When I was in high school, I was frequently sent to the principal's office. I wasn't a troublemaker, but my school had a strict policy on nail polish — and I broke it all the time.
I've gotten manicures since I was a teenager, experimenting with nail art from a young age. When I moved to the US in 2010 for grad school, I discovered gel manicures, and I was instantly hooked.
Recently, I did the math of how much money I was spending yearly on getting my nails done, and the number made me gasp. I decided that in 2026, I'm going bare.
I liked the convenience of getting gel manicures
When I first moved to New York, I started getting shellac manicures. I loved the idea of having perfectly manicured nails for over two weeks. My nails have always been brittle and break easily, and gel also gave me the chance to have longer and stronger nails.
Gel nail polish, unlike regular nail polish, required a trip to a salon to get it removed back then. So, like clockwork, I was at the nail salon every 14 days or so to get a refresh. I planned my trips in conjunction with how long my nails were going to last, knowing that if they grew too long, they could easily break.
I switched to builder gel
When nail art started taking off in the US, I switched over to a stronger type of gel called builder gel, which allows you to add more structure to nails (even making them longer), and it's thicker than regular gel.
The catch with builder gel is that you also have to visit the salon to refill the growth of your nail between appointments, which usually takes more than two hours and is more expensive than regular gel.
I really loved builder gel because I was finally able to achieve the long, beautiful nails I had always dreamed about. But with them came a higher commitment both in terms of time and money.
That said, having my nails done made me feel more put-together and professional, even when choosing bold neon colors. I felt like I could get away with not wearing makeup every day if I had my nails done.
I realized I was spending over $2,000 a year on nails
Recently, during a trip that exceeded the three weeks recommended before getting a builder gel refill, one of my nails fell off, and I started questioning whether I had the bandwidth to continue doing my nails with my busy life. I work full time and have three young kids, my parents live far away, and we often travel to see them.
Just for fun, I did a quick calculation of how much money I had been spending on my gel nails, and I was shocked to see that the total was over $2,000 a year.
A plain refill costs $96, but sometimes I opt for nail art or add a pedicure, which can increase the price to $180. Additionally, prices in 2025 for my nail technicians increased because they are more experienced and tend to book appointments quickly.
Surprised by the number, I decided to make an estimate on how much I've spent in the last eight years getting my nails done (with the caveat that when I had my kids, I stopped getting them done because I was busy breastfeeding and cleaning diapers), and the final number came close to $17,000.
I decided to take a break
I must admit that I'm surprised by how much I've spent on nails. At the time, getting them done seemed like a treat, and I often joked that it was my therapy. I work from home, so getting out of the house and catching up on life with my nail techs was often the highlight of my week.
But given the rising cost of living in the US, I don't think I can swing these treats anymore.
Additionally, there's a growing trend among women my age (mid-40s) to adopt a more natural approach — such as growing out their gray hair or opting for Botox-free treatments. I decided to try it out by not getting my nails done anymore.
The removal of my last builder set cost $40. My nails are short and bare, which sometimes makes me feel a bit naked if I'm being honest. Also, my nails were such a big part of my identity, with people often complimenting them in person and on the internet. That will take some getting used to.
But I'm looking forward to more free time in my calendar, and especially some extra money in the bank.
