A Nail Tool Kit for A Nail Technician

Creating nail designs takes years of practice, training, and experience to master. Even then, there are many variables that you can not control, such as the reaction of clients to the results or how their natural nails react to your products. That’s why it’s important for nail technicians to keep their nail tool kit stocked correctly. To help you with that, we have compiled a list of essential items you need in your nail tech supply list.

Nail Tech Supply Checklist

While there are literally thousands of tools and products you could include in your acrylic nail supplies kit, there are a few essentials that every technician should have in their kit. You will use these items at almost every manicure and pedicure service you perform. These nail tech supply list items will provide the most value in your kit.

Figure 01. A nail technician checklist.

Nail Desk/ Station

A nail desk or a manicure station is one of the most important items on the nail tech supply list. It is where all your nail supplies are displayed for your client’s convenience. You can even use a portable nail desk if you work at clients’ homes or in a salon without a nail room. A nail desk should have ample storage space and drawers to organize your supplies. The price of a nail desk depends on the type of materials it’s made of and the brand name. 

Figure 02. A good nail desk/station and its required features.

Nail Table Lamp

The next item on our nail supply checklist is a nail table lamp. This is a critical tool in any nail supply kit. If you work at a salon, you will use this in every service you perform. It’s also an important piece of equipment in a home salon. When shopping for a manicure lamp, look for one that provides UV-free light. This is important because you don’t want your client to get skin damage from the light. Another feature to consider is the ability to adjust the light. In addition to using light for your client, you will use it for your own benefit. Having a light source that provides plenty of light while not too bright is important. If you are working with a salon, talk to your manager about providing you with an appropriate table lamp.

Learn more about how to become A Nail Technician, here.

Basic Manicure Set Tools for A Nail Technician

Figure 03. Basic manicure set tools for a nail technician.

Nail Cutter

Nail cutters trim, shape, and cut your client’s nails. You can also use nail cutters to cut acrylic nails, artificial nails, and even your own nails when necessary. Make sure the nail cutters you purchase are of high quality. If you’re cutting acrylic nails regularly, you should get a pair of nail cutters specifically designed for that. You can find nail cutters in different materials, including stainless steel, titanium, and carbon steel. Stainless steel cutters are commonly used in salons. However, if you have clients with sensitive nails, titanium is a better option. Carbon steel is more durable and can last longer. You can also find nail cutters with built-in files that can be used to shape your clients’ nails.

Nail Polish

Nail polish is used to paint the nails on your clients’ hands. Make sure the nail polish you get is free of harmful chemicals. You can find nail polish in different colors, and you can use nail polish in different ways, including as a top coat and a base coat. You can also use nail polish remover to remove old nail polish from your clients’ nails or your own. Make sure the nail polish remover you get is made of high-quality materials and can be easily cleaned.

LED/UV Lamp

A good LED/UV lamp is necessary to cure hard gels, mild gels, and regular gel polish. Gel polish cures under LED lamps in approximately 30 seconds, but it takes around 3 minutes under UV rays. The market has recently seen the introduction of lamps that mix LED and UV light, enabling versatile uses for various kinds of gel polishes.

Nail Dryer and Ventilation

A nail dryer dries your clients’ hands after they wash them with soap and water. Make sure the nail dryer you get is made of high-quality materials and can be easily cleaned. There are two types of nail dryers: halogen and ionic. Halogen dryers use ultraviolet light to dry your client’s hands after washing. This is not good for your client's skin. On the other hand, Ionic nail dryers use negative ions to remove water from your client’s hands. This is a better option because it doesn’t damage your client’s skin. 

A nail dryer can also be used to ventilate your workstation. If you work in a salon where the ventilation is poor, a nail dryer can help you reduce the amount of dust in the air. This can help reduce the risk of contracting various diseases, such as allergies, asthma, and more. Make sure the nail dryer you choose has a high-quality filter.

Learn more about the required things for A Nail Technician, here.

Nail Art Tools

Nail art brushes are used to paint designs on your clients’ nails. Make sure the nail art brushes you get are made of high-quality materials. You can find nail art brushes in different shapes and sizes, including round, square, and angled. 

• Round brushes are used for dot designs.
• Square brushes are used for linear designs. 
• Angled brushes are used for a combination of the two. 

Squeeze bottles are used to pour designs on your clients’ nails. Make sure the bottles you get are made of high-quality materials and can be easily cleaned. You can get bottles with different tip sizes designed for different designs. Nail decals are stickers with designs that can be applied to your client's nails. These are great for beginners who are just learning how to do nail art. You can also use nail decals as accent nails. Nail decals are great for people who don’t have much experience painting their nails because they’re easy to use. There are many different designs to choose from.

Nail Foils

You can find nail foils in different colors and sizes. Make sure the nail foils you get are made of high-quality materials and can be easily cleaned. You can use nail foils to create endless designs, including lace and chevron designs. You can also use nail foils to accent nails. Professional nail foils are more expensive than regular nail foils. Nail gems are small, decorative stones that add bling to your client’s nails. You can find nail gems in different colors, including gold and silver. You can use nail gems to accent nails or create nail designs. Nail stickers are similar to nail gems but are less expensive and smaller in size. You can find nail stickers in a wide variety of designs and colors. Nail stickers are great for beginners who are just learning how to do nail art.

Visit our Nail Exam Website to learn more about the Nail Technician Tests and get advice on how to pass them and get your Nail Technician License.

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