Low-maintenance lifestyle: Why it's becoming high maintenance to 'wake up like this'

Why people go for a low-maintenance look

Makeup artist and hairstylist Muriel Vega Perez said that the idea of achieving an effortless look has become appealing in recent times because "a lot of people are tired—mentally, emotionally, and physically."

"To me, 'low maintenance' in beauty and wellness isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about doing things that quietly take care of you without demanding constant effort," she said in an interview with L!fe.

Clinical psychologist Rainier Ladic, meanwhile, believes it's because of the desire to "preserve one's peace and authentic self."

"Some people help themselves to feel who they are by keeping it simple. They stray away from the constant need for validation and approval of others as a sign of self-security," he said.

"Many people feel the need to adjust to trends because they have a fear of missing out or not being relevant. The trends set a sense of belongingness and acceptance, but some people’s preference for simplicity helps them to reduce the stress from social pressures while keeping their confidence intact," he added.

How a low-maintenance look is actually achieved

Angel Villarta embraces the "low maintenance" label, defining it as appearing "put-together without trying too hard." To her, true style is internal—you look your best only "because you feel good."

"You trust your routine, you trust your face, and you know that looking good doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful," the beauty influencer added.

Shared on her TikTok page that she regularly commits to non-surgical treatments such as lipocavitation and radio frequency, as well as brightening IV drip, laser hair removal, and nail extension procedures. According to her, these treatments cost around P15,000 for multiple sessions, but she highlighted they are "super worth it."

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Villarta also invests in quality skincare and haircare, focusing on "nourishing treatments that keep my hair naturally shiny and healthy."

"Regular facials, massages, and simple wellness habits like stretching or light workouts also keep my energy and confidence high," she added.

Doing these, her skincare routine is streamlined to three steps, and her makeup is light and polished with "just a bit of base, defined brows, blush, and a natural lip to look fresh and confident."

For fellow beauty content creator Samantha Pagar, she sets aside a weekend every month for beauty treatments, supplemented by non-invasive procedures every six months.

As seen in her TikTok video, some of her treatments include Jawtox (P12,000), Diode Laser hair removal for her underarm (P2,500) and legs (P14,000), glass skin facial (P1,500), UltraGeneo facial (P2,500), HIFU (P5,500), and Exilis (P8,600). She also indulges in nail extensions (P2,500) and lash extensions (P4,500) from time to time.

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According to Pagar, the expense is a justified investment in her lifestyle, as it virtually eliminates the effort of her daily getting-ready routine.

"I love using products that enhance my skin and hair, and sticking to a natural makeup look to feel fresh throughout the day," she shared.

Meanwhile, mommy influencer Jamie Tecson-Adarve does several treatments to stay low-maintenance. In TikTok, she shared that she makes time for nail treatments, Nizoral, hair and face mask, and exfoliation. Her expenses start around P5,000 quarterly.

@jamie.ta #selfcare is in season, mamas! I made a promise to myself to start taking care of myself this 2024. One way is to apply it every day, week, or month in my life by doing a beauty step that will help me feel good about myself. Excited to continue Project Me 2024 and see what else is in store :) #momsoftiktok #firsttimemom #momtips #selfcareformoms #beautytok #highmaintenancetobelowmaintenance #fyp #selfcareroutine ♬ original sound - jamie - jamie 🌸 l your mama bestie

With these, all she needs to do when getting ready is shower, dry her hair, style it quickly, and do her simple skincare and makeup routine.

Setting boundaries

Because being a low-maintenance girl often requires expensive upfront costs—like laser hair removal or semi-permanent makeup—many are debating online whether the investment actually pays off.

Ladic emphasizes that beauty trends should never come at the expense of your boundaries or your budget. Instead of chasing every trend, he suggests practicing delayed gratification. He said that waiting teaches you patience and helps you develop character.

If you're unsure whether these investments are worth it, Vega Perez suggests realistically weighing whether they will give you peace or stress.

"If it makes your day smoother and your brain quieter, it’s probably a good investment. If it creates more upkeep, stress, or pressure to 'keep up,' it’s not really low maintenance. I guess it's more [about] making the simple efforts have a fruitful result," he said.

"Low maintenance can become stressful when it turns into chasing perfect shortcuts or expensive fixes. If it costs a lot, needs constant upkeep, or makes you feel pressure to justify it, it’s not really low maintenance. Trying to keep up with the new or latest form of maintenance is also going to be stressful and impractical. So I think stick to what suits you and is more practical for you," he reminded.

Should you invest in a low-maintenance lifestyle?

At the end of the day, whether or not a low-maintenance lifestyle is worth investing in depends on your priorities, budget, and personal relationship with beauty and self-care.

For Villarta, she highlighted that it was definitely worth it for her to invest, as it is "one of the smartest moves you can make."

"The effort you put in upfront pays off in time saved, stress avoided, and confidence gained every single day," she explained.

Pagar similarly believed that it's "never a waste to invest in self-care," and that also spills into getting treatments to achieve low-maintenance convenience.

"It’s an investment for your self-confidence and self-image, and eventually your fulfillment," she said.

For Tecson-Adarve, her responsibility as a stay-at-home mom means that she is "constantly on the go," and having a low-maintenance lifestyle helps her stick to a simple daily routine to take care of herself without compromising time with her child. 

"It makes you feel more confident and put together. It is valuable for women who also live very busy lives," she said.

Ladic, however, warned of a psychological trap: some people lean into a low-maintenance look not for the convenience, but because they feel they don't deserve to spend money on themselves. He suggests that if your minimalism comes from a place of self-sabotage, it can actually be harmful.

But he also said that if the investment feels right and matches your personality, go for it. Choosing a low-maintenance life isn't just about looking simple; it’s a smart way to protect your time and resources, giving you more room to grow.