Prices for getting your nails done, especially in a big city like Los Angeles, have gone up 10% within the past three years. For young college girls looking for a way to spruce up their style, this can become a financial burden and barrier that has led to the epidemic of naked nails. Lucky for the Loyola Marymount students, there are many nail salons close to campus with different price ranges.
Nail salons provide tons of different services which include gel and acrylic nails and base the price off the specific service the customer wants. These services are all different and unique in their own way, as some nails can last up to four weeks, while other services may need fresh nails because the nails have outgrown them – this is known as an acrylic fill. But with the rise of prices since COVID, these are the best places to get your nails done at a reasonable price.
Happy Nails in Marina Del Rey has the most reasonable prices, ranging from $60-$40 to get acrylics and gel nails. Many LMU students go there to get their nails done like Mia Casillas,a Loyola Marymount University sophomore, who started getting her nails done consistently last year because she has a job. “I personally don’t think nails should be above $40-60” Casillas said. Casilla’s favorite nail salon is Happy Nails in Marina Del Rey, one of the few salons across the city still offering an acrylic set for less than $100.
However, reviews of the salon from Ella Rozea, a Loyola Marymount student from Rhode Island, suggests that “Happy Nails give the cheapest prices I’ve seen, but I would not say the best quality.” Rozea’s statement on the quality that Happy Nails does is a “you get what you pay for” and that there is a reason prices are so low.
Sensation Nail Spa in Santa Monica follows Happy Nails for reasonable prices. “I pay $65 for gel nails and they do a very good job. I think it’s very inexpensive for what I get.” said Scarlett Royal from Brentwood.
12 Twelve Nail Bar in Marina Del Rey is another option for students to get their nails done there, Carly Giotto, a Loyola Marymount Student, went to 12Twelve Nail Bar in Marina Del Rey “I think it was reasonably priced for a really good job. I paid $75 without a tip for a full set of Gel and shape.” Giotto said.
On the higher end of prices lies Varnish Lab in Playa Vista. “It’s expensive, at least more than other places I’ve been,” said Isabel Flisher, a Playa Vista resident. “I get acrylics and pay $85 for my nails, but $100 including tip depending on whether I am getting a full or new set. I think that they do a really good job, but they are overpriced.” Flisher said. “A lot of the reason I go there is for connivence; it’s right across the street from my apartment and I walk there which only takes me one minute.” Flisher only goes there for convenience since it is in the same proximity to her.
BEÁUT Nails in Playa Vista is also an option for students to get their nails done but is also on the pricier side of nails. “I go to BEÁUT Nails because it was an option closest to campus. I pay $75 for my acrylic gel nails and it’s so expensive.” said Lily Flexon, a Loyola Marymount junior. Flexon enjoys getting her nails done monthly and all together pays close to $100 with tip, “I get them done consistently at BEÁUT because they last me a month so I’m more willing to pay.” Flexon added.
With the prices going up nearly 10% after COVID, many women cannot consistently maintain and afford a monthly manicure or pedicure. “I’m not ok with how much I spend on a manicure,” said Alex Priestly, a Culver City local. “ It’s a lot in Los Angeles. Sometimes I take breaks over a few months or I just really try to get fills instead of a new set every time.” Priestley said. Not only are the prices expensive, but having to incorporate tip money for the nail technician can up the cost even more. Priestley can not recommend any nail salons because she hasn’t gotten her nails done since August because of the demanding cost.
Many people would say getting your nails done monthly is now a luxury with how expensive nail salons are charging. With nail prices being raised across the board, many salons are still out of peoples price ranges. Some salons like Happy Nails still offer prices that some girls can afford, but most still themselves question whether $100 is too much to spend on a pampering session.
