Gel manicures are one of the newest trends in nail care. Gel manicures, like acrylic nails, use a gel-like substance to create an artificial nail. They can be applied in many different colors and last for two weeks without chipping or peeling.
But How Much Does A Gel Manicure Cost? The answer will vary depending on where you go to get it done. You could pay $25 at your local salon or $70 at the spa down the street!
Brief Discussion: Gel Manicure
A gel manicure is a type of long lasting nail polish where they put a layer of gel on your nails. It makes your nails stronger and it doesn’t chip off as easily as regular nail color because the gel protects it from breaking or peeling.
They use UV light to dry the gel which hardens the manicure. In this process, the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can damage your skin and eyesight! During this treatment, you have to keep your hands under UV lights for about 10 minutes.
When done at salons, a gel manicure usually costs around twenty-five dollars or more depending on how much work needs to be done on the nails. For example, if there’s chipping or unevenness, then they would need to redo the whole process so it would cost more.
How Much Does A Gel Manicure Cost?
The price for a gel mani will vary depending on the location you go to. You could pay between $25 and $70, but in general they tend to be more expensive than regular polish manicures.
Some salons may offer package deals that include other spa services, but still you will not get the same bang for your buck that you would with a regular manicure.
The average price is around $40-$50 at salons and between $25-$35 if done at home using gel nail polish kits.
Gel nails are more expensive than acrylics or gels because of the materials used and the time it takes to complete the service.
On average, it will cost you around $25-$70. However, the price may vary depending on the city or country that you’re in and products used. For example, in the United States a gel manicure will cost you more than it would in India.
If you’re looking for a good deal, try finding a salon that offers package deals. Sometimes you can get a mani/pedi combo for a discounted price.
Another thing to keep in mind is that not all salons offer the same services. Some places might only do gel nails and others might do both acrylic and gel nails. So if you’re looking for a good deal, don’t just pick the first salon that you see. Do some investigating and compare prices before making a decision.
As an added tip, if your city or town has a shopping mall with different shops inside, look for salons in those areas. Usually they will charge less because they’re trying to attract as many customers as possible.
Also keep an eye out for coupon offers. There are many websites that offer discounts and coupons directly from their homepage! If you’re going to get a gel manicure anyways, why not save a few bucks while doing it?
If you’re planning on getting a gel manicure soon then deciding how much a gel manicure costs is one of the most important things you’ll have to do.
What are the benefits of a Gel Manicure?
There are many reasons why people choose gel manicures over other types of nail polishes – some of the top benefits include:
- Long-lasting color and high shine. Gel polish is known to last much longer than regular polishes without chipping, smudging or fading – even with everyday activities! Of course you can always touch up your nails once in a while if need be. If done well, gel manicures are all about that wet, glossy shine – no more dull looking manicures!
- Damage repair/strengthening. The UV/LED cured layers protect your nails from damage due to staining – this is especially great for those who are constantly using their hands throughout the day (e.g. waitresses, homemakers). Not only does it strengthen your nails over time, but it doesn’t chip off like regular nail polishes. The curing process also helps to cure any existing damage you might have on your nails, so it’s really great for those who are looking to fix their weaker nails.
- Flexibility in length and shape. Gel manicures allow you to decide the exact length and shape of your nails – since there is no drying time involved, you can clip/file them into place immediately after applying the gel polish. This will not only give you more flexibility with your steps but also allows you to maintain a professional look at all times!
What are the disadvantages of a Gel Manicure?
Although gel manicures do provide many benefits over traditional ones (including UV protection against sun damage), they come with their own set of disadvantages as well. Some people prefer standard nail polishes because they are much less complicated to use – not to mention the fact that you can buy them at your local drugstore for cheaper!
- They take time. The curing process in gel manicures is very important, so it takes much longer to complete than regular nail polish. This means an extra 10 minutes or more for everyone’s sake, which can be a downside if you’re running short on time! However, this also ensures that the layers are dried adequately before moving onto the next step.
- Removal is messy and tedious. Although there are many great DIY solutions out there including foil wraps and acetone “soak-off” methods, removing traditional gel nails is a real process because you have to soak them in acetone for at least 10-15 minutes. This is definitely not something the average person would enjoy doing – it can be very messy, smelly and tedious if done incorrectly.
- Requires extra maintenance. Even though traditional gel nails are extremely durable, they do require some extra steps just like any other mani – this includes buffing your nails every so often, applying cuticle oil around the cuticles especially after removing and filing your nails etc. If neglected (especially during removal), your nails might end up looking worse than before – which defeats the purpose of having a gel manicure in the first place.
Why choose Gel manicure?
