Every client has their go-to nail service. And whether they like a classic nude shellac or long acrylics every time, there’s nothing quite like giving them a manicure they love.

As a nail technician, you should be ready to wow clients with exactly what they’re asking for. That starts with a unique service menu that includes all the basics, plus a little extra. Whether it's the trendiest nail art, stiletto-shaped extensions, or luxury pedicures, a diverse list sets you apart from (and above) the competition. 

If you're wondering which types of nail services to offer, we've done the research for you. Read on for a guide to popular treatments and why they're worth offering at your salon.  

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14 Essential Types of Nails To Offer at Salons

Developing a stellar service menu is one of the most important parts of opening a nail salon – and keeping it in business. Cater to your client's needs with these 15 nail salon services:  

1. Basic Manicure 

A basic salon manicure is critical to any nail technician’s services. This service typically involves using nail clippers and a file to buff, shape, and trim the nails and cuticles, offering a relaxing hand massage, and applying traditional nail polish and cuticle oil. 

Offer this service to clients seeking routine nail care with a little color. A regular manicure is a quick beauty fix that doesn't take too long and is the perfect self-care treat for people who don’t want to come back in for a removal (like they would with gel). Plus, they’re the perfect chance to introduce new clients to your salon and upsell add-ons like nail art or gel polish. 

2. Basic Pedicure

Beach lovers and open-toed sandal wearers unite! Basic pedicures typically include soaking the feet, exfoliating dead skin, and trimming, shaping, and polishing the toenails. Some salons also offer a soothing foot and calf massage.  

Pedicures don't just make clients' feet look pretty. They promote overall foot health by addressing calluses and removing bacteria to reduce the risk of infection. Trimming nails with attention and care also helps prevent ingrown toenails (gross, but necessary). 

The one con to this service is that pedicure chairs and baths take up a whole lot more space than manicure tables and chairs. But you can do double-duty and offer mani-pedis from the pedicure chair, saving space and offering the opportunity for discounts and deals on combined services.

3. Spa Treatments

Clients looking for a little extra me-time love getting spa treatments on the hands and feet, and that means they’re the perfect pairing for manis and pedis. On top of regular offerings, let clients add on the treatments they want – whether it’s a moisturizing hand treatment or a deep foot scrub. Massages are also a plus.

Because the products you decide to use and the time constraints of each treatment, pricing varies. Try to find options you can afford to provide without deterring clients with high prices. You don’t need to go overboard. A foot massage with a nice-smelling lotion goes a long way.

4. Gel 

Gel manis and pedis offer durability and a high-gloss finish, so it's no wonder they're becoming more popular. They’re a similar process as above, but with gel polish. 

Once cured under a UV light, gel polish lasts up to two weeks without chipping (and sometimes even longer), so clients can go longer between visits. While that might seem like a con, clients do have to come back to get the gel removed professionally because picking it off at home damages the nails. Plus, they’ll already be at the salon and ready for a fresh set.

You don’t need a ton of extra equipment to offer gel. The UV lamps are relatively affordable (you can find them online starting at around $15 each) and won’t take up too much space. But you do need to buy a whole new set of gel polish on top of your regular arsenal, which can get expensive. For context, just one bottle of salon-quality gel polish costs $15–$40, depending on the brand.

5. Shellac 

A shellac manicure combines the steps of a basic manicure with the staying power of gel polish. Shellac is a hybrid of gel and traditional nail polish cured and hardened under a special LED light. In most cases, you can use the same lamp as gel polish, which is a nice plus if you’re trying to save some money.

Shellac isn’t quite as durable (or popular) as regular gel, but clients can remove it with acetone – a solvent used in nail polish remover – at home, which is a big plus for some. The catch for you as a nail artist is that shellac is a whole different kind of polish (offered by CND), which means you’ll have to spend $15–$25 per bottle.

6. Gel Nail Extensions 

Gel nail extensions are a flexible, natural-looking way to lengthen and strengthen the nails. This service involves sculpting hard gel over the client's natural nail and curing it under UV light. The nail tech then uses a nail form, which goes under the client's natural nail tip, as a guide to create an extension. 

Hard gel extensions are lightweight and comfortable, making them an essential service for clients who prefer a natural look and feel with the length and aesthetics of extensions. And among GlossGenius users, this service grew in popularity by 59% in 2023 compared to 2022, making it a great choice if you’re looking for new clients. 

7. Bio Gel 

Bio gel is a soft gel product that creates an overlay on natural nails. You can choose an extension or just create a strong layer of thick polish – perfect for brittle nails. Plus, it’s flexible, long-lasting, and contains no harsh chemicals. The goal is to nourish and protect.

This service involves applying a thick layer of bio gel over the client's nails, curing it under UV or LED light (depending on the brand), and applying nail polish on top. The hard, shiny finish lasts up to three weeks so clients can lead busy lifestyles without worrying about their manicure chipping.

When it comes to nail extensions, bio gel is a lot better for the nails than acrylics, and it’s easier to apply as a nail tech. It goes straight onto the nail, and you can use the same UV lamps as gel polish. The only con is that it isn’t self-leveling, so it’s a little trickier to make perfect.

8. Dip Powder 

Dip powder nails are a unique alternative to services like bio gel, shellac, and acrylic nails. This service involves applying an adhesive base coat to the nails before dipping them in colored powder. You activate the colored powder with a sealer and finish with a protective top coat. You usually have to dip a few times to get a full, opaque color. 

