Nail Salons in the UK
Gel that lasts three weeks, BIAB for nails that keep breaking, acrylics for the wedding, a pedicure before the holiday, a set of nail art for the party, a Sunday walk-in, or a salon where the tools are sterilised and the technician takes their time: find a local nail salon people rate.
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Finding a good nail salon in the UK
Nail salons and nail bars do manicures and pedicures with polish, gel and the builder gels sold as BIAB, acrylic and hard gel extensions, nail art, and the removals, repairs and infills that keep a set going, from walk-in bars on the high street to appointment-only technicians in home studios and beauty salons. The trade is unregulated in the UK, so the marks of a good salon are the ones you can see: clean stations, tools sterilised or single-use, files and buffers fresh for each client, a technician who does not rush the prep or file the natural nail thin, and ventilation for the dust and fumes.
Choosing the treatment is the first decision: polish for a week, gel for two to three weeks of shine, BIAB or builder gel for strength on natural nails that split, acrylics or hard gel for length and durability, and dip powder somewhere between. Proper removal — soaked off or filed carefully, never peeled or ripped — is what keeps nails healthy between sets, and a good salon books time for it. Prices vary with the treatment, the length and the art, and the cheapest salon on the street is often cheap because the prep and the hygiene are.
The listings here show each salon's treatments and prices, hours and Sunday opening, booking and walk-ins, reviews and contact details, so you can see who is nearby, who does BIAB, acrylics or art, and where people in your town get their nails done and go back.
What nail salons offer
Manicures and pedicures: shaping, cuticle work, buffing and polish, with gel for two to three weeks of wear, and spa pedicures with a soak and massage.
Gel, BIAB and builder gel: gel polish over the natural nail, and builder gels for strength and slight length on nails that break, with infills every three to four weeks.
Extensions: acrylics, hard gel and gel tips for length and durability, in every shape and length, with infills, repairs and removals.
Nail art and design: French, ombré, chrome, hand-painted art, embellishments and seasonal designs, priced per nail or per set.
Removal and care: safe soak-off or file removal of gel and acrylics, nail repairs, and treatments for damaged nails.
Before you book a nail salon
- Look at the hygiene: sterilised or single-use tools, fresh files and buffers, clean stations and ventilation.
- Ask the price for the treatment, the length and the art before you sit down; menus vary.
- Book removal time if you have a set on; never peel or rip gel or acrylics off.
- Tell the technician if your nails are damaged, thin or peeling; BIAB or a break may be the answer.
- Ask how long the appointment takes; a good gel manicure is 45 minutes to an hour, a full acrylic set longer.
- Read recent reviews for lasting sets and lifting, not just the art.
What nail treatments cost in the UK
As a rough guide, a manicure with polish costs £15 to £30 and with gel £25 to £45, a BIAB or builder gel set £35 to £55 with infills £30 to £45, a full set of acrylics £35 to £60 with infills £25 to £40, a pedicure £25 to £45 and with gel £35 to £55, removal £10 to £20 or free with a new set, and nail art from £2 to £5 a nail or £10 to £30 a set, with London and luxury salons above these. Mobile technicians charge similar prices plus travel.
A gel set that lasts three weeks at £35 costs less per week than the £20 one that lifts in five days.
How do I find a good nail salon near me?+
Look at the nail salons listed for your town, check the treatments and prices and Sunday hours, and read recent reviews for hygiene and sets that lasted. Look at the stations when you walk in; sterilised tools, fresh files and a technician who preps properly are worth more than a low price.
How much do gel nails cost?+
Typically £25 to £45 for a gel manicure on natural nails, £35 to £55 for a BIAB or builder gel set and £35 to £60 for a full set of acrylics, with infills every three to four weeks at £25 to £45 and removal £10 to £20 or free with a new set. Art and length add to it.
What is BIAB?+
Builder gel in a bottle: a thicker, stronger gel painted over the natural nail to add strength and a little length, cured under a lamp, lasting three to four weeks with infills rather than removal. It suits nails that break or peel, is gentler than acrylics, and costs £35 to £55 for a set.
Gel, BIAB or acrylics?+
Gel polish for two to three weeks of colour on healthy natural nails; BIAB or builder gel for strength on nails that split, with a natural look; acrylics or hard gel for length, durability and elaborate shapes. A good technician looks at your nails and says which; acrylics need infills every three weeks and proper removal.
How do I remove gel or acrylic nails safely?+
At a salon: the technician files the top coat, soaks in acetone or files carefully, and pushes the softened product off without scraping the nail, for £10 to £20 or free with a new set. Never peel, pick or rip a set off; it takes layers of the natural nail with it and is why nails end up thin.
Are nail salons regulated?+
Not by licence in most of the UK, though salons must meet health and safety and some councils register them; the signs of a safe salon are sterilised or single-use tools, fresh files for each client, clean stations, ventilation and technicians who wear masks for dust. Avoid salons that use MMA acrylic, which is banned in many countries and has a strong chemical smell.
How do I get my business listed?+
It is free. Add your business in about two minutes to appear on this page and your local town directory. Upgrade to Featured for £2.49 a month to sit above the free listings.