How Much Do Nail Salons Cost in Singapore? (2026 Guide)

Nail care in Singapore covers a wide spectrum of treatments, from a quick basic manicure at a neighbourhood outlet to elaborate nail art designs at a premium salon tucked inside a Orchard Road mall. Most visits combine at least two services — a manicure and pedicure together — and prices shift considerably depending on which suburb, which mall, and which technique you book. Outlets in areas like Tampines, United Square, Rochester Mall, and Suntec Convention attract different clientele and price accordingly.

Costs vary because the inputs vary. The products used (gel versus regular polish, imported nail art supplies), the training level of the technician, the salon’s rental costs inside a premium mall versus a heartland shophouse, and the complexity of the design you book all push prices in different directions. A basic express manicure at a walk-in neighbourhood salon is a completely different service proposition from a full gel set with hand-painted nail art at a curated boutique salon — and the price gap between them reflects that.

What Do Nail Salons Cost in Singapore?

For a standard manicure in Singapore, expect to pay between SGD $15 and $30 at budget-friendly outlets. A basic pedicure sits in a similar range, typically SGD $18 to $35. Gel manicures, which last significantly longer than regular polish, start at around SGD $28 to $48 at mid-range salons. Nail art add-ons are priced separately at most salons, ranging from SGD $5 to $15 per nail for detailed designs, or sold as package inclusions at higher-tier appointments. Combined manicure and pedicure packages at mid-range salons generally run from SGD $48 to $75.

At premium salons, particularly those in central malls with strong Google review records and consistent appointment demand, a full gel manicure with nail art can reach SGD $80 to $120 or more. These salons often require you to book an appointment in advance rather than accepting walk-ins, and they may offer a broader range of professional treatments including cuticle care, paraffin treatments, and nail strengthening services. Salons with multiple outlets across Singapore, such as those with branches at Takashimaya, Suntec Convention, or UE Square, tend to maintain consistent pricing across locations.

Price Breakdown by Service Level

Service Level	What You Get	Typical Price Range	Best For
Basic	Regular polish manicure or pedicure, nail shaping, cuticle tidy, no art or gel	SGD $15 – $30	Quick maintenance, walk-ins, budget-conscious clients
Standard	Gel manicure or pedicure, basic nail art options, longer-wear finish, cuticle care	SGD $30 – $55	Regular clients who want a longer-lasting result without elaborate designs
Premium	Gel set with detailed nail art, nail extensions, professional treatments, appointment-based service at a reviewed salon	SGD $55 – $90	Special occasions, clients who prioritise design quality and technician experience
High End / Custom	Full nail art showcase, hand-painted or 3D designs, nail strengthening treatments, premium products, personalised consultation	SGD $90 – $120+	Clients seeking a comprehensive range of professional services and a personalised experience

What Affects the Cost of Nail Salons in Singapore?

Location and mall rental costs

Salons operating inside major malls in Orchard, Suntec, or Tampines carry higher overheads than those in heartland shophouses or suburban outlets. That cost is passed on in pricing. A gel manicure at a Rochester Mall or Takashimaya outlet will typically cost more than the same service at a standalone salon in a housing estate, even if the technician skill level is comparable.

Type of nail service booked

Regular polish, gel, acrylic, dip powder, and builder gel are all different products with different material costs and application times. Gel services cost more than regular polish because the products are more expensive and the application process takes longer. Nail art, especially designs requiring multiple colours, stamping, or freehand painting, adds further time and therefore further cost to any appointment.

Technician experience and professional training

Salons that employ technicians with formal professional training or certifications from recognised nail academies tend to charge more. The difference shows in the consistency of the finish, the handling of cuticle care, and the durability of the final result. Salons with consistently positive Google reviews across multiple outlets generally reflect a higher standard of staff training, which is priced into the service.

