What’s in My Gel Polish Nail Kit

After 15 years of trial and error, I’ve nailed down my go-to gel polish essentials that truly work-and I stick by them. These are the tools and products I use in my own salon every day. These are my favorite products that I recommend all of my nail technicians use themselves. We love and trust these products so much that we guarantee all of our services and offer free fixes to our clients. So, whether you’re a new nail technician, looking for new products to try, or just wanting recommendations for doing your nails at home, you’ve come to the perfect place!

Prepping the nails is one of the most important steps in any gel manicure. It sets the foundation for long lasting wear, smooth application, and healthy nails underneath it all. Skip the prep and even the best products wont hold up!

First thing is figuring out if you’re wanting to use an E-file or go the basic route with a sanding block. At Candy Nails we all prefer using an E-file since it is great for getting into each crevice and because of its efficiency. My personal favorite Drill or E-file is the Melody Susie cordless drill. It has consistent and accurate speed regulation and is on the more affordable end. I have purchased “top end” or more expensive drills many times and I feel that although they work just fine, I have not noticed a significant difference in them. If anything, my Melody Susie had outlasted the others in its usable lifetime span without repairs. (I will list the sanding blocks in the implements section)

There are many different shapes and sizes to nail drill bits. Many people have different preferences but here are my top favorite, must have nail drill bits that I use for prep as a professional nail technician and salon owner. As far as the brand goes, I don’t have a preference for the cuticle prep and sanding bands, as long as they are the right size, shape and grit.

Here I will include my personal recommendations on other implements and tools needed to complete the perfect prep before your gel manicure or any other nail product application. Again, branding doesn’t matter so much (to me) as the shape and quality of the tools. (Although I will always recommend using the cuticle drill bit, I have listed the “cuticle stone pusher” for removing extra dead skin around the cuticle crevice for those of your who would rather not use a drill.)

If you are using a gel polish, then you will most definitely be needing an LED or UV Nail Curing Lamp. I use an LED vs UV because it cuts the drying time in half although UV will also work just fine. This is one of those products that I DO prefer specific brands on. I have spent tons of money on nail lamps and polishes over the years and have come to find my absolute ride or dies. I have tried many brands that are more expensive and actually barely work. But I also do not recommend the cheaper options if you’re looking for fully cured nails and longevity in your lamp life.

This is my all-time favorite lamp. I’ve had mine for 5 plus years, and it has outlasted all of my other lamps I’ve owned. Gelish offers a variety of lamps. I prefer the 18G Unplugged but honestly all Gelish brand lamps are great.

The Kiara Sky Lamp has been another favorite at the salon. It’s beautiful sleek design and quality make the price a steal. These lamps typically have lasted me 2-5 years of fulltime professional use without bulb replacements (which are to be expected at some point). They are chargeable (cordless) and have a deeper inside for longer nail clients.

Now were getting into the fun part, the gel polish! This polish is a thicker but still flexible and natural looking polish. It cures with an LED or UV light and does not wipe off with nail polish remover. This polish is perfect for anyone who doesn’t like to sit and wait for drying time and likes to have a longer lasting more durable polish.

Before applying any product to the nails and after prepping them, you always want to start with a fresh clean canvas. I have used a nail brush and Dawn Dish soap to remove dirt and oils for many years on my clients, and I swear by it. There are many dehydrating products out there, but nothing works like Dawn in my opinion. The type of nail brush doesn’t really matter as long as there are soapy bubbles!

Base coat is another important step if not the most important step aside from prep. This Gelish base coat is one that I have yet to find a better more comparable product. It is so great in fact that I prefer to use it to glue my gems down with it over any other nail glue or gem glue! This basecoat is thicker and great for thinner nails or can be used on thick to regular nails as well. This brand has the original formula which was my favorite for years or the rubber version which is thicker for more thin flexible nails. While I like both, I do prefer the rubber base coat “Foundation FLEX”.

There are so many great colored gels on the market. One of my favorite brands that have a long shelf life and are affordable is DND, DC and DIVA. Other favorites at the salon are Gelish and OPI.

The topcoat that you choose to use is not as important for the overall longevity of the polish but more so for the finished look. I prefer a non-wipe high gloss top coat or a velvet matte. my favorites include Luxa and Madam Glam.