“OK, I did this and she was great but wow, exxy.” The Instagram message pinged almost as soon as I posted on Stories. It was from a friend, a Sydney fashion insider, and I agreed, the $700 facial I’d just had was pricey — but not a complete surprise. As anyone who regularly gets their hair cut, skin exfoliated or nails shellac-ed will tell you, the cost of professional beauty services has risen. A lot.

The internet is awash with opinion and analysis about the climbing cost of luxury fashion, and the same has been happening in beauty. As the middle market becomes oversaturated, the opposing ends have exploded: lower-priced “dupe” products, and luxury brands and services with prices that water your rejuvenated eyes. But is someone wielding scissors over your split ends, or kneading your face, really worth that much?