ADD-ON APPEAL

As the beauty industry grows, nail pros are in a prime position to grow with it. Tempt clients that book in for a simple manicure with a well-rounded experience that leaves them feeling both polished and pampered.

Upgrading a treatment is a win-win for nail and beauty businesses, as a few thoughtful upgrades to your service menu can make a big difference to both your bottom line and clients’ satisfaction.

Lucy Price

“Each add-on to a service increases turnover – without the need to squeeze in an additional client,” explains Lucy Price, Scratch Stars Ultimate Natural Nail Specialist & Builder Gel Tech of the Year 2026. “This increases the average spend per customer, and every small upsell contributes to revenue.”

From quick service add-ons to luxury treatment extras, we’ve rounded up options to help you increase income, encourage repeat bookings and deliver the pampered experience clients are craving…

Hot towel wrap

Envelop clients’ hands in the soothing warmth of a hot towel: a simple way to elevate a manicure experience and end a service on a comforting note.

This add-on comprises cotton towels which are dampened and heated. Beauty businesses typically use an electric hot towel cabinet, which can be infused with a scent if desired. Once the towels are ready, wrap them around the client’s hands, leave for five minutes, then remove gently. Finish with a moisturising lotion for hydration.

Crewe Orlando Towel Warmer – Medium, Black £155 + VAT www.ellisons.co.uk

Featuring a double-sealed door to minimise heat loss and an automatic thermo-control system ‘to keep towels at the optimum temperature’, this towel warmer contains two storage racks and boasts a 24-litre capacity.

Quick wins: 5-minute add-ons

Simple nail art

One of the most obvious ways to upgrade a nail service is with nail art. From a single accent adornment to gem embellishments and micro art, this can take as little as five minutes to do, while adding revenue and personality to a simple set of nails. s

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Lauren Lewis

“Nail art can be quick and easy to achieve in a reasonable time frame, and if priced correctly, can increase revenue,” says Scottish nail tech, Lauren Lewis. “My quickest add-ons include accent nails featuring abstract line work and simple designs. I also find that adding chrome flakes can elevate a look in a short time.”

Instagram.com/bycheznails

As Christmas approaches, why not give clients a festive add-on option? Tiny tree details, gold leaf accents and a touch of sparkle can transform fingertips swiftly. Display examples of designs on your menu or social media, and make pricing simple – whether per nail or tiered by intricacy.

Instagram.com/dovenailsbysharon

Nail strengthening treatment

Weak, peeling, brittle or damaged nails are a common frustration. Offering a strengthening solution within a service can make a visible difference to nails – and only takes a few minutes.

Famous Names IBX Treatment Duo Pack £45.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com “IBX is a nail strengthening treatment that only adds five minutes to a service – and creates visible results from the first use,” says Lucy Price. “There is also an opportunity to upsell further with a course of treatments.”

OPI Repair Mode™ £18.90 + VAT uk.wella.professionalstore.com Designed to ‘penetrate the nail surface to build new bonds from within’, OPI Repair Mode™ is formulated with Patented Ulti-Plex Technology™ to repair keratin bonds and strengthen nails.

Retail

A quick way to boost income, retailing can generate a sizeable amount of revenue. Place aftercare kits near the till point to catch clients’ eyes as they pay, or dedicate five minutes of an appointment to explain the importance of cuticle oil. You could also recommend a teeth whitening kit or lash serum for at-home pampering.

Daniel Smith

“Clients trust their therapist’s recommendations, and they’re already sitting in the chair with time to talk, so a small retail add-on feels like advice rather than a sales pitch,” says Daniel Smith, founder of PureGlow Teeth Whitening.

“Teeth whitening strips work well as retail items because they require no training, chair time or extra insurance.”

PureGlow Teeth Whitening Strips from £9.97 per unit for 12-47 units/RRP £24.99 www.pureglowteethwhitening.com

Formulated without peroxide, these PAP+ whitening strips are dry-fit, so hold their position and peel off with no residue. Each box contains a 14-day course.

Halo Citrus Crush Cuticle Oil Pack of 18x5ml £29.99 + VAT/RRP £4 per bottle www.purenails.co.uk

This citrus-scented cuticle oil is 100% organic, formulated with jojoba oil for deep hydration and vitamins E and B for nourishment. Available in bulk at the equivalent of £2 per bottle, it retails at a recommended £4.

