To most of us beauty enthusiasts, a manicure is a must!
It keeps your hands looking great and you get that pretty nail shape that makes you feel good. Plus, you get to treat those deformed and odd broken nails, thanks to a nice manicure.
But, how much does a manicure cost? What about the maintenance cost?
Well, it all depends on what you’re getting. Are you getting a basic manicure, reverse, French, gel, American, paraffin, shellac, hot stone, mirror, or Vinylux? The salon service, whether it’s a spa, hairdressing salon, or home-based technician will also dictate the price tag.
Typically, the cost of a manicure can range from $10 to $100, whether it is for pampering or a special occasion.
Let’s find out how much each manicure service costs.
What Is a Manicure?
This is a beauty treatment done on your hands, which involves nail cutting, filing, shaping, and polishing. A nail technician also works on the cuticles and free edges, leaving your nails sleek and glossy before adding color.
There are different types of manicures:
- Basic Mani
- Mirror Mani
- Hot Stone Mani
- Shellac Mani
- Paraffin Mani
- American Mani
- French Mani
- Dip Powder Mani
How Much Does a Manicure Cost?
Here are the various types of manicures and their estimated price ranges:
Basic Manicure
Also called to as regular or standard, this is the simplest and the least expensive type of manicure. It is incredibly easy and economical to change a basic mani even after a few days.
A regular mani usually includes filing, shaping, trimming, and buffing of the nails. The procedure also addresses cuticles and nail polishing. A standard mani may take 30 to 60 minutes to be completed, and it can last up to 7 days. The most popular price range for a basic manicure is $10 to $15.
Shellac Manicure
This is a special nail polish that is uniquely designed to harden over natural nails.
When compared to standard polish, shellac mani is harder, making it ideal for ladies who use their hands most of the time.
Unlike acrylic mani, shellac manicure gives a gorgeous glossy finish that can effectively last up to three weeks. Under UV light, shellac nails will cure almost immediately.
Shellac mani is available in a wide range of colors for preference. It is a great alternative to gel polish because it is a non-gel manicure. You get this beauty treatment at a price range of $45 to $60.
Paraffin Manicure
This is a manicure treatment done using paraffin wax. It is a toning and deep cleansing treatment, which helps stimulate your blood circulation and invigorate skin tissues.
The result is supple and soft skin, making it easier to manage hangnails, calluses, and cuticles.
A paraffin manicure can even plump out hand wrinkles. When a paraffin mani is done, the wax peels off easily without attaching itself to your hair. The treatment is completed with beautiful nail polish.
The cost of this treatment may vary considerably from one nail salon or spa to another. But on average you should expect to spend roughly $20 to $40.
Gel Manicure
This is a manicure treatment where you get gel polish over your natural nails. The mani includes a topcoat, a main coat, and a base coat.
Gel manicure requires exposing every coat to UV light (curing) before applying the next coat. The UV light dries and hardens the gel into a resin.
The main advantage is that the color of a gel mani lasts much longer and doesn’t chip easily. The procedure can be done with either hard or soft gels.
Normally, a gel mani costs $5 to $10 more than a basic mani. The price range of a gel mani can range from around $35 to $50.
American Manicure
This is a nail treatment that involves painting the tips of your nails with soft ivory color. The remaining part of the plate is painted with a beige base or neutral shade.
With this unique type of mani, your nails appear naturally beautiful. It is the perfect choice for women who want a low-key nail treatment. An American mani can cost between $10 and $40.
French Manicure
It is a classic type of manicure where nail polish is applied to mimic your nails’ natural appearance. Normally, a natural-colored pink, transparent base, or beige polish is applied first and then the tip of your nail is painted white.
A French mani has some similarities with an American mani except for the fact that an American mani uses a beige base instead of a pink one. The cost of a French mani can range from $10 to $40, depending on where you get it done.
Mirror Manicure
This is a great choice for ladies who like metallic nail finish. The base coat is made up of black nail polish. Then a mirror powder is added on top of the base coat. The mirror powder does a great job of giving your nails a glossy appearance. A top transparent coat is also added on top of the mirror powder.
A mirror manicure can soften cuticles, remove hangnails, strengthen brittle nails, and prevent dark patches. This one may cost you around $10.
Hot Stone Manicure
As the name suggests, a hot stone mani is a treatment that involves the use of eight medium basalt stones, four small basalt stones, and two medium cold stones.
This unique type of manicure helps boost blood circulation, strengthen the nails, and offer relief from damaged cuticles and brittle nails. A hot stone manicure costs roughly $10.
Dip Powder Manicure
This is a unique type of manicure that includes dipping your nails into colored powder. Then, a clear sealant is added on top. The best thing about dip powder mani is how long it can last.
If done properly, dip powder mani is going to last you more than a couple of weeks or until you remove it yourself. Dip powder is odorless, unlike some gel polishes that have an unpleasant chemical smell and the monomer used in acrylic manicure.
Unlike gel mani, dip powder manicure doesn’t require UV light for curing. After each step, the powder dries up pretty quick, so it is almost impossible to mess up.
The entire procedure takes around one hour and the price range is roughly $30 to $50.
Acrylic Manicure
This type of mani includes a combination of a powder polymer and a liquid monomer. These two ingredients create a protective layer over the panel of your nails.
The nail technician usually finishes an acrylic mani with nail polish. Acrylic mani is not only hard but also very robust. It creates a beautiful canvas for nail color application.
You don’t have to worry about acrylic nail breaking because you can easily fix it without the expertise of a nail technician.
The typical price range for acrylic mani at a salon or spa is approximately $35 to $45. However, the price range can increase up to $60 for unique colors like white or pink. In some high-end spas, extremely creative acrylic manicures may cost up to $100.
What Is the Average Cost of a Manicure?
The nail care industry has incredibly grown over the last two decades. According to Statista, the average cost of a standard mani was $20.93 in 2017, $21.34 in 2018, and $22.75 in 2019.
In 2017, the industry earned approximately $8.53 billion in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated (in 2017) that the average pay for manicurists or nail technicians was $24,980. This means each manicurist was earning roughly $12.01 an hour, and the average manicure cost was $20.
Presently, the industry is expected to grow and introduce new creative ways of making manicures more impressive. So, we can expect the average cost of manicures to increase slightly.
The average cost for a standard manicure can also vary from one city to another, which is the case in the United States. For example, the cost of a manicure in the Bay Area (CA) ranges from $12 to $25, in Austin (TX) it is approximately $15, in Chicago (IL) it is approx. $25, and in Seattle (WA) it is approx. $15.
Are There Any Additional Expenses?
With beauty, you should always expect additional costs, especially if you are looking for the best look.
The first additional cost you are likely to incur is fixing a broken nail before you get a manicure. Silk covers may set you back by approximately $50 to $75.
The second popular additional cost is of personalized colors that can cost you around $10 to $20.
Other miscellaneous costs can include French tips for $5 to $15, and an expert removal for $25 to $35.
Final Thoughts
How much does a manicure cost? We’ve explained to you the various types of manicures—like gel, acrylic, dip powder, shellac, French, and American—and their approximated price ranges.
According to our findings, the most inexpensive option is a basic manicure, which can range in price from $10 to $15. The cost of a manicure can also vary depending on your city and the place you will be getting the mani done.
On average, a manicure should cost you around $20. But this price can increase or decrease depending on the type of manicure and any other additional services you may need (like fixing a broken nail).
You could always buy the products you need for your preferred type of manicure and do it yourself. But do you have the skills and experience needed to get the mani done correctly? If not, then it will be so much worth it to get the services of an experienced manicurist or nail technician.
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