The price to get your nails done at a salon varies depending on the color and design you choose, the finish, and the location of the salon. The price generally starts around $15-$20 for a standard manicure and can cost up to $100 for a full set of acrylic or gel nails with intricate nail art designs at a high-end salon. The average cost is $45 to $60.
What You Need to Know
> The price range to get a regular manicure is between $20-$25, and a standard pedicure is between $35 and $45. Deluxe upgrades are available with add-on pricing.
> Acrylic nail prices range between $35 and $85, and gel nails are generally priced between $35 and $75, with higher-end spa salons charging in excess of $100 for either choice.
> The process to complete the different types of manicures and pedicures can be lengthy, but it is relaxing for most people.
Tipping the nail technician is also an additional expense not figured into the bill. The recommended gratuity is 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of the services completed.
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Do you enjoy pampering yourself and wonder how much nails cost at a salon to get them professionally done?
It can be a great feeling to take a few minutes for yourself out of a busy schedule and spoil yourself with nail services such as a hand or foot massage, picking a favorite color for a manicurist to paint on your nails, and leaving feeling like a new person.
However, if you follow a budget or manage your money carefully, the price list of nail services will likely be on your mind before you head out the door.
On the other hand, if you go to a nail shop regularly, you may have noticed the price of nails varies significantly from one location to another and from one provider to the next.
A regular manicure is usually between $20 and $25, while a standard pedicure is typically between $35 and $40. Acrylic manicures cost around $35 to $45, while gels cost roughly between $45 and $55. The price differences may be influenced by a variety of factors, including colors, finishes, specialty designs, and salons.
Typically, a manicure with French tips will set you back an extra $10.
So, if the cost of a basic manicure is $25, the French manicure would be $35. If you pay $45 for acrylic nails at a salon, the cost to get a full set of French tips in acrylic nails would be around $55.
The color of the tip of the nails is the primary distinction between manicures and French manicures.
The majority of normal nail applications include a creamier hue, while a white-tipped French manicure utilizes a pink core with a white top.
The following information will lay out the standard costs associated with getting your nails professionally done and provide an overview of the various types of manicures available in most salons.
We will also cover the important factors to look for in selecting a nail artist.
The expense of getting your nails done varies by location, as major cities like Los Angeles and New York City are typically more costly than smaller cities like Denver.
The following list provides a detailed breakdown of how much it will cost to get your nails done at a salon in popular cities in the United States:
Manicure | Acrylic | Gel | |
USA (all) | $25 | $40 | $50 |
Los Angeles | $30 | $35 | $45 |
New York City | $35 | $40 | $50 |
Denver | $20 | $40 | $50 |
Chicago | $35 | $50 | $60 |
Atlanta | $25 | $50 | $55 |
How much does it cost to get a manicure?
The typical cost of getting your nails shaped and painted at a normal salon is between $25 and $35, whereas the high-end resort spas generally charge between $45 and $75.
However, the price varies based on factors such as the type of salon visited, the add-on services you select, and whether you are getting a pedicure, manicure, or both.
Depending on the location and the service you are requesting, the following is an average price breakdown:
Painted nails at budget or small privately-owned shops:
Manicures | Pedicures | |
Standard | $10 to $15 | $15 to $25 |
Deluxe | $20 to $25 | $25 to $35 |
Painted nails at a walk-in or average nail salons:
Manicures | Pedicures | |
Standard | $20 to $25 | $35 to $40 |
Deluxe | $30 to $45 | $45 to $60 |
Painted nails at boutiques, luxury spas, or hotels:
Manicures | Pedicures | |
Standard | $25 to $45 | $35 to $40 |
Deluxe | $50 to $75 | $45 to $60 |
A standard manicure should include the following:
- Clean and soak fingernails in specialty water to increase moisturization and soften the skin and nails
- Shape and trim the nails
- Push back the nail bed at the cuticle
- Use a nail buffer to buff the nail surface
- Adding polish to the nails with the color of choice
A deluxe professional manicure should include all of the options in the basic manicure, plus several or all of the following:
- Hand exfoliation using a salt or sugar scrub
- Additional soak in warm aromatic oils
- Hand and finger massage
- Paraffin wax treatments, which include dipping the hands in paraffin wax then waiting about 10 minutes for it to set up and soak into the skin before removal to add extra softness to the hands and cuticles
Standard pedicures should include the following:
- Warm water soak, usually in a jacuzzi foot spa, to soften the skin, cuticles, and nail beds
- Shape and clip toenails
- Remove dry skin and callouses using a pumice stone or other tools
- Short foot massage
- Use a nail buffer to buff the nail surface
- Adding regular polish in the color of choice
A deluxe professional pedicure should include all of the options in the basic pedicure, plus several or all of the following:
- Foot exfoliation using a salt or sugar scrub
- Additional soak in warm essential oils
- Foot and lower leg massage, often with smooth, warm stones and warm fragrant, moisturizing lotion or salt scrub
- Dip feet in scented oil or paraffin wax allowing approximately 10 minutes to set up and soak in before removal to add extra softness to the feet
Related: How Much is a Pedicure at a Salon [just updated]
Add-ons
In addition to the above services, most shops offer even further enhancements to manicures and pedicures such as:
- Multiple nail colors on the same nail or different fingernails
- Intricate designs on the nail tip
- Fake jewels
- Colored or french tips (which are white)
- Unique nail shapes
- A light oil, upgraded oils, and waxes for enhanced softness
Add-ons can range from $5 to $20 or more, depending on the service.
