Manicure and pedicure starter kit: what a nail technician needs

In short: you do not need a big budget to start out as a nail technician. You can even begin at home, as long as you have the right tools and cosmetics. For gel polish manicures you need nail prep essentials, a curing lamp, base, colour and top coat, and a removal kit. The pedicure list depends on the technique: a classic pedicure relies on softening products, keratolytics and disposable socks, while a machine pedicure also needs an e-file and bits.

Can you start without a big budget?

Manicure and pedicure services are always in demand, and getting started costs less than many people think. You do not have to fit out a salon straight away: a well-chosen basic kit is enough at first. Just keep one thing in mind — the quality of your tools, consumables and cosmetics directly affects the result and how your client feels during the treatment.

Gel polish manicure: your starter list

Gel polish is currently the most popular technique, so this is where most technicians start building their kit:

• Lint-free wipes.
• A buffer and files to shape the nails.
• Nail cleanser (degreaser).
• Manicure gloves — they soften cuticles, moisturise and shorten the time you spend on each client. Shelly manicure gloves work without water and contain keratin, collagen and lotus extract.
• Primer — useful for careful work on thin nails.
• A curing lamp.
• Base, colour and top coat, plus gel, depending on your system. A good starting point is the Shelly Rubber Base, which improves adhesion and self-levels, together with a no-wipe top coat with UV filters that protects against yellowing. A Shelly gel polish such as shade 17 Pink Powder gives full coverage in 1–2 thin coats.
• For gel polish removal: remover, a pusher and foil.
• An e-file — if you plan to work in a salon.

To soften cuticles and hardened skin around the nail, you can also use the Soft Blade cuticle remover with urea.

Classic pedicure: what to prepare

The exact list depends on the type of pedicure. For a classic pedicure you need:

• a basin and a callus-softening product;
• an exfoliating scrub;
• an antiseptic for hand and skin hygiene;
• disposable pedicure socks — they make preparing the nails and softening the cuticles faster and simpler, so you can see more clients a day. With socks, you can also save on scrub, the basin and callus remover. Shelly pedicure socks work without water and contain collagen, keratin and orchid extract;
• toe separators and disposable slippers;
• pedicure keratolytics for a quick peel of hard skin — for example, the Soft Blade keratolytic gel for the whole foot, in which urea quickly softens hard skin (no more than once a week);
• nippers, a curette and a blade tool;
• a foot file and files of different grits;
• lint-free wipes;
• a nourishing, moisturising cream, such as the softening foot cream with 5% urea for dry, rough skin, which also works well for foot massage;
• clips for polish removal.

Machine pedicure: what to add

For a machine pedicure you need an e-file and bits. The cosmetics and accessories are the same as for a classic pedicure.

How to build your kit

• Tools — buy a ready-made set from a specialist shop or choose each item separately.
• Cosmetics — pedicure socks, creams, gloves and keratolytics are all available from Shelly.
• Equipment — add it gradually as you develop in a particular direction.

When to be careful: working with keratolytics

• Wear rubber gloves.
• Avoid contact with broken skin and mucous membranes. If it happens, rinse the area with plenty of warm water.
• Pat the area dry with a wipe before removing the softened skin.
• After an alkaline or acidic keratolytic, you can use a neutraliser, which restores a neutral pH and stops the product from working.
• After the treatment, restore moisture with a cream and wash your hands with soap.
• Skin changes and ingrown nails are a matter for podiatry. In such cases, refer your client to a podiatrist.

FAQ

Can I start working from home?

Yes. To start, you do not need a large investment or a salon — the right tools and cosmetics are enough. Focus on their quality, because the result and your client's comfort depend on it.

Do I need an e-file from day one?

Not necessarily. For manicures, an e-file is mainly needed if you plan to work in a salon. A machine pedicure does require an e-file and bits, but you can add equipment later, once you have chosen your speciality.

Why use manicure gloves and pedicure socks?

Gloves soften cuticles, moisturise and shorten the time per client. Socks speed up nail preparation and cuticle softening, so you can see more clients a day and save on scrub, the basin and callus remover.

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