‘Manflation’: Why the Cost of a Manicure in Ireland Has Risen Faster than Inflation
The cost of a fresh Mani is quietly doing what your rent, your weekly shop and your morning coffee have already done – crept up in price.
At Belle Beauty, we analysed publicly listed prices from over 60 nail salons and private nail technicians across Ireland between 2021 and early 2026, focusing on standard gel manicures.
Our headline finding:
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The average price of a gel manicure has risen by 28% in the last five years.
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Over the same period, general consumer prices in Ireland have risen by just over 20%.
In this article, we focus on why the cost of your monthly manicure is rising faster than inflation – a trend we’ve dubbed “Manflation.”
How much has the cost of a manicure gone up?
Using our sample of over 60 salons and private nail technicians, we compared typical gel manicure prices in 2021 with prices advertised in early 2026.
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Average price rise: 28%
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Typical price: a €40 gel manicure in 2021 is now closer to €51 in 2026.
That means manicure prices are outpacing overall inflation. While Irish consumers have been dealing with higher prices across the board, nail salons and private nail technicians have had to climb even faster just to keep businesses viable.
Nail Salon versus Private Nail Teach
Our research also found a consistent pattern: salon-based manicures tend to be slightly more expensive than those offered by private nail technicians working from home studios or smaller spaces.
That difference usually comes down to a combination of different factors, such as:
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Commercial rent & rates – Salons located in busy areas such as High-streets and shopping-centres come with premium rents, service charges and commercial rates. A busy ground-floor unit in Dublin, Cork or Galway can cost several times more than a home studio room.
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Staffing & reception – Many salons have multiple nail techs, front-of-house staff and sometimes managers. Salaries, holiday pay and employer PRSI all add to the cost of running each treatment.
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Fit-out & maintenance – Salon environments typically invest heavily in professional furniture, ventilation, plumbing, lighting, signage and regular refurbishments to stay on brand and compliant with regulations.
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Utilities on a bigger scale – Larger premises mean higher heating, lighting and electricity bills, plus costs for cleaning and waste disposal. When energy prices rise, those bills rise faster.
- Extra services & amenities – Longer opening hours, central locations, online booking systems, card terminals, refreshments and add-on treatments all contribute to a more “premium” experience – but they also add to the bottom line.
By contrast, independent and home-based nail techs often have:
- Lower rent or mortgage contributions tied to their business
- More control over their schedule and capacity
- Fewer staff and simpler setups
- That allows many of them to keep prices slightly lower, even while facing the same increases in product and utility costs.
In other words, when you pay a bit more in a salon, part of what you’re paying for is the convenience, environment, experience and overheads that come with a fully staffed, centrally located space – not just the polish on your nails.
Real-world examples: manicure prices from Irish salons
We’ve given a sample below of some Manis available in popular salons, and their prices between 2021 and 2026. Just to note, these are not like-for-like identical treatments, but just a sample of manicures offered by each salon.
| Salon | Service | 2021 | 2026 | Change |
| Fifth Avenue (Cork) |
Luxe Mini Mani (Shellac) |
€46 | €72 | +57% |
| Oslo Beauty |
OSLO Signature (2-week Gel) |
€60 | €85 | +42% |
|
Shellac Manicure |
€30 | €40 | +33% | |
|
Gel Manicure |
€30 | €37 | +23% | |
| Tropical Popical |
Midi Gelish Mani |
€50 | €60 | +20% |
| Mink Dublin |
Mink Manicure |
€45 | €49 | +9% |
| Nails Dublin |
Gel Polish (Hands) |
€35 | €35 | 0% |
As you can see, there’s a wide variety in the price increase between different salons, indicating a discrepancy between the services offered, where the salon is located, and how they’re able to absorb costs.
Why are manicures rising faster than inflation?
1. Soaring energy and utility bills
Nail salons and private techs are heavy energy users. Every appointment needs:
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Nail lamps for curing gel
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E-files and nail drills
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Salon lighting
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Heating or air conditioning
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Hot water and sterilisation equipment
Since 2021 Irish energy prices have risen dramatically, more than doubling within this five year period. Given the amount of energy needed to run a busy salon, energy costs make up a large portion of a nail salon or private nail technician’s overheads, meaning rise in these costs affects them more than many other businesses.