There is also a cost for regular polish changes, which averages between $6 and $15.
Tipping the nail technician is also an additional expense not figured into the bill. The recommended gratuity is 15 to 20 percent of the total cost of the services completed.
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What is the price for acrylic nails?
Acrylic nails are formed from a specialty powder that is mixed with solvent, molded into a small blob, then applied to the base of the nail near the bed and pulled out to the tip of the nail with a brush.
As the completed nail air-dries, the acrylic mixture is added to the next nail and the nail shape is again formed with the brush.
This process is followed until all nails are complete, which is called applying a full set.
Acrylic nails can be shaped to be narrow or wide, and they can be formed to your desired length, such as making them extra long by using artificial tips underneath the acrylic.
For this reason, people seeking a nontraditional look to their nails often opt for acrylic nails due to their versatility.
The price of acrylics varies across salons, with the typical costs of higher-end salons charging the most.
Pink and white acrylics, another popular option called a French or American manicure, use different materials that cost the salon more to purchase. For this reason, the prices are more expensive for this color option.
To achieve this look, the tip of the nail is white and the lower part is light pink.
The rate breakdown of getting your nails done with acrylics is detailed below.
Acrylic nails at budget or small privately-owned shops:
Acrylics | |
Standard | $25 to $35 |
Deluxe | $30 to $40 |
Acrylic nails at a walk-in or average nail salons:
Acrylics | |
Standard | $35 to $45 |
Pink & Whites | $45 to $50 |
Acrylic nails at boutiques, luxury spas, or hotels:
Acrylics | |
Standard | $50 to $70 |
Pink & Whites | $75 to $85 |
Acrylic manicures are similar to regular manicures, however, you can select the color, length, and shape of your nails when the technician applies acrylic to the nail.
The first step in getting acrylic nails is to apply glue to the artificial nail tip, then attach it to the end of your natural nail.
Once all of the artificial nails are attached, the nail technician will apply the coat of acrylic, then file and reshape each nail before applying polish and any special nail art.
Acrylics come in a variety of colors and styles, but if you go with a more unique design, such as multiple hues or fake gems, the cost may rise by at least 20 percent or $3 to $5 per nail.
The cost of repairing broken acrylics ranges from $5 to $10 per nail.
Looking for the closest place near you to get your nails done? Find Nail Salons Near Me that is Clean, Safe, and Cheap (but good)
How to Care for Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails should be filled in once every two weeks at the most, with a maximum of four times total before being removed and reapplied.
Acrylic nails require maintenance to keep them looking nice.
Every two to three weeks a nail technician needs to fill in the space of nail growth between the base of the nailbed and the acrylic on top of the nail. This is caused by the growth of the natural nail that does not have acrylic on it (as it grows.)
The cost for this service ranges from $20 to $40.
When the nail fills are done consistently, acrylic nails will last for 2-3 months before having to start over with new artificial nail tips.
Other tips to increase the life of acrylic nails:
- Limit putting hands in water for long periods of time
- Reduce bacteria around the nails by using hand sanitizer
- Apply nail oil formulated for acrylic nails 1-2 times a day to prevent chipping and breakage
- See a nail technician for splits or chips to get a repair without redoing all nails
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How much does it cost to get gel nails?
For many people, the length of time a gel manicure lasts is extremely appealing, especially for those in careers that demand their nails to be seen frequently, such as bank tellers and other professionals that work with customers in an office setting.
A gel manicure can last up to a month when they are applied correctly, with a price tag between $40 and $60 depending on the intricacy of the nail art and color that is selected.
In terms of pricing, a complete gel manicure will typically cost between $35 and $40 at a small or privately owned nail shop. Gel polish at mid-range nail shops and spas will cost around $45 to $55. Gel nails at premium spas or high-end nail boutiques generally range in price from $60 to $100.
Gel nails at budget or small privately-owned shops:
Gels | |
Standard gel paint | $35 to $40 |
Standard gel paint 2+ colors or nail art | $45 to $60 |
Gel nails at a walk-in or average nail salons:
Gels | |
Standard gel paint | $45 to $55 |
Standard gel paint 2+ colors or nail art | $60 to $75 |
Gel nails at boutiques, luxury spas, or hotels:
Gels | |
Standard gel paint | $60 to $80 |
Standard gel paint 2+ colors or nail art | $85 to $100+ |
UV or LED lamps are used to harden (or “cure”) gel nail polish after it is applied to the nail.
