5 Nail Studio Essentials: A blog around the tools and materials you need to start your own at-home nail studio.

I’m not sure where I first heard about cuticle oil, but it was probably from a manicurist or a nail technician. It’s not something most people are familiar with until they have their first professional manicure and pedicure.

Cuticle oil is an essential product if you want to keep your nails looking beautiful and healthy. The cuticles are the thin layer of dead skin that sits at the base of your nails. Often due to dryness, this can lift away from the nails, creating an unsightly gap, but also making the nail more vulnerable to infection or peeling.

If you want to avoid having painful hangnails, prevent infection and keep your hands moisturized, then cuticle oil is definitely worth using.

The main purpose of using cuticle oil is to nourish the skin at the base of your nails to keep it healthy and strong. Cuticles are constantly exposed to drying elements such as water and detergents. They are also exposed to air pollution, which accelerates aging of the skin.”

I was thinking I’d just do a list of the five essential tools and materials you need to start your own at-home nail studio. Then I had an epiphany: don’t limit yourself! If you have the space and money, there are so many things you can add to your studio that will make it even more special. So, without further ado, here’s a list of nine of my favorite tools and materials that I think every at-home nail studio should have!

1. Nail polish rack

You can get a nail polish rack on amazon for as little as $25, but those don’t hold very many bottles of polish. The most popular brand is called “The Nail Pol-ish Rack” (clever!), which comes in a variety of sizes and can hold anywhere from 100 bottles of polish to 500 bottles of polish.

When I opened my first nail studio in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on supplies. In fact, I made the space work with only a few key pieces of furniture, a handful of important tools, and an array of polishes and products. I came to think of these items as my studio essentials because they were the only things I really needed to get started. The rest would come later.

The same can be said for anyone who wants to open their own at-home nail studio. It’s possible to create a beautiful workspace with only five essential elements: an adjustable table, good lighting, a comfortable chair, basic tools, and an array of polishes and related products.

If you’re interested in starting your own at-home nail studio (which you absolutely should be!) then read on for more details about each of these important elements!

Before I get into my list of 5 Essentials, I want to point out that a lot of what you’ll need is probably already in your home (especially if you like to do DIY projects). So don’t worry about having to buy all new tools.

My 5 Nail Studio Essentials –

1. The right lighting.

2. A place to set up shop.

3. A nail buffer and polisher.

4. Cotton balls, fishing line, and nail polish remover.

5. Top coat and base coat nail polish!

The best way to start your nail studio is with the basics. We’re talking a lamp, a desk (or workspace), supplies, and of course: gel polish.

Here’s what you need to know before you start your DIY at-home nail studio.

1. Lamp:

The most important part of your gel manicure kit is the lamp. A lamp cures the gel and will speed up drying time so you can enjoy your nails right away! The Pink Gellac UV Light is an extra strong 24 Watt lamp that will cure all kinds of gels and has a quick timer feature for easy use.

2. Desk or Workspace:

You will need a good workspace that fits your lamp and products so that you can work comfortably from home. The Pink Gellac Desk Collection is designed to be used in combination with the Gellac UV Light and features a holder where you can store your curing lamp as well as compartments for storing all of your nail essentials! It also has a pull-out drawer where you can store all of your colors for easy access.

3. Supplies:

In addition to the lamp and desk, there are some basic supplies that you will need to create beautiful gel nails at home including

Let’s get painting! Below is a list of 5 must-have nail studio essentials:

Nail Polish – You can never have too many colors, but make sure to keep the lids tight and store them upside down.

Nail Polish Remover – Be sure you have a remover with acetone in it because this is the only way to remove polish without damaging your nails.

Topcoat/Basecoat – Topcoat helps seal in your manicure while basecoat provides a protective layer between your polish and nail.

Cotton Balls or Pads – These are essential for removing nail polish.

Orange Stick – This tool is used for pushing back cuticles and cleaning up tiny messes from around the cuticle area.

1. A gel lamp: This is the most critical part of your at-home studio. The UV light used to cure gel polish is what will set your nails so they last for up to two weeks. To get started, we recommend the Sensationail Starter Kit or the Sally Hansen LED Light.

2. Gel nail polish: This type of nail polish can last for up to two weeks without chipping. We recommend getting a kit that comes with a few different colors, like this one from CND.

3. A buffer and filer: Use these to shape and smooth out your nails before applying color.

4. Cleanser pads: These remove dirt and oil from your nails once you’ve finished shaping them with a file and buffer.

5. Top coat: Apply top coat directly over your polish for added shine and protection from chips and cracks.