Dip powder manicures are shiny and durable – and they’re in high demand. According to our data, this service's popularity grew by 24% in 2023. The downside? You need to buy more supplies to offer a wide range of colors. Prices and quality vary, but powders cost $10–$30 each. To make up for it, you can charge more for these services (think $50 or more), helping you make more money.

9. Acrylic Nails 

Acrylic nails are nail extensions created by mixing a liquid monomer with acrylic powder. The mixture creates a hard layer over the natural nails, lengthening and strengthening them. Acrylics can be shaped and extended to any length, making them customizable to clients' preferences, whether they want a natural-looking round edge or long and dramatic almonds. 

Among nail artists who use GlossGenius, there were 42% more appointments for short acrylic manicures in 2023, proving that this service is on the rise. It’s especially popular for clients who love having extensions and keep coming back. But the process is more time-consuming than services like bio gel and can be harsh on natural nails. 

10. Infill Services 

Infill services are for maintenance between appointments. They keep the appearance of acrylic and gel manicures and nail extensions as they grow out. This service involves filling the gap between the cuticle and the existing gel or acrylic to keep the manicure or nail extensions looking and feeling fresh. 

Regular infills aren’t just for looks. They help prevent extensions from lifting, which occurs when the bond between the product and the natural nail bed weakens or breaks. Lifting can cause nail damage (and it doesn’t look pretty, either). This is a great service to offer for stronger client relationships, and you can offer discounts to encourage customers to come back. 

11. Rebalancing 

While an infill service fills the gap between the client's cuticle and the product, rebalancing helps hard and soft gel nails maintain their strength and appearance over extended periods, such as when a client goes over four weeks between appointments. 

During this service, you apply more gel to help prevent the nails from becoming top-heavy and breaking. It’s about balancing the weight of the product, not necessarily filling it in. The plus is that this service takes less time to do than a full set, and it gets clients to come back in and give you business before they actually want the set removed. 

12. Nail Repair 

Even the most perfectly applied nail extensions break from time to time. Have clients' backs by offering free nail repair services to address any damage when it happens. This prevents clients from needing fresh extensions every time a single nail breaks, saving them time and money. And more importantly, it shows them you care about their (and their nails’) well-being, increasing the odds they come to you for their next set.

The tricky thing about nail repair is that it can take five minutes or 30 minutes, depending on the situation. Most salons charge a flat rate to make things easier. For example, this salon in New York City asks for $10 per nail.

13. Polish Change and Removal  

Don’t make clients spend the time removing their own polish at home. Offer polish change services, which involve removing the old color and applying a fresh coat. This service typically applies to traditional nail polish and can be a quick, in-and-out service without shaping or cuticle trimming. These services help clients look and feel their best without the time commitment of more advanced options. 

Pricing for polish changes varies based on quite a few factors — manicure or pedicure, the type of polish, and whether it’s a removal or an actual change. For example, a regular polish removal might be $10 and a gel removal might be $20 because it takes more time. 

14. Extension Removal 

Clients can’t remove gel or acrylic extensions themselves. It causes too much damage to the nail. That means if you offer either service, you also have to offer removal.

Extension removal involves gently taking off a client's acrylic or gel extensions to avoid damaging the natural nails underneath. Usually, you soak the clients' nails in acetone and then scrape off the extensions. Use high-quality products and a soft touch to keep clients' natural nails in good condition for future services. 

Removal services are the perfect opportunity for bundles and discounts. For example, you can offer removal for free if clients book a second appointment for reapplication. 

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15. Nail Art 

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Nail art is an add-on service that rounds out many technicians' price lists. These services decorate and embellish clients' nails to their hearts’ desires, from classic French tips to custom charms and crystals. Depending on the style and the extra supplies required, you can charge more for art on top of the mani or pedi itself.

There are a few different types of nail art to know: 

French Tips 

This elegant and versatile design – a painted white nail tip – never goes out of style. It’s common for brides or people who want a little more than just a nude nail but don’t want anything too crazy. You can also pair a French tip with a color like black or dark green. While French manicures are most common, some clients might request French pedicures. 

The best part? All you need as a nail artist is a brush and some polish.

Crystals

Some clients love bling, and you should be able to deliver. Adding crystals to nails using tweezers and nail glue gives basic, shellac, and gel manicures and pedicures some sparkle. You just have to keep them in your inventory. It might help to ask clients about their interest in the service before investing in all the supplies.

Custom Nail Art

Custom nail design is an in-demand service that lets you make clients' Pinterest-nail dreams come true. These designs can be anything from complex crystal work to tiny, hand-painted images. For example, your client may ask for colorful, geometric shapes or fun vacation-themed nails with little palm trees. Use brushes, sponges, and dotting tools to achieve any look.

Nail Charms 

Nail charms are small, 3D decorations attached with nail glue. This type of nail art creates trendy designs of all kinds – like pearl hearts and fabric bows or grunge-inspired metal accents. Offering this service is another way to let clients express their unique personalities in their nails. 

The only catch is that you need to keep the charms in stock. But for repeat clients, you can offer the opportunity to request items they want in advance.

Elevate Your Nail Salon with GlossGenius 

Refreshing your nail service menu with the latest trends attracts new clients and excites loyal customers. At GlossGenius, we're dedicated to helping you stay ahead of the market – which is why we regularly offer webinars on business management and salon innovations. 

GlossGenius makes managing your nail services simple. Our all-in-one platform allows you to schedule appointments, track inventory, and build strong customer relationships. Create a branded online presence with our Website Builder and handle payroll and finances efficiently. Plus, our marketing integrations let you send personalized emails and text messages with promotions and birthday wishes.

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!

Sign up for a free 14-day trial with GlossGenius and discover how we can transform how you manage your nail salon.