BuffBrowz Divine Collection “Renew” Retail Pack 5x10ml £54 inc VAT/RRP £67.50 www.buffbrowz.co.uk Renew is an aftercare ‘elixir’ for eyebrows and lashes. Infused with a blend of superfood oils and botanical actives, it ‘deeply nourishes each hair to strengthen, restore and promote healthy growth’.

The Manicure Company Signature Spa Hand & Nail Care Duo (4pk) £31.46 + VAT/RRP £14.95 each www.themanicurecompany.com This set comprises the Signature Cuticle Oil Pen, featuring sweet almond, avocado seed and sunflower seed oil, and a handy 50ml Moisturising Cream enriched with shea and cocoa butters.

Instagram.com/fullmoonhealingstudio

Little luxuries: 10-minute extras

Mask

Immediate, visible results make treatment upgrades even more tempting for clients. Hand and foot masks are a great 10-minute upgrade at the end of a nail service, because they are easy, speedy and effective. Masks are formulated to target concerns such as dry skin, dullness and signs of ageing, so simply select a mask to suit your client’s needs.

The GelBottle Inc Therapy Mask™ £28.33 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com ‘Supercharged’ with French pink clay and hyaluronic acid, this purifying glow treatment features shea butter and a relaxing floral-citrus scent to enhance mani and pedi services. Apply generously, leave for 10 minutes and remove to reveal bright, soft skin.

CACI Rejuvenating Hand Mask from £8 + VAT www.cacibeauty.com Combining hyaluronic acid, hydrolysed collagen and shea butter, this mask helps ‘combat signs of ageing by softening the skin and smoothing the appearance of fine lines’. The gloves have removable fingertips, so pros can still access the nails.

Nergish Wadia-Austin

Massage

A massage can take as little as five minutes per hand or foot, offering a quick yet elevated finishing touch to a service.

“Bundle nail services with complimentary add-ons, such as a massage or aromatic treatment, to create a luxurious pamper experience,” suggests Nergish Wadia-Austin, beauty business consultant & trainer. “You could introduce something as straightforward as a new hand massage technique, using oils or hot stones.”

SPARITUAL® Geranium Cedarwood Massage Oil (1L) £55.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Boasting an earthy scent, this massage oil is ‘designed to create an uplifting spa ambiance’ while ‘deeply nourishing and protecting the skin’. Apply several pumps to the hands then massage thoroughly – reapplying as necessary.

HARA Professional The Trim Brow Scissors £16.99 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk

Brow tidy

Faster than a full brow shape, a brow tidy can help clients feel more confident in their appearance, without taking much time. It can be performed while product is curing or a hand/foot mask is being enjoyed. Brow services require relevant education, so consider training if you don’t have the required skills.

Alternatively, think about teaming up with a local brow specialist. Cross-promoting each other’s services encourages extra bookings for both businesses, while positioning you as a one-stop beauty shop.

Zemits PureKio Pro

The Zemits PureKio Pro is a high-frequency system that uses dual-gas technology to provide benefits to the skin. Neon gas aids circulation, stimulates collagen production and helps smooth fine lines, while argon gas reduces inflammation and purifies skin. The treatment can be performed in just 10 minutes.

Zemits PureKio Pro Wireless 6-in-1 High-Frequency System £175 inc VAT www.zemits.co.uk

Ashley Ford

“The device is an amazing add-on for nail technicians,” says Ashley Ford, aesthetician and Zemits brand ambassador & educator. “It calms inflammation, boosts collagen production and enhances treatments.

It’s a great way to take services to the next level.”

Treat yourself: 15-minute upgrades

CACI Micro-Pro

“There has been a growing client interest in targeted, results-driven add-ons, and handcare is an exciting opportunity for salons,” says CACI area manager, Charlie Burrows. “The hands are often overlooked when it comes to advanced skincare treatments, yet they’re one of the most visible parts of the body, and an area where clients can become conscious of signs of ageing.”

Charlie Burrows

To fulfil this demand, Charlie recommends beauty professionals add the CACI Micro-Pro to their menu. “The Micro-Pro’s Hand Rejuvenation protocol has two stages: Hand Circulation and Hand Soften,” she explains. “Microcurrent is used to stimulate the hands and enhance circulation, followed by a hydration-focused stage to support product penetration. For the client, this is an effortless, 15-minute upgrade; for a beauty professional, it creates an additional treatment opportunity without requiring a large piece of equipment.”

Charlie adds: “Rather than asking a client, ‘Would you like to add a hand treatment to your service?’, therapists can identify an opportunity by saying: ‘You’re having your nails done today, so why not treat the skin on your hands at the same time?’. It’s about creating a journey where the technology solves a client’s need, rather than selling an additional service.”

