A manicure in Munich costs from 50€. Eyelash extensions — from 80 to 120€. A course in either direction at MONLIS takes 2–3 days and costs 750€. That means after your first course, just 10–15 clients are enough to break even.
But what to learn first — manicure or lashes — doesn’t depend on what’s «more popular», but on which working rhythm suits you.
In this article we compare both directions across five criteria: demand, learning difficulty, speed of first income, earnings potential, and personal preferences. No abstractions — only what’s relevant to working in Munich.
Service Demand: What Do Clients Order More in Munich?
Manicure is a mass-market service. Most women get one every month, some every two weeks. It’s a predictable client flow that doesn’t depend on the season or market mood. The nail services market in Germany exceeded 530 million euros in 2023 and is projected by Grand View Research to nearly double by 2030.
Eyelash extensions follow a different logic. Clients come less often: a fill is needed every 2–4 weeks, a full set less frequently. However, the price is higher and the procedure takes longer — meaning the specialist sees fewer clients per day.
Both directions are consistently in demand in Munich. According to market data, demand for lash and brow services grew by 19% in 2024 — not a temporary trend, but a stable one. Manicure hasn’t gone anywhere: it’s simply older and more routine for clients.
If a large, stable client flow is important to you — manicure wins. If you prefer fewer clients but a higher price per service — lashes are the better choice.
Learning Difficulty: Where Is It Easier for a Beginner to Start?
There’s a nuance here that most articles overlook.
Manicure isn’t easier. It’s different. The basic technique is mastered relatively quickly: cuticle care, polish application, nail shaping — all of this is practised in the first days. The tools are straightforward, the workspace is open. With patience and good motor skills, the start will be comfortable.
Eyelash extensions are precision work in a confined space. The client lies with eyes closed, each lash is attached individually. Meditative, if that suits you; exhausting, if it doesn’t. The hand develops more slowly — not because it’s harder, but because more practice hours are needed to achieve consistent results.
The MONLIS manicure course runs for 3 days and costs 750€, including materials and an international certificate. The eyelash extension course — 2 days, also 750€ with all materials and a certificate. Both courses are practice-focused: minimal theory, maximum hands-on work with real models.
A key advantage of MONLIS is instruction in Ukrainian. It’s the only beauty school in Munich where you don’t need to overcome a language barrier while learning technique. When you understand the instructor’s explanations the first time, learning goes faster.
For most beginners, manicure is the softer entry point. But if precise, focused work appeals to you — lashes can be just as good a fit.
Speed of Start: When Will Your First Income Arrive?
After the MONLIS manicure course, taking on your first client the following week is realistic. The service is photogenic: results are immediately visible and easy to photograph for Instagram or Telegram. A beginner master’s account gains followers quickly — especially with a few before/after photos and a note on pricing.
With lashes, the picture is slightly different. Starting after the course is also possible, but most masters spend another 1–2 weeks practising speed and consistency. That’s not a problem — just something to factor into your planning.
Important: to work as a manicure or lash master in Germany, no state licence is required. Completing a course, obtaining a certificate and registering a Gewerbe — a sole-trader business — is sufficient. Registration takes a few days and costs approximately 20–30€.
The international MONLIS certificate is recognised by employers and salons in Germany and beyond.
Manicure offers a faster and simpler start — both technically and in terms of social media promotion.
Income: What Brings in More in the First Year?
Let’s look at the numbers.
A manicure master in Munich charges from 50€ per procedure. Pedicure — 80–100€. With 5–6 clients per day, that’s a daily turnover of 250–300€. Even working part-time — 3–4 days a week at the start — that’s a realistic 1,500–2,000€ per month.
A lash master: from 80 to 120€ per set. With 3–4 clients per day — 240–480€. Fewer clients, but a higher margin per service. According to analyst data, the average salary of a manicure master in Germany is around 2,500$ per month — figures for lash masters are comparable but depend on workload and pricing.
Early in your career, income depends not only on the chosen direction but on client volume. Manicure is easier to market through social media — greater demand, shorter client return cycle. Lashes offer a higher price per service but require more time to build a client base.
In the first year, manicure typically brings more stable and predictable income — due to higher client volume. Lashes offer potentially higher earnings per service with fewer clients.
What to Choose — A Practical Checklist
This is the most important section — no hedging.
| Criterion | Manicure | Eyelash Extensions |
| Client flow | High, monthly | Lower, but stable |
| Average price | from 50€ | from 80–120€ |
| Start after course | As early as next week | After 1–2 weeks of practice |
| Difficulty | Open workspace, motor skills | Precise fine work |
| Promotion | Easy — nail photos | Harder to photograph |
| Course length | 3 days | 2 days |
| Cost | 750€ (materials included) | 750€ (materials included) |
Choose manicure if:
- you want a high client volume and stable income from the first weeks;
- open, straightforward work without microscopic precision comes more naturally to you;
- you plan to promote yourself on social media — manicure is photogenic and spreads well;
- you’re not sure what suits you more — this is the safer first step.
Choose eyelash extensions if:
- precise, focused work is your thing;
- you prefer fewer clients but a higher price per service;
- you’re prepared to spend a bit more time refining your technique before your first paying client;
- you’ve already done lashes for friends and want to formalise your skills.
Most MONLIS students who are unsure end up starting with manicure. Not because it’s «easier», but because your first client in your first week is the best thing that can happen to your confidence in your new skills. Adding lashes later is a logical and common next step. Many MONLIS masters complete both courses within the first six months.
View all programmes: all MONLIS courses.
Both directions are realistic starting points in Munich. The difference is in the rhythm, not the quality.
Manicure means client flow, stability, and fast social media traction. Eyelash extensions mean fewer clients but a higher price and precise, concentrated work. For most beginners with no prior experience, manicure is the safer first step: easier start, more straightforward technique, greater demand.
But the main point is that both courses at MONLIS take 2–3 days and include an international certificate. So regardless of your choice, you can take on your first clients as early as next week.
Choose your date and direction in the MONLIS course calendar — or explore the manicure course or the eyelash extension course in detail before signing up.
This article is for informational purposes only. Income depends on individual factors, including skill level, workload, and market conditions.
