Manicure, pedicure and nail extensions: how to find a nail artist at a good price
Why manicure prices differ so much
The same name, “manicure with gel polish”, can mean five different amounts of work. One artist includes removal of the old polish, cuticle work, shaping and a single-colour coat in the price. Another charges for each item, and nail art is extra per nail. So “cheap” on a website is not always cheap in the chair.
The biggest influences on the final bill are the technique (machine, combined, classic), extensions or a refill, length and design. Removing someone else’s work is also a separate service.
What to include in your request
- Service — manicure, pedicure, extensions, gel polish, refill.
- Technique — machine, combined or classic.
- Length — short, medium, long; you can add the shape.
- Design — French, patterns, stones, how many nails to decorate.
- First time or refill — and whether someone else’s work needs removing.
- Date — day and time.
- Home visit — at your home or at a salon.
- Area.
- Budget, if you want to state it.
Example: “I need a machine manicure with gel polish, French and patterns on 2 nails, medium length, removal of old polish. Saturday at 12:00, Christchurch, up to $25.”
What to look at in the offers
- Whether removal of old polish is in the price or separate.
- Whether design is counted: “from” and “per nail” are different calculations.
- What materials they use and whether instruments are sterilised: ask them to explain how they are cleaned.
- Whether there is a portfolio of work similar to what you are asking for.
Extensions, refills, pedicure
For extensions, it is important to state the length and shape, otherwise the offers will be incomplete. If you are going for a refill, say how many weeks have passed and whose work it was. For a pedicure, mention any ingrown nails, corns or cracks. If the problem is more medical (fungus, deep cracks, diabetes), a salon pedicure will not do: see a doctor, for example through medical services. Also mention whether you are afraid of pain, whether your skin is sensitive, and whether you want gel polish after the pedicure. This helps the artist to calculate time and price correctly.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write your request once, and nail artists in your area reply with offers in chat: price, time, terms. They see where their offer ranks, so they often improve their terms to win your request. BlaBlaPrice shows the best-value offer first, with reviews alongside. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose an artist. More on the “How it works” page. And if you are ready to be a model for a beginner at a lower price, take a look at models for beauty services.
