Introduction

Nail care is an important part of your hygiene, and the tools that you use are an important part of nail care. Those cute little kits that you can pick up at the dollar store really aren’t up to the challenge. Whether you do your own nail care at home, or are assembling a nail-care kit to take with you to the manicurist, there are certain tools that you should include.

Step One
Think through the tools that you use (or that are used on you during a manicure) and make a list of them.

Step Two
Include a towel on which to rest your hands and arms.

Step Three
Purchase a nail clipper that can be used on your fingernails and toenails. Choose a straight-edged nail clipper to avoid damaging the sides of your nails.

Step Four
Choose an assortment of nail files or emery boards in varying grits to use for shaping and buffing your nails.

Step Five
Tuck a dozen or so orange sticks into a plastic bag. These can’t be sterilized so they should only be used once.

Step Six
Include a small package of cotton pads (not cotton balls).

Step Seven
Buy a good sanding block or buffer that can be used to remove ridges from your nails and buff them to a light shine.

Step Eight
Pick a scrub brush with soft bristles to scrub under your nails and nail surfaces.

Step Nine
Include cuticle cream and cuticle oil to keep your cuticles soft and healthy.

Step Ten
Pack nail-polish remover. Nail-polish remover pads are a great choice.

Step Eleven
Include toe separators if you want to do pedicures.

Step Twelve
Choose a pedicure basin large enough to soak your feet in.

Step Thirteen
Include a base coat, top coat and your choice of nail enamel.

Step Fourteen
Tuck in some anti-bacterial and anti-fungal wash to prevent any cross-contamination.

Step Fifteen
Pack it all up in a tote bag with a plastic liner so that you’ll always have it handy.