Japanese Manicure: Worth the Investment for Nail Enthusiasts in Chicago

I recently paid $160 for a Japanese gel manicure at Tokyo Nails in Chicago. As someone who gets my nails done every three or four weeks with extensions, gel or intricate designs, I’m always on the lookout for ways to improve my nail health and manicure longevity.

After graduating from university and working in retail, I discovered that having well-manicured nails caught customers’ eyes and helped make a sale. Over time, this became a part of my monthly self-care routine. However, as someone who gets their nails done frequently, I’m always looking for ways to improve my overall nail health.

While I would love to find a budget-friendly way to do my nails at home, there is a higher risk of developing skin allergies when using gel polishes and UV lights yourself. In other words, you get what you pay for – and some things are best left to the experts. As such, I typically spend between $100 to $150 with my usual nail technician. After hearing about the potential benefits of Japanese manicures, I decided to pay an extra $60 for my most recent appointment to see if it was worth the hype and investment. Here’s how it went: