NGKU: The Price of Nice Nails

[requiressnacks]

Hi Ladies - I just stumbled across this article from the NYT on the realities of the nail salons/staff in my area. As pedicure season is upon us, I thought it was worth a share. A lot of what is in the article is shameful, but honestly not surprising to me. If you can, tip generously.

www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/nyregion/at-nail-salons-in-nyc-manicurists-are-underpaid-and-unprotected.html

[Deleted]

How much do you typically tip??

[requiressnacks]

May 7, 2015 11:27:45 GMT -5 @303sunshine said:

How much do you typically tip??

Generally speaking I tip ~20% of the cost of the service.

[requiressnacks]

May 7, 2015 11:35:02 GMT -5 @pineappleoranges said:

I usually get a pedicure. It's 15 plus callous remover. I usually end up paying 24 with tip included. That's the only place I really tip generously.

And if they have to pay fees for the booth rental plus living expenses, it gets hard and this leads to cuts that can be dangerous. (less sanitary conditions)

Wow - that's pretty cheap! 

[requiressnacks]

May 7, 2015 11:45:36 GMT -5 @pineappleoranges said:

May 7, 2015 11:37:41 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Wow - that's pretty cheap! 

Yeah but for my area that is expensive.

Yeah - you're kind of in the epicenter of what the article is talking about.  In CT, it's about $25 for a pedi (not including tax or tip)

[SheilaTheTank]

It depends on where I get it done and what is included in the price. The place I go to does an amazing spa pedicure that is about 90 minutes start to finish and only costs $45. I'll easily tip $15 for that service. If I go to a place and they rush through the treatment and sloppily slap polish on my nails I'll only tip 15%.

[mishy2010]

My friend from school works at her sister's salon and does pedicures for me. I think it's $22-23 and I'll pay $30.

[Deleted]

May 7, 2015 11:45:36 GMT -5 @pineappleoranges said:

May 7, 2015 11:37:41 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

Wow - that's pretty cheap! 

Yeah but for my area that is expensive.

That's crazy! A basic pedi costs about $30 here.

[Deleted]

Basic pedi $25, add-ins typically up mine to $40, I tip 20% (which is why I don't go frequently)

want to add I'm in a mid/low suburb of Atlanta 

[requiressnacks]

I'm sure you all are great tippers!

I just thought the article was an interesting read to highlight the working conditions for many of the ladies working in nail salons. Just sort of a "More you know" type of post.

[Deleted]

ugh, requiressnacks, I just read the full article only glanced at it originally. How horribly awful and depressing. I hope, perhaps naively, that the ladies/and some men that have done pedi's etc for me have not been in similar circumstances. Dang

[FrancesHouseman]

this article made me think of Memoirs of a Geisha

[requiressnacks]

May 7, 2015 12:58:19 GMT -5 FrancesHouseman said:

this article made me think of Memoirs of a Geisha

I loved that book.  But yeah - similar premise.

It's shocking to me how un-regulated this industry is. 

[wirt2cute]

May 7, 2015 12:33:55 GMT -5 @kellbell said:

Basic pedi $25, add-ins typically up mine to $40, I tip 20% (which is why I don't go frequently)

want to add I'm in a mid/low suburb of Atlanta 

That's about the same here. If I start adding a design, glitter, or sparkles it can get up to $40 dollars.

[joy]

May 7, 2015 11:47:17 GMT -5 requiressnacks said:

May 7, 2015 11:45:36 GMT -5 @pineappleoranges said:

Yeah but for my area that is expensive.

Yeah - you're kind of in the epicenter of what the article is talking about.  In CT, it's about $25 for a pedi (not including tax or tip)

In Philly, I can get a manicure and pedicure for $30.  With tip, I pay $38.

[jags8]

My DH's aunt has her own in-home business, so I go to her. Chop shops gross me out.

[wowcheezits]

Wow, you all have cheap pedicure rates. My area ranges around $25 - $60. I may go in once or twice a summer and tip 20% so I'm spending about $40ish a pop. Still haven't found a salon I'm really happy with.

*edit*
I'm really appalled and that's probably what happens across the country. I'll definitely tip better next time I go.

[kawaiikitsune]

I used to love getting my nails done in the past. After reading this, I don't know if I could do it again. These poor people are treated so terribly, it almost feels like exploitation.

[bl1210]

I just had my nails done today. Pedicure and gel polish manicure was $65 not including tip. I usually tip 15-20% depending on how good the massage is and how neat my nails painted. A standard mani/pedi is $37 but the regular nail polish only last about 2-3 days so I just spend the little extra on gel to have it last 2 weeks.