Correct preparation is the foundation of any nail service. Having the correct lineup of tools to use is a crucial part of making sure your services are efficient, whether you’re doing a natural nail service, acrylic service, or gel-polish service. But which tools do you need, and how do you know which to choose? Many tools are available in different sizes and varieties, so you can customize to your liking. You can even find beautifully designed and durable cases to create a home for your newly customized tool kit! Here are some ways to perfectly customize your kit for the specific service type in which you specialize.

The Perfect Natural Nail Kit

If you want to provide the healthiest natural manicure and pedicure services, using the right tools is a must. For pedicures, toenail trimmers are crucial implements. A straight blade toenail trimmer is a great basic tool for trimming the straight edge of natural nails, as well as for work on toes, while a crescent-shaped toenail trimmer can be a good option for the toughest pedicure clients. Another necessary tool for pedicures is a foot file to smooth away tough dead skin and calluses.

To deal with cuticles, you’ll need a pusher for lifting cuticle tissue from the nails, and a nipper for trimming excess cuticle. A curved cuticle shear can also be helpful for carefully removing dead skin from the toenails or fingernails. Cleaning under the nails is another important part of nail prep. A curette or scoop is a multi-purpose tool that can be used for cleaning under the free edge as well as removing lifted cuticle from the nail plate. It’s also useful for removing debris and buildup from under the big toenail. A double-sided ingrown nail file is another helpful tool. It can be used to get in close and correct potential ingrown nails.

Tools included in the natural nail kit:

• Cuticle nipper

• Cuticle shear

• Straight blade toenail trimmer

• Crescent-shaped toenail trimmer

• Pusher

• Foot file

• Ingrown nail file

• Curette

The Perfect Gel Kit

Assembling a good kit of tools for your gel and gel-polish manicures will help ensure you get the best adhesion and easiest removal. Every gel manicure starts out with good prep. That means you’ll need a good pusher and nipper for removing cuticle from the nail surface and a nail cutter for trimming the natural nail. A curette or scoop for cleaning under the free edge is also useful. Once you’re ready to apply your products, several tools can help make your life easier. A shear is perfect for cutting gel forms, and you can use an acrylic nipper to trim excess gel from an enhancement. Use tweezers to apply tips to prepared nails. A spatula is a great tool for mixing gel colors.

Tools included in the gel kit:

• Pusher

• Spatula

• Acrylic nipper

• Tweezers

• Cuticle nipper

• Toenail cutter

• Scoop

• Shear

The Perfect Acrylic Kit

Like any service, an acrylic service requires good prep tools such as a nipper for cuticle removal and a scoop for cleaning under the free edge. There are other specific tools that will make your acrylic services easier. Straight tweezers are the best tool for pinching acrylic forms to achieve the perfect contour. Use a tip cutting shear to trim long plastic tips. Some tools are available in a convenient combined form. A combo pusher with a point end can be used both to push back cuticle for prep and to check for product lifting. An angled pusher and smile line tool can be used for smile lines as well as nail prep. A double spring acrylic nipper can be better for removing old acrylic because the double spring offers more bounce back.

Tools included in the acrylic nail kit:

• Double spring acrylic nipper

• Cuticle nipper

• Tweezers

• Tip cutting shear

• Scoop

• Crescent shaped toenail trimmer

• Combo pusher and point

• Angled pusher and smile line tool with pterygium removing knife

The Perfect Nail Art Add‐Ons

For nail art lovers, tools can help you apply great nail designs. A pusher/point combo tool can be used for detailed art with nail colors, marble effects, streaking work, or tie-dye effects. Straight tweezers are great for applying nail art elements such as gems. Extra-fine straight scissors will make it easier to cut nail art tape or decals. Large tip tweezers can also make it easier to apply decals.

Tools included in the nail art add-ons:

• Pusher/point combo

• Straight nail art applicator tweezers

• Extra-fine straight scissors

• Large tip decal tweezers

The Perfect Complete Set

If you’re a beginner or just looking to set up a basic kit for most general nail applications, purchasing a complete kit can be a great option. This will provide everything you need to get your nail services started. Antoine De Paris’s complete kit includes these items:

• Acrylic nipper

• Cuticle nipper

• Crescent-shaped toenail trimmer

• Manicure shear

• Cuticle pusher

• Scoop

• Foot file

• Jewelry/nail art tweezers

Whether you choose your own implements or buy a complete kit, buying high-quality tools is an important investment in your business. Antoine De Paris’s implements are long-lasting and feature blades that can be sharpened and springs that can be replaced when necessary. Starting out with a high-quality kit will save you money over time.