If you’re concerned about unwanted UV exposure, ask the manicurist to use an LED lamp instead, or apply sunscreen to your hands before your basic manicure just in case.
Keep in mind it may need to be reapplied if you are asked to wash your hands at any time throughout the process.
Gel polish manicures aren’t harsh to your nails if they’re applied and finished correctly, but the removal process might be quite damaging if it’s not performed expertly by a certified nail technician.
Gel fills are not an option like acrylic fingernails that allow a fill.
When the natural nail grows out and starts to show at the base of the nail, the gel polish needs to be removed, and then the application process is redone with a full set of new gel nails.
It takes the correct supplies to remove nails polished with gel from the nails.
Acetone, tin foil, cotton balls, and a nail file are all required to remove gel nails.
It may be necessary to place your nails under a UV or LED bulb to remove all the polish on rare occasions. However, this is not common.
It is critical to exercise particular caution when dealing with the natural nail bed and cuticles when removing gel nails.
Gel polish removal carries a charge between $10 and $20 at a nail shop.
How to remove gel polish yourself:
- Soak your nails in 100% acetone for 5-10 minutes
- Soak until the polish turns into a consistency that resembles jello, then use a cuticle accessory tool to remove any remaining polish and residue
- Add cuticle oil around the nail beds, followed by an intense moisturizing hand or nail cream
If you prefer not to soak your fingers in the acetone, you can also wrap each finger. The following video walks you through the process:
Shellac manicure
Similar to a gel manicure, shellac is simply gel polish that is diluted with regular nail polish. [source]
How toFind a Skilled Nail Technician
Patience is one of the most essential qualities to look for in the person you choose as your nail technician.
You don’t want a technician that gets in a rush and misses the tiny details that make a big difference in the overall professional quality and look of the basic manicure, as well as the health of your nails.
Also, a manicurist that gets in a rush can leave your fingers hurting or terribly sore from cutting your nails and cuticles too short and leaving them bleeding or uncomfortable for several days.
The greatest nail artists will be creative and enthusiastic about their work, and their prior clients will rave about the incredible job they do.
It is easy to find the reviews and see the pictures of prior manicures from clients by visiting the business website, checking out their social media, or even asking a couple of people as they walk into the salon if this is their typical nail salon and the name of their preferred technician.
Knowing the depth of work of a nail technician is especially important for the person that likes complex or intricate nail art designs painted on their artificial or natural nails, as not all technicians have this skill.
Some people even like a fancy design painted on only one natural or acrylic nail rather than every finger, which still needs the same skills.
It’s also worth checking out if a nail artist is updated with the most recent trends and techniques in nail care and nail art since this is a strong indication the practitioner uses the best supplies (from moisturizers to polishes) to keep your natural nails healthy.
Finding a manicurist you connect with on a personal level is also a nice side benefit, although it isn’t necessary.
Manicures can be more of a special treat for yourself if you enjoy your manicurist’s company and are able to communicate easily with them.
This is especially true if you tend to get a manicure and pedicure in the same visit, which can take around three hours to complete both.
How much do people spend on getting their nails done?
Many people enjoy the experience of getting their nails done, but there is a financial tradeoff.
According to Go Banking Rates, it is possible to save up to $1,000 a year to do your own manicures yourself at home, and you can save even more by doing your own pedicure versus going to a nail salon.
Although you may be able to do the job at home, it definitely does not offer the same feeling of pampering yourself like walking into a salon and having a full set manicure or pedicure done for you or even the small service of having a professional add polish for you!
Price of Nails [Key Takeaways]
- The average price of a basic manicure including regular polish is about $25.
- Depending on the same criteria as a manicure, pedicures with painted nails might cost anywhere from $25 and $50.
- The price of a manicure or more often a manicure and pedicure at a salon or spa is between $15 and $75, depending on the type of nail treatment you choose, where you are receiving it, whether you want a standard or deluxe manicure, what city you are in, and the level of salon or spa you choose.
- Acrylic nail coverage usually lasts longer than painted nails and costs between $25 and $75 each for basic nail color, with more intricate designs costing up to $100 at a spa resort or high-end nail salon.
- Acrylic nails last anywhere from two weeks to four weeks before needing a new fill, depending on how quickly your natural nail grows. Fill-ins generally cost between $20 and $40 per visit.
- Gel manicures usually last a month, and the full set price varies between $40 and $60 depending on the complexity of the nail art design.
- A competent nail technician should be patient, meticulous in their attention to detail, skilled, innovative, and knowledgeable in their field.
- It is possible to save around $1,000 or more per year by doing your own manicures and pedicure. It is a personal decision if the additional cost is worth it, and if your budget will remain balanced by adding this special treat into your schedule.
- The going rate to tip your nail technician is 15-20% of your total bill.
And if you are wanting more control over your finances, have you considered a budget?
Starting a budget will make a huge difference no matter how muchmoney you make.If you feel like your financial goals are going in the right direction and don’t have a budget, that’s great!
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