The Tools I Use for Professional-Quality Nails at Home
- Aubrynn Leystra
- Aug 28, 2024
- 3 min read
If you are often short on time or can't justify spending the money each month but love having manicured and polished nails, then I have good news for you!
The salon-level look is achievable at home if you use the right products and follow the right steps!
Here's my nail routine and all the tools I use to get professional-quality nails from the comfort of my home:
Polish Removal
Since I use dip powder on my fingernails, this doesn't usually apply to me, but if you're a girly who needs to take old polish off, try this non-acetone remover! I love that it is non-toxic, unscented, and it works!
Cut, File, and Shape
This is basic maintenance that you're probably doing even if you aren't sitting down to give yourself a full mani, but if you don't take the time to cut your nails to all be a standard length and file them to your preferred shape, then you are sacrificing the salon look right from the start.
My favorite nail clippers (probably a weird thing to have a favorite of, but it's true haha) is this stainless steel one from Tweezerman. It is easy to grip, strong, and great quality. The stainless steel material is great, because it doesn't show wear and tear or rust.
For filing, this pack of 10 has last me for so long. They are large (which I prefer) for an easier grip, thick and sturdy, and the grit does the job.
Cuticle Care
If you find your mani struggles to last, a big culprit could be cuticles that weren't properly removed prior to polishing. I've noticed a significant increase in the amount of time (like 1-2 weeks) my nails stay nice when I take the time to care for my cuticles.
The two tools I use for this job are a cuticle pusher and a cuticle trimmer. The cuticle pusher helps to push back the cuticle to reveal your full nail and make it easier to trim. I've found a stainless steel one holds up the best, and a good hack is to do this after a bath or shower when your skin is warm and soft.
Not all cuticle trimmers are made the same. I would recommend choosing one with a good grip and that has a sturdy frame.
Remove Nail Shine
It's important to remove any shine from your nails prior to polishing to create a surface that has good grip.
I always used to just use a nail file for this, but I was never happy with the results. I found the Finishing Touch Flawless Mani Tool during Amazon Prime Days, and I thought I would give it a try.
Not only is it beautiful, but it works! I was intimidated to use a drill tool for fear of ruining my nails. However, this particular one is so user friendly and great for beginners. The different tips and speeds are easy to figure out.
From the very first use, I've noticed a difference in the quality and longevity of my manicure. I will never go back to not using a drill!
Time to Polish!
The best part of the process!
For my fingers, I prefer dip powder, because it always lasts the longest and give my nails extra strength. I've found the brand Revel Nail to work well. The starter kit comes with a step-by-step guide to make the process easy and four powder colors - all for the cost of just one manicure at the salon. They have tons of colors to choose from to build your collection.
If I am going to use a regular lacquer, I love the ZOYA brand. It is a non-toxic polish that is free from the Big 10 chemicals most other polishes have in them (including formeldahyde and Parabens - yuck!). The cost is reasonable, and they also have so many colors available.
The final touch should always be a good top coat and proper dry time. Then, voilà!, you're all set with a polished, professional mani for the next few weeks!
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