A lot of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, J-Lo and Fergie make this kind of manicure popular but since we all don’t have access to professional equipment at our homes to do our own gel manicure, we often opt for cheaper alternatives that will still give us good results.
A gel manicure usually lasts for two to three weeks and it doesn’t chip or peel off easily so you don’t have to worry about fixing it every other day. It’s a good idea to get this type of manicure if you’re going on a vacation because you won’t have to worry about your nails chipping or peeling off in the water.
If you’re unsure whether or not you should get a gel manicure, go ahead and try it out! There are a lot of places that offer trial manicures so that you can see if this is the right treatment for you without having to spend too much money. Just make sure that the salon is reputable and uses good quality products. You don’t want to end up with a bad case of gel nail fungus!
Many people who get this treatment tend to be loyal to it because the pros outweigh the cons. The benefits of having a gel manicure are that it doesn’t chip, lasts for weeks, and dries quickly. It can be done at home or in a salon so you have control over how much you want to spend on it.
If you’re looking for an affordable and long-lasting solution to your nail woes, then a gel manicure is the way to go!
Do it yourself procedure: How to get gel nails at home
- File your nails into the shape you want, but don’t go too thin or they might break easily.
- Apply a layer of base coat and wait for it to dry before proceeding with color coats. Base coat helps protect your nails from staining as well as strengthen them against breaking, peeling, etc…It also allows the nail polish to adhere better and last longer without chipping. Many people use UV light activated topcoat along with their base coat – this further protects your nails from staining and fading/chipping/peeling over time. It gives a natural shine as well!
- The two main types of gel polishes soak-off gels and LED/UV light gels.
- You can find quite a few differences between gel polishes depending on your personal preferences and needs – but if you’ve never had the chance to try these out, definitely give them a shot! I think it’s safe to say once you go gel, you’ll never go back.
How to properly maintain Gel manicure?
- Always start with a clean, dry base – before applying any nail polish, make sure your nails are free from dirt and oil.
- Unlike regular polishes that dry quickly on their own as you paint them on, gel requires some drying time under the UV/LED lights so it’s best to apply one coat at a time and press each nail for about 20 seconds under the light after coating every nail.
- You don’t have to worry too much about smudging or dents since these can be easily corrected later with a Q-tip soaked in acetone. However, try not to touch your nails during this process if possible – even if you’re wearing gloves!
- After everything is dried sufficiently, apply a layer of top coat to seal in the color and provide extra protection.
FAQs about Gel manicure at home
Why do you have to use UV/LED light?
Gel polish relies on intense light rays to cure, so using this kind of lamp is absolutely necessary for the process. If you try drying your nails with just an average household lamp, it will take forever! Not only that, but it could ruin the gel polish due to uneven curing. Make sure whoever’s doing your nails knows how to operate these lights before getting your mani done!
How long does a gel manicure last?
Your length of time will depend on if you go for traditional or soak off gels – but either way, it will last significantly longer than a regular polish. LED/UV cured gels can last up to 2 weeks, while traditional soak-off gels can last up to 3 weeks.
Can I do my own gel manicure at home?
Yes! There are many great tutorials out there that can show you the ropes on how to apply and cure your own gel nails – no need for a trip to the salon. Just make sure you have all the necessary supplies like a UV/LED light, base coat and top coat. And of course, the gel nail polishes themselves.
Things to remember before getting a Gel Manicure
The procedure for getting a gel manicure is fairly simple and straightforward. However, there are some things you should keep in mind before making an appointment.
First of all, you should never get a gel manicure done if you have nail psoriasis or had a recent round of laser hair removal. The heating lights used during the curing process could cause major skin irritation, so it’s best to just avoid this altogether.
In addition, you should not get a gel manicure if your nails are noticeably yellowed, stained, or very porous/thin – especially after a past trauma like breaking your nails. Gel polish is very thick so it will build up on these nails and potentially lead to some frustration when it comes time to remove the polish.
Nails that are short and flat tend to do better with gel manicures because they dry quickly and don’t show ridges as easily.
It’s also generally a good idea to get your nails professionally done if they’re uneven or curved, since gel manicures require very flat and even nails.
However, if you like your natural texture and just want the glossiness of gel polish (even though it may not last as long), then go for it! You can always bring them back to level by filing them down after the first week is over – but this will dull their shine slightly.
If you are hoping for gel polish on shorter nails without any kind of leveling, be prepared for some odd looking edges and possibly even some chipping.
Is a Gel manicure worth the price?
In short, yes – but it depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a high-quality, long-lasting manicure with a glossy finish, then a gel polish is definitely the way to go.
However, if you don’t mind doing touch-ups every week or so, then a regular polish may be more suited to your needs. Ultimately it’s up to you!
