Nail salon prices: Why your gels and acrylics just got more expensive (2024)

Nail salons across the UK are raising their prices today in a huge collaboration across the industry.

Monday has been dubbed National Nail Tech Price Increase Day by the organisers - but why are they doing it, how much are prices going up by and does it affect all salons?

Here's what you need to know.

Why are prices going up?

It's to get a "fair wage" for nail technicians and a move towards helping industry businesses become "sustainable", according to organisers the Nail Tech Org (NTO).

The NTO, which describes itself as a "safe online community" for nail technicians, warned its member make on average just under £7 per hour - below the minimum living wage of £11.44.

The NTO's founder Amy Guy said she came up with the idea for the day after conducting surveys of its members on their income and profits.

Nail salon prices: Why your gels and acrylics just got more expensive (1)

She told Sky News: "We want to create a shift so the industry becomes sustainable so we can keep working for years to come.

"The job of a nail tech isn't easy, costs are rising all around us, the costs of products and tools are also rising along with utility, rent and those things.

Advertisem*nt

"It's so important that as business owners we're aware of our costs. The biggest problem in the nail tech industry for a long time has been pricing, but a lot of prices aren't realistic for business owners.

"I don't think people would be happy getting their nails done, knowing the technician wasn't making minimum wage."

How much are prices increasing?

Each business taking part in the price hike is different, according to the NTO, as it depends on their individual business costs.

The NTO offered what it describes as a "free masterclass" online for nail technicians, allowing them to calculate their own business costs and ultimately create a new "pricing structure that supports us now and in the future".

As an example, The Beauty Bar in Birmingham announced a price increase of £2-3 per service.

Its owner Lauren Pritchard told Sky News it was because the cost of opening her salon on a day-to-day basis has doubled in the last four years due to increased energy and product costs.

Nail salon prices: Why your gels and acrylics just got more expensive (2)

Ms Guy said the price increases would be "completely different from one nail technician to the other".

She told Sky News: "If you do see nail tech increasing their prices, that could be by any amount, and that's simply because they have now decided to calculate what their business costs are and correctly price their services."

Asked about reports suggesting some technicians could increase certain services by as much as 50%, she admitted it would be a significant increase, but put it down to nail technicians joining the industry and charging too low a price for luxury services to compete with established competitors.

How many businesses are raising their prices?

Ms Guy told Sky News "thousands" of nail technicians were putting their prices up on Monday, though didn't specify exactly how many.

On its website, the NTO said not all nail technicians would need to increase their prices and taking part in the campaign was not mandatory.

Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free

Is this price fixing?

Price fixing is an act prohibited by law and involves businesses working together rather than competing.

According to the government, you are breaking the law if you agree with one or more other businesses to:

• Charge the same prices to your customers
• Offer discounts or increase your prices at the same time

Ms Guy has dismissed suggestions raised on social media that the NTO's campaign amounts to price fixing.

Nail salon prices: Why your gels and acrylics just got more expensive (6)

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

"There's no set price that everybody will be amending their prices to," she told BBC 5 Live.

She said it was more of an "education piece" around what your current business costs are, adding "everybody's will be different" depending on factors such as whether they work from home or at a salon or if they are mobile.

Ms Guy said: "It's just more... an educational piece of what are your business costs, please check them, please calculate them and then make sure that your prices are at least more than minimum wage, because that's important."

Nail salon prices: Why your gels and acrylics just got more expensive (2024)

FAQs

Nail salon prices: Why your gels and acrylics just got more expensive? ›

Why are prices going up? It's to get a "fair wage" for nail technicians

nail technicians
A nail technician or nail stylist is a person whose occupation is to style and shape a person's nails. This is achieved using a combination of decorating nails with coloured varnish, transfers, gems or glitter.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Nail_technician
and a move towards helping industry businesses become "sustainable", according to organisers the Nail Tech Org (NTO).

Why do nail salons charge more for gel polish? ›

Gel polish lasts longer than regular polish because it does not easily chip, so it is higher in price. Some nail salons charge more for their nail services depending on the location and the nail tech's expertise. Gel polish is a thin, soft, pigmented gel.

Why is getting acrylics so expensive? ›

Nail Design Complexity: Intricate designs, with multiple colors or nail art, will cost more due to the additional time and skill required. Quality of Materials Used: Higher-end brands and products typically come with a heftier price due to their increased durability and finish.

