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If you're a beginner at nail art, then you'll definately love these staples. I started out using cotton swabs, and tape just like you might be doing right now. I always got annoyed whenever the cotton would get in my wet nail polish, and I would have to start all over again. If this sounds like you, then keep reading.
This is one of my first nail art related purchases—and I don't regret it one bit. This is for the nail artist that's tired of using cotton swabs or toothpicks. Not to mention—they are both single use products which are bad for the environment. I like to use this around flooded cuticles. For wet polish use the brush dry, and for dry polish use the brush dipped in acetone or nail polish remover. It also works for any medium including gel polish and regular polish. Get the brush here.
If you know me, you'd know that I love painting. No, not just nails, but any canvas I can get my hands on. I always wondered how I could paint a perfectly straight line. And the answer was right in front of my face... literally. One day I was doing a winged eyeliner with an angled brush, and I noticed how straight of a line it gives! I have actually only done this with acrylic paint, and a brush meant for painting rather than makeup. I don't entirely know how a makeup brush would handle acetone, so I recommend sticking with a paint brush. You can find these brushes here on Amazon.
Just a disclaimer about this product, it needs to be hydrated with oil both before and after use so that it will maintain its shape. Unless you only use it with acrylic paint and water, this brush doesn't handle acetone well. Other than those minor concerns, this brush has high potential to be your new favorite. It's perfect for painting anything on both long and short nails! This brush is currently sold out, but you can find the same one here on Amazon.
If you're looking into starting with gel polish, then I highly encourage getting this lamp. It's LED which I consider to be better than UV as I explained in a recent post, Why Beginners Should Invest in Gel Polish. Seriously though this is a great affordable option; you don't even have to use it on a table, since there's no bottom! There's really no point in paying loads of money on one of these, just remember not to look at the light! You can find this one here on Amazon.
The most annoying thing is when your nails are freshly painted and you end up breaking a nail or two. Don't fret, this nail repair kit will repair natural or even acrylic nails. Just lightly buff, apply the glue and powder, and you're all set!
Jojoba oil might as well be my religion at this point because it. works. on. EVERYTHING. It's good for hydrating hair, skin, and nails all in one. I tend to replace my lotion with this oil because it gives your skin a youthful glow, and minimizes wrinkles overtime. Who needs supplements when you have the all natural stuff right at your fingertips... Literally.
Beauty blenders from the early 2000s have come a long way. Sponges like these are used for making gradients or even adding texture. You can cut the ends off after you use them, but no you can't wash them off when using regular nail polish. These are a staple for creating a desired ombré look, and they should definately be a part of your collection! You can find these ones from Twinkled T here.