Tools for manicure - how to choose professional sets based on material of manufacture, configuration and price

Well-groomed hands are the calling card of every beautiful woman. To tidy them up at home, you need manicure tools - special accessories for treating nails and cuticles. There are different types of procedures, each of which requires a specific set of devices. Find out what basic tools you will need to care for your hands and how to choose them correctly.

Manicure and its types

There are various ways to perform a nail care routine. Any is used to give the nail plate an ideal shape, treat the cuticle and side ridges, and polish the surface. After each of them, a decorative coating can be applied. Main types: edged, European and hardware. There are other ways to perform the procedure, but they are all based on the above and differ little from them. Brief characteristics of each of the main types of manicure:

Classical. The most common type of procedure. Effective even in the most advanced cases, with very overgrown cuticles. First, the nails are given the correct shape. Then the hands are placed in a bath of warm water to soften the skin. Next, using cutting devices (scissors, nippers), the cuticle is removed and the side ridges are processed. At the last stage, the nail plates are polished. A classic manicure can be done in a salon or at home yourself.
European. In this case, cutting objects are not used. The cuticle is softened by treating it with a special preparation (remover), then carefully pushed back with an orange stick. Nails are trimmed, filed, polished. The European procedure is not suitable if your hands are very neglected. The advantages include the fact that it eliminates the risk of infection, fungus, and bleeding wounds.
Hardware. This is not done manually, but using a special device. Nozzles for treating nails and cuticles are put on it. Baths are not used; dry surfaces are treated. The procedure is carried out quickly and provides high-quality results. When performed correctly, there is no risk of injury.

What you need for a manicure

The specific list of accessories is determined by the type of procedure. The hardware is completely done with attachments that are included with the device or purchased additionally. Common tools for classical and European manicure are files, buffs, polishers. You definitely need to have several products of varying degrees of hardness. Other devices are selected on an individual basis.

Manicure accessories for classic trim

Tools for such a procedure should be individual for each woman. After each session, they must be sterilized to eliminate the risk of infection. For the trimming procedure you will need:

scissors (you can use one universal one, or separate ones for cutting nails and cuticles);
bath;
nippers for cutting cuticles;
one or more files;
nail clippers (a type of nail clippers that are easier to use);
pusher and scraper;
polishing buffs;
manicure brush;
roller;
clean towel;
cotton pads;
materials for design.

Tools for European manicure

This procedure is untrimmed. Its implementation requires fewer devices than the classic one. What you will need for an unedged manicure:

files of different grain sizes;
roller;
scissors for trimming the free edge;
cuticle softener and remover;
orange manicure sticks;
bath;
buffs for polishing the nail plate;
lint-free wipes;
towel;
hand cream;
materials for nail design.

Milling cutters for hardware manicure

To perform this procedure, you will need a special device, powered by mains or battery. A milling cutter is a device for processing nail plates and cuticles using special attachments. When choosing a router, you need to pay attention to many parameters:

rotational speed;
warranty period and the possibility of subsequent maintenance;
power consumption;
price;
hull strength;
number and functionality of nozzles;
presence of overheating protection;

The device can be equipped with any number of tips for different purposes and abrasiveness. For minimal processing you will need the following attachments:

diamond cap with coarse-grained coating (for correcting the length of nails, removing rough skin);
ceramic or rubber tip with fine-grained abrasive;
rounded diamond tip with fine-grained coating (for smoothing cuts of the free edge, removing cuticles.)

What tools are needed for a manicure?

The procedure can be performed in a salon or at home. This partly affects the list of manicure tools that will be required. Ready-made kits are sold for home use. They may include 4-5 of the most necessary devices or more. It is worth noting that such sets can be considered more as a travel option; high quality cannot be expected from them. It would be much more correct to choose each device separately among professional tools.

A manicurist's arsenal can include any number of items. The list of tools that must be included in it:

several nail files;
buffs;
nippers or tweezers;
pumice or ceramic file;
pusher or wooden sticks for pushing back cuticles (orange, bamboo);
scissors;
trimmer.

In addition to the above, there are a number of items that are not mandatory, but will make the procedure easier. What else is needed:

nail polish remover;
moisturizing cream;
cotton pads;
cuticle remover;
silicone mat;
Bowl;
disposable wipes.