Why do gel nails cost more than acrylic? ›

Because gel extensions are more malleable and natural-looking, they often cost more to get applied than acrylics, according to New York City-based nail artist Shirley Cheng.

How much is acrylic nails and gels on your toes usually cost? ›

Standard pedicure: $25-$40. Design add-on: +$10. Acrylics (full set): $25-$120. Acrylics (fills): $15-$20.

Why getting your nails done is so expensive? ›

"The job of a nail tech isn't easy, costs are rising all around us, the costs of products and tools are also rising along with utility, rent and those things. "It's so important that as business owners we're aware of our costs.

How much should I expect to pay for nails? ›

The cost of a manicure and pedicure can vary widely based on location, expertise of the technician, and quality of products used. On average, a basic manicure may cost between $20 and $50, while a pedicure ranges from $30 to $60. Specialized treatments like gel or acrylic can push the price higher.

How expensive is a full set of acrylics? ›

Full Acrylic Set

The starting price for a full set of acrylic nails ranges from $30 to $35 in a mid-tier salon. However, this is only the base price as many factors count, like the skill levels of the nail technician or the salon location we mentioned before.

What is the main disadvantage of acrylic nails? ›

In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched. Still, some people love the look of artificial nails. If you're one of them, these tips from dermatologists can help you reduce the damage: Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.

Should I stop getting acrylic nails? ›

As acrylic nails require you to roughen up the surface of the nail to apply them, the nail surface can wear away over time. So, it is often recommended that after 3 months of continuous wear, clients should take a break from acrylics.

What is healthier for your nails gel or acrylic? ›

However, if you crave a more natural look and prioritize nail health, then a gel manicure might be better. Gel polish offers a high-shine finish and may be less damaging, but it can sometimes chip more easily than acrylics. Consider your lifestyle and nail goals to make the best pick. Ultimately, you can try them both.

Which nails look better gel or acrylic? ›

While there are many different types of fake nails on the market, acrylics tend to look the least natural. Acrylics are made from a plastic material, which can give them a bright, artificial appearance. If you're looking for fake nails that look more natural, you may want to consider options such as gel or silk nails.

What is the healthiest nail option? ›

Unlike traditional techniques like acrylic or gel, dip powder nails do not require any UV light exposure. This eliminates the potential harm caused by UV lights, making dip powder a healthier choice. Moreover, dip powder nails are known to be highly resistant to chipping and peeling, ensuring longer-lasting manicures.

Which is cheaper gel or acrylic nails? ›

Acrylic nails are generally more affordable than gel nails. That's because they're made from a mixture of liquid monomer and powder polymer, which is cheaper than the liquid resin used in gel nails.

How much to tip a nail tech for gel? ›

Type of gels used, as it can be builder gels or gel polish. All these are to be taken into consideration. Like most other services, a tip is not included in the overall price and is to be added at the end if you so please. As with many service industries, it's recommended to tip about 15 to 20% of the total bill.

Is it cheaper to do your own nails? ›

If you're heading to the salon every two weeks for your gel manicures, you'll be spending around $1700 a year on your nails - at least. If you invest in a Gelous Gel Nail Kit for around $158, you'll save well over $1000 in just one year, even when purchasing additional Gel Nail Polish and Remover as desired.

Why is gel nail polish more expensive? ›

While gel manicures provide long-lasting shine, they generally come with a higher price tag compared to regular polish manicures. The increased cost is due to the longer application time and higher cost of gel polish formulas.

Is gel polish worth the extra money? ›

Many people love the gel nails because they last much longer than standard manicures. Gel polish doesn't chip, so you can keep it on for weeks at a time. You'll only need to get it changed or removed when your nails grow out too far. If you're trying to grow your natural nails out, gel is also a good choice.

How much should I charge for gel polish? ›

On average, a basic gel manicure costs between $35-$60 at a professional nail salon depending on your location. Higher end salons can cost upwards of $100.

Why do pink and white nails cost more? ›

Why are pink-and-white nails more expensive? The reason: Pink-and-whites take more skill, and they require more work and additional product. Highlight the selling point: “We charge more for pink-and-white nails because they require both a higher level of skill and more time.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 6038

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.