Professional manicures seem to take forever, especially when you reach the ‘awkward small-talk phase’ of your appointment. On one hand, you want those shiny nails with cute art to show off to everyone, but conversely, you have too much on your plate to waste time at a salon.
How long does it take to get nails done? About 20 minutes? You think to yourself. The reality is that between traveling to the salon, waiting for the polish to dry, and stopping for a coffee on the way back home, you’ll blink an eye and 1-2 hours of your day are gone.
There is also the DIY option. How long do nails take to do at home? Surely faster than a couple of hours? DIY manicures are faster than salon trips if you know what you’re doing, but you might miss out on that salon-fresh look.
So what are you to do? There’s a solution that mixes the best of both worlds: runway-ready professional-quality manicures that you can do in 15 minutes or less.
With our nail kits at Polish Pops, you can bring the salon right into your home. You simply peel the adhesive, press it onto your nails, cure it under a UV lamp (for gel), and then admire the final results.
Our products are 14-free, HEMA-free, and Vegan. You’ll free up hours of scheduled manicure time from your agenda and achieve healthy, stylish nails. Don’t just take our word for it; hear from a few of our awesome customers:
“Absolutely LOVE ❤️ this product!! It’s easy and fast and gives me beautiful nails in under 15 minutes!! I keep short nails and they still look Great!!” - Angela
“Do I spend time pampering myself, no. Do I paint my own nails for it to just fade away a few days later, yes! Did I find Polish pops and now have fancy salon like nails that I don’t need to worry about fading, HECK YES I DO!!” - E.R.
“This set not only went on very easy but stayed nice the entire time I wore it. I went almost 2 weeks, even with a 2 day indoor waterpark in the middle of this set. I only changed them cause I was ready for something else.” Becky
Check out our styles to find out more - we’re always adding new colors and nail art for you to try!
How Long Does it Take to Get Nails Done?
Let’s talk numbers. How long does it take to get nails done at a salon? Manicure times vary based on which services you are looking for. A classic manicure with polish typically takes 25-30 minutes to complete. Acrylics and nail art may take 90 minutes or more to complete.
Classic Polish Time
How long does it take to get nails done if you’re just doing a basic manicure with polish? Anywhere from 25 to 30 minutes if your tech is fast.
Consider all the elements involved in a basic manicure. Your tech will soak, trim, file, and buff your nails. Then you have to choose a color, add base coats and top coats, and include a small massage.
Your manicure time isn’t over after that. You also need to spend time waiting for your nails to dry, which can add 5-10 minutes to your service time. Trust us - you don’t want to smudge your fresh nails after pulling out your credit card to pay.
Gel Manicure Time
How long do nails take if you want gel polish? Gel is beautiful, but it does extend the average manicure time by 10-15 minutes. Gel polish requires curing under UV light, with each layer taking approximately 15 to 30 seconds per hand.
Most manicures will have a base coat, at least two coats of polish, and a top coat. Each layer requires you to spend more of your precious time waiting idly in the salon.
Shellac Manicure Time
Shellac is a hybrid option that combines the properties of gel and regular nail polish. It’s a great option if you want some of the durability of gel polish and easier removal.
But how long do nails take if you’re getting shellac? Manicure times are similar to gel, taking around 45 minutes in total. You still need a professional to remove them, which adds to the time commitment.
What About Acrylics, Extensions, and Other Enhancements?
Gel, shellac, and standard polish are relatively simple in the world of nail care. Your time commitment will increase further once you begin to add complexity, such as acrylics, powder dip, or nail art.
Acrylics and other nail extensions require twice the time compared to a standard manicure. Nail art of any kind adds anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to the total time. Dipping nails takes 45 minutes to an hour since you have to dip and wait for each nail individually.
So, how long does it take to get nails done with these extra enhancements?
For acrylic versus gel nails, the former takes 1 to 1.5 hours, while the latter is around 45 minutes. With gel vs dip nails, the times are nearly comparable, but dip nails will take slightly longer.
The Hidden Time Costs of Salons
Time isn’t only about time seated in a salon chair. You also need to consider other time sinks that can occur when planning and attending your appointment.
First, planning a manicure can be more complicated than you may think. You need to make room in your busy schedule. You then need to find a reliable salon and nail tech you trust and enjoy (unless you’re a fan of awkward conversations).
You then need to hope that your schedule aligns with your tech’s availability. Planning this can take an extra 5 to 10 minutes out of your day. You could also make an impromptu visit, but you’ll likely end up waiting anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour without an appointment.
From there, you’ll need to commute to your nail shop. Ideally, this should be less than 15 minutes, but once you find a tech you love, you might end up driving longer distances.
You might still have to wait to start your manicure, even with an appointment. Your nail tech might be running behind, which adds another 10 minutes to your schedule.
Other treatments, such as a pedicure, waxing, massages, or facials at the salon or spa, can further increase your allotted time by an hour or more.
So, how long does it take to get nails done when you factor in everything else?
Salon manicures can take up to 3 or 4 hours of your precious time. Even a basic manicure can take more than an hour.