CACI Micro-Pro Starter Kit £700 + VAT www.cacibeauty.com This starter kit allows you to perform up to 65 treatments, providing ‘the potential to generate over £3,000 in revenue’.

A sense of the spa with KAESO

Leave a lasting impression on clients by introducing the Radiant Hand Ritual from KAESO to standard manicure services. Inspired by nature’s intelligence and the patterns, proportions and rhythms that shape growth, the ritual connects individual products into considered treatments. “Texture, warmth and movement each have a place, creating a complete spa experience around the hands and nails,” comments a spokesperson for the brand. “The ritual ensures a manicure with greater sensory depth.”

A warm soak infused with Chamomile Berry begins the sensory journey and Cranberry Hand Scrub follows, refining the skin through gentle circular massage over the hands and wrists. The treatment then moves into a slower, comforting phase. Berry Butter Hand Mask is applied, before the hands are wrapped in a warm towel or placed in heated mitts. This moment of warmth allows the client to settle into the experience.

After the mask is removed, select Raspberry Hand Lotion for light hydration or Berry Butter Balm for richer nourishment. Massage the chosen formulation into the hands, working through the protocol’s mapped pressure points, before finishing with Pro Cuticle Oil.

The result is a treatment designed to soften, smooth and hydrate. The protocol includes nail plate preparation before application, connecting the hand ritual with the nail service.

“A beautiful nail finish can sit within a much richer treatment experience,” shares Emma O’Neil, head of beauty brands at Professional Beauty Systems/KAESO. “From bridal packages to signature hand and foot rituals, professionals have an opportunity to bring the warmth, texture and restorative touch of a true spa experience into their services.”

KAESO products are available from beauty wholesalers including www.ellisons.co.uk and www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk

Indulgent extras: 20+-minute treatments

Piercing with Studex

Piercing is a multi-tiered service that generates revenue in several ways. Clients pay per piercing, with jewellery sold on top – plus aftercare products and visits for added piercings produce further income.

“Piercing is one of the most versatile and commercially rewarding services a beauty business can offer,” says Kathryn Darwin, commercial business manager at Studex UK. “It requires minimal appointment time, appeals to a broad customer base and can create a valuable revenue stream. The service attracts new clients, builds loyalty, drives retail sales and helps consumers express their individuality through expertly curated styling.”

Kathryn Darwin

Kathryn continues: “Most Studex piercing appointments take around 20 minutes, including the consultation, piercing and aftercare advice. The process is designed to be efficient, while ensuring every client receives professional guidance and reassurance. Businesses should ensure they have the appropriate insurance, local authority registration and training. At Studex, we work closely with industry bodies and provide ongoing support to help businesses deliver piercing services safely and confidently.”

Studex Advanced 2 in 1 Piercing Aftercare - Finger Spray Solution £POA/RRP £11.99 www.studexuk.com

“Studex Advanced Aftercare is a popular retail item,” Kathryn comments. “Powered by high-purity hypochlorous acid, it cleanses, calms and protects the skin while supporting recovery.”

Studex Sensitive Fashion Earring Display from £150 + VAT www.studexuk.com

CACI Prep & Glow Pro Starter Kit £200 + VAT www.cacibeauty.com

CACI combination

If a client is tempted by CACI’s Micro-Pro upgrade, consider combining it with the brand’s Prep & Glow Pro. This offers ‘professional cleansing and oxygenating technology in a compact, portable device’: ‘ideal skin prep before a manicure or pedicure’.

The treatment begins with the CACI Oxygenating Pod component, which gently exfoliates while boosting blood flow to energise and detoxify the skin. A blend of active ingredients, including vitamin C, kojic acid and alpha arbutin, works to ‘brighten uneven skin tone and target dullness’. A mask chosen to suit the client’s skin needs is applied, and red LED light therapy stimulates cellular activity and encourages collagen production.

“For a client with an extra 30 minutes, I’d recommend using the CACI Prep & Glow Pro followed by the Micro-Pro,” says Charlie Burrows. “This two-step approach means you’re cleansing and preparing the skin, before providing targeted microcurrent rejuvenation and hydration. Both devices can also treat the face.”

‘‘ Upgrading a treatment is a win-win for nail and beauty businesses, as a few thoughtful upgrades to your service menu can make a big difference to both your bottom line and clients’ satisfaction. ‘‘