Do pay attention to the grit of the files you purchase. A higher number means a less abrasive file. I usually use a 240 grit file. I recommend Tropical Shine files which can easily be purchased from your local beauty supply. They last a long time, are inexpensive and are just the best files I have used. The 4 way buffer comes in either block form (pictured) or long thin traditional nail file shape. There are 3 or 4 different grits on these files, the roughest starting at about 400-600 grit, and going down until the smoothest grit feels like smooth leather. Again I recommend Tropical Shine, it is the longest lasting and most economical. They can be a little hard to find as well, but are carried by Sally’s Beauty Supply and can be found in some drugstores now as well. Try both shapes and choose the one you like best, both have advantages but I think the block shape will last longer.
Manicures,
pedicures,
Supplies
For polish removal–gauze is best, paper towels are second best. Gauze is sometimes hard to find, but well worth it. Sometimes you can find them in the local beauty supply, or your local drug store in the first aid section, but it is easier and most economical to order them on the internet from a dental supplier. You do not need sterile gauze, these are very expensive at the drug store, and just not worth it. If you order them, order 2×2 (inches), non sterile cotton gauze pads. These pads are much better than cotton balls, because they do not leave the stringy lint that gets into your polish no matter how hard you try to keep it out. Their texture allows for much easier polish removal as well, they are like a scrubby sponge. Another alternative is pads that you can purchase at any drug store, they are sold as lint free, and indeed they are, however they are SO thin and smooth textured that it takes a lot of them to get the job done. Even if you have to purchase the pads in bulk from a dental supplier, you will find lots of uses for them around the house, especially in your first aid kit.
Unless caught in a desperate situation, I always purchase pure acetone at the hardware store, in a metal can, available in all different sizes. This has many uses around the home; a gallon can be a money saver. I store what I am using in a pump style plastic container which can be purchased at most any beauty supply or drugstore.
o Hospital Grade Disinfectant or Alcohol
Sanitation,
Supplies
o Everything listed for the Basic Spa Manicure, minus the bowl
o A few more towels
o Paper towels
o Block(s) of Gulf Wax Paraffin
o Oil-Almond, Olive, Jojoba, Vitamin E or your choice
o SMALL bottle of essential oil (your choice of scent)
o Plastic wrap
o Several hand towels
o Your regular daily/weekly facial supplies (cleanser, scrub,
toner, moisturizer, anti-aging serum)
o Penetrating mask and/or glycolic acid peel and/or microdermabrasion
cream
o Plastic Wrap
o 2+ hand towels
o Pure acetone, or nail polish remover (non oily or moisturizing
WITH acetone)
o 2×2 gauze squares or paper towels (for polish removal-no cotton
balls!)
o Fine grit nail file (200 or higher grit)
o 4 way buffer
o Liquid soap of your choice, non moisturizing
o Blue Cross Cuticle Remover
o Lotion of your choice
o Nail Polish (base coat, color, top coat)
o Salt (may use sea salt, but regular salt does just fine)
o Oil-Almond, Olive, Jojoba, Vitamin E or your choice
o Several hand towels
A foot file or pumice stone is used to smooth and exfoliate the dry skin and callous on the bottoms of your feet. I highly recommend that you find a Swedish Clover Fot File, made by Flowery. These are without a doubt the best foot files made. They last forever, they absolutely will not break, and they get all that dry skin off your feet like you wouldn’t believe! They can be a little tricky to find–Sally’s Beauty Supply in the U.S. carries them though.
pedicures,
Tools and Implements
