When talking about a manicure and pedicure, the most obvious difference is the location of the body in which both take place-everyone knows a manicure is for your hands and a pedicure is for your feet. Aside from that there are many commonalities between a manicure and pedicure. Both of them include a component in which the nails are both filed and cut into an attractive shape and both include a massage. Additionally, both serve to provide relaxation, make the nails, hands and feet look better and both could be done at home as well as at a spa. Both are also available to both men and women and are considered an indulgent experience. However, despite many similarities, there are a few key differences between a manicure and pedicure that are listed below.

1. Cost

The cost for both types of treatments can vary greatly, but it is generally true that a pedicure is typically more expensive than a manicure. Smaller nail shops typically charge about $10-15 for a standard manicure and $20-$25 for a deluxe treatment. Pedicures at a similar shop would generally be $15-$20 for a standard pedicure and $25-$35 for a deluxe one.[i] Mid-range shops would be $10-$15 higher and finally a manicure at a hotel or resort spa would typically charge $25-$45 for a standard manicure, $50-$75 for a deluxe one whereas a standard pedicure would cost approximately $45-$50 and a deluxe one would be $75-$135[ii]. These rates indicate that pedicures tend to be a more expensive treatment than manicures across the board. Also, manicures tend to have more add-ons that can increase the total cost of the treatment, these include French tips, wax treatments, specialty designs, gel refills, and replacement of broken nails. Both manicures and pedicures can include an additional charge for a polish upgrade or if the customer would like to have specific designs.[iii]

2. Process

A basic manicure includes applying a cream, oil or lotion to the cuticles and then placing the hands in a warm dish of water for a few minutes to soak. After they are dried, and the cuticles are cut, a nail technician will cut and shape the nails into your preferred shape, common options include square, oval, squoval (combination of square and oval) and stiletto.[iv] At this point in time, a massage will be given and once that is completed, the polish is applied. Typically, two coats are applied and the nails are dried under a nail dryer.[v] A basic pedicure, on the other hand, places more of an emphasis on scrubbing and cleaning of the feet. Similar to a manicure, the foot is first placed in a tub to soak, but then a deep scrubbing process occurs with a pumice stone or a foot file. After that, the nails are clipped, filed and cleaned, polish is added and while it is drying the technician will apply a moisturizer to the foot and calf and massage the leg.[vi] During the pedicure, it is also likely that the customer would sit in a large chair-sometimes with a whirlpool type tub for soaking their feet-that may provide an automatic massage to their neck or back.[vii]

3. Types

In addition to the cost difference, the different types of both manicures and pedicures can vary greatly. On the manicure side, variances from the basic manicure include: the French manicure which includes adding white tips; the reverse French manicure which can entail either painting the “moon” of the nail white while the rest is a color shade or painting the entire nail white with a strip of color on the tip; the American manicure, similar to French, but that the shape includes a more rounded tip and the bright white is substituted for a more neutral or off-white color; a gel manicure, which uses a special polish that is less prone to chipping; a paraffin manicure that uses a wax infusion and adds various oils such as grapeseed to instantly moisturize the skin; and a hot stone manicure which includes all of the elements of a basic manicure, but in addition to the massage it also adds heated stones that are placed over the hands to provide relief and comfort.[viii]

Like with the manicure, there are many different variations in the basic pedicure that one can choose from. A spa pedicure includes the steps of a basic pedicure but also adds extra time spent on scrubbing or massaging the feet and legs as well as options such as paraffin wax, must masks or salt or sugar scrub. The mud mask helps to remove dead skin and relax sore feet. The salt or sugar scrub adds another level to exfoliation and provide for better moisture enhancement. A stone pedicure is another option and this helps relax ease sore muscles, aches and pains in the feet and calves by adding hot stones and sometimes, essential oils, when rubbing the foot. A mini pedicure is faster, quicker and less expensive; it typically does not have an element of massage or exfoliation and focuses on nail maintenance. There are also a variety of specialty pedicures that provide something different from the standard experience- a chocolate pedicure uses a chocolate foot scrub, mask and lotion; a margarita pedicure could contain a lime salt scrub, lime-infused water and a massage with limes; and a champagne pedicure might include a grape seed scrub, mask and oils.[ix]

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