Nail Art Starter Kit: what to include?

Dec 30, 2014

Alanna S.

Hello Everyone!

I've been doing hair and make up for a couple years now, but I want to get on that nail art game ;)

Those of you who are already veterans, what is the most cost effective way to put together a kit? I don't even know where to begin! I can do a basic manicure and polish, but I would love recommendations on polish brands, tools, what to buy in bulk, if anything?

Your help and feedback is much appreciated!

Dec 30, 2014

Tia S.

I'm no professional but I am a total nail art junkie. :) I order my nail art stuff off of Amazon, because you can buy in bulk for a cheaper price than any store. I would start off with a pack of dotting tools with an assortment of sizes, also a striping brush set. There are tons of different crystals, nail tattoos, and decals you can easily find on Amazon too. For polish, I love Opi, China glaze, Sinful Colors, Orly, Zoya, and Gelish(gelish you need to use a you've nail kit with)

Dec 30, 2014

Tia S.

Ooh also, makeup sponges. Sounds weird, but you can do all kinds if different things to your nails with those cheap disposable makeup sponges. Lol

Dec 30, 2014

Tia S.

Two more things that I would die without, my Seche Vite top and base coat.

Dec 30, 2014

Raylene I.

Oh Tia shut up your nails are amazing I'd like totally pay you money to do my nails. Anyways she's on point about all the stuff, except amazon if your in canada. Canadian Amazon sucks and you'll have to settle for eBay and bulk beauty sites.

Dec 30, 2014

T K.

Tia covers it :) I recommend checking out bornprettystore.com. That is where I get my supplies, and they are super cheap! They have everything you could possibly want and they ship free worldwide :)

Dec 31, 2014

Emily W.

Are you asking for yourself or for a business? Because if you are going to charge money, you have to have a license.

I like Born Pretty Store for nail accessories (gems, fimo sticks, 3D pieces, stamps) and the local art supply for brushes. I got a pack of twenty different stiff-bristle paint brushes (made for acrylic paints) that had all kinds of detail and striping brushes, for less than $5. They're also great for cleaning up polish from the edges with a little remover.

For dotting tools, get bead-head sewing straight pins and stick them in a pencil eraser. They come in different sizes at the fabric store, and cost less than a dollar.

As for polishes, I really like China Glaze and Opi, but I'm not picky. I hated Seche Vite. It took ages to dry, and would peel off in a giant sheet in less than a day. Did absolutely nothing to prevent my nails from chipping. I'm still on the hunt for a holy grail top coat, but so far I've had the most success with Out The Door.

I haven't tried any gel polishes or lamps, but I'd like to eventually. As it stands, I am very hard on my nails so I tend to redo polish (or just remove it) after a couple of days when it chips.

Dec 31, 2014

Tia S.

Emily, I had the same problem with Seche at first. The trick is to apply it when your polish is still wet. Most the time after I paint my nails I apply a thin coat of a cheap topcoat to make them wet again and then do the Seche Vite. It works wonders when you do it that way. It also chips easily when you get it too far too close to your cuticle.