Alexis Ramlall got a manicure for the first time at age 16 and said it “unlocked a sense of femininity” she had never before experienced. From that point on, getting her nails done was a top priority.
“I would dye my hair myself. I would put on eyelashes myself. But nails were my one thing,” said the Mississauga-based digital producer, now 27.
The pandemic meant she had to go without for a while, but when she returned to her one beauty splurge, the cost just felt too high. On average, including tip, Ramlall’s manicures were ringing in at around $70. When she recently inquired about adding a bit of nail art, she was quoted $150. “I was so shocked, I almost left right then and there,” she said (she didn’t, but she did decline the art).
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With rising inflation and cost of living coupled with general economic uncertainty, the fun stuff is the first to go – and that includes nails. According to a TD Bank survey, 67 per cent of Canadians planned to cut back on spending in 2026, up from 51 per cent the previous year. That hasn’t stopped people from seeking out manicures, but many are looking for ways to cut down on the cost. This concept has given rise to the term “recession nails,” which refers to strategies to make a manicure last longer, such as wearing shorter nail styles.
At Toronto’s Tips Nail Bar, owner Leeanne Colley has noticed clients spacing out their manicure appointments. “Someone that might be three weeks may be going four now,” she said, referring to the time between bookings. Clients are also being more strategic about what they’re getting done, including skipping nail art and choosing shades that are more transparent so that they grow out less noticeably. Ramlall opts for sheer pink or nude tones to prolong her manicure. “If you look up close, you can really see that it’s grown out, but from afar, they don’t look too bad,” she said.
These subtler, lighter colours will still look good three weeks later, according to Colley. She also recommended applying top coat and some cuticle oil to the growth. The oil keeps the nails hydrated, which makes them more flexible and less prone to chipping.
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For those looking for nail art, negative space is another savvy option. When empty areas are already part of the design, any growth will look intentional. As for die-hards who still want a bit of “extra joy” on their nails, Colley said many are forgoing intricate designs in favour of more cost-effective chrome (a high-shine, reflective polish), French tips or cat eye magnetic (a polish filled with magnetic particles that are shifted while still wet to create a shimmering effect).
Another lower-cost – and more flexible – option manicure enthusiasts are turning to is press-ons. The fake nails, which are attached to the natural nail with adhesive, have come a long way in the past 10 years.
“It’s no longer just drugstore press-ons,” said Stacey Welton, the Toronto and Miami based-founder of Handsy, a soon-to-be-launched online nail service. After finding that sizing was still a challenge, Welton developed technology that allows users to upload photos of their hands, fits them with press-ons and connects them to a nail artist who will make them. Users then apply them themselves using an adhesive such as glue.
“There’s a growing wave of independent nail artists creating incredibly detailed, hand-painted sets that are closer to wearable art,” she said.
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The popularity of press-ons is growing at a time when people are also looking for more DIY beauty options.
“In a tighter economy, I think everyone can agree that people are much more selective about where they spend,” Welton said. “Press-ons fit that pain point really well. You can get a high-quality look quickly, remove them when needed and avoid the ongoing time and cost of salon visits.”
But considering the internet recently declared bare nails to be the ultimate indicator of wealth, perhaps naked nails might be the next beauty trend that takes off? Not for some. According to Colley, Tips has some regulars who wouldn’t skip their manicure for anything. “They would prefer to not have groceries in their fridge,” she said.
