Hey Good People, I saw a post floating around my timeline about how nails have become so expensive over the years. I read through 10% of the comments, internally laugh and then screaming when I saw the comments. In 2021 customers want a full-set of nails for $25 and a fill in for $12. Yes, you don’t know what you don’t know, however, it isn’t wise to bargain with your nail care provider. In a older post, I briefly explain why some of these prices remain the same in certain shops and the danger of exposing yourself to cheaper chemicals. So, why the uproar over expensive salon prices?
To be honest, the reason prices have gone up is due to inflation. I know, I know, what’s inflation? Inflation causes the price of goods and services to rise as the cost to produce such goods and services rise. Simply put, the cost of our products have increased over the years, therefore, our prices for our services have to increase as well. We are a business first and then your nail technician. I enjoyed having this kinds of conversations while working on a client who never experienced quality work and product. There was a time when I did work in a salon with cheaper prices and saw the results of why a full-set of acrylic nails could be so inexpensive. Over the last seven years, I have watched salon prices increase as well as the production of better quality nail care products.
Yes, there was a time when exposing your nails to medical grade monomer and polymer was a thing, but now that we know better, we use monomer and polymer that is better for your nails, called ethyl methacrylate (EMA). In the aforementioned post, I discus the difference in price, quality, and toxicity. Its worth it to pay more for peace of mind. A good nail tech will suggest a great color but a better nail tech will educate you on the products being used to perform your service.
The Cost to Be The Boss
For example, when I go to the supply store, unless I am shopping for somethin specific, I usually spend upwards $200.00 USD just on product. When I worked in a salon and went shopping for inventory, depending on what was needed that bill was 10 times the amount I’d spend as a contractor. Simple math, for each client we service we are trying to recover the amount of money we spend to keep the salon operating. Salon operations include, utilities (electricity, water, gas (if you life in an area that supplies natural gas), phone bill, internet service, security system, web-site licensing fees), equipment, nail care products, furniture, household items such as paper towels, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and the list grows as the demands grow. Not to mention trying to keep up with new COVID-19 regulations. A portion of all of these responsibilities, are reflected in the salon price for services. If we look a little bit deeper, we have to consider the cost of the goods that the salon purchases in order to provide a service. A prime example, and I share this every time because I had to go without the brand for a while, is gloves. A box of 100 count non-latex gloves used to cost $4.95. When the demand increased during the pandemic, guess hw much that box of 100 non-latex gloves became. I was shopping for some last minute requests for a client and realized I was running low on gloves. The once $4.95 box of gloves was $9.45. The price doubled due to inflation. In that moment I had to make a decision, pay the over-priced gloves, order them from Amazon (seek a less expensive option), or go without. I decided to go without. These same options are afforded to clients.
Labor Cost
We also charge for labor. In the half-hour to three hour time frame to perform a service, we would like to be compensated for our time. Our time compensation, depending on where you were licensed, is equivalent to the credit hours we needed and the continuing education credit hours that we needed to become licensed. Each time I begin a service, the meter begins, as it should.
Fair Pricing
Fair pricing is one thing and some salons have started to itemize each service and the cost to provide its service on receipts to justify their pricing, which I think is a marvelous idea (see image below). This way there are no arguments at the register. Arguments at the register used to bring me joy and headache because I used to make it a point to explain the upcharge for every add-on. Magically, the argument at the register started when the total was more than the customer calculated. Think of it like you’re ordering something that is customized. The base price is for the service alone and anything extra is an upcharge. Each time you request a design, paraffin, jewelry, anything in addition to the service, is an upcharge. For example, the manicure, this service averages around $16. Some salons include polish and some salons charge for polish (I know) which makes the service more expensive. Let’s say, in the middle of your manicure, you decide you do not want to wait for your nails to dry because you do not want to smudge them, so you ask for gel polish. Gel polish’s average cost is around $12, therefore, the cost to have gel polish in addition to your manicure increases. How much is your bill now? ($16 manicure + ~$12 gel polish = $28). Almost $30 for a gel manicure.
Is It Worth It?
Depending on the salon owners client, yes. If their client has disposable income and chooses to spend it on grooming habits, then absolutely. This also depends, a great deal, on the salon owner’s target audience. If we scale back and look at the foundation of the client base, what will you learn about their clients or you as a client? Are they low-income with disposable income? Are they middle to upper class with disposable income, or are they infrequent regardless of income? These ae important questions to ask when pricing and when determining how quickly the salon owner can turn a profit. The most money is made when clients are repeat clients because that may be confirmed $60.00 per month from our client who wants a gel manicure every two weeks ($30 x 2 weeks) and even more, if our client is a once per week client ($30 x 4 weeks = $120/month from one client). SO, is it worth it? If your nail tech is great at what they do, uses quality products, and your nails last in between visits, you are certainly getting what you pay for.
The Verdict
I hope you’re taking notes and realizing the deeper explanation behind why salons charge their prices. When you step into a salon you are helping multiple business owners stay employed and feeding multiple families. Understanding the salon owners audience (being honest with yourself about your own budget) and understanding that is costs to run a business, this will give your a better understanding of why your full-set of nails are becoming so expensive, inflation.
Confessions of A Nail Tech 