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How do I Choose the Best Nail Technician Equipment?

Jillian Peterson
Jillian Peterson

Once you’ve received your nail technician license, you may think you’re ready to work, but you will also need professional nail technician equipment to best serve your clients. To choose the best nail technician equipment, you must take into account the type of business you are working in and the type of services you will provide. For example, a nail technician working in a salon will need different equipment than a mobile nail technician, and certain services like pedicures require specific equipment. If you have already completed nail technician courses and learned advanced nail techniques, you will also need specialized nail equipment such as electric drill files, gel brushes, nail tips, chemicals, and powders.

While you may have become familiar with all the different types of nail technology in cosmetology school, a brief overview of different nail technologies can help you choose the best nail technician equipment. The basic tools that every nail technician uses include nail clippers, files and buffers, tools for cuticles, and nail paints. When purchasing these essentials, it is important to choose tools that can be easily sanitized. Clippers and cuticle tools should be made of stainless steel.

Artificial fingernails applied by a nail technician.
Artificial fingernails applied by a nail technician.

For advanced nail applications like acrylic or solar nails, nail technician equipment like electric drill files and gel brushes are required. Electric drill files should have a hand-held drill attached with a sturdy cord to a motor, and the filing tips should be replaceable. Make sure to purchase an electric drill specifically designed for nail technicians because it will have these features. Gel brushes should be made of natural hair with durable handles.

A woman getting a pedicure.
A woman getting a pedicure.

Other nail technician equipment such as moisturizers and pedicure treatments can also be valuable tools for a trained nail technician. To add value to your nail services, you can also purchase equipment like hand lotion heaters or moisturizing wax treatments for the hands. When purchasing these types of machines, make sure they are rated for salon use. Most pedicures these days also include some kind of soak, or even a foot or leg massage, so purchasing pedicure soaks and moisturizers designed for the feet are essential tools for a licensed pedicurist.

Nail clippers.
Nail clippers.

While many salons will provide tables for manicurists and spa chairs for pedicurists, many professional nail technicians have purchased this type of nail technician equipment on their own. For mobile nail technicians, comfortable and portable tables and chairs are essential. Nail artists who wish to take their services to their clients should also keep mobility in mind when purchasing equipment.

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

I think anyone going into this field should be sure to have a variety of colorful polishes for his or her clients. This type of pretty display attracts clients who enjoy having their nails polished.

Raynbow

I have a cousin who recently got her license to be a manicurist and pedicurist, but she wasn't prepared to buy the nail technician equipment she needed to begin working. She assumed that if she got a job at a nail salon, the tools she needed would be provided for her. This was a valuable lesson that anyone going into this field should learn, because he or she can budget to get the equipment needed to begin work as soon as possible.

This article gives a lot of good information about the equipment needed to begin a nail technician career. I would also like to add that my cousin found that it was important to have several sets of the most important tools of the trade.

Nail files, nail clippers, and other tools are used every day, and wear out quickly. Having a spare handy will allow a nail technician to continue working on clients even if a problem arises with a tool.

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    • Artificial fingernails applied by a nail technician.
      Artificial fingernails applied by a nail technician.
    • A woman getting a pedicure.
      By: Yuri Arcurs
      A woman getting a pedicure.
    • Nail clippers.
      By: ibphoto
      Nail clippers.
    • Nail technicians typically have an array of different polish colors for customers to choose from.
      By: larisabozhikova
      Nail technicians typically have an array of different polish colors for customers to choose from.
    • Acrylic nail powder is an essential tool for nail technicians.
      By: Votash
      Acrylic nail powder is an essential tool for nail technicians.
    • The fingernails should be cleaned with a fingernail brush in preparation for a manicure.
      By: Coprid
      The fingernails should be cleaned with a fingernail brush in preparation for a manicure.
    • A nail file is a tool used by nail technicians to shape the nails.
      By: terex
      A nail file is a tool used by nail technicians to shape the nails.