We can all agree that nails matter when it comes to feeling good about ourselves and how other perceives us. Having clean, elegant and well-groomed nails speaks about a woman who takes care of herself. But beauty maintenance sometimes comes at a price. Going to a mani/pedi salon every two weeks or so to fix the nails can take a toll on your budget.
A much more affordable option is to do your nails at home, of course. But to do it like a pro, you need the right nail tools for that. Don’t worry if you think you don’t have the right skills to give yourself a good manicure. Having the right tools is more important to achieve a professional look.
Nail Tools You Need for a Professional At-home Manicure and Pedicure
- Nail Polish Remover
- Nail Clippers
- Cuticle Tools
- Nail Files and Buffers
- Nail Drill
- Cuticle Oil
- Nail Brushes
- Toe Separator
- Base Coat
- Nail Polish
- Tweezers
- Top Coat
- UV/LED Lamps
- Hand/foot Moisturizer
These are the essential nail supplies that professionals use at a salon, and doing your nails at home will cost you only a fraction of the cost of going to the pros. With such a wide range of nail tools online, mastering your manicure skills is easier than ever before.
Nail Polish Remover
It’s essential to have properly cleaned nails for a smooth and even application. Find a gentle polish remover for both normal and gel polish that will thoroughly clean any leftover polish or fix mistakes during the manicure/pedicure without damaging your nails. Strong removers can be too drying.
Nail Clippers
First and foremost, cutting your nails is the most basic step in prepping for a manicure or pedicure. Many people decide to file their nails instead of cutting, but that’s not the correct way. If your nails have grown longer than what you want them to be, you should be cutting them first, then use the file to shape the nails in the desired fashion. It’s important to note that you don’t want to cut your nails too short because you are exposing the soft tissue underneath and it becomes too sensitive to touch.
Cuticle Tools
The next essential tool for nails is a cuticle pusher and nipper. Use the pusher to push all your cuticles back and you can also use it the remove any dirt or build-up under the nails. It’s important to be very gentle when doing so to avoid damage to the soft tissue and possible infection.
A cuticule nipper is optional. It’s used to remove any excess skin or cuticles to help you achieve a polished look. If you feel like filing and pushing away the cuticles wasn’t enough to create a smooth base, then you can use the cuticle nipper.
Nail Files and Buffers
Once you trim the nails, it’s time to shape them. The file helps to grind and smooth down the edges of your nails and give them a nice shape. Starting from the corners, file gently in one direction while moving towards the centre. The same technique applies to both manicures and pedicures.
There are different nail files such as glass, ceramic, crystal, emery board and metal. To keep the hygiene on point, the best is to use washable ones made from non-porous materials. After you file your nails, use a buffer to create a smooth base. The buffer is used to eliminate ridges or any peeling leftovers after the filing. Apply light pressure when you buffer to avoid over-thinning.
Nail Drill
Nail drills are electrical files used for filing and removing enhancements. They can act as cuticle pushers, cuticle nippers and cuticle knives, all in one. However, if your cuticles are too hard, then you still need to be using the cuticle pusher for best results.
Cuticle Oil
Cuticles require extra care after the filing and pushing the skin away. To soothe them and promote strong and healthy nail plates, oils come as a blessing in a bottle. They improve blood circulation, restore moisture, prevent hangnails and deliver a glossy and glowing finish.
Use them after you’ve finished filing and fixing the cuticles or after the manicure for nourished and glossy nails. Rub the oil onto the cuticles and let it absorb. Most nail techs use oil after the manicure or pedicure to achieve long-lasting nail polish and boost healthy nail growth.
Nail Brushes
Nail brushes are a vital nail tool for the overall nail art and the final look. Choosing the right brush is important to ensure proper acrylic and gell applications, as well as create an impeccable art nail design.
There are acrylic brushes, gel brushes, art brushes and dust brushes and each is used for a different purpose in the manicure and pedicure process.
Acrylic Brushes
These are used for acrylic nail application and they come in different shapes and sizes, usually thicker than gel brushes. They can be made from animal or synthetic hairs, so if you’re vegan, make sure to check the description.
Gel Brushes
Gel brushes are affordable and are typically made from nylon material, also known as Taklon. They are long-lasting and easy to clean, providing a streak-free and flawless gel application. They can also be used to remove any extra nail polish. Gel brushes are perfect if you want more natural-looking nails.
Nail Art Brushes
These are used to create intricate designs and impeccable art overall. Nail art brushes vary in size and shape such as round, flat or nagled and the bristles can be made from natural or synthetic hairs.
Dust Brushes
Dust brushes are used to remove dirt under the nails and between fingers and toes to prevent dirt buildup and infection. They are also an excellent exfoliator for removing dead skin around the nails and help achieve smooth and soft skin.
Toe Separator
A toe separator is a flexible tool used to separate the toes for an even nail polish application. It’s very comfortable to use and it does a great job at preventing smudges.
Base Coat
Whether you’re doing a manicure or pedicure, always start with a base coat. The purpose of the base is to protect the nails from staining that can often come with the use of nail polish. Furthermore, a base keeps your nails from breaking, peeling or stripping and helps the nail polish last longer.
Nail Polish
This is the most fun part of the process and it sets the tone for further decorating the nails. Depending on what look you’re going for, you can use pastel colours, nail polish in light and neutral colours or dark and bold colours. Paint your nails in one single colour, ombre or have a few nails painted in different colours.
Regardless of the colour you pick, invest in quality nail polish to ensure a smooth application and long-lasting effects.
Tweezers
Decorating your nails gives the final touch of the art and tweezers are used precisely for that. Much like when applying false eyelashes, you can use them to carefully pick up and add gems or any small objects to create an enticing design or use them for nail tip applications and c-curve sculpting.
Top Coat
A top coat is used to prevent nail polish from peeling and chipping and it gives a glowy and smooth finish to the nails. It protects the colour from sun and water damage and it cuts down on the waiting time for the nail polish to dry.
UV/LED Lamps
A UV/LED lamp is the final and essential step of your manicure. Both UV and LED lamps use direct UV wavelengths, but unlike UV lamps which use a broader UV spectrum, LED lamps emit a narrower spectrum of wavelengths. Both are safe to use, as they emit controlled amounts of UV rays without causing any damage. They are used to cure and speed-dry the gel polish.
UV/LED lamps are a worthy investment that helps create a professional look at home without breaking the bank. Although LED lamps are generality pricier than UV lamps, there are many affordable options that come with great quality.
Hand or Foot Moisturiser
As a final step of the procedure, use a hand or foot moisturiser. After all the work that has been done, it’s time to replenish the skin. Due to the hydrating and nourishing properties of moisturizers, they leave soft and healthy-looking skin, which amplifies the manicure and pedicure results.
