the Cost of Manicures

I paid $20 plus a $4 tip for a manicure that consisted of a nail soak, the pushing up and trimming of my cuticles, nail shaping and filing, and a hand and arm massage with a moisturizer.

The service was excellent. The technician was highly competent. She did not poke or jab at my cuticles in any sort of rough manner. She filed my nails skillfully, not roughing them up or filing them against the grain. The treatment ended with a short but nice, relaxing rub of my hands and forearms which is supposed to stimulate circulation in the nails and encourage nail growth.

When it comes to nail care, it is of utmost importance that the salon is absolutely clean and that the tools are thoroughly sanitized. I recommend bringing your own orange wood sticks because they are often not thoroughly sanitized in salon settings. Salons often use the alternative, plastic, because it is easier to sanitize. However, plastic can be excessively rough on one's cuticles. Try to choose a nail technician based upon personal referrals from friends you trust. Call the salon in advance to inquire about their tool cleansing practices. Once you arrive at the salon, examine the work area to make sure it is clean and that fresh tools are used on your nails.