Nail Tech Secrets

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 Hospital Grade Disinfectant or Alcohol

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 [...]