Some argue against add-ons, saying nail techs should not tack on extra costs at the risk of putting off the customer. But for some, the extras give them flexibility to keep their standard service prices low, while allowing them to make extra profit on the clients who want a little more. The extras are easy to introduce, and if a lot of clients go for them it won’t be long before you start noticing the difference in revenue. If you’ve never thought about how extras can work for your services, here are some ideas on easy extras that can add dollars to your revenue. (The prices here are just suggestions. If you’d like to price your nail art, for example, at $8 per nail, then you can use the calculations listed here for pedicure masks to estimate your increase in revenue.)

 

Skye Wee-Tom of Modern Nail in Atlanta, charges $5 for her UV top coat applications.

Skye Wee-Tom of Modern Nail in Atlanta, charges $5 for her UV top coat applications.

$3 UV Top Coat

Whether it’s a manicure, gel, or acrylic service, a nail tech can add a UV top coat at the end to ensure clients are getting the maximum protection on their new nails. Most techs charge between $2 to $5 for the quick application. All it takes is a couple of repeat customers who like the added protection to turn this simple add-on into a steady source of extra income. A quick way to test out whether your clients will be interested is to take the advice of Barbara Lee, owner of Country Nails in French Creek, W.Va., and offer the UV top coat free for first-timers, and then charge $3 for subsequent application.

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$9 $36
$432
5 clients a week
$15
$60
$720
10 clients a week
$30
$120
$1440

 

 

If you’re not ready for nail art just yet, you can charge for a colored French. Maisie Dunbar of Maisie Dunbar’s Spa Lounge in Silver Spring, Md., charges $2 to $3 for her colored French tips.

If you’re not ready for nail art just yet, you can charge for a colored French. Maisie Dunbar of Maisie Dunbar’s Spa Lounge in Silver Spring, Md., charges $2 to $3 for her colored French tips.

$5 Nail Art

 Sharing your creative side with clients can be profitable too. Amy Becker, owner of Masterworks Salon and Spa in Mequon, Wis., does nail art for $5 to $10 per nail. “For our nail stylists who like to do and sell nail art,” Becker says, “We recommend they have a display with some of their sample nail art on it. The artwork sells itself.” Tiffany Blasi, owner of Tiffany’s Salon and Boutique in Cloverdale, Calif., says, “Basic nail art is included in my service, but anything that takes me longer than five minutes is an added $10. But with today’s economy and everyone’s depressed moods, it’s really easy to get clients excited about upgraded nails.”

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$15 $60
$720
5 clients a week
$25
$100
$1200
10 clients a week
$50
$200
$2400

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Sandra Plasencia Casanova, owner of Havana Nights Nails and Spa in Chicago, charges $5 for her toe waxing.

Sandra Plasencia Casanova, owner of Havana Nights Nails and Spa in Chicago, charges $5 for her toe waxing.

$6 Toe Waxing

A little toe waxing can go a long way in terms of added revenue. The service doesn’t take much time, and clients will appreciate the option of having extra smooth toes. Cyndi Grohowski, owner of Polished From Head to Toe in Haddon Heights, N.J., quickly does a toe waxing on clients who request it.

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$18 $72
$864
5 clients a week
$30
$120
$1440
10 clients a week
$60
$240
$2880

 

 

Tammy Gauthier (left), owner of The Nail Nook in Eugene, Ore., charges $5 for her forearm massages.

Tammy Gauthier (left), owner of The Nail Nook in Eugene, Ore., charges $5 for her forearm massages.

 

$7 Massage

 Many techs incorporate forearm massages into their standard manicures, but if you don’t already, you can probably convince a few clients to pay a little extra for it. Shari Finger, owner of Finger’s Nail Studio in West Dundee, Ill., charges $10 for every 15 minutes of kneading. “But we don’t limit the massage for just manicures,” Finger says, “we have it on our menu as an extended massage, so clients can add it to pedicures as well.” Sheila DeLorenzo, owner of Serenity Springs Salon and Spa in Colorado Springs, Colo., offers these words of advice, “Give them the first five minutes free. Once you start massaging they will hardly ever say no to more.”

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$21 $84
$1008
5 clients a week
$35
$140
$1680
10 clients a week
$70
$280
$3360

 

 

There are many different kinds of mask products out there with different scents and textures so you can find the ones that work well with your services.

There are many different kinds of mask products out there with different scents and textures so you can find the ones that work well with your services.

$8 Mask

Techs can add fizz soaks, scrubs, and masks to pedicure clients who like a little extra pampering. Renee Marie Borowy, owner of VIP Salon and Spa in Riverview, Mich., offers an upgraded pedicure mask for $5 extra. And Roula Nassar, owner of Roula’s Spa in Houston, offers a mask application and charges $10 for 10 minutes. Nassar says of the service, “We offer a mask to clients scheduled for a basic pedicure who just want the mask and not the frills of a full blown spa-style pedicure,” she says. “And we wrap the legs and feet with hot towels after applying the mask.”

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$24 $96
$1152
5 clients a week
$40
$160
$1920
10 clients a week
$80
$320
$3840

 

[PAGEBREAK]

LaShaun Brown-Glenn, owner of Nails Naturally Hand and Foot Spa in Chicago, Ill., charges $10 for her callus removal.

LaShaun Brown-Glenn, owner of Nails Naturally Hand and Foot Spa in Chicago, Ill., charges $10 for her callus removal.

$9 Callus Removal Products

For extra thick calluses, you can offer a specialized callus removal product to help smooth out the roughest feet. Roula Nassar has a glycolic peel for thick-callused clients. She says of the service, “Glycolic is a more concentrated product and it’s extremely effective at naturally breaking down callus build-up.” Nassar charges $10 for the service, and says that clients love it because the product continues to exfoliate the skin for up to a week, leaving feet extra smooth.

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$27 $108
$1296
5 clients a week
$45
$180
$2160
10 clients a week
$90
$360
$4320

 

 

Maria Lekkakos, owner of M. Lekkakos Salon Spa and Boutique in Wenham, Mass., charges $10 extra for paraffin dips.

Maria Lekkakos, owner of M. Lekkakos Salon Spa and Boutique in Wenham, Mass., charges $10 extra for paraffin dips.

$10 Paraffin Dip

Clients might be tempted to indulge in the warming sensation of a paraffin dip or heating mittens. The service could be offered as a special during the colder months of the year, and clients who really enjoy it may ask for it periodically year round. Cyndi Grohowski includes a paraffin dip free of charge in her deluxe spa manicures, but charges $10 if clients want to add it to a standard basic manicure.

If you sell this service to...

You can make an additional...


A week
A month
A year
3 clients a week
$30 $120
$1440
5 clients a week
$50
$200
$2400
10 clients a week
$100
$400
$4800

 

 

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