Nail art is any decoration added to the polish, from a single gold dot on one nail to a hand-painted design on all ten. It is added to whichever manicure you choose, regular or gel, and charged by level of complexity: from €1.90 for one nail to €20.90 for a full design. Over gel polish it lasts as long as the colour, three or four weeks.
What nail art is and how it is added to a manicure
Nail art is done on top of the polish, in the same appointment, with fine brushes, dotting tools, foils, pigments or decals sealed under the top coat. It is not a separate service: you add it to your manicure or pedicure when booking, and the extra time runs from five minutes to three quarters of an hour depending on the design.
Nail art ideas that genuinely look good
These are the ones you ask for most and the ones that age best over three weeks.
Modern French
The classic white tip, or in colour: terracotta, sage green, chocolate. Thin and well curved, it suits any length. It is a medium decoration on all ten nails.
Accent nail
Nine nails in one colour and one different: with glitter, a drawing or a contrasting shade. It is the cheapest way to wear nail art, €1.90 per nail, and the one you tire of least.
Fine lines and minimalism
A gold line at the base, a diagonal stroke, two dots. Over nude or milky white it looks elegant anywhere, at work included. Simple decoration.
Effects: chrome, aura, cat eye
Pigments rubbed over the polish that give mirror shine, gradient or depth. They change a lot with little work. Simple or medium decoration depending on the nails.
Hand-painted design
Flowers, abstracts, small illustrations. This is complex decoration: it takes more time and is what shows most in photos. Bring us a reference and we adapt it to your length and shape.
What nail art costs
It is charged by level and added to the price of the manicure. These are the levels:
| Level | What it includes | Extra time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-nail decoration | A detail on a single nail: dot, line, glitter | 5 min | €1.90 |
| Simple decoration | Simple details on several nails: lines, dots, chrome effect | 10 min | €4.90 |
| Medium decoration | Coloured French, gradients, simple drawings on all ten | 20 min | €8.90 |
| Complex decoration | Hand-painted design on all ten nails, encapsulations, 3D | 45 min | €20.90 |
For example, an express gel manicure with a coloured French comes to €34.90 plus €8.90.
How long nail art lasts
Over gel polish, as long as the colour: three or four weeks, because it is sealed under the top coat. Over regular polish, five to seven days, like the polish itself. Chrome effects and encapsulations hold best; decals, if not well sealed, are the first thing to lift. Here is how long gel polish lasts and how to make it last longer.
Tips for a good result
- Choose for your length. Short nails call for small designs and an accent nail; large drawings need length.
- One design, one star. French or effect or drawing: mixing everything gets tiring within a week.
- Think in three weeks. What you love in the photo has to please you in Tuesday's meeting too.
- Bring references, but let us tell you what suits your nail shape.
- On gel or acrylic nails nail art shows more, because the surface is smooth and there is more canvas. We cover it in gel or acrylic nails.
You can book your manicure through Treatwell and ask for decoration when you arrive, or write to us with the idea and we will tell you which level it is.
Frequently asked questions
How much does nail art cost?
It is added to the manicure by level: €1.90 for a detail on one nail, €4.90 for simple decoration, €8.90 for medium (coloured French, gradients) and €20.90 for a full hand-painted design.
How long does nail art last?
Over gel polish, three or four weeks, the same as the colour, because it is sealed under the top coat. Over regular polish, as long as the polish lasts, five to seven days.
Can I have nail art on short nails?
Yes. On short nails small designs work best: an accent nail, fine lines, dots, a very thin French or a chrome effect. Large drawings need more length.
Do I need to book nail art separately?
No. Book your manicure or pedicure and ask for decoration when you arrive, or write to us beforehand with the idea so we reserve the extra time if it is a complex design.
Do I need to bring a reference?
It helps, but it is not required. If you bring a photo we adapt it to your shape and length; if not, we suggest options on the spot based on the colour you choose.