Nail salon in Geneva: how to choose, and what we do for your nails

You are looking for a nail salon in Geneva.

You want neat nails, a colour that lasts, and someone who takes the time to do it properly.

The problem? On a map, every address looks the same. Prices do not say what they include. And you never quite know whether you will be offered gel, tips or simply a coat of polish.

In this guide, you will see the difference between a nail salon and a beauty salon, the questions to ask before you book, and what you can have done with us, in the Acacias district.

We look after the hands and feet of our clients, women and men, every week. The prices quoted here come from our catalogue: they are the prices you pay at the salon.

Nail salon or beauty salon: what is the difference?

A nail salon specialises in nails: manicure, polish, and often gel, acrylic or tip extensions. A beauty salon also looks after hands and nails, but offers other treatments alongside them: waxing, facials, foot care.

For you, the real question is not what the place is called. It is what you want on your nails.

Do you want to lengthen your nails with an extension? Then you need a nail salon that does gel or tips.

Do you want your own nails, clean, filed, with a beautiful colour? A manicure is all you need, and a beauty salon does it very well.

At SIMEHA Institut, everything is done on the natural nail. We apply regular polish and gel polish, and we do the removal. We do not do gel nails or tips: we would rather tell you before you book.

What can you have done with us for your nails?

At the salon, you can book hand care, a manicure with regular polish or gel polish, polish on its own or a removal. Each treatment has a fixed duration and a fixed price, shown before you book.

Here are the hand treatments for women:

For men, the complete manicure costs CHF 50 and takes 1 h.

Your feet deserve their own treatment too: the pedicure is done with or without polish, with a spa bath. All the details are on the pedicure page.

These prices are in Swiss francs. They come from the salon's catalogue: if a price changes, this page changes with it.

Natural nails, gel polish or gel nails: which should you choose?

The right choice depends on what you expect from your nails: a colour you change often, a colour that lasts without touch-ups, or a length your nails do not have. These are three different treatments.

Here is how to tell them apart:

• Regular polish. It goes on quickly, comes off with nail polish remover and suits you if you like changing colour. It chips sooner.
• Gel polish. It is cured under a lamp and generally lasts longer, without chipping. It needs a careful removal.
• Gel nails or tips. They lengthen or strengthen the nail with added material. That is a different trade: we do not offer it.

Torn between the first two? We compare them point by point in our guide regular polish or gel polish.

Our view: if your nails are fragile, start with a manicure and regular polish. You will see how they react before you move on to gel polish.

How to choose a nail salon in Geneva: six questions to ask

To choose a nail salon in Geneva, ask six questions before you book: what the price includes, what removal costs, how long the treatment takes, how the tools are cleaned, what the opening hours are and how you book. The answers will tell you more than a photo.

1. What does the price include? Polish on its own and a full manicure are not the same treatment.
2. Is removal included? If not, how much does it cost? With us, it is a separate treatment, at CHF 20.
3. How long does the treatment take? A proper manicure with polish takes time: 1 h at our salon.
4. How are the tools cleaned between clients? It is a normal question. A good salon answers it without hesitating.
5. Do the opening hours suit you? A treatment you can only squeeze in at a run will not relax you.
6. Can you book easily? Booking online, at any time, saves you calls that do not get through.

Keep this list on your phone. It applies to us as much as to any other address.

How much does a manicure cost at the salon?

At SIMEHA Institut, a manicure with regular polish costs CHF 40, and a manicure with gel polish CHF 55. If you are already wearing gel polish, add the removal.

Here is what you pay, depending on your situation:

All these amounts are calculated from the salon's catalogue. The price shown is the price you pay: no booking fee, no hidden extra.

Want to understand why prices differ so much from one salon to the next? Read our guide on the price of a gel polish manicure.

Where can you get your manicure in Geneva?

SIMEHA Institut is at Rue Caroline 41, 1227 Genève, Suisse, in the Acacias district. The salon welcomes you by appointment, Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00.

You book your treatment online in three steps: the treatment, the time, then your first name, phone number and email. You pay at the salon.

All the hand treatments, with their duration and price, are on the manicure page. And if you would like to treat your feet at the same time, the pedicure can be booked on the same day.