My first ever nail brush — it is old and missing bristles, but I have it to remind me of where I started.
Trudy London
Sharica, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
Half empty bottles of everything! Even though I buy new ones, I keep thinking I will keep these just in case! Just in case what? I have half empty bottles of polish I think I might need, even though they are gunky and old. I have half empty bottles of resin that were so valuable I can’t throw them away! Or how about half empty bottles of pedicure products that I can’t squeeze any more out of, but for some reason I imagine one day they will magically squirt out!
Dana Duke
Cut-N-Up Salon, Parsons, Tenn.
My case from beauty school 25 years ago — with everything inside including the fake rubber hand!
Cindy Walston
Portland, Ore.
The telephone book covers I purchased 10 years ago to give our clients. Every year at new directory time I put them out and a few more go. Most of the businesses are no longer in business and my advertisement is on the back. Why I keep them is a mystery — people today usually just Google with their smart phones!
Tammy Gauthier
The Nail Nook, Eugene, Ore.
I personally should probably throw away all my old acrylic brushes. I have a really hard time throwing away something I invest so much money in and get so attached to. And my old schedule books. I have them from all the years I have been at my current salon. It’s nice to look back and see how far I have come and how patient I have been while building my awesome clientele.
Crystal Warner
Clip-It’s Hair and Nail Salon, Grove City, Ohio
I still have the first tip I ever received. It was very special because it was a $2 bill.
Chantel Estrada
NailZ & Co, Cotati, Calif.
I keep adhesive pots that have glued themselves closed, but still have adhesive in them. (It seems a waste.)
Jacqui Jamieson
Beauty Square, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
My little pink electric file. It has two parts — one for filing and one for buffing. The crazy thing is it still works, even though it must be at least 20 years old. It was a gift from a friend, and I’ll keep it forever as he’s no longer with us.
Deanne Thompson
Artistic Edge Nail Designs,
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Illustration by Ajay Peckham