The Nail Essentials 3 Pro Manicurists Won’t Be Without

The Products She Buys On Repeat…

“First, a hand wash that doubles up as a scrub is essential. I’m never without Aesop’s Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash with Bergamot Rind. Really massage it in and pay particularly close attention to dry or callused areas before rinsing with warm water. Next up, nail brushes are so underrated – Hydrea London Beech Wood Brush is my favourite. It has two different lengths of bristles and I use it to push my cuticles back when I’m overdue for a manicure. They’re also brilliant for cleaning under and around your nails. They can completely overhaul the appearance of your nails – a scrub is never enough. Use it in the shower and run it over your toes, too. Make sure the brush has stiff bristles for best results. Finally, you’ll find a cuticle oil in nearly all my bags. I’m a huge fan of Essie’s Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil. I massage it into my nail plate every single night to hydrate the skin and keep my nails flexible. Often, to lock in some extra benefits, I’ll apply ESPA’s Rejuvenating Hand Cream on top.” 

Her Go-To Regime…

“It’s important to keep nails a healthy length and shape. A crystal nail file is reusable, environmentally-friendly and gentle. For me, I’ll file my nails twice a week, or when there are any snags to stop them tearing. When it comes to washing my hands, I’ll never use a soap that contains any SLS or parabens – they only dehydrate both my hands and my nails. Finally, my best tip is to apply SPF every day after some cuticle oil. It’ll with dark spots and fine lines, and it also adds some extra hydration.” 

Do’s & Don’t’s She Follows…

“Do gently push back your cuticles after a shower or bath when the skin is soft. Don’t cut your cuticles to excess – if they begin to bleed or you’ve made them sore, you’ve gone too far. I also don’t advise using cuticle oil or hand cream before you apply nail polish – it will chip instantly, trust me. Finally, avoid opening cans and packages with your nails – not because it’ll ruin your polish, but because regular snagging can lead to excess breakage and brittleness.” 

The Nail Brands She Loves…

“Essie is my favourite when it comes to natural nailcare – they have every colour you could want or need, and y there are so many base and top coat options, too. Bio Sculpture is my favourite for gel manicures because they have high-quality, ethical products that I can tailor to my clients. They offer specialist nail home care treatments.” 

Michelle’s Final Tips…

“Always buff your nail plate prior to painting. I have done this for years – it removes excess oil and helps your nail varnish stay put longer. Do it either with a bristle brush or your nail file. Another handy tip is to balance your pinkie finger on your opposite hand while you apply your polish – it allows you to steady your hand and makes life so much easier. Finally, apply a fresh layer of topcoat after three to four days to extend the life of your manicure.” 

The Products She Buys On Repeat…

“First, my Navy Pro Tools Cuticle Balm. Brimming with rosehip and coconut oil, you only need a small amount, but it works quickly to improve the overall appearance of both the skin around your nails and the nailbed itself. Next up, I like to keep a strengthening treatment nearby. The Ethos Seaweed Calcium Base is my favourite. It contains calcium, magnesium and zinc, all of which work together to harden and strengthen your nails. It also has a subtle pink hue that enhances the look of your nails and gives them a healthy glow. You can apply this as a weekly  treatment, or more often if you want to. Finally, a good hand cream is a no brainer. Everyone should apply on morning and night. If my hands are particularly dry, I’ll use Weleda’s Skin Food – it’s what I call a pocket-pleaser as it delivers fast results. I love L’Occitane’s Shea Butter too, the formulas are thin and never leave behind a tacky or greasy residue.” 

Her Go-To Regime…

“Having a daily routine may sound extravagant, but in my opinion, your nails require as much care and attention as your face. I’ll start by scrubbing my hands and nails using Byredo’s Suede scrub, then I’ll follow up with my cuticle balm, massaging it in circular motions around the nails and surrounding skin before finishing with a thick hand cream. If I have time, I use a curve-edged cuticle tool to gently push back any excess skin – try doing this while the skin is soft and malleable, ideally post-shower. Leave any trimming of the cuticles to the pros, however – it’s risky and often, you can end up causing inflammation.” 

Do’s & Don’t’s She Follows…

“Do oil your cuticles daily. I don’t say it for the sake of it – doing so will bring nails back to life. Secondly, start following a proper and thorough hand care routine. It doesn’t need to take ages but giving your nails some attention can make all the difference to their overall appearance. Also, wear gloves when you’re doing household chores – it will help maximise the longevity of your manicure, while also preventing your nails from drying out. My final ‘do’ is to use a sponge buffer to scrub your nail bed. I prefer this to a nail file as it’s less abrasive and doesn’t strip away too much moisture. As for the don’ts… the biggest one is not to pick off any shellac, gels or enhancements you’ve had. Doing so will remove the top layer of your nails and result in weakness and breakage.” 