Nail Tech Secrets

My paraffin instructions are geared towards the DIYer, but there are now lots of options for you to buy a paraffin unit for home use. The one pictured above is the HoMedics ParaSpa Mini Paraffin Bath, with Adjustable Temperature Control PAR100, available at Drugstore.com. You can also easily purchase the HoMedics ParaSpa [...]

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, [...]

A pedicure tub can be purchased at your local drugstore (usually inthe therapeutic items section), your local beauty supply, or your local bath store. I use one with a function that retains the heat in the bath, so that it doesn’t get cold while I am working. This is a great feature, but not necessary, [...]

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 [...]

clean+easy Microdermabrasion Professional System
Specially developed to help promote cell renewal, minimize fine lines and pore size, reduce the effects of sun damage and acne scarring.

The battery operated facial brush is an optional item that is easy to find now that every cosmetics company has a microdermabrasion kit available. I much prefer the actual [...]

Satin Smooth Professional Heated Mitts
Deep penetrating therapy for moisturizing and soothing dry, sore hands. Perfect for salon or home use.

Heated mitts can be purchased at a beauty supply (buy these from Folica.com), or any store with a pampering section (i.e., Bed, Bath and Beyond and similar stores).
As they are rather expensive ($40-$80), I always use [...]

The pump spray bottle is for convenience of using your cuticle remover (Blue Cross, will talk more about that shortly). Any size is fine, but all you really need is 2-4 oz. An empty travel size pump hair spray bottle is perfect. The small spray from this size bottle is the perfect size [...]

A scrub brush can be purchased anywhere from the local beauty
supply to the grocery store to the hardware store. The choice is your
preference, I have no specific recommendations here.

With these, there is a fair variety in pricing, not nearly as extreme as with the nippers, and even the cheap ones will push your cuticles back for a lifetime. From my experience, the cheap ones are too flat and narrow to hold properly. I, again, would recommend the Tweezerman Pushy. It is stainless steel, [...]