Sure, with the pandemic wreaking havoc to lots of household budgets these days, it’s time to recheck the luxury items we used to buy pre-Covid. Not with the necessity of paying for the mortgage (or rent), loans, utilities, and groceries.
But you should still reserve some of your budget for your personal care, and mani-pedis are still crucial. You don’t have to actually spend all that much for it. At the same time, you look better—and you feel better too.
Of course, you’ll feel better knowing exactly how much you’re going to have to spend when you visit a nail salon.
Chapter Overview
Key Facts
Let’s take a look at some generally accepted statistics:
- First of all, the prices will depend on a lot of factors:
- Are you getting a standard or deluxe manicure (or pedicure)?
- What additional services are you asking for?
- What type of nail salon will you visit?
- In which city do you live?
- The cost, with these factors in mind, can range from $15 to $75.
- Get an expert do give you a manicure along with painted nails, and the average cost is about $25.
- For pedicures with painted nails, prices range from $25 to $50.
- Normally, the difference between a regular manicure and a French manicure is $10. So, if a place charges $20 for a basic manicure, you’ll pay $30 for a French manicure.
- Acrylic nails cost between $25 to $75, although they generally last longer than painted nails. But if you go to a high-end nail salon and ask for complicated acrylic designs, you may end up paying $100.
- Fill-ins for acrylic nails cost anywhere from $20 to $40. You should do this up to 4 times total, every 2 weeks.
- Gel polish costs $40 to $60, though this lasts for a month. You pay more for more elaborate designs.
- If you ask for some French tips to you manicure or pedicure, you generally pay an additional $5 to $10.
- Sometimes, paraffin wax treatments come with separate prices of about $8 to $15 each for the hands and feet.
- In most nail salons, polish changes can cost from $5 to $15.
- The use of fake jewels and multiple colors may increase the price by about 20%. Usually, that means you’re paying about $3 to $5 per nail.
- If you’re dealing with broken acrylics, the repair will cost $5 to $10 per nail.
- Don’t forget that you’re in the US, so you’re expected to add a tip. Usually, that’s about 15% to 20% of the total bill.
Depending on the Nail Salon
Obviously, you’ll pay more if you go to a luxury spa for your mani-pedi, compared to a regular nail salon or a budget nail salon. Here are some prices you might expect from these places:
|
Manicures |
Pedicures |
Acrylics |
|
|
Budget Nail Salon |
|||
|
Standard |
$10 to $15 |
$15 to $25 |
$25 to $35 |
|
Deluxe (or Pink or White) |
$20 to $25 |
$25 to $35 |
$30 to $40 |
|
Regular Nail Salon |
|||
|
Standard |
$20 to $25 |
$35 to $40 |
$35 to $45 |
|
Deluxe (or Pink or White) |
$30 to $45 |
$45 to $60 |
$45 to $50 |
|
Luxury Hotel or Spa |
|||
|
Standard |
$25 to $45 |
$45 to $50 |
$50 to $70 |
|
Deluxe (or Pink or White) |
$50 to $75 |
$75 to $135 |
$75 to $85 |
Depending on the City
If you live in a small town, then you might enjoy lower prices. The bad news is that you may not be able to receive more advanced treatments or more elaborate nail designs.
Cities are great for those who want acrylic nails or gel polish, but the prices will also depend on the city you live in. In general, it will cost more in larger cities, although that’s not a hard-and-fast rule.
|
Location |
Acrylic Nails Cost |
Gel Polish Cost |
|
Across the Whole US |
$35 |
$50 |
|
Chicago |
$50 |
$60 |
|
New York City |
$40 |
$50 |
|
Los Angeles |
$35 |
$45 |
|
Detroit |
$25 |
$35 |
Final Word
It’s true that you can save about $500 each year by doing your own fingernails. You can do you own toe nails, and that’s another extra $300 in your bank account.
But aren’t you tired of staying at home? Now that people are more able to go out, it’s time to visit your favorite nail salon. You can always try someplace like Regal Nails, with more than 900 locations mostly found inside Walmart stores. You can buy the household stuff you need, and get your fingernails and toenails done along the way.
You need to have some fun, and this is actually a great way to enjoy life after lockdown!