The 5 Essential Nail Tools Everyone Should Have

Stumped on which tools you need for a perfect mani and pedi? Keep reading for our top five tools for your tips and toes.

Glass File

Sick of your emery boards wearing down? Invest in a glass file and you’ll never be without a nail-shaping tool again! Glass files give a smoother edge than emery or steel-textured boards, and they reduce chipping, peeling, and splitting. The glass file is a good investment because it never wears down (the glass is permanently etched!). However, glass can break, so be careful and don’t drop this on the ground.

Cuticle Nipper

For those pesky hangnails, have a pair of nippers on hand. Most people go crazy on their cuticles with this tool, but don’t over nip (and see our cuticle care tips for proper trimming protocol)!

Round Cuticle Pusher

For weekly cuticle maintenance, use a round cuticle pusher on the nail bed. Why a round shape instead of a square? The rounded design of the pusher contours to the nail better and takes off excess skin without further scraping or damage to your nail bed.

4-Way Buffer

For a quick mini-mani, a 4-way buffer is your best bet. Each side is designed to file, buff, and polish your nails to perfection within minutes. The bonus? These cost less than $5 at your local beauty supply store.

Orange Sticks/Toothpicks

From cleanup to application, orange sticks are a manicurist’s multi-purpose wonder. You can use these to apply glitter or decals, for paint designs, nail water marbling, and to clean up excess polish on the skin. If you don’t have orange sticks around, keep at least a handful of toothpicks in your kit for similar results.