Let’s face it: With so much going on in your life – so many bills, trips, childcare, car trouble and other expenses out the wazoo – a manicure might seem like a luxury you simply can’t afford. But is it really?
Sure, spas have a reputation for being a “luxury,” but healthy nails actually bring you far more benefits than that little confidence boost you get when you walk out with shiny, perfect, cared-for hands. We suspect that if you take a close look at the actual costs and benefits of a manicure, you might find it’s worth it after all.
What Does the Average Manicure Cost?
While the exact price of a mani depends on the quality of the salon you go to and whether it is offering a special, manicures usually fall in the $15 to $30 range. Sometimes you can combine them with more-expensive pedicures to get a deal, say $40 to $50 for both, which is perfect for a big work event, vacation or wedding. If you opt for longer-lasting gel nails, the price might go up $5 to $10.
What Does a Manicure Include?
Most salons follow a fairly standard routine when giving you a manicure. After you choose your polish and sit down, your manicure will usually include:
- Soaking hands
- Shaping and filing nails
- Trimming cuticles
- Moisturizing hands and lower arms
- Painting nails
- Putting a protective coat of polish on top
Because you cure your polish under a UV light for around 10 minutes after being painted, your nails are much harder, less likely to chip, crack or smear than if you did them at home. This saves you both time and trouble. Plus, a thick layer of polish actually strengthens weak nails, making them less susceptible to breaking or tearing. Usually a manicure lasts around two weeks or so. If you choose to get gel, your manicure can last up to a month if you’re careful.
What Other Benefits Do Manicures Offer?
Again, manicures have a bad rap for being an expensive way to get your nails painted, but that’s not true. Well-groomed nails not only look better, they feel better, stay healthier and leave you less at risk for painful hangnails or for ripping off jagged nail tips.
Other manicure benefits include:
- Strengthening nails by using special salon-quality polishes that convey nutrients to your nails
- Providing nail art that you couldn’t do at home, including French manicures, small designs or professional quality stickers
- Ensuring well-groomed cuticles, preventing them from growing up your nail bed, shortening it and putting you at risk of hangnails
- Offering much-needed relaxation, especially if you spend your days caring for children, working long hours at your job or running a business
If you’ve been thinking of manicures as a useless expense, think again. In addition to being a nice treat for yourself, manicures also keep your hands healthy, happy and beautiful, so you can focus on the things that really matter to you in life.