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Salon vs DIY: what do your gel manicures cost?

The Miami median gel manicure is $40 (our price guide). Change the numbers to match yours.

Hands opening a glittery nail polish bottle — Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels

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Yearly salon spend

$81817 visits incl. tip

Manicures until a kit pays off

—enter a kit cost

Yearly savings if you do half at home

$409before kit cost

Rough estimate: doesn't include refills of polish or remover.

Ready to try gel at home?

Read our guide first: At-home gel kits: what to buy

Every service compared, with yearly costs: is it cheaper to do your own nails?

Good for: Budget all-in-one starterGel at home · Budget

Beetles Gel Nail Polish Kit with UV Light, 20 colors starter set

All-in-one starter kit with lamp, base and top coat — 20 colors in one box.

Beetles starter kits (official store)(paid link)Check price on Amazon(paid link)

A hand curing gel polish under a UV/LED nail lamp — Photo: Pexels

Good for: Most popular budget lampLamp · Budget

SUNUV SUNONE UV LED Nail Lamp

The best-known budget lamp brand; cures both UV and LED gels, with timer settings.

Check price on Amazon(paid link)

Hands holding a clear bottle and glass dropper against a peach background — Photo: Shiny Diamond

Good for: Daily oilCare · Salon brand

CND SolarOil Cuticle Oil

The cuticle oil nail techs use: jojoba, vitamin E, rice bran and sweet almond oils.

Check price on Amazon(paid link)

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