Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann likes to call herself a fiscal conservative but some voters may question that after seeing her latest campaign expenditures.
Campaign finance filings indicate that during a two-week period in the month of June, Bachmann spent nearly $4,700 with just one makeup artist.
Payments of $1,715, $250, and $2,704 were disbursed to Tamara Robertson, a Maryland-based stylist. According to her LinkedIn profile, Robertson works as a makeup artist for Fox News.
Robertson is also credited for her work in A City Upon a Hill, a film produced by Citizens United and hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich.
Mother Jonesnoted that Bachmann spent less $1,000 on hair and makeup in 2010, which included her campaign for re-election to Congress.
Natalie Hale told the Minneapolis City Pages that Bachmann paid her $225 for three separate makeup sessions in 2010.
"I know for a fact if Michele has to pay for makeup she will usually instead do it herself," Hale said. "As a result of this -- Saturday night live makes fun of her -- so she's crucified by the media either way."
Many may consider Bachmann's latest expenditures outrageous for someone who says Washington should live within its means, but big spending on hair and makeup by candidates is not unheard of.
In September 2008, the Republican National Committee spent $4,716.49 for hair and makeup services, largely thought to be for then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
And it's not just female candidates. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was relentlessly mocked in 2007 for spending $400 on a single haircut.
Experts say that travel expenses and lost work represent a bulk of the stylists' fees in most of these cases.
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