Nail Tech Secrets

You will need a quality base coat specific to your nail type, the color of your choice, and a top coat. Jessica Nail Systems have released their line to the public now, and in my opinion their treatment base coats are the very best. Jessica can be purchased through the link above, or at many [...]

Choose a good rich lotion that is meant for very dry, even cracked, skin. Neutrogena makes a great one, Cetaphil cream (above, from Drugstore.com) is great for sensitive skin (and is non scented for sensitive noses). I have become a fan of Zim’s Crack Cream (which is really an oil rather than a cream) recently. [...]

This is - bar none - the best cuticle remover on the market. Blue Cross is super inexpensive, but can, again, be a bit hard to find. Again, Sallys Beauty Supply carries it, and you can sometimes find it in a drugstore. This is an inexpensive product, and the best one made. Don’t [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 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 [...]

You can use an old crock pot (with a warm setting, do NOT use one with only one setting), or a small potpourri warmer (even one with a candle, if you remember to start it up early enough), both available at most grocery stores or a kitchen specialty
shop. You can even use a microwavable bowl, [...]

You will use the Tupperware style container to disinfect your tools either after you have used them, or before the next time (often easier, especially if you forget to disinfect them BEFORE you polish your nails). This will also be where you store your tools, so they don’t get bumped around and lose their [...]