Tools Of The Trade.

This is my collection of nail stuff that helps to make nail art and polishing much easier and more professional looking. First of all good cuticle nippers are a major bonus, clipped cuticles show off your manicure and make polishing and cleanup much easier. A good pusher, nail clippers file and a buffer help to finish off nail preparation and get you on your way to polish!

   

I use a Kolinsky Brush :: pictured below:: (used for acrylic) as a brush to clean polish from the skin, cuticles etc.  Dip the brush in a dappen dish full of acetone ( a shot glass, or any glass cup or bowl around the house works also) Tap brush on a paper towel to prevent drips, and presto you have the most precise mistake fixer you can get! *Qtips and cotton seem to always make their way into the polish when used to clean up. This is also the same brush I use to perfect my Smile line when doing my french manicures. This is probably one of the most helpful tricks Ive learned, especially in perfecting your french mani.

 

This scary looking thing below makes rough heels a synch. So I figured I'd share what we call the "cheese grater" with you. Yes, gross I know, but the smooth results are way more attractive. You can find them on Ebay, or at professional beauty stores like CosmoProf. Its made by Microplane and is by far the best I've used so far. Combine this with a Pumice stone and you'll have feet as smooth as a babys butt.

 

This is the bowl that i use for the water marbling that I showed you in my last post. The size seems to be just right and the plastic gives the polish something to grab on to.

 

This is my collection of striping polishes. You can get these at Sally's Beauty Supply, or CosmoProf the brand is Stripe RITE. These and Precision brand seem to have longer thinner brushes that work much better.

 

These are a cheaper line of stripers called Kiss, The brushes are not as good and the color goes on very light. I mainly use these ones for adding glitter to designs.

 

Cuticle oil. Enough said. Any brand will do I like that his one can be applied with a brush instead of dropped on. This also works as a instant polish dryer. However, my idea of instant and how fast it actually dries is a little different. But it does help speed up the process a bit. Always wash hands if using cuticle oil before polishing. Or wipe with alcohol, the more oil on the surface of the nail the more chance you have of lifts and chips.

 

These are the American Manicure line, its applied exactly like a french manicure. Only its has a very natural look to it. The smile line is more of an ivory. And then the base is a clear pink.

 

China Glaze Innocence (below) one of my favorite bases for french mani's.  Its more of a milky pink. People who don't like a lot of color or can't have bright polishes at work usually love this. It also looks great over the entire nail without french.

 

OPI's natural nail strengthener, works very well to help add strength to brittle or weak nails. * Most strengthening polishes usually contain small fibers that layer over each other to add strength to the nail, so be sure to shake before use, and do two thin coats and let dry well before adding your color on top.

 

Below are my dotters, Which work well for almost anything nail art and have been a ton of help since I've got them. They give dots more of a perfect and professional looking shape. Filed down toothpicks always work well for those who cant find these. I got mine at a beauty supply store. Ive seen them on Ebay, and you can even check your local craft store (Thanks, Aleta).

 

These are the fimo clay pieces and jewels that I buy from CosmoProf.

 

This dotting tool is my favorite so far because it's super tiny and has a detailing brush on the other end. Oh, the best part is it was on sale at Sally's for $2.99.

Having good tools always makes getting the look you want easier. But most tools can be substituted with things you find laying around the house.