In both industries I’m in, creative and legal, polish isn’t just optional, it’s practically currency. Behind the perfectly manicured nails and curated outfits lurks the hidden thing all women know. The “Glam Tax”. This isn’t vanity. It’s the systemic expectation that women have always understood. We must invest in our appearance to be taken seriously. This is sort of my rant meets reality check.

If you’re a male reading this, I know you’re confused and have no idea what glam tax is. Glam tax is the unspoken financial burden of maintaining a “professional” look. It’s the hair, makeup, wardrobe, nails, accessories, skincare, and even tech that doubles as aesthetic. (Hello rose gold laptop) It’s rarely reimbursed but it’s also not optional. It’s 9/10 times far more expensive for a woman. That effortless messy bun? Try a $200 salon cut and color. Effortless my butt.

Have you ever heard of “Pink Tax”? It’s a documented and studied phenomenon where products marketed towards women cost more than a man’s equivalent. Think deodorant, razors, drying cleaning, and even feminine products which are an absolute necessity for women like food, water, and air. Now layer that into glam tax and women are expected to spend more but the very products we need to meet the industry are at inflated prices. Men can show up in jeans and button up to a wedding and it’s considered dressed up. A woman could never. It’s considered minimalist chic for a man. It’s considered unprofessional for a woman. Cue the glam tax.

Industries that thrive on image like fashion, art, design, wellness, legal, media, etc. all weaponize polish. Women have been known to be judged more for how their makeup looks than their portfolio. My chipped nail can underline a pitch. Were told to be authentic but only if authenticity comes with a blowout and a curated outfit. Its hypocrisy dressed up as branding. If you write it all down here’s what glam tax really looks like on a balance sheet:

• Haircuts, color, styling
• Manicures/pedicures
• Makeup and skincare
• Wardrobe updates for events, shoots, or client meetings
• Accessories that signal “taste” (jewelry, bags, shoes)
• Tech that doubles as aesthetic props (phones, laptops, headphones)

And let’s be honest, it’s not a latte in my hand, it’s a Macbook that cost $800 as a prop.

This rant matters because this isn’t just about money. It’s about equity and respect. Glam tax perpetuates gendered expectations, reinforces gatekeeping, and drains creative energy. Imagine what a woman could really create if they weren’t having to funnel half their wealth into Sephora and a salon chair. Glam tax is real. It’s unfair, and it’s time we stop pretending it’s just the cost of doing business. A woman’s work should be measured in ideas not manicures. 

XOXO,

Savi Monroe