Does the notion of paying $10,000-plus a year for somewhat conventional beauty services sound reasonable? Apparently, for some on Long Island, the answer is yes.
Despite prices of daily life soaring (ahem, eggs), many Long Islanders count their beauty rituals for achieving stylish hair, glowing skin and perfect manicures as essential spending. Rather than frivolous, they believe their regimens, while pricey, are important to their overall sense of confidence and well being. But if finances were tight, what would they sacrifice first? "We’ve seen that they will forgo being on time for bill payments and will put something off to squeeze in that nail service," says Dana Persico, CEO and executive director of Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute in Bethpage. "It’s a conversation in our industry."
Christina Miller gets a long-lasting gel manicure at KarinaNYC Skin and Lash Clinics in Huntington. Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa Loarca
To punctuate the point, according to a 2024 national study by Advanced Dermatology, a medical and aesthetics group in Illinois, "one in six women admit to spending more on beauty and wellness than they can afford."
Persico chalks up the local beauty fervor to social pressure and says the high costs are, well, a Long Island thing.
"This beauty market commands premium pricing — it’s 15-30% higher than national averages — reflecting our region’s proximity to New York City and higher cost of living," Persico says.
Statistics from the Professional Beauty Association and American Spa Association citing top-end national costs of hair, nail and skin treatments by age group in 2023-2024 calculate the total annual spending for women ages 18-24 is $2,720. That number reaches $6,010 for women aged 55 and older, who spend the most, according to the study. Another reason costs here exceed that, explains Persico, is because, "Clients in the Long Island market demonstrate higher service frequency than the national average and increased visits," marked by holidays and weather conditions (think: humidity and keratin treatments).
To underscore her point about the expense and regularity of the services here, we reached out to five Long Islanders who have a steady slew of appointments booked to learn what they do and how much they spend. Note: Their figures are rounded averages based on frequency and do not include tips.
Quality over quantity
Miller said looking and feeling good is important to her and she is willing to spend money on the best services. Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa Loarca
Who: Christina Miller, 39, of South Bellmore. Miller is a liquor salesperson and Instagram influencer @yourmostexpensivefriend who sleuths out savings on high-priced items.
High-end beauty: Miller says, "Being single on Long Island, looking good and feeling good is important to me. But for me it all comes down to quality over quantity." As an example, she explains, "I used to get a random facial once a month, but then I came upon KarinaNYC Skin and Lash Clinics."
Now instead of $150 a month, she goes for a $300 facial every eight weeks. "It’s important for me to feel my authentic self and look good in my skin with very little makeup. I used to spend an hour putting like four pounds of foundation on. Karina’s services improved the condition of my skin so much that I wear less makeup. She’s a little more expensive but I would rather get the benefits of a great facial than something mediocre. I look for the best of the best and I don’t mind spending the money if it’s worth it."
Beauty breakdown:
- Hair color: Every six weeks at Alexander Denaro Salon in Bellmore, $100
- Hair extensions: Three times a year, $1,000, one time $2,100 at Alexander Denaro Salon
- Facials: KarinaNYC Skin and Lash Clinics every eight weeks, $300, Greenvale and Huntington
- Nails: Russian manicure, a long-lasting gel variety at KarinaNYC, once a month, $100
- Eyebrow shaping and tinting: Once a month at Marissa's Brow and Beauty Bar in Merrick, $40
It's mommy time
Dawn Brown Gibbons, 48, said the salon provides a time to de-stress and renew her confidence. She gets regular conditioning treatments at Studio Ten 31 in Baldwin. Credit: Howard Simmons
Who: Dawn Brown Gibbons, 48, of Baldwin. She's a registered nurse.
Taking a moment: "Vanity is only part of getting my hair and nails done," says Gibbons. "Going to the salon makes you feel good, it’s a time for you to de-stress." In addition to working, she explains, "I take care of everybody else. My appointments are a time for a mommy and a wife to just relax." She gets so involved with her day-to-day duties that she explains, "You can tend to lose confidence in yourself. After I go for treatments, I’m like 'I look good, I still got it.' "
Gibbons does sometimes cancel her steady appointments for the sake of her budget. "I do think about how much it costs. Sometimes I just can’t do it, depending on if something comes up. If my sons need something for school or an event, I’ll sacrifice that money to them, I’d do anything for them." But she adds, "Don’t get me wrong, getting may nails and hair done is important to me, but family comes first."
