Gel manicures have become part of many beauty lovers' routines thanks to their incredible durability, glossiness, and speedy application process. But before you hop on this nail trend, it's important to know what the upkeep will cost you. Here's how much it costs to maintain a gel manicure.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website custom crack gel polish.
What Is a Gel Manicure?
This type of manicure is similar to a classic manicure but uses UV light to harden and cure a specially formulated gel nail polish instead of air drying. The curing process makes the manicure last a lot longer than a regular manicure, often up to three times longer. Even though it costs more than a regular manicure, its durability makes it a good value, particularly for those who get regular manicures.
Getty Images
How Much Does a Gel Manicure Cost?
The price for a gel manicure can vary depending on where you live and the caliber of the salon you're visiting. Typically, a gel manicure can cost $5-$10 more than a regular manicure, with a starting price of $35. For example, at Bliss Nail Lounge in Dallas, the cost of a gel manicure starts at $37 and goes up depending on the polish, service, and design. At Millennium Nail & Day Spa in Tallahassee, Florida, prices start at $45. At Genesis Nail Spa Homewood in Birmingham, Alabama, the cost of the standard gel manicure is $42, plus gratuity.
The removal process is just as important as the manicure itself. Simply scraping or peeling the polish off can ruin your nail beds and cuticles. And those bad habits have consequences—it could actually make it harder for future gel polish to stay on. To keep your nails healthy, it's safest to have your gels removed at the salon. Removal fees can cost anywhere between $10-$20.
Why Gel Manicures Are Popular
One of the biggest draws of gel manicures is how long they last. Depending on how well you treat your nails, a gel mani can have a lifespan of about two to three weeks. Once your nails start chipping or growing out, it's time for a fresh manicure. But when each session costs around $35, expect to pay $70 a month for continuous maintenance. Over the course of a year, your gel manicure habit could set you back at least $840.
Other Costs To Consider
Don't forget to factor in bonus costs that contribute to your nail maintenance. Adding extra flair to your manicure, such as nail art, could cost $3 and up. That extra detail would total $30 or more for a full set of nails. Finally, tipping your manicurist approximately 20 percent is an industry standard, which could add anywhere between $7-$15 to your bill. In total, the basic cost for a gel manicure, plus removal fees, nail art, treatments, and tips, could range from $35 to $100 for a single session. And if you plan to opt for a mani every two weeks, you're looking at an $840 to $2,400 cost annually.
How To Maintain Your Manicure
To keep your gel mani looking good, it's also important to maintain your nail health in-between manicures with treatments like Nail Inc's Overnight Detox Nail Mask to hydrate the surrounding skin, cuticles, and nail beds. Use cuticle oil and hand cream on your hands and nails daily. Cuticle oil has the benefits of not only softening cuticles, but also strengthening nails, which can keep them from breaking and chipping. Add an extra layer of top coat to help keep the polish from chipping, and gently file any rough edges that form. Protect your nails from harsh chemicals and hot water by wearing gloves for chores like dishes or cleaning.
What To Know About Gel Manicures
There are a few things to consider when getting gel manicures. Make sure the salon tech removes the gel gently. The polish should come off rather easily after soaking. Don't let the nail tech scrape, buff, or file them down roughly, or use a drill. This can damage the nail bed. Alternatively, you can try removing gel polish yourself at home, which can also save you money.
Also, the polish is cured with UV light which is harmful to the skin, and you should use caution during UV exposure by applying sunscreen to your hands. Some salons use LED lights, which are a safer alternative.
Despite the high cost of maintenance, a glossy, long-lasting coat that adds flair to your look could be worth it.
Do you know how much gel nails really cost? Did you know that there are several types of gel manicures available? Depending on which gel mani you choose, the cost ranges between $40 to $125. We’ll explain why the cost ranges so broadly and the differences between the types of gel below.
For more information, please visit regular nail polish under gel top coat.
There are two types of gel, hard gel, and soft gel. The main difference between the two gels is the removal process. 100% pure acetone removes soft gel and filing removes hard gel.
Soft gel molecules have more space between them, making them easily broken down compared to hard gels. Hard gel molecules are tightly knit, making it impossible for acetone to break them down.
An example of soft gel is gel polish. Hard gel builds long nail extensions.
PolyGel nails and dip powder nails are two types of nail systems that people often refer to as “gel” nails, but these are not technically gel.
PolyGel is a hybrid system consisting of an acrylic powder and clear gel combination. Dip powder consists of an acrylic-based powder and activator polish. Read on for the details.
When it comes to gel nails, there are several types of gel available. Gel nails range in price based on the type of gel used, the permanence of the gel, the application process, and the caliber of the nail salon you are visiting. Let’s take a look at the different types of gel nails and the cost of each.
Gel polish manicures usually start at a price of $35. They typically cost $5 to $10 more than a traditional nail polish manicure. 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. Every gel polish manicure finishes with a gel top coat in a matte or glossy finish. Apply gel polish to the natural nails in one or two coats the same way you apply traditional nail polish.
