How much does a gel manicure cost in the UK in 2026?
By Velvora · Checked 9 October 2026
In short
A salon gel or Shellac manicure in the UK typically costs £25 to £45, depending on the city and salon. BIAB is usually £40 to £60, acrylics £40 to £70 plus infills, and dip powder £30 to £50. At £32 every three weeks, that is about 17 visits and roughly £550 a year.
Typical UK salon prices in 2026
Prices vary a lot by city and salon, so treat these as ranges rather than quotes. Shellac is a brand of gel polish, so in practice a Shellac and a gel manicure are the same kind of service: gel colour cured under a lamp and removed with an acetone soak.
BIAB, or builder in a bottle, is a thicker gel that adds structure over your own nail, which is why it costs more and lasts longer. Acrylics add length and need regular infills on top of the first appointment.
What a gel manicure costs over a year
One appointment rarely feels expensive. The yearly figure is the useful one, because the next appointment comes round whether you planned for it or not.
At a typical £32 visit every three weeks, that is about 17 manicures and about £555 a year, or roughly £550. The same 17 manicures with Velvora gel strips at £11.99 a set comes to about £208, a difference of about £347. That comparison holds the number of manicures the same; it does not include a lamp, which is a one-off purchase, or the time an appointment takes.
Cheaper alternatives to salon gel nails
If you want colour on your natural nails rather than added length, these at-home options cost less per manicure.
- Semi-cured gel strips: £11.99 a set at Velvora, up to 14 days of wear, about 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp, and off with cuticle oil.
- Nail polish strips: £5 a set, around a week of wear, no lamp, and off with non-acetone remover.
- Regular nail polish: £5 to £12 a bottle, typically lasting two to four days.
- Press-on nails: £8 to £20 a set, lasting from a few days to two weeks.
- One-off costs: gel strips need a lamp. Velvora's mini lamp is £11, or the starter kit (two gel sets, a cuticle oil pen and a lamp) is £39.99 at full price.
When the salon is still the right choice
If you want added length, or your nails bend and snap, you need a salon service such as BIAB or acrylics; no home product adds real length. Plenty of people also go to the salon for the hour itself, which is a perfectly good reason.
And if you already spend less than the strip equivalent, there is no money argument for switching. The nail cost calculator works it out on your own figures, so you can see either way.
| Type | Typical cost | Wear time | Where | Removal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gel polish or Shellac | £25 to £45 a visit | Two to three weeks | Salon | Acetone soak |
| BIAB (builder in a bottle) | £40 to £60 a visit | Three to four weeks | Salon | Soak and file, or infill |
| Acrylic extensions | £40 to £70, plus infills | Two to three weeks to infill | Salon | Soak and file |
| Dip powder | £30 to £50 a visit | Three to four weeks | Salon | Acetone soak |
| Semi-cured gel strips | £11.99 a set (Velvora) | Up to 14 days | Home, about 60 second cure | Cuticle oil, peel away gently |
| Nail polish strips | £5 a set (Velvora) | Around a week | Home, no lamp | Non-acetone remover |
| Press-on nails | £8 to £20 a set | Days to two weeks | Home | Soak off or pop off |
| Regular nail polish | £5 to £12 a bottle | Two to four days | Home | Any remover |
Salon prices are typical UK ranges published in Velvora's manicure comparison and vary by city and salon. Velvora prices are full prices on 9 October 2026. The yearly figures come from the Velvora nail cost calculator.
From Velvora
Shop the sets
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Questions
How much is a gel manicure in the UK?+
A salon gel manicure in the UK typically costs £25 to £45 a visit, depending on the city and salon. It usually lasts two to three weeks and is removed with an acetone soak. Removal or infill charges can add to the price, so ask when you book.
How much does Shellac cost in the UK?+
Shellac is a brand of gel polish, so it is priced like a salon gel manicure: typically £25 to £45 a visit in the UK. It is cured under a lamp, worn for two to three weeks and removed with an acetone soak.
How much does BIAB cost in the UK?+
BIAB, or builder in a bottle, typically costs £40 to £60 a visit in the UK. It is a thicker gel that adds structure over your own nail, so it suits weak or bendy nails, and it usually lasts three to four weeks before an infill or removal.
What is the cheapest alternative to salon gel nails?+
For colour on natural nails, at-home strips cost the least per manicure. Velvora gel strips are £11.99 a set and wear for up to 14 days, with a one-off lamp. Nail polish strips are £5 a set, need no lamp and typically last around a week.
How much do gel nails cost per year in the UK?+
At a typical £32 salon visit every three weeks, that is about 17 appointments and roughly £550 a year. BIAB and acrylics usually cost more per visit. The Velvora nail cost calculator lets you enter your own price and frequency.
Do I need a lamp to do gel nails at home?+
For semi-cured gel strips, yes: about 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp hardens them. It is a one-off purchase; Velvora's mini lamp is £11. Nail polish strips and pre-cured wraps need no lamp at all.