2. The rising cost of living – and wages
The overall cost of living in Ireland has risen strongly since 2021, and salon owners and nail technicians are feeling this pinch more than others. Combined with this, most nail techs in Ireland are female, meaning higher costs for areas such as childcare.
For nail techs and salon owners, this shows up as:
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Higher food and grocery bills
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Increased transport and fuel costs getting to and from work
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Rising rent and mortgage payments
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More expensive childcare and everyday essentials
To keep experienced staff, many salons have had to raise wages or at least match increases in the minimum wage and living wage. Add in employer PRSI, holiday pay and bank holiday entitlements, and the true cost of each staff hour has gone up significantly.
When labour is one of your biggest expenses, it’s inevitable that treatment prices follow.
3. Product and consumable prices
Professional nail products – from gel polish and BIAB to prep solutions, files and disposables – are not immune to inflation.
For example, a standard 15ml bottle of professional gel polish has increased by around 20% on average between 2021 and 2026. That’s driven by:
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Higher raw material and pigment costs
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Increased shipping and import charges
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Currency movements and post-Brexit logistics
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Better-quality formulations (e.g. HEMA-free & TPO-free) adding to production costs
The same applies to builder gels, BIAB, base coats, top coats and salon consumables like wipes, gloves, masks and cleaning products. Individually they might only add cents to a service – but given the amount a nail professional requires on a weekly basis, it all adds up..
4. Rent, rates, insurance and everything else
Behind every perfect mani is a long list of overheads:
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Commercial rents and service charges
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Business rates and local authority fees
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Insurance (liability, treatment risk, contents, accidents)
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Booking systems, card processing fees and accounting software
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Staff training and compliance
Many of these costs have risen faster than general inflation. Some landlords have started new leases, and insurance premiums have risen across the beauty industry.
Salons and private nail techs can absorb only so much before price lists have to be adjusted.
New Trends Starting to Take Shape
One of the most striking shifts in our research is the rise of BIAB (builder in a bottle) since 2021.
In 2021, relatively few salons and private techs advertised BIAB as a standalone service. By 2026, almost all of the businesses we looked at either offer BIAB or an equivalent builder gel overlay.
This shows a clear shift in nail trends over the last five years, as more and more clients are asking for BIAB application in favour of traditional gel nails, or acrylic extensions.
Are salons profiteering – or protecting clients?
On paper, a 28% rise in manicure prices versus just over 20% general inflation sounds steep. But when you set that against:
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Energy bills that have almost doubled in five years
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Many nail techs are female, exposing them to inflation at a greater extent in areas such as childcare costs.
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Product costs up around 20%
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Higher wages, rent, rates and insurance
…it becomes clear that many Irish salons are not making windfall profits. In fact, examples like Nails Dublin holding their gel polish price at €35 from 2021 to 2026 suggest that some businesses are absorbing a portion of the cost increases to stay competitive and keep regular clients happy.
From our conversations with techs and educators, margins in many salons are actually tighter than before the inflation spike. For some, the real “price” of keeping services affordable has been longer hours and reduced take-home income for owners
What this means for clients – and for the industry
For clients, Manflation means:
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Expect to pay more than you did in 2021 for the same (or better) service
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Understand that prices reflect higher costs across energy, products, rent and wages – not just “greedy salons”
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Look at the value you’re getting: hygiene, skill, product quality and the health of your natural nails
For techs and salons, it’s a reminder that:
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Transparent communication about why prices are changing helps build trust
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Investing in efficiency – smarter booking, energy-efficient lamps, high-pigment products that need fewer coats – can soften the impact
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The boom in BIAB and builder gels shows Irish clients are willing to pay more for durability and nail health when they understand the benefits
At Belle Beauty, we see first-hand how rising costs affect Irish nail pros. Our own mission is to keep professional products accessible while maintaining the high quality and performance techs need to justify their prices.
One thing is clear: even though manicure prices have climbed faster than overall inflation, many salons are still absorbing a large share of the biggest increases – especially in energy and overheads. When you sit down for your next gel or BIAB set, you’re not just paying for pretty nails; you’re supporting a skilled professional navigating one of the toughest cost environments the Irish beauty industry has seen in years.