How Long Do Nails Take With Polish Pops?
The reality of salon manicure time commitments is that there has to be a better way.
We have great news - there is a more convenient method you can use to achieve a salon-quality manicure in minutes, not hours.
Your New 15-Minute Manicure
We created Polish Pops with convenience in mind. Our nail kits are effortless to use, with no dry time, smudging, or tricky removal methods for you to worry about.
How long do nails take with Polish Pops? Just 15 minutes. You peel the adhesive, press them on your nails, cure them under UV light (or skip this step if not using gel), and you’re all set. The only other ‘task’ left to do after that is to admire your new manicure (and show them off to your friends).
Easier Removal Saves Time, Too!
Removing old nail polish takes time. This is especially true if you’re redoing your acrylics or removing shellac, dip powder, or gel, which all require an additional 5 to 15 minutes.
Polish Pops are much simpler to remove. You apply cuticle oil and use a cuticle stick to lift the wrap off your nail.
More Reasons to Take Matters Into Your Own Hands With Polish Pops
Saving time is enough reason to say goodbye to salon manicures entirely, but that’s just one of the benefits of switching to Polish Pops.
Save More Than Time
Routine trips to the nail salon can wreak havoc on your bank account. Basic manicures start around $25. Add-ons like gel, shellac, or dip will cost anywhere from $40 to $80, while a full set of acrylics typically falls within the $60 to $100 range.
You’ll need to return to the salon as your nails grow out. You might need to visit your nail place anywhere from 1 to 4 times per month. That adds up to thousands of dollars annually.
Polish Pops allows you to achieve professional salon-quality results at a reasonable price. You can get a sheet of 30 gel nail strips for just $16, giving you a shiny new manicure for 14 days or more. Getting a month’s worth of top-quality manicures for less than a lunch order is possible with Polish Pops.
Better for Your Nails
Harsh ingredients, such as formaldehyde, phthalates, and microplastics, pose a risk to your health.
At Polish Pops, we’re proud to have a safe, 14-free, HEMA-free, Vegan, and cruelty-free set of products that never put your nail health in jeopardy. We create our nail wraps with actual gel polish, unlike other brands, which use plastic with a gel finish.
For example, if you compare Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva, two of the most popular brands, you’ll notice a significant distinction. Dashing Diva’s ingredient list includes questionable ingredients like PET (a microplastic), aluminum powder, and acrylate polymers.
Another popular brand is Color Street. If you compare Polish Pops vs Color Street, you’ll notice they require acetone removers, which strip moisture from your nail bed. Our gel kits simply require cuticle oil, which helps keep your nail beds healthy in the long term.
Freedom to Change Styles
Polish Pops give you the flexibility to swap styles in just a few minutes. You have the option to wake up with a neon pink mani after a night dancing, then swap it out for French nails for your business meetings from the comfort of your home.
You’re still showing off shiny, salon-quality nails. And you get to change them to fit your vibe at any moment without feeling like you’re wasting the time and money spent at the nail shop.
Get Started Perfecting the Manicure in Minutes Today!
Ready for a salon-quality nail care routine from the comfort of your home? It’s time for you to try our gel nail wraps from Polish Pops. No more time spent trapped in an awkward staredown with your nail tech, or difficult drives home where you’re trying (and failing) to prevent your new mani from smudging.
We sell over 100 UV gel nail colors and styles, including solids, transparents, glitter, and seasonal designs. Each set of wraps is easy to use; simply peel, press, cure under UV light, and admire your brand-new manicure.
The entire process takes 15 minutes or less, giving you more time to plan new outfits to match your new mani or to catch up on that hobby you’ve been putting off for months. Hear it from our amazing customers:
“I am obsessed! French tips are all I used to get at the salon and I’m so happy I can do it at home now!” - Chelsea
“My sister started using Polish Pops and I was sold. I did my first set last weekend with no problem and I'm honestly surprised at how good they still look. Will easily last two weeks. Way more affordable than the salon, way healthier for my nails.” - Hannah
“Fast, easy and beautiful nails. I have always had issues with paint staying on my nails. This is a game changer! My nails are healthy under my gel nails. Great product.” - Tonya
We’re proud that Polish Pops are entirely safe. Our products are HEMA-free, 14-free, Vegan, and cruelty-free. You can use them guilt-free, knowing you’re getting an ethical salon-quality manicure that keeps your nails healthy.
Final Words on the Average Manicure Time
Consider the time investment you’re committing to before making your next salon appointment. Hours of boredom and wasted time await you, between driving to the shop, waiting in line, and trying (and failing) to find something enjoyable to watch on TV.
You might think to yourself that the salon results are worth it. But the truth is, you can get an excellent professional manicure in the comfort of your home. You don’t have to spend countless hours trying to figure out how to do gel nails at home with UV light by yourself, either.
With Polish Pops, you get a manicure in minutes. Simply peel the adhesive, press it on firmly, and cure it under a light source. Then the only thing left to do is to admire your shiny new nails.
So don’t wait in line at the nail salon any longer - book your new nails at home today with Polish Pops!
