These days, getting a manicure is no longer the reserve of the rich and famous. If you’re thinking about starting up your own nail boutique, or if you’d simply like to do your own manicures at home, it’s essential to know which equipment to use for a manicure. When you have the right tools and varnishes, you’ll be able to achieve any look you like, whether it’s classical or whimsical, elegant or artistic. On the other hand, you could really mess up if you don’t have the right accessories or the best techniques. To put the odds on your side, follow this simple guide for a successful manicure.
The manicurist’s motto: Be prepared
If you want your hands to look good, you can’t just dive into the nail polish. You need to prepare both the nails and the skin on your hands. This is where the equipment used for a manicure comes in. After you wash your hands with soap and water, you will need:
- A cuticle blade for removing the dry skin around the nails
- A wooden or metal cuticle pusher
- A nail buffing/polishing block
- One or more nail files with different grades of grit
- A nourishing oil to massage into the cuticles
- A clear base coat to prevent nail discolouration
When you’ve prepared your hands and shaped your nails, then you’re ready for the most difficult step: choosing the perfect shade of polish. Apply two thin layers of colour, followed by a protective topcoat.
Ladies, your brushes!
Just as artists choose their brushes with care, manicurists are finicky about the kinds of brushes they use as well. There are many kinds of brush styles and sizes on the market. A broad tip lets you lay down even strokes of colour, while a fine tip allows you to execute artistic detail with care and flair. And yes, all your bottles of nail polish do come with brushes, but they are often of poor quality and easily become frayed.
Ooh-la-la, a French manicure
Your little toolkit of equipment for manicures won’t be complete if it doesn’t contain all the elements for a so-chic French manicure. In addition to the basic manicure tools, you'll need:
- A natural-coloured nail polish (beige or pink)
- An opaque white varnish for the nail tips
- French manicure stencils or sticky tape
Erase and start again
It's always the same story; the first few days you ADORE your manicure, but after a while, all you see is a need for a new paint job. No problem: your assortment of equipment for manicures includes a good bottle of nail polish remover, with or without acetone, and some cleaning and disinfecting solution for your tools. After all, being a good manicurist is all about good hygiene.
Hands up!
Now, don’t forget the most important step of the process: the culmination of your careful efforts and the result of having all the right equipment for manicures. Wave your hands in the air and strut your stuff. Oh, and before you head outdoors, be sure to pamper your hands with a bit of moisturizing lotion to keep your manicure looking fresh.
