Nail Art Tools Every Aspiring Nail Artist Should Have
Starting a successful nail art career begins with assembling your nail art tool set! Just like a painter needs their brushes, a nail artist's creativity shines brightest when they have a complete set of nail supplies.
From basic brushes to 3D stickers and gel polishes, here are all the nail design tools necessary to create flawless, salon-quality designs.
• Dotting tools
A dotting tool is like a magical pen for nail artists, featuring a small ball at the end that's perfect for dipping into nail polish. These balls vary in size, allowing for a range of dot effects — from petite, delicate dots to larger, bolder circles.
Dotting tools are beginner-friendly nail art supplies, perfect for adding a pop of pizzazz to your nails. They allow you to create intricate designs like flowers or animal prints. Whether you're aiming for subtle, minimalist patterns or more elaborate prints, these tools are a total game-changer.
• Nail foils
Nail art foils are like little magic sheets that can turn your clients’ nails into stunning artwork! They come in a rainbow of colours and patterns, from shiny metallics to neon prints, offering an instant high-shine, luxe look that's tough to get with regular polish.
These nail art accessories are easy to use — just press, peel and voilà, you've got an eye-catching design that will turn heads. Plus, they're a big time-saver; you can achieve intricate looks without spending hours with a tiny brush.
Whether you cover the whole nail for a metallic sheen or cut them into cool shapes for a unique design, nail foils are all about adding that wow factor to a mani.
• Detailing brushes
Detailing brushes stand out for their thin, sharp bristles, which are ideal for creating fine lines and intricate patterns. This type of nail art brush is designed to provide greater control and accuracy.
With these brushes, you can create various designs, including delicate florals, precise lettering and geometric shapes. To maintain them, clean the brushes with mild soap and reshape the bristles after each use. Investing in high-quality nail art brushes is advisable, as they retain their shape better and ensure a smoother application.
• Striping tape
Striping tape is a thin, adhesive nail art tool used to create crisp, clean lines that are challenging to replicate with a brush alone. It's ideal for designs like French tips, colour blocking, abstract shapes and plaid or grid patterns.
Striping tape is versatile and used alongside nail polish, glitter or rhinestones. By applying it in a specific pattern and painting around it, artists can ensure sharp contrasts and neat edges. Once the design dries, the tape is removed, revealing sleek, professional-looking results. Don't forget to apply a topcoat to prevent peeling and smudging.
• Stamping plates and stamper
Nail stamping is a technique where designs etched onto metal plates are transferred onto nails using a rubber stamper. These nail art supplies let you create intricate, detailed designs that would be nearly impossible to hand-paint.
With nail stamping, you can achieve sophisticated lace patterns, whimsical characters, geometric shapes and even textural effects. This technique lets you blend different designs on a single plate, offering endless creative combinations.
Achieving a clean transfer may take several attempts, but the results are well worth the effort.
• Decals and stickers
These nail art kit essentials let you add detailed images or shapes that are difficult to hand-paint. Pre-designed stickers are applied directly onto the nail. They're super easy to use: just peel, stick and bam! Your client will be rocking a gorgeous mani in no time.
Perfect for mixing and matching, nail art stickers offer endless designs, including hearts, stars, florals, butterflies and holiday-themed prints. These adhesive nail art essentials also come in 3D, 5D, glow-in-the-dark and embossed varieties, adding an extra flair to the nails.
Use tweezers when applying stickers for greater control. Don’t forget to seal the design with a topcoat!
• Sponges
When it comes to ombre or gradient nail art designs, sponges are your best friend! These nail art materials allow for controlled dabbing of colour, allowing you to gradually build up intensity exactly where needed.
Additionally, the sponge's unique porous texture lets you achieve textured effects on your nails, which brushes alone cannot achieve.
• Glitter gel nail polish
Your nail art tool set isn't complete without stunning glitter gel lacquers!
These shimmering nail art tools add sparkle and depth to any design. They're perfect for creating gradient effects, giving French tips a sparkling twist or serving as a dazzling base under your decals. As a gel polish, they tend to last longer than regular nail polish.
• LED or UV nail lamp
A reliable LED or UV lamp is a must-have gel nail art equipment. This tool speeds up the drying time, ensuring your gel designs are set just right, which otherwise would not be set properly in normal air conditions. You'll love the smudge-free glossy finish it leaves, elevating your nail art to pro levels!
Be sure to follow the recommended curing time for a specific gel polish to get that salon-quality appearance!
• Rhinestones and charms
Add instant shine and texture to your nail art with rhinestones and charms! These tiny, decorative nail art accessories are glued onto the nails. They're more resistant to wear and tear compared to regular nail polish, making your manicure both stylish and long-lasting.
From 3D rhinestones that pop to multi-coloured crystals that catch the light at every angle, there's something for every style and occasion. Popular nail charms include mermaid half pearls, glitter flakes, micro pixie crystals and stud letter charms for a personalised touch.
When it comes to nail art, sometimes less is more. A few well-placed rhinestones can look more glamorous than a nail overloaded with charms. Be sure to match the size of the charms to your client’s nail size to attain a clean and balanced look.
Shop top-notch nail art essentials at NSI Australia
Achieve gorgeous, long-lasting designs by using top-grade nail art materials. At NSI Australia, we offer a wide range of nail supplies, from glues and polishes to liner gels, top coats, brushes and nail lamps.
Shop high-quality nail design tools now and impress your clients!