Manicure Costs UK
Manicures in the UK cost £15-45 depending on treatment type, location, and salon prestige, representing regular beauty maintenance expense for many. Understanding manicure pricing, types, and longevity helps choose appropriate nail care within budget. Basic file and polish costs £15-25, gel manicure £25-40, and luxury spa manicure £35-50. Regular manicures every 2-4 weeks cost £180-540/year for basic or £300-1,000/year for gel nails. London and premium salons charge 30-50% more than regional high street salons. Let's explore UK manicure costs for 2025.
Manicures involve nail shaping, cuticle care, hand massage, polish application, providing groomed appearance lasting 1-3 weeks. Types range from basic polish (£15-25, 5-7 days) to gel polish (£25-40, 2-3 weeks) to acrylic extensions (£35-60, 3-4 weeks with infills).
How Much Do Manicures Cost?
Basic Manicure (File and Polish): £15 to £25. Nail shaping, cuticle work, hand cream, regular polish. Budget salons £15-20, mid-range £20-28. Lasts 5-7 days before chipping. Most affordable option.
Gel Manicure (Gel Polish): £25 to £40. Long-lasting polish cured under UV lamp. Budget chains £25-30, independent salons £30-40, London/premium £35-50. Lasts 2-3 weeks chip-free. Most popular choice.
Shellac Manicure: £25 to £45. CND brand gel polish system. Technically gel but specific brand name. Similar longevity (2-3 weeks) and pricing to generic gel.
Spa Manicure: £35 to £50. Extended treatment including exfoliation, mask, extended massage, luxury products. Takes 45-60 minutes versus 30 minutes basic. Relaxation focus beyond just nails.
French Manicure: Add £5-10 to base manicure cost. Classic white tip design requires more skill and time. £30-45 for French gel manicure.
Gel Removal: £5 to £15 if not getting new manicure. Free or £5 if rebooking gel. Takes 15-20 minutes soaking and gentle removal. Essential - picking/peeling damages natural nails.
Acrylic/Extensions Full Set: £35 to £60. Artificial nail tips with acrylic overlay. Lasts 3-4 weeks before requiring £25-40 infill. More dramatic length/shape. Higher maintenance than gel polish alone.
Acrylic Infills: £25 to £40 every 2-3 weeks to fill regrowth gap. Cheaper than full set but required regularly. Annual acrylic maintenance £650-1,040 (full set + 16-20 infills).
Nail Art: £2 to £10 per nail depending on complexity. Simple designs £2-5/nail, intricate £5-15/nail. Full set with art £50-100 for elaborate designs.
Annual Manicure Costs
Basic Polish (Weekly): £780-1,300/year. Weekly manicures (52 annually) at £15-25 each. High maintenance but lowest per-visit cost. Frequent salon visits inconvenient.
Gel Manicure (Fortnightly): £650-1,040/year. Every 2 weeks (26 annually) at £25-40 each. Most popular schedule balancing cost, convenience, appearance.
Gel Manicure (Monthly): £300-480/year. Monthly maintenance (12 annually) at £25-40 each. Budget-friendly option though nails show wear weeks 3-4.
Special Occasions Only: £100-200/year. 4-6 times yearly for events (weddings, holidays, parties). Cost-effective for those not needing constant grooming.
Acrylic Extensions: £650-1,040/year. Initial full set £35-60 plus infills every 2-3 weeks (16-20 annually) at £25-40. High maintenance and expensive long-term.
Factors Affecting Manicure Costs
📍 Location
Central London £35-50 gel manicure versus Northern cities £22-32. Premium areas (Mayfair, Chelsea) charge £45-70. Small towns/regional salons £18-28. Location premium reflects rent costs.
🏢 Salon Type
High street chains (Nail Studio, The Nail Bar) £20-30 gel. Independent salons £25-40. Luxury spas/hotels £40-70. Mobile nail technicians £25-35 (convenience premium but save travel time).
💅 Treatment Type
Basic polish £15-25 (5-7 days). Gel polish £25-40 (2-3 weeks). Acrylic extensions £35-60 (3-4 weeks). Luxury spa £40-60. Longer-lasting treatments cost more upfront but better value over time.
🎨 Complexity
Simple solid color cheapest. French tips add £5-10. Ombre/gradient add £5-15. Nail art £2-10/nail. Complex designs with gems/3D elements £50-100 full set. Simple designs maximize value.
How to Reduce Manicure Costs
💅 DIY At Home
Gel lamp £20-60, gel polish £8-15/bottle (lasts 10-15 applications). Initial investment £100-150 pays for itself after 4-6 salon visits. DIY gel manicure costs £1-2 per application versus £25-40 salon. Annual saving £300-800.
📦 Book Packages
Some salons offer package deals - 10 gel manicures for £220-300 (£22-30 each) versus £25-40 individual. Saves £30-100 over 5-6 months. Check validity period (usually 6-12 months).
🕐 Book Off-Peak
Weekday daytime often 10-20% cheaper than evenings/weekends. Some salons offer £5-10 off Monday-Wednesday. £30 weekend gel versus £25 Tuesday = £130/year savings on fortnightly manicures.
⏱️ Extend Time Between Appointments
Fortnightly gel manicures cost £650-1,040/year. Extending to 3 weeks reduces to £435-695/year = saves £215-345/year. Use cuticle oil and top coat to extend wear.
FAQs
How much does a manicure cost UK?
£15-45 depending on type. Basic polish £15-25, gel manicure £25-40, spa manicure £35-50. London £30-50 versus regional £20-35. Gel most popular - lasts 2-3 weeks.
How long does a gel manicure last?
2-3 weeks chip-free wear. Basic polish lasts 5-7 days. Acrylic extensions last 3-4 weeks but require infills. Gel better value than weekly basic manicures - £25-40 every 2 weeks versus £15-25 weekly.
Are gel nails worth it?
Yes for most people. Cost £25-40 lasting 2-3 weeks versus basic polish £15-25 lasting 5-7 days. Gel costs £50-80/month fortnightly versus £60-100/month weekly basic. Saves time with fewer salon visits and chip-free wear.
How much does it cost to maintain gel nails?
£50-80/month or £650-1,040/year for fortnightly gel manicures. Monthly maintenance £25-40/month or £300-480/year budget-friendly option. Includes removal (free/£5 with rebooking) and new gel application.
Can I do gel nails at home?
Yes. UV lamp (£20-60) + gel polish kit (£30-80) = £50-140 initial investment. Each application costs £1-2 versus £25-40 salon. Pays for itself after 3-5 salon visits. Saves £300-800/year but requires practice and time.
Conclusion
Manicures in UK cost £15-45 with gel manicures most popular at £25-40 lasting 2-3 weeks. Annual costs range from £300-1,000 depending on frequency and treatment type - fortnightly gel maintenance averages £650-1,040/year. London and premium salons charge £35-50 versus regional £20-35. DIY gel manicures reduce costs to £1-2 per application after £100-150 initial investment, saving £300-800/year. Acrylic extensions cost £35-60 full set plus £25-40 infills every 2-3 weeks totaling £650-1,040/year. Basic polish (£15-25) lasts only 5-7 days requiring weekly visits. Extend time between appointments from fortnightly to 3-weekly saves £215-345/year. Book weekday off-peak for 10-20% discounts. Gel better value than weekly basic polish despite higher per-visit cost due to 2-3 week longevity. Compare to hair salon costs of £400-1,500/year - nails represent smaller beauty budget percentage. 💅
 |
Jane Smith |
| Am British, live in London (1985–present) |
