Manicurists break down how you can avoid being overcharged

Manicure prices are on the rise – but how much is too much to spend on getting your nails done these days, especially in major cities?

After one tourist paid about $260 for a manicure, the viral TikTok got people talking about the price of nail art. 

Commenters were distressed by the hefty price tag, and one replied, ‘$220 is wild for these in NYC, girl you were robbed in plain sight.’ 

Many people weren’t just shocked by the fee – they also pointed out that the manicurist wasn’t wearing gloves and that the final product didn’t look like the inspiration picture.

To find out what’s reasonable to pay for elaborate nail art in a big city like New York, and how customers can avoid sticker shock at the end of their appointment, FEMAIL consulted three incredibly high-profile nail artists about their fees. 

It’s no secret that with inflation, everything is on the rise, including expensive beauty treatments.

However, plenty of New Yorkers shared what they paid for manicures in the comments section of TikTok. 

Many people in the outer boroughs noted more reasonable prices, including $90 in the Bronx, $80 in Queens to $100 for a Russian manicure. 

Others explained they paid $75 for a full set with designs to $140 or £65 ($83) in the UK.

How much should you expect to pay in a major city?

Sataya Stone, the owner and founder of downtown nail salon Art Nail NYC, told FEMAIL that ‘in a big city like New York, someone can expect to pay anywhere from $90 to $200 or more for nail art or an elaborate manicure, depending on the complexity of the design and the salon’s reputation.’ 

Julie Kandalec is the founding creative director of Paintbox in New York City and has worked on major beauty campaigns as well as backstage at New York Fashion Week.

The celebrity manicurist explained that the rates vary in New York, with some artists charging by difficulty and separating it into tiers like simple or intermediate nail art, while others charge by time, and another option being per finger or per gem or stud, calling it ‘very personal.’

Rita Pinto, the founder of the celebrity-beloved nail art haven Vanity Projects in Miami and New York City, told DailyMail.com ‘the complexity of the design, the duration of the appointment, the quantity of colors, number of gems, or stones used, are all factored into the final price.’ 

How do you avoid sticker shock? 

It’s best to be open with your nail artist ahead of time, so there are no surprises – but you might have to get into detail to guarantee you’re not experiencing sticker shock at the end of a lengthy appointment. 

Julie said it’s best to communicate ahead of time to make sure you’re on the same page as your nail tech when it comes to budget.  

‘I would hate to put them in a position where they get sticker shock,’ Julie said. ‘I love working backwards with a budget. Often, my client will get more this way too.’ 

‘To discuss the price upfront and avoid surprises, a client should inquire about the cost of each component of the manicure and ask for an estimate based on their specific requests,’ Sataya advised. 

‘We recommend being honest with how much you are expecting to spend on this nail service before booking the appointment so we can proceed accordingly.’ 

Rita said, ‘For those who are budget conscious, designs can be always adjusted or altered to ensure the design stays within a budget.’ 

‘Sharing details about your inspiration, as well as being transparent about your budget is essential,’ Rita told FEMAIL, adding that Vanity Projects offers 17 different seasonal or trending monthly specials at a set price. 

Vanity Project clients – who in the past have included Serena Williams, Adriana Lima, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Lily Allen, Sam Smith, and more – are allowed to customize the pre-set choices by choosing colors, and the specials range between $100 and $130.

The duration of the manicure typically lasts anywhere from two to four weeks.

Why do you now have to pay for gel removal? 

It’s difficult to think about paying a hefty amount for a manicure and nail art, as well as getting your polish removed from your last appointment when that wasn’t always the case. 

But Julie explained that salons ‘are finally realizing the value of a slow, methodical and proper removal,’ and ‘they always should have been charging.’

Julie, who has done elegant manicures on celebrity clients like Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello and Lauren Sanchez, warned that ‘improper removal is the biggest cause of damage to the nail.’ 

‘I never understood that business model – when a service isn’t paid for or it’s a very low price, it’s rushed,’ Julie explained. 

‘I personally would charge $50 or more for a pain-free removal. A bad removal can cause damage that takes three months or more to grow out – isn’t $50 worth three months of healthy nails?’ Julie asked. 

‘Gel removal is a time-consuming process that incorporates cuticle care, nail trimming and filing in addition to the removal of all old products and embellishments,’ Rita agreed. 

‘Our salon charges existing clients $10 for removal and $20 for clients coming from a different salon, where the products used are unknown and often take longer to remove,’ Rita continued. 

‘If the removal is done poorly or rushed, it can cause damage to the natural nail. 

‘When a removal is done right, it allows for the gel application to adhere properly to the natural nail bed, resulting in long-lasting manicures with beautiful growth of the nail bed,’ Rita said.