Tired of spending hundreds at the nail salon?
You’re not alone. With nail salon prices reaching R500 per session, many people are wondering if there’s a better way. What if you could get salon-quality nails at home, save money, and skip the long wait times? More South Africans are switching to DIY nail kits, and it’s changing the game. Today, we’re looking at the real difference between nail salons and nail kits – from cost to quality – so you can decide which one is best for you.
💸 Initial Cost Comparison
Let’s talk rands and cents.
💅 Salon Costs:
- Average price: R200–R500 per visit
- Most people go twice a month
- That’s around R400–R1,000 per month
- In a year? You could spend up to R12,000
🧰 Nail Kit Costs:
- Starter nail kits range from R300–R800
- Many kits include gel polish, UV lamp, files, and remover
- One kit can last for 20–30 uses or more
That’s less than R40 per set of nails. Now that’s a bargain.
🧴 Ongoing Maintenance & Costs
Salons come with extra costs you might not think about:
- Transport to and from the salon
- Giving a tip to your nail tech
- Paying for snacks or drinks while you wait
With a DIY kit, the only ongoing costs are:
- Gel polish refills (± R80–R120 each)
- Remover or acetone (± R30)
- Occasional file replacements
Most items last a long time, especially if you’re careful with storage.
⏰ Time Investment
Time is money, right?
Salon Visits:
- Booking ahead, sometimes days in advance
- Waiting for your appointment
- Full sessions can take 1.5–2 hours
At Home:
- You do your nails when you want
- No traffic, no waiting rooms
- Some get it done in under an hour with practice
If your life is busy, nail kits save serious time.
💅 Quality & Results
You might think salon nails always look better. But that’s not 100% true.
Salons:
- Pros handle your nails
- Long-lasting polish and perfect shape
- Risk of infections if hygiene isn’t top-notch [source]
Nail Kits:
- Slight learning curve at first
- But modern kits give salon-level finish
- You control hygiene and tools
Many beauty influencers now only use kits at home – the quality is that good.
⚖️ Pros and Cons Table
| Feature | Nail Kit ✅ | Salon ❌ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ✅ Cheaper long-term | ❌ Expensive monthly |
| Convenience | ✅ Anytime, anywhere | ❌ Appointments needed |
| Professional Quality | ❌ With practice | ✅ Instantly |
| Skill Required | ✅ Easy to learn | ❌ No effort |
💡 Real Life Example: Thando’s R3,000 Savings
Meet Thando, a student from Pretoria.
She used to go to the salon twice a month, spending R350 per session. That’s R8,400 per year.
She bought a R699 gel nail kit online.
She now does her nails at home every two weeks. Her polish refills cost around R90 every few months.
Her total spend in a year? Less than R1,200.
Savings: over R7,000. She used that money to buy a tablet for school.
👩🎨 Who Should Choose What?
Not sure which one is for you?
Go for a salon if:
- You love being pampered
- You want zero effort
Try a nail kit if:
- You want to save money
- You enjoy doing things yourself
- You’re creative and like trying new looks
🔥 Best Nail Kits to Try in South Africa (2025 Picks)
Here are top-rated kits that are loved by beginners and beauty lovers alike:
- LolaLee Starter Gel Kit – R749
✅ Includes UV lamp, base coat, gel polish, top coat
🛒 Buy on Takealot - Sunuv Nail Kit with LED Lamp – R599
✅ Fast curing lamp, 6 polishes, files, tools
🛒 Buy on Amazon - Miya Professional Gel Kit – R825
✅ Long-lasting polish, stylish case, refill options
🛒 Shop here
👉 Shop the Best DIY Kits Here – Make the switch today and see the savings for yourself.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, much cheaper in the long run. A full year of home nails can cost less than 3 salon visits.
Most starter kits give 20–30 full sets before you need refills.
Absolutely! It might take 1–2 tries, but once you get the hang of it, the results are stunning.
So, are salons ripping you off?
Not exactly — they offer a great service. But if you’re trying to save money or love doing your own beauty, nail kits are a smart move.
