Longer Nails, Higher Price Tag

If stylists can charge more to trim long hair, then why can’t nail techs charge more to fill longer nails? Actually, some do.

“I created a higher price point for clients who wear their nails much longer than average — which means they require more product and are more likely to have a break,” says Jessica Hoel, owner of LuvNailz salon in Bellevue, Wash. Hoel’s menu includes a $90 Couture Fill for clients who wear extra-long nails, stilettos, or nail art that requires more time than her standard 75-minute fill. “I also need more time if someone wants 3-D art, so they need to book it in.”

Hoel’s rationale is simple: “Time is money. I base my book on an average of $1 per minute, give or take a tiny bit. So a Couture Fill is $90 for 90 minutes. My most common service (my 30-day manicure) is $60 for 60 minutes and I often finish early. 

Clients don’t balk at the increased expense, she says. “They know with the product I use and how long their nails last, the quality is worth it. If other techs don’t charge more they should.”