Nail files

These tools for manicure are one of the main ones, used in all its types. The most important criterion on which the scope of application of a file depends is abrasiveness. Based on this parameter, the following options for manicure tools are distinguished:

Abrasiveness (grit)	Material of manufacture	Application area
	Metal spraying or engraving	Correction of the shape of nails from artificial materials, tips
	Mineral, metal	Filing a thick natural nail plate
	Mineral, ceramic, glass, metal (with laser coating or abrasive particles)	Treatment of natural nails
	Metal with laser cuts, mineral, ceramic, glass	Correction of the shape of thin and brittle natural nails, surface treatment of artificial ones
		Grinding
More than 1000		Polishing

Files may have different coatings. Depending on the shape and size of the grains, abrasives are divided into:

natural (pumice, corundum, diamond or sapphire chips);
artificial (silicon carbide from synthetic diamonds).

Previously, only metal nail files were available; others were hard to find. Nowadays, instruments are made from different materials. There are files with the following bases:

glass (gentle);
ceramic;
plastic;
cardboard;
metal.

Files can have any shape. It is not of fundamental importance and is selected based on personal convenience. Files are often produced that have two or even four sides with surfaces of different abrasiveness to perform several processes at once with one tool. Separately, it is worth mentioning the buffs. These are flat bars. Their surfaces are coated with a material of minimal abrasiveness. Buffs are intended for grinding and polishing plates.

Nail and cuticle scissors

This tool is necessary for performing trim manicure. Scissors are periodically used to trim the free edge of the nail, but their main purpose is to correct cuticles and hangnails. Some tips for choosing the right scissors:

It is advisable that sharpening of the tool be done by hand rather than by machine. This will cost more, but will also last much longer.
The blades should fit tightly against each other, without gaps.
Scissors with rounded cutting edges are more convenient to work with.
The instrument must be made of strong and durable medical steel, which is easily disinfected.
Be sure to hold the scissors in your hands before purchasing. They should fit comfortably in your hand and be suitable in size and shape.
Do not use scissors for household or household needs or other purposes for which they are not intended.

Manicure trimmer

This tool is easy to use and can replace scissors or wire cutters. Serves for cutting cuticles and treating pre-nail sockets. The trimmer is a stick with a V-shaped working part, sharp in the recess. It is recommended to use it to remove small hangnails and cuticle edges. For a high-quality result, the trimmer must be very well sharpened.

Scrapers and pushers

Tools for a manicure of this kind can be found in almost any set. Pusher - a spatula with a flat edge. Designed to push back cuticles. A scraper is a special shape of a blade with a sharp cutting edge. Designed to clean the nail from pterygium - a thin layer under the cuticle. Typically, these manicure tools are combined for practicality. On a long metal stick, a pusher is placed at one end and a scraper at the other. Working parts can be of any shape. You should select based on your nail shape and ease of use.

Cuticle or skin remover

The presence of this tool is mandatory for the quality of the procedure. When choosing wire cutters, you should pay attention to products made of high-quality medical steel with manual sharpening. It is important to pay attention to the pressure plate between the handles. It can be single or double. It is desirable that the tips of the forceps be triangular and beveled. They are universal and suitable for both hangnails and cuticle trimming.

Auxiliary products for manicure at home

To perform the procedure efficiently, you will need a lot of accessories, the presence of which is not necessary, but desirable. What you may need:

Finger separator and silicone mat. These accessories are necessary for accurately performing the procedure on the arms and legs. The separator is placed between the toes during a pedicure. Thanks to it, fresh polish will not smear from your nails to the skin of your hands while you paint and dry them. The silicone mat serves to protect the surface from contamination. It is convenient to mix varnishes and paints. It is very easy to clean.
Brushes for varnish and nail design. Having these devices is sometimes very helpful. Product manufacturers produce brushes in a huge range. Some are suitable for applying varnish, others, thinner and more shaped, are suitable for making designs and patterns. When buying brushes, pay attention to the quality of the bristles, shape, thickness, and degree of flexibility. There are many photos of nail designs on the Internet, but you can repeat them only if you have good accessories.
Pattern needles and toothpicks. Dipping the tip of these improvised objects into varnish or paint makes it very convenient to paint on your nails.
Dots for drawing on nails. This element is indispensable for creating beautiful and neat patterns. It is a rod with a ball at the end. Dots come in different sizes. The ball is dipped into varnish or paint and dots are placed on the nail, or stripes are drawn.

