Make Sure You Have a Mani-Pedi Kit at Home

There’s nothing like getting a manicure or pedicure at the salon, but sometimes, you just don’t have the time or means to book an appointment. Luckily, your nails don’t have to pay the price—instead, you can use an at-home pedicure and manicure kit to give yourself a well-deserved treat! All you need to do is stock up on the must-haves—and we’re talking about more than just your favorite nail polish shades. Below, find exactly what you need for your home pedicure and manicure kit so you can pamper your fingers and toes without leaving the house!

HOW TO BUILD A PEDICURE AND MANICURE KIT

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need for your manicure and home pedicure kit, plus what each item is for.

1. NAIL CLIPPERS

We’ll go out on a limb and say you’re likely familiar with nail clippers. This handy tool will help you trim your fingernails and toenails to your desired length and keep them from becoming overgrown. A must-have in any mani-pedi kit!

2. ORANGEWOOD STICK

Perhaps a bit more unfamiliar, an orangewood stick is a thin, rounded stick. It’s used to gently push back the cuticle, as well as clean your nails.

3. CUTICLE SCISSORS

While you probably won’t need to reach for them all the time, cuticle scissors are another essential tool in your manicure and pedicure kit. They can be used to trim any excess cuticle that may be sticking out or simply out of place, which would otherwise take away from your overall nail look.

4. NAIL FILE

Clipping your nails is only half the battle! Any proper manicure or pedicure calls for a nail file, as well. Filing your nails and getting the perfect shape is key for achieving a uniform, polished (pun intended) nail look.

5. NAIL BRUSH

Most of us don’t have a nail brush laying around, but it’s a must if you want to achieve a beautiful manicure and pedicure. This tool is used to thoroughly clean under your nails—with the help of some warm water and soap. It can also be brushed over your nails to clean the surface and ensure you’re working with a clean canvas.

6. FINGER BOWL

To recreate the salon experience at home, be sure to include a finger bowl in your manicure kit. This can be filled with lukewarm water and soap (more on that later) to help soften your skin and nails, cleanse, and allow you to indulge in a bit of self-care.

7. FOOT BOWL

On the other hand—or should we say foot—you’ll also want a foot bowl as part of your at-home pedicure kit. This can either be a large bowl or bucket, and as you can probably guess, it will be used to soak your feet with the help of some lukewarm water and soap.

8. SOAP

Oh yes, that soap we’ve been talking about! You’ll want to include an antibacterial formula in your manicure and pedicure kits. This will be used in your foot and hand soaks and used with that nail brush we mentioned earlier.

9. CUTICLE OIL

Just like the rest of your skin, your cuticles need moisture, too! In fact, you should actually apply cuticle oil daily as part of your skin care routine, and not just when you do your nails.

10. HAND CREAM

Speaking of moisture, don’t forget your hands. Look for an ultra-hydrating formula to include in your kit. We love the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey All Over Balm - Face, Neck, Chest and Hands, which wraps skin in soothing moisture to soften skin that feels tight and uncomfortable.

11. FOOT CREAM

We can’t forget foot cream, now, can we? Having a lotion that’s dedicated to your feet is a good idea, as they can benefit from specific formulas that are made to soften tough skin, such as the calluses on your heels.

12. GENTLE SCRUB OR PUMICE STONE

As with the rest of your body, exfoliating with a gentle scrub or pumice stone is also a good idea. This will help remove any buildup of dead skin cells on your feet and soften hard areas. Say hello to soft, smooth feet!

13. TOE SEPARATOR

Painting your toes can be difficult, especially since they can’t easily be held apart from one another like your fingers. This is where a toe separator comes in. Made of foam, this tool will hold and spread your toes, so you don’t have to worry about any accidental overlapping ruining your perfectly applied polish!

14. BASE COAT

When it comes to painting your nails, whether it be your fingers or toes, start with a base coat. This will prevent your nail polish from staining the nail bed.

15. NAIL POLISH

Of course, any manicure or pedicure kit calls for nail polish! Stock your kit with some of your favorite shades. We recommend including at least one neutral and one fun, bold hue.

16. TOP COAT

Last but not least, stash a top coat in your kit. This will be used to seal in your nail look, create your desired finish, and prevent chipping.

Next: How to Build a Makeup Kit for Beginners

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