For nail techs who are constantly on the go, their box of tools may be the only constant in their lives. Traveling techs share their toolkit must-haves that help them thrive while on the road.
Jenna Hipp
Home base: Los Angeles
Some travel required: The Celestine Agency celebrity tech
Won’t leave home without:
✓ Dermalogica Hydro-Active mineral salts, stress relief treatment oil, and other products (to incorporate into manicures and pedicures)
✓95° and Sunny customized crystal glass manicure files with my name on them
✓95° and Sunny breast cancer awareness products
✓ Carolyn New York entire polish line (DBP-free!) and Essie Polishes
Rachel Mouritsen
Home base: Vancouver, Wash.
Some travel required: top-ranked competitor
Won’t leave home without:
✓Heating pad (to keep my nail model warm)
✓Can of air (to remove dust from the table area and off the model)
✓Shop towels (really thick and great absorption!)
✓INM Winners Red nail polish (red polish is required to compete)
✓Add-ons depending on the competition — for example, if it is a design competition, I’ll pack my colored powders.
Lynn Lammers
Home base: Redlands, Calif.
Some travel required: top-ranked competitor
Won’t leave home without:
✓Bright green name tag (for the suitcase itself, to identify it at the airport baggage claim)
✓The red nail polish required to compete
✓ Coffee cup warmer (to use under a metal bowl to warm water for washing nails)
✓ Greens+ Natural Energy Bars (you don’t get much time to eat during a competition)
✓Blanket (for whomever I may be working on)
✓Travel clock with a thermometer
✓Orbit gum
