BEAUTICIANS · PAYMENT LINKS
Beautician Pricing and Rates Guide (UK)
A practical UK guide to pricing beauty treatments with confidence. Includes realistic ranges, how to build a simple price list, when to use deposits, and how to connect your prices to payment links and reminders so your income stays predictable.
Pricing is one of the hardest parts of being a beautician in the UK because the work is not one size fits all. Two people can offer “gel nails” or “lash extensions” and the experience, timings, products, finish, and client results can be completely different. When your prices are not written down and consistent, you end up quoting on the spot, discounting when you feel pressured, and feeling underpaid afterwards.
A good pricing system is not about being expensive. It is about being clear. Your client should know the price, what is included, what counts as an add on, when payment is due, and what happens if they cancel late. That clarity protects your diary and makes your income more predictable.
This guide gives realistic UK ranges across common treatments and shows you a simple step by step approach to setting your own rates. It also shows how to connect your prices to deposits, payment links and reminders, so getting paid feels calmer.
Part of the Beauticians Payment Links Guide Series
If you want the full picture of how pricing connects with deposits, reminders and chasing late payments, start with the pillar page: Payment Links for Beauticians: Complete UK Guide .
How UK Beauticians Typically Price Their Treatments
Most beauticians use a mix of fixed treatment prices, add ons, and a few simple rules for deposits. The trick is keeping it consistent so you are not negotiating every booking.
Common pricing models in beauty
- Fixed treatment price for nails, brows, lashes, waxing, facials and tanning.
- Sets and infills for lashes and nail extensions with different timings and product usage.
- Add ons menu like nail art, French tips, extra lashes, brow mapping, patch tests, or aftercare kits.
- Minimum spend rules for mobile work or out of area travel.
Why “clear pricing” matters more in beauty
- Clients book emotionally, then cancel practically. Clear terms reduce last minute changes.
- Many treatments need prep time and consumables. A no show is not just a lost hour.
- Scope creep is common. “Can we just add…” needs an add on price, not a favour.
- Pricing confidence improves client quality. Serious clients respect structure.
Realistic UK pricing ranges (starting point, not rules)
Prices vary by area, home salon versus high street, experience, timings, and what is included. The ranges below are meant as grounded starting points, not a promise of what you should charge.
| Treatment | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic manicure | £17 to £35 | Often higher with extras like massage, paraffin, or builder overlays. |
| Gel manicure | £25 to £45 | London and premium salons can be higher. Removal is often charged unless rebooked. |
| BIAB overlay | £35 to £60 | Your timings and aftercare matter. Quote add ons like nail art separately. |
| Brow wax | £7 to £12 | Often bundled with tint or shape. Patch tests can affect booking flow. |
| Brow tint | £8 to £15 | Many clients book as wax and tint together rather than separately. |
| Brow lamination | £30 to £55 | Commonly sold as a package with tint and shape. |
| Lash lift | £30 to £60 | Patch tests, aftercare and timing expectations should be clear. |
| Lash extensions full set | £45 to £120+ | Classic is usually lower than hybrid and volume. Location and expertise push this range a lot. |
| Lash infills | £30 to £70 | Price by time window and lash type. A clear infill policy avoids awkward disputes. |
| Waxing (bikini) | £12 to £25+ | Intimate waxing varies by region and style. Be explicit about what is included. |
| Full leg wax | £17 to £30+ | Training salons are cheaper. High street and specialist waxing can be higher. |
| Spray tan | £15 to £40+ | Mobile work often needs a minimum spend or travel fee. |
Your job is to turn these ranges into a clear price list that matches your timings, your results, and your local market. Clients do not need you to be the cheapest. They need you to be clear and reliable.
Real Pricing Situations Beauticians Deal With
These are the moments where pricing stops being theory and becomes real life. A clear system keeps you calm and keeps the client relationship smooth.
“Can you just add a bit of nail art?”
A client books a gel manicure at your standard price. When they arrive, they want chrome, two accent nails, and a design that adds twenty minutes. If you do it for free, your real hourly rate drops.
A simple add ons menu solves this. You say yes, then add the agreed extra price to the payment link. That keeps the client happy and keeps your pricing fair.
Lash infill expectations are not aligned
A client books a 45 minute infill but arrives with very little retention. You either run late and lose the rest of your day, or you feel forced to rush.
A clear infill policy plus a two tier price is the fix. For example, “up to 45 minutes” versus “up to 60 minutes”. If it needs more, you quote it as a longer appointment or a mini set.
The Saturday no show that costs you a full slot
Weekend appointments are high demand and high value. When someone does not show, you rarely fill it last minute.
This is where deposits make sense. If you want help with wording and amounts, see How Beauticians Can Request a Deposit .
Pricing becomes easier when you stop treating every booking as a one off decision. Your goal is a simple rule set you can apply calmly every time.
A Simple 5 Step System for Beautician Pricing
You do not need a complicated spreadsheet. This five step system keeps your pricing clean, realistic, and easy to explain.
