How Much Do Acrylic Nails Cost: Nailing the Prices Down

A set of acrylic nails can cost between $40 and $55, but the price can vary based on the salon, the type of acrylic nails, the polish used, and more.

Thanks to Instagram, the popularity of acrylic nails have been on the rise. Since I am a former nail tech, a lot of my friends have been reaching out to me asking me how much they cost. So, I thought I might as well go and write a post on it to answer all questions once and for all.

Here, I will be answering how much do acrylic nails cost and also guiding you through how the total cost can vary and why this may happen. Let’s begin!

How Much Should a Full Set of Acrylic Nails Cost?

The average price of acrylic nails is between $40 to $55 for a full set.

There are a few things to keep in mind about this estimate, though.

First off, I have quoted the average cost for a basic set of acrylic nails – this simply includes the fake nails and a coating of nail polish. Secondly, the acrylic nails cost can vary from one city and state to another.

You also have to take the nail salon into consideration. If you are going to a no-frills salon, then the acrylic nail prices will be lower. On the other hand, if you go to a high end salon, then acrylic nails cost will undoubtedly be higher.

I know that this is a lot to take in, so I will break down how each factor can have an impact on the acrylic nails cost:

Regular vs. High End Nail Salons

The first thing I will tackle are the salons. As I have already mentioned, regular salons cost less. On average, you may have to pay over $4o for a full set.

In an upscale establishment, the cost may easily run you well over $50 – don’t be surprised if you end up spending as much as $100 or even more.

Clearly there is a difference in prices but is it worth paying more money for a high-end salon? It is difficult to make this decision right off the bat. After all, not all regular or upscale salons are the same.

Some affordable salons do some really good work as they use good quality materials and hire experienced technicians.

The upside to using an expensive salon, especially one with good reviews, is that you get consistent results each and every time. This is especially true when it comes to more complex designs.

Short vs. Long Nails: How Much Do Acrylic Nails Cost?

Yes, the preferred length of your artificial nails do matter. In general, short nails are easier for the nail technician to create. This is because, not only do they have to use less material, but your natural nails guides most of the shape of the fake nails.

When you want to get longer nails, the nail technician has to work harder to get the right length and to make sure that the weight of the fake nails are supported.

For shorter acrylic nails, you can expect to pay less than $50, while longer nails will be an additional $10 or even more.

How Much are Acrylic Nails Based on Shape?

The other thing to consider is the shape of your acrylic nails. Square artificial tips are the easiest to do as they require the least amount of shaping. Oval tips are fairly easy to do as well.

Due to this, these shapes will usually cost around $40 or $5o per set of acrylic nails.

On the other hand, if you want nail tips with coffin or stiletto tips, the cost may be $60 or so. This is because the tech has to spend a lot of time and effort filing the acrylic tips into perfectly shaped nails.

Does Nail Polish Affect the Cost of Acrylic Nails?

Yes, nail polish can impact how much you pay for your acrylic nails. You have three options when it comes to painting acrylic nails cost – standard nail polish, gel nail polish, and dip powder.

Acrylic nails with standard polish will be the cheapest option. This is because there are no fancy features. Keep in mind that this also means that there is a good chance that your acrylic nails may chip sooner.

Gel polish is pretty standard for acrylic nails these days. This is because they are cured within seconds and they can last longer too – sometimes up to two weeks at a time. As gel nails are rather common you shouldn’t expect to pay too much more, perhaps around $50.

When you compare gel polish to dip powder, the results are far more drastic. Dip powder is essentially an adhesive so when it is cured, it can last for a very long time without chipping. Due to this, these acrylic nails can cost $60 or more.

How Much are Acrylic Nails Based on Nail Art?

One of the biggest factors that come into play regarding the cost of acrylic nails is the nail art.

If you want regular polish or a traditional gel manicure, with a couple of layers of polish, then your acrylic nails are likely to cost you only around $50. This is also true for a French manicure as there isn’t too much additional work to do here.

On the other hand, if you want gel manicures that include various colors, designs, glitter, etc., then the cost may be $60 or higher. For one thing, these acrylic manicures use more products. Also, it is likely that you will need to work with a specialized nail artist with the more complex designs. Not to mention, these kinds of acrylic nail art can take a significant amount of time to complete.

If you want to add nail charms, then these add-ons to your acrylic manicure is going to cost you even more. Not only will you be charged for the charms but placing them into each acrylic nail can take a lot of time and skill. After all, your nail artist has to do this in a way that the acrylic nail doesn’t break or isn’t dislodged.

How Much Are Acrylic Nails Fills?

If you want to know the cost of acrylics, you also need to consider how much the fills are going to cost.

So, what are fills and why do you need them?

Well, each acrylic nail is attached to your natural nail. As your nail grows from near the cuticle, the fake nails move forward with the older portion of the natural nails. When this happens, there is a space between the natural nail and the acrylic nail.

As you can imagine, this doesn’t look too good and needs to be filled up.

So:

How long do acrylic nails last?

Acrylic nails need to be filled in about every two to three weeks, depending on nail growth. The natural nails on some people can grow faster or slower.

A fake nail fill can cost anywhere from $20 to $35 in total. This can depend on whether you have used regular polish or gel polish, and the complexity of the nail extensions as well.

Removing Acrylic Nails

If you want to get acrylic nails, then you also have to factor in how much it is going to cost to remove acrylic nails as well.

Most salons would advise you against trying acrylic nail removal on your own. If it isn’t done properly, you do run the risk of damaging your nail bed indefinitely. So, it really is better to let the pros handle it.

Typically, your nails are soaked in acetone, similar to nail polish remover, and when the bond between the natural nail and artificial one has softened enough, the nails are gently separated.

Generally, you can expect to pay between $10 or $15 for your acrylic nail removal. Some more expensive salons may charge more.

How Much Do Acrylic Nails Cost at Home?

Now, you may be looking at the prices of these nail services and feel like they are quite pricey – you aren’t wrong, particularly if you like getting your nails done on a regular basis. These costs can add up!

The good news is that you can do your own acrylic nails at home. There are various sets you can buy so that you can handle the nail application on your own.

These typically cost between $15 to $50 – now, this may sound like a lot but remember that these kits are good for several applications.

Since you don’t have the skills of nail technicians, you may be wondering how your nails are going to turn out. In this case, you can get pre-painted press on nails that have everything from French tips to more intricate designs.

Are Acrylic Nails Worth It?

Well, I would argue that this is a question that only you can answer! However, if you find it difficult to grow your real nails or if you want a bold statement, this is the nail service to go with.

It is also a great option if you want your nails to last longer – a standard manicure will only last about a week while acrylic nails can last for about two months!

Well, there you go – a complete break down of how much acrylic nails can cost you. This way, you can make your appointment and be fairly confident that you know how much your new nails are going to cost you.