How much does a manicure cost?

Your hands are one of the first things people notice about you, especially in a professional setting. When your nails look well-groomed and cared for, people notice. 

A basic manicure starts at as little as $25. Additional specialty services can increase manicure and pedicure costs to nearly $100. Some ladies attempt to give themselves manicures, and although it’s not difficult, it can be arduous to apply the nail colour on your dominant hand carefully. Using the second hand can result in messy colour application, which is hard to clean.

Average manicure costs

Different manicure services

A basic manicure from a nail technician includes cuticle trimming, nail shaping, buffing, polishing and trimming. Typically, a manicure begins by soaking the nails in a bath of warm water with a conditioning agent. This softens the cuticles, cleans the nails, and pampers the hands. The nail technician will begin trimming the nails and cuticles. Once that is complete, they'll make your nails rounded or squared, then buff and polish them.

After the essential services are complete, you’ll choose a polish: basic colour, gel polish, French manicure, or nail art. These have different prices and maintenance requirements.

Nail polish types

Basic polish

Nail polish is the finish, the choice that completes the look. Basic nail polish is the most affordable option. However, depending on your lifestyle, it might be high-maintenance. For example, if you enjoy gardening or cleaning, the polish will only last a few days before it begins to chip.

Gel polish

Gel polish is only slightly more expensive and can hold better, extending its life for 10 days. Most people who maintain their manicures require a fresh manicure every 10 days or two weeks.

French tips

French tips are done with either regular polish or gel polish, so there's no difference in the “shelf life” of the manicure. French tips are simply either white or pink-tipped nails. Women often like French tips if they have a special event to attend. However, some prefer French tips for everyday wear. To maintain French tips, you need to schedule a manicure appointment every two weeks.

Common manicure techniques

Let’s discuss your manicure options. You can choose between gel or acrylic nails. Both require proper maintenance, but they have distinct differences.

Gel nails

Gel nails dry fast and are hardened under a special lamp; this is what helps them to last a full two weeks and can save you money on basic manicures. How much does a gel manicure cost? Gel nails are typically only $10 to $15 more expensive than a basic manicure. Schedule maintenance every two weeks. Many nail technicians recommend completely removing the gel nails every eight weeks. 

Acrylic nails

An acrylic mixture is mixed during your manicure, overlaid on top of your natural nails, and then extended to your desired length. This can be ideal for nails that don’t grow well or break off. Maintenance for acrylic nails is required every two weeks. 

Nail refill

After the initial manicure, a “fill” is needed every two weeks. Nail refilling is less expensive than a complete acrylic manicure. Also, you don’t need another complete manicure for three to six months. It depends on your lifestyle and the wear and tear. A sign that it’s time for a complete acrylic manicure is when you begin to see multiple air pockets under the layer of acrylic. Until then, you only need refilling to maintain your beautiful look.

Which type of manicure is the best solution for you? Ask yourself these questions:

• How much can you afford? Consider the initial manicure and maintenance.
• How often do you want to devote time to going to the salon?
• What's the occasion? Is it for daily wear or a special occasion?
• What's your goal? To enhance your natural nails or alter your look?

Manicure maintenance costs

In addition to the cost of the initial manicure, you’ll need to consider the cost of maintenance. For gel and acrylic manicures, the initial price is $45 to $65. Every two weeks, you’ll need to repeat that for a gel manicure and refill the acrylic for $25 to $45.

For a basic manicure, you’ll need to touch up your polish. If you plan to do this at home, select the colour used at the salon or supply your own polish for the nail technician to use. 

Posting a manicure task

Ultimately, having polished nails isn't hard to achieve, but you need to plan your manicure sessions well. Airtasker has nail technicians offering manicures in Sydney, Melbourne, and other areas. Post a task and choose a professional who meets your criteria and budget.