How much a professional manicure costs vs press-ons: an honest comparison
When it comes to manicures, price is almost always part of the decision — and rightly so. Here's an honest comparison between the cost of a salon manicure and that of press-ons, with the numbers to back it up.
How much a salon manicure costs
A standard manicure (filing, cuticle care, polish) generally costs between €15 and €20 per session. If you opt for semi-permanent polish, the average cost rises to €30-45, up to €50 for a reinforced semi-permanent. On top of that you often need to add removal, if it's not done alongside a new application: another €10-15.
The real cost, though, emerges over time: semi-permanent polish needs redoing every 3 weeks. By a simple calculation, anyone redoing their manicure every 3 weeks has around 17 appointments a year, for a total spend that easily lands between €500 and €700 annually, not counting the time spent on the appointments themselves.
How much press-ons on the market cost
Prices vary quite a bit in the press-on world too, but a complete set (nails plus accessories) generally sits between €19 and €25:
• A complete press-on set with glue, adhesive pads and accessories is typically found at around €19.
• Some brands sell the set of nails alone for around €20, with the nail glue sold separately (another €6-7 if you don't already have it).
In some cases you also need to add the cost of extra accessories not included in the basic set (file, stick, wipes).
The Nailerí price
Nailerí press-ons sell at €12.99, with a launch price of €9.99 for the first few months — less than half the cost of a single semi-permanent session in a salon, and well below the average of other press-on brands online. Every set already includes everything you need: 32 tips in 16 sizes to guarantee the right fit for every finger, glue, adhesive pads, a file and a user guide.
The real saving is over time
The comparison becomes even starker when you consider repeated use: by applying press-ons with the adhesives rather than the glue, the same set can be reused several times, changing your look without having to buy a new set each time. Even with the longer-lasting glue-only version, the cost of a month of manicures is still a fraction of what you'd spend in a salon over the same period.
Honestly: what doesn't change
It should be said just as honestly: press-ons don't replace a professional gel extension in every respect, especially for anyone looking for a hold beyond three weeks or with very uneven nail beds that need visually correcting (we cover this in our comparison guide on press-ons, semi-permanent and gel). For everyday upkeep, and for anyone who wants the freedom to change their look, though, the saving is real and immediate.
In short
|
Option |
Approximate cost |
Frequency |
|
Standard salon manicure |
15-20€ |
every 1-2 weeks |
|
Semi-permanent in a salon |
€30-45 (up to €50 reinforced) |
every 2-3 weeks |
|
Press-ons (market average) |
19-25€ |
per set |
|
Nailerí press-ons |
€12.99 (€9.99 at launch) |
per set, reusable |
With the numbers in hand, the cheapest option is also the freest: no fixed appointments, no giving up the style you prefer.
Want more tips for a perfect press-on? Take a look at our guides on how to choose the right press-on for your nail and on press-ons vs semi-permanent and gel: which to choose