How to choose

Among the variety of tools for manicure, it is sometimes difficult to find the most suitable ones. To do this, many important parameters must be taken into account. Remember what you need to pay special attention to in order to make a choice in favor of quality tools:

Manufacturer. It is recommended to buy products from well-known brands that have been on the market for a long time and have positive reviews. Don't go for a low price because this is often a sign of low quality. Good products cannot be cheap.
Tool quality. Be sure to carefully inspect any device and hold it in your hands. Make sure there are no defects on the surfaces.
Ease of use. Try to hold the tool in your hands longer before purchasing, change positions, imitate the movements you would make when performing a manicure. This will help assess the comfort level of the product during use.
Sharpening cutting tools. It is preferable that the processing of products be done manually. They are more expensive, but will perform their functions better and have an extended service life.

Where to buy everything for manicure

Nowadays, people with any level of income will not have problems purchasing accessories. It would be better to buy manicure tools in specialized beauty salon stores. These outlets offer original products from well-known brands. You can also order the necessary tools for manicure in online stores of professional products for nail artists with delivery from Moscow. Before making a purchase, make sure that the virtual site has a good reputation and officially represents manufacturers.

How much do manicure tools and devices cost?

Prices for accessories depend on a lot of parameters: material of manufacture, brand, purpose, etc. There are also options that are very inexpensive, and those that only wealthy people can afford. For the approximate cost of the main manicure items, see the table below:

Manicure devices and their names	Manufacturer	a brief description of	Approximate price in rubles
	The Saem Scissors, SM896	Lightweight and durable, made of stainless steel, for home and professional use, with a plastic handle and smooth blades.
	Manicure scissors in case, Zinger, zo-b 118 S-SH-N 1 S	With a sharp tip, tightly meeting blades, ergonomic shape, very comfortable handles.
	Leather cutters, Dovo Solingen, 190-051	The length of the working elements is 7 mm, made of high quality steel, hand sharpened.
	Zinger zo-MC 351 S-SH	Hand sharpened, tightly interlocking blades, soft and free running, made of high quality steel.
	Sephora, 305786 SE	Yellow color, with silver particles, comfortable hair capture angle.
	Inclined tweezers, Dewal, DWL 761	Nickel plated to remove unwanted hair.
Scrapers and pushers	Manicure scraper, Beauty Continent, ST 501, 4386607	Made of stainless steel, for professional and home use, height 13 cm.
Scrapers and pushers	Universal pusher-scraper, Mozart House, 05320-R, 4116105	Made of nickel-plated steel, for manicure and pedicure. Can be subjected to any stage of disinfection, sterilization, sanitization.
Polishing pads	Planet Nails polishing nail buff, 4-sided, 20304	4 sides with different degrees of abrasiveness, for adjustment, leveling and polishing. Gives nails a healthy shine.
Polishing pads	Dewal Beauty polishing block 4 in 1	4 canvases of varying degrees of hardness, with an original floral print.
Baths	Manicure bath, ORLY, ORL-DMBSS-C	Transparent, with anatomical grooves for comfortable finger placement.
Baths	Dona Jerdona Manicure bath	Blue, semi-transparent, made of durable plastic. Convenient for steaming and softening cuticles.
Stands and bolsters	ruNail, large hand rest, 1875	Dimensions 40x9x5 cm, 6 color options. To place the client's hands in the most comfortable position, the kit includes a mat.
Stands and bolsters	Gelish, branded manicure roller, 00354	Green, 30x7x15 cm.
Manicure sets	GD Solingen, 1556 R	Set of 6-piece manicure tools: cuticle and nail scissors, nippers, metal file, beveled tweezers, spatula.
Manicure sets		10 pieces stainless steel: 2 nippers, tweezers, plastic pusher, trimmer, 2 scissors, 2 scrapers, metal file. Manual sharpening.
	Beurer MPE 100, br1001	10 sapphire and felt nozzles and 30 disposable ones, smooth speed adjustment up to 20,000 rpm, right and left rotation.
		11 sapphire-coated attachments, rotation speed 9500 rpm, built-in bath and nail dryer.