Write your core treatment list
List your main services and the versions you actually sell. For example: gel manicure, BIAB overlay, lash lift, classic set, hybrid set, brow wax and tint, brow lamination, half leg wax, Hollywood wax, facial, spray tan. If a treatment is not on the list, it is either an add on or it needs its own price.
Attach a realistic timing to each service
Your prices must match your real timings, not the best case day. Include setup, consultation, prep, cleanup and aftercare advice. If your gel manicure takes 60 minutes door to door, price it like a 60 minute service.
Build an add ons menu to prevent scope creep
Add ons protect your diary. Pick simple extras like nail art tiers, French tips, soak off, repair, extra time infills, brow mapping, and out of hours appointments. When clients ask for extras, you say yes and you add the extra to the payment link.
Decide where deposits and balances fit
Deposits are most useful for high demand slots, new clients, longer appointments, and anything you cannot easily replace if it cancels. Many beauticians use a fixed deposit like £10 to £30 for short services, and a higher deposit or percentage for longer appointments. For structured deposits and balances, read Deposit and Balance Payments for Beauticians .
Connect your prices to payment links and reminders
Once your prices are written down, make payments easy. Send a payment link that matches the agreed amount, add deposit links where needed, and let reminders handle late payments. If you want the reminder flow, see Automatic Payment Reminders for Beauticians .
When your price list, deposits and payment links all match, you stop improvising. That is when your income starts feeling calmer.
Example Pricing Structure and Message Templates
These examples are a starting point you can adjust for your area, speed, products and results. Keep the structure simple, even if your services are varied.
Example add ons menu (simple and easy to explain)
| Add on | Typical range | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Nail art (simple) | £3 to £10 | Stops “just a quick design” from eating your next slot. |
| French tips | £5 to £15 | Extra time and precision, priced fairly. |
| Soak off and tidy | £10 to £20 | Covers time and product for removals. |
| Nail repair | £2 to £6 per nail | Stops small fixes becoming free labour. |
| Extra time infill tier | £5 to £20 | Protects your day when retention is low. |
The goal is not to nickel and dime. It is to keep your diary realistic and avoid resentment.
Template 1: Quoting a treatment with clear inclusions
Template 2: Explaining a deposit calmly
Template 3: Sending the balance payment link
Template 4: Letting clients know about a price update
If payments sometimes drift late, pairing your price list with payment reminder templates and a clear late payment system keeps your business calm.
What Happens When Your Prices and Payment System Match
The win is not just higher prices. It is a business that feels steady and professional.
Financial wins
- Fewer unpaid extras because add ons are priced, not guessed.
- Fewer no show losses when deposits protect high demand slots.
- More predictable cashflow when balances are due on clear terms.
Practical and emotional wins
- Less awkwardness because your prices feel like a normal business process.
- More confidence saying no to underpriced work.
- Calmer evenings when reminders handle late payments automatically.
If you want the payment side to feel as professional as your work, the next step is making payments simple and consistent for every client.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my beauty prices are too low?
Look at your real hourly income, not just the headline price. Include consultation, prep, cleanup, consumables, admin, and gaps between clients. If your true hourly rate ends up close to minimum wage after costs, your pricing is probably too low for the skill and responsibility involved.
Should I charge different prices for London versus smaller towns?
Often, yes. Rent, travel, and market rates can be very different. If you serve multiple areas, you can keep the structure the same but adjust by a simple rule, such as a travel fee or different minimum spend, rather than creating a complicated set of prices.
Do I need a deposit for every appointment?
Not always. Deposits are most useful for high demand slots, new clients, longer services, and anything you cannot easily refill if it cancels. Many beauticians keep shorter repeat appointments simple, then use deposits for the riskier bookings.
How should I price lash infills when retention varies?
Price by time window and policy, not by hope. A simple approach is two tiers, such as up to 45 minutes and up to 60 minutes, plus a clear rule for when an infill becomes a full set. This protects your day and avoids awkward conversations.
How do payment links fit into my pricing?
Once you agree a price, you send a payment link for that exact amount. For deposits and balances, you can send separate links. When reminders are attached, late payments are chased automatically and the process feels consistent instead of personal.
What if clients compare me to cheaper beauticians?
Cheaper options will always exist. Focus on clarity, professionalism, hygiene, quality, and consistency. Clients who value reliability tend to stay when they know exactly what is included and they have an easy way to pay and rebook.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Payment Links for Beauticians — Complete UK Guide
The complete UK guide to payment links for beauticians. Learn how to take deposits securely, reduce cancellations, and get paid on time for appointments.
Read guideHow Beauticians Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK beauticians accept payments for appointments, treatments and packages.
Read guideTurn Clear Prices into On Time Payments
When your prices are written down and consistent, the next step is making payment easy. Simply Link lets you turn your agreed treatment prices into payment links, add deposits for higher risk bookings, and send automatic reminders if someone forgets. Less chasing, fewer awkward messages, and a calmer payment routine around your beauty business.
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