Types of Manicure Tools

As with press-on nails or DIY manicures, having the appropriate tools is key for successful application and care of nail designs. Below are our favorite tools which contain everything necessary for quick cleanup or designing custom nails.

Nail cutters and clippers are an indispensable part of nail care routine. Nunez recommends purchasing the following kit that features both tools, as well as an alternative form: glass nail filing system that’s more gentle than metal. Afterward, this file can easily be disinfected between uses for better hygiene.

Cuticle Pusher

This double-ended metal cuticle pusher is specially designed to gently push back cuticles without scratching nails, as well as having a pointed end for tucking corners of nails under or cleaning underneath them.

Contrasting with cuticle nippers that cut into nail beds, this tool simply pushes back cuticles from their base in order to help strengthen nails. Before using one of these pushers it is essential that both nails and cuticles be soft as this prevents damaging them and potentially leading to infection.

An effective gel manicure requires maintaining healthy cuticles that have been pushed back. Before beginning, make sure your hands and nails are cleaned, then prepare with cuticle oil containing ingredients like beeswax, jojoba oil and flaxseed oil that help moisturize them and keep them looking their best.

Cuticle Nipper

Cuticle nippers feature sharp blades designed to quickly and efficiently cut away excess cuticles and hangnails, and are commonly found in manicure and pedicure kits. High quality cuticle nippers made from durable materials deliver outstanding nail care results.

Some individuals prefer having shorter and less-defined cuticles on their fingernails and toenails for aesthetic reasons and so that nail polish can last longer.

For optimal use and to prevent infections, always use cuticle nippers correctly. Blades must never touch either the nail plate or its raised ridge around its edge (called the nail fold), since cutting this tissue may lead to bleeding and thicker cuticles regrowing over time. Clean and disinfect nail tools after each use if used on human nails – particularly important if preparing them to cut their own.

Toe Separator

Many people suffer from painful foot conditions like bunions, hammer toes and plantar fasciitis. Wearing toe separators may help relieve symptoms by keeping toes apart and reducing friction from rubbing against each other and alleviating pain from rubbing against one another.

Toe separators come in an assortment of sizes, shapes and materials. Some are constructed out of foam, silicone or rubber which stretches to accommodate different feet sizes while other are more rigid with cuts to increase separation between toes.

Some toe spacers boast additional healing benefits by being filled with scents, moisturizers or magnets – claims made by manufacturers for these gimmicky toe spacers that don’t add anything tangible – although podiatrists warn these gimmicks won’t improve actual benefits or address structural problems that cause toe pain.

Orange Stick

The Orange Stick (commonly referred to as miswak or siwak) is a small stick with rounded ends and a pointed tip designed for cleaning fingernails and pushing back cuticles. The flat end resembles a nail file and can be buffed to smooth away rough edges from nails and cuticles or simply buff and clean the area around nails.

Manicurists use orange sticks to soften and push back cuticles with ease, while using the pointed end for gentle push back. Trimming or tearing the cuticles could allow bacteria into your nails and cause infection.

Wooden orange sticks are inexpensive, disposable tools available in packs of 10. To maintain optimal hygiene for clients and to reduce germ contamination of nails during manicure sessions, wooden orange sticks should be disposed of after each manicure and not kept for future use.

Nail Clippers

An essential tool for any manicure, there are two primary styles of nail clippers – straight and curved. Your choice should depend heavily upon your nail shape and personal preferences.

Professional manicurists recommend stainless steel nail clippers because of their long lifespan and ability to resist corrosion and resilience, plus easier sanitization than other materials.

Nail scissors are often preferred over nail clippers because they provide greater comfort for holding and less pressure is applied on to nails when shaping them or removing hangnails.