With celebrities like Miranda Kerr and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley filling our social media feeds and the pages of glossy magazines looking flawless - seemingly without trying - there has never been as much pressure to keep up with the perfect lifestyles of others.
And to that the constant pressure to keep up with our friends' fabulous lifestyles on Facebook, and it's no wonder British women are now spending more than ever on self-improvement.
What is a surprise, however, is just how much we are spending. The cost of keeping up appearances has reached an average of £166,495 across our lifetime - and takes up a staggering 244 days.
Improvements we invest in include fitness plans, hair and make-up updates and learning new skills - all of which take plentiful time and money.
Miranda Kerr and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are forever posting picture-pefect selfies on social media, could this be putting pressure on women to improve their lifestyle?
The latest research found that women on average have 21 career changes, 572 hair and make-up styles, 298 wardrobe overhauls and learn 131 new skills in a lifetime.
It also reveals that women attempt an average of 1,503 exercise regimes and 228 new diets during their lifetime.
They are also dedicated to broadening their cultural horizons, visiting 263 life-enriching attractions - such as museums and art galleries.
Women even admitted spending £3,402 and 15 days over a lifetime reading self-help books as well as dedicating £5,352 and more than 17 days to training courses to get ahead at work, and £5,697 and 16 days picking up new skills - such as photography or a foreign language.
Overhaul: Women have 572 hair and make-up changes in their lifetime and attempt an average of 1,503 exercise regimes and 228 new diets
British women also spend an average of £17,290 on teeth whitening, cleaning and straightening over the years.
While women's main improvement driver is themselves, other sources of inspiration include friends, family, influential work colleagues and social networks.
The motivations behind self improvement for women include a new relationship (28 per cent), a milestone birthday - such as turning 30 (39 per cent) - and starting a new job (31 per cent).
Help yourself: British women also spend £3,402 and 15 days reading self-help books in a bid to improve their lifestyle
The study forecast that women under 25 will spend an average of £165,607 on self improvement in a lifetime, while women aged 25 to 34 spend an average of £131,829 on self improvement in a lifetime, women aged 35 to 44 spend an average of £109,401 and women aged 45 to 54 spend an average of £93,109.
TOP FIVE SELF-IMPROVEMENTS
1. Boosting their fitness and diet (£38,825, 101 days)
2. Revamping their wardrobe (£22,726, 29 days)
3. Improving their teeth (£17,290, 15 days)
4. Updating their hair and make-up (£16,332, 21 days)
5. Broadening their cultural horizons (£6,146, 26 days)
2. Revamping their wardrobe (£22,726, 29 days)
3. Improving their teeth (£17,290, 15 days)
4. Updating their hair and make-up (£16,332, 21 days)
5. Broadening their cultural horizons (£6,146, 26 days)
Women in the East Midlands spend an average of £150,660 on self improvement in a lifetime, followed by women in London (£143,807).
Women in the South West will on average spend the least (£75,466) on self improvement over a lifetime.
Hannah Kehoe, Sure Compressed brand manager, who carried out the survey, said: 'British women are dedicated to self improvement investing time and money to make sure they live life to their very best.
'Contrary to popular belief, women don't spend the majority of their time perfecting their hair or make-up; instead they are also committed to broadening their cultural horizons and developing their career.'
