Materials to perform a Manicure
Manicure Table.
The table and chairs need to be equally comfortable for both the person who will receive the manicure as well as the person performing it. With that in mind, we need to consider such factors as material and height.
It is also important for the table have the proper space to place the rest of the materials we will need, without them coming in the way of our work during the session.
This is a proper example in a professional salon. However, the idea is for you to try to generate the proper environment according to your possibilities. Try to take the suggestions we mentioned into consideration.
- A container with liquid soap.
This container should be deep enough and circular. It can be made out of plastic or metal. The most important thing is its size and proper depth. It needs to soak nails comfortably. It must contain warm water and hydrant soap.
It is important that the file we use is made out of wood. Metal files usually damage the layers of the nails. Of course, it is better if we have plenty of them. You can purchase them in larger quantities to get a better price.
- Nail polishing board - polishing sponge.
Their name could vary depending on the region, but in the beauty market, they are usually called nail polishers or polishing sponges. In the majority of cases, its presentation is similar to the one you see in the picture. There is a great variety of colours.
A cuticle remover can be found in 2 presentations: gel or liquid. When we purchase it, it is important for us to notice if the main ingredient is keratin.
A cuticle pusher comes in 2 types of presentation: plastic or steel. It is advisable for you to get a stainless steel one since it is more resistant and it can be easily sterilized every time you need to. One end of the pusher has a round tip (to move around the cuticle smoothly) and the other end is sharp (to remove the cuticle excess).
This instrument must also be made up of stainless steel. Its use is not always necessary. Depending on the length of the nail, we can sometimes just sand it.
This is a basic material which we will use in different stages during the manicure. We always need large amounts and keep it in a container to protect it from any form of contamination.
- Nail polish or varnish remover
This is a substance to remove nail polish or varnish from nails. We always need to have a good quality one. Otherwise, it might damage the nails turning them yellow and brittle.
This instrument allows us to cut the dead skin found around the nail. It is made of stainless steel and it generally has a plastic cover on the handles for comfort.
This is an oil with the property of softening and hydrating nails and cuticles. It comes in 2 forms of presentation: roll-on and with an applicator like nail polish or varnish.
It is very important for us to have this product during a manicure session, since it has the property of nurturing, smoothening and protecting nails.
Of course, we can't lack nail polish or varnish; the absolute main role in a manicure session.
You need to have a wide variety of tones and colours. You will find several options in the market. They change according to the different tendencies and fashions.
- Drying shine (quick dry-accelerator)
This product accelerates the drying time of nail polish or varnish. Depending on the brand, some even assure a complete dry nail after a minute.
It is best if it contains an effective hydrating formula for any type of skin.
These are essential since we need to dry hands after the process of soaking them. They need to be small (hand towels) and they must always be clean.
Sterilizers
If manicure is to be rendered as a professional service, in other words, that we will be working on different people, it is absolutely necessary for us to have a sterilizer.
It is best if we have a specialized sterilizer for manicure and pedicure instruments; you can find different ones at different prices in the market.
Remember that YOU CAN'T INITIATE A COMMERCIAL MANICURE OR PEDICURE SESSION WITHOUT FIRST MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE NECESSARY TOOLS HAVE BEEN PROPERLY STERILIZED.
Once you have acquired all the materials we have mentioned previously, we can proceed to the next lesson. In it, we will learn the necessary steps to prepare nails correctly.