Products and brand used

Imported gel brands from Japan or Korea, which are popular in Singapore’s professional manicure market, cost more wholesale than generic alternatives. Salons using higher-quality or long-wear formulations will price accordingly. Some salons list the brand of gel they use on their service menus, which makes it easier to compare like for like.

Appointment model versus walk-in

Salons that operate by appointment only typically charge more than walk-in outlets. The appointment model allows the salon to allocate dedicated time per client, reducing rushing and improving the quality of each service. If you book an appointment at a reviewed multi-outlet salon, you are also paying for planning certainty — you will not wait.

How to Get Accurate Quotes

1. Decide on the specific service you want before contacting any salon. Know whether you want a basic manicure, a gel manicure, a combined manicure and pedicure, or nail art, because each has a different price. Vague enquiries get vague answers.
2. Check the salon’s published price list online or via their social media pages. Many Singapore nail salons post their full service menus on Instagram or their booking platforms, which lets you compare across multiple outlets without visiting in person.
3. Ask specifically whether the quoted price includes nail art, gel removal from a previous appointment, or any add-ons. These extras are frequently charged separately and can add SGD $10 to $30 or more to the final bill.
4. Read Google reviews that mention price. Clients who leave detailed reviews often note whether the final cost matched the quote, which is a reliable signal of pricing transparency at that specific outlet.
5. Book the appointment and confirm the total cost at the start of the visit, before any work begins. Reputable salons will not object to this, and it protects you from unexpected charges at checkout.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• No published price list anywhere online or in the salon. Transparent businesses display their prices clearly.
• Prices significantly below market rate with no clear explanation. A gel manicure advertised for SGD $10 to $12 at a mall outlet should prompt questions about the products being used and the hygiene standards in place.
• Technicians who dismiss your design request or rush through the service without consulting you on the final look. A professional manicure service involves understanding what the client wants before starting.
• Reused or poorly sterilised tools. Buffer files and nail tools should either be single-use or visibly sterilised between clients. This is a basic hygiene standard, not an optional extra.
• No option to book an appointment and no system for managing wait times. Salons with no queue management often overbook, which leads to rushed work.
• Unlabelled or decanted nail products with no visible brand name. You have a right to know what products are being applied to your nails and skin, particularly for gel formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do nail salons cost in Singapore on average?

A basic manicure averages SGD $16 to $25, while a basic pedicure sits around SGD $18 to $30. Gel manicures average SGD $35 to $52 at a mid-range salon. Combined manicure and pedicure packages with gel typically run SGD $55 to $75. Nail art services are almost always priced as add-ons and vary widely depending on the complexity of the design and the number of nails involved.

Why are some nail salons prices so much cheaper?

Cheaper salons typically use lower-cost nail polish or gel brands, operate in lower-rent locations, employ less experienced staff, and move clients through more quickly. Some budget outlets also skip steps that premium salons include as standard, such as cuticle treatment, a proper nail prep stage, or thorough sanitation between clients. The result may look similar immediately after the appointment but will often not last as long or look as clean over time.

Is it worth paying more for nail salons in Singapore?

For simple, regular-polish manicures that you plan to redo within a week or two, a budget outlet is a reasonable choice. For gel services, nail art, or treatments you want to last two to four weeks, paying for a salon with professional training standards, quality products, and positive reviews is generally worth the extra SGD $20 to $40. The durability and finish quality of a properly applied gel set more than offsets the price difference over a month of wear.

Booking a Nail Salon in Singapore

Singapore’s nail salon market in 2026 gives clients a genuine range of options across every price point, from SGD $15 express manicures at Tampines and heartland outlets to SGD $100-plus nail art appointments at curated boutique salons inside central malls. The best approach is to match your budget to the service you actually need, check reviews across multiple outlets before you book an appointment, confirm pricing upfront, and pay attention to hygiene standards regardless of the price tier. A salon that treats nail care as a professional service, keeps consistent standards across all its outlets, and gives you a clear picture of costs before you sit down is worth returning to.