Gel polish does not dry without being exposed to UV or LED light. The nail tech will place each hand into the UV/LED lamp after each coat of polish, and the lamp will dry the nails to a hard, glossy, or matte finish.
Gel polish manicures last for two to three weeks, and when it is time to remove the polish, the nails are soaked in 100% pure acetone. The acetone breaks down the gel and leaves it soft enough to be wiped away.
After the polish removal, apply a new gel polish or leave the nails in their natural state. The natural nails are damaged when the gel polish is improperly removed. Never peel or tear gel polish away from the nails. Doing so will cause long-term damage to the delicate nail plate.
Dip powder nails range in price between $30 to $50 depending on the nail salon. This price is close to the cost of a gel polish manicure. Dip powder manicures generally cost a few dollars more than gel polish manicures because of the amount of work involved in creating the nail set.
During a dip powder manicure application, the natural nails undergo a dipping process between colored acrylic-based powder and an activator adhesive polish. The nails are dipped back and forth between the powder and activator polish until the level of color opacity deepens. This type of manicure will air dry and does not require a UV or LED lamp.
Dip powder polymers are more complex than those found in gel polish; therefore, they last longer. Dip manicures last up to five weeks when adequately maintained.
The dip powder removal process requires a few extra steps than gel polish. Simply buff the top layer of colored gel from the nails and soak them in acetone. The dip powder consists of acrylic polymers, so soaking the nails in acetone is necessary to remove the powder.
Dip powder nails dehydrate the nails, so using a cuticle oil and hand cream is beneficial. Damage to the nail plate will not occur when a professional nail tech removes the powder properly.
Gel overlays begin in cost at $40 and go upwards of $100. The price is dependant on the length of the natural nails, the choice of color finish, and whether or not you add crystals or designs. The gel refills average around $35 and up.
A gel overlay includes the application of a clear or colored soft gel placed over the client’s natural nails. Extensions are not applied. The gel acts as a layer of strength and protection for the nails. A gel overlay is ideal for the client that is trying to grow out their natural nails.
The soft gel used for an overlay is thicker than gel polish yet thinner than the hard gel used for gel extensions. It is easily removed by soaking the nails in acetone.
Refills begin at $35 in price and are applied every two to three weeks if the client prefers to keep the overlay.
PolyGel nails average from $55 to $150 per set, depending on the type of PolyGel used and the nail salon location. PolyGel nail sets require fill-ins every three to four weeks. These refills range in cost exceeding $80.
PolyGel nails are a hybrid nail system that has the durability of acrylic, with the flexibility of a gel. It is a paste-like mixture of acrylic powder and clear gel. PolyGel is effortless odorless and easy to work with, which makes it a favored preference for nail techs.
PolyGel applications consist of a regular nail prep first, and then the PolyGel is brushed onto the nails. The nails are then cured under a UV or LED light, filed into a smooth shape, painted with gel polish, and cured again. The process of application is more time-consuming than gel polish and dip powder nails. Apply PolyGel as an overlay for natural nails or over nail extensions.
PolyGel does not damage natural nails like other nail systems do because it does not contain harsh chemicals, therefore, no odors. With proper application and removal by a professional nail tech, the natural nails will remain healthy and strong.
The removal process for PolyGel is simple. Trim the nails and file the PolyGel away from the nail, making sure to leave the natural nail unfiled. Soaking in acetone is not required. Complete the removal procedure with cuticle oil.
If a longer-length nail set is what you’re seeking, then hard gel nail extensions are what you need. Single color gel extensions begin at $80 for the very basic style. The average price is around $125, and they go up from there. Since gel extensions involve more product use and require more time to design, their price is higher.
The gel extension application process includes nail forms and hard gel to build the long nail extension. The technique uses several products, including a nail dehydrator, primer, builder gel, one-step gel, base, top coats, and color.
Each layer of gel is cured under a UV or LED light and filed to a smooth finish. Popular nail shapes in almond, stiletto, coffin, and square complete the extensions, and nail designs, gems, and charms add extra sparkle.
Gel refills are needed every two to four weeks, depending on how quickly the nails grow. Refills include a new application of gel and touchups to cracks and chips on the nails. The nails are buffed and reshaped, and a fresh coat of polish is applied. Refills cost $40 and up depending on the nail salon and nail tech.
Gel extensions do not damage the nails as long as they are applied and removed correctly by the nail tech. The removal process includes trimming, filing, and soaking the nails in acetone. The use of cuticle oil rehydrates the nails afterward.
There are several types of gel manicures available. Some nail systems perform similarly to gel, but they aren’t actually gel. Each manicure involves the use of different products and application techniques, and this affects the cost of each set.
V Beauty Pure offers a beautiful array of gel polishes, one-step gel, builder gel, and other tools necessary to build a beautiful gel nail set for your client. Shop all of our professional nail products, including acrylics, on our website today.
Sources:
For more private label crack gel polishinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.