Beauty breakdown:
- Haircut and color: Every four to six weeks at Studio Ten 31, Baldwin, $300
- Hair service: Wash, shampoo and deep condition, every two weeks at Studio Ten 31, $85-$100
- Nails: Gel French manicure and pedicure twice monthly at HL Nails, Baldwin, $100
The great motivator
Andrea Herrera gives AnnaMarie Gicas, of Commack, a pedicure at De La Mer Salon & Spa in Bellmore. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Who: AnnaMarie Gicas, 28, of Commack. She's an administrative director.
All the feels: "As a woman you always want to feel good, it motivates us to do better and be better," says Gicas, the director of administration at Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute. The services "give me a sense of confidence and are part of who I am."
In terms of manicures, being on a weekly schedule was the answer to "a lot of trouble with my cuticles." Her upcoming nuptials in August have Gicas paying special attention to her skin with monthly facials and "brightening" peels. About the cost, she says, "I’m lucky that I’m in a situation to be able to pay." That said, she admits that while "all of these things may sound silly and a little superficial, I would find the money somehow. I’d probably pick pennies off the floor to get my nails and hair done."
Beauty breakdown:
- Haircut: Once a month at De La Mer Salon & Spa in Bellmore, $68
- Blowout: Twice a month at De La Mer Salon, $40
- Nails: Weekly gel manicure and pedicure at De La Mer Salon, $86
- Facials: Once monthly at Life Time fitness in Syosset, $120. Once monthly, a BioRePeel treatment at GC Glam in East Meadow, $225
A combo of services and products
Actor Laura Leigh Carroll, 65, of Port Washington, spends close to $6,000 a year on hair and nail services and additional money on skin care she trusts. Credit: Laura Leigh Carroll
Who: Laura Leigh Carroll, 65, of Port Washington. She's an actor.
"There are things I never skip," says Carroll, an avid water sports enthusiast who depends on store-bought moisturizer and sunscreen to take care of her skin. Carroll says she’s somewhat influenced by social media but has learned over the years that there are products that do the job, "and you can get for $10. You have to use what works." There are, to her, professional non-negotiables like hair and nails. "I probably haven’t had naked nails since I was 10," she admits.
Beauty breakdown:
- Hair color and cut: Every four weeks (sometimes three) at Aria Hair Salon in Port Washington, $250
- Highlights: Twice yearly at Aria Hair Salon, $400
- Manicure and pedicure: Every two weeks including a gel manicure at Senniyo Cosmetics & Day Spa in Port Washington, $70
- Skin: Sephora Nourishing Moisturizer PBT, 12 jars a year, $20, Coola Full Spectrum 360 Refreshing Water Cream SPF 50, one container a year, $48
Bella's budget
Bella Cholowsky, 18, a student from Manhasset, estimates she spends about $1,500 on beauty treatments annually. Credit: Bella Cholowky
Who: Bella Cholowsky, 18, of Manhasset. She's a high school student.
Best dressed: This senior at Manhasset High School, whose superlative is "best dressed," says looking good "is pretty important to me. It makes a difference to me when I feel more put together." She adds, "Confidence plays a role in it too and it’s also fun to set things aside and do something nice for yourself." Her older sister takes care of her haircuts, and though she’s somewhat flexible about her appointments — "they’re not marked on my calendar or anything" — she sticks to her beauty regime on a pretty regular basis.
Beauty breakdown:
- Hair color (with highlights): Three to four times a year at nuBest Salon and Spa in Manhasset, $200
- Nails: Gel manicure once a month at New Evian Nail Spa in Port Washington, $35
- Eyebrow waxing: Every two weeks at Finger Nail in Manhasset, $14
