weakness. Caring about your appearance doesn’t cancel out your intelligence, independence, or depth—it amplifies it. The cool girl myth thrives on invisibility, on pretending things just happen. But real confidence? That comes from owning the work, not hiding it.
So Why Is Beauty Still Treated Like An Added Extra?
This is where the logic gets weird: we expect women to show up looking flawless, but we rarely acknowledge what it takes to get there. In dating, appearance is often treated like the cherry on top of personality, intelligence, humor, and emotional intelligence.
But it’s not extra. It’s part of the package. And on WhatsYourPrice, we say that out loud. We believe beauty is not something to be ignored or tiptoed around. It’s not shallow. It’s not shameful. It’s intentional effort—and it deserves intentional appreciation.
That’s what makes our platform different. The glow-up is respected. It’s seen. It’s part of the equation. Because when someone invests this much into how they show up, it’s only right that effort is met with generosity.
You’re Not High-Maintenance. You’re High-Standard.
Booking facials, budgeting for Botox, or making sure your outfit is as polished as your goals? That’s not high-maintenance. That’s high-standard.
There’s a big difference—and on WhatsYourPrice, we know which one you are.
You invest in yourself—your appearance, your time, your lifestyle—so why wouldn’t you expect someone who values that effort? You’re not asking for favors. You’re looking for equity. The kind of dating dynamic where your energy is matched, your standards are respected, and your presence isn’t taken for granted.
If You’ve Ever Felt Like You Had to Downplay the Work, Read This
Maybe you’ve skipped a lash refill before a date because you didn’t want to seem like you were “trying too hard.” Maybe you kept quiet about your skincare budget because someone once told you you’re “too into appearances.” Maybe you’ve felt the urge to explain, justify, or hide the reality of how much it costs to look this good.
You don’t owe anyone that apology. You deserve to be seen, not just for the way you look, but for the intention behind it.
Beauty Is an Investment. Start Dating Like It.
It’s not about being superficial. It is, however, about being real. We’re in a new era of dating—one where people own their standards, their rituals, and value what they bring. The old rules no longer apply. You’re not supposed to hide or downplay your beauty routine. It’s OK to celebrate it.
So no, you’re not too much. You’re just not for anyone who thinks beauty “shouldn’t cost anything.” And if you’re thinking, ‘But what about inner beauty?’ I hear you. Inner beauty is paramount, but let’s stop pretending that outer beauty doesn’t matter when it comes to dating.Appreciate the beauty. Respect the budget behind it. Create your profile today on WhatsYourPrice.com and start dating where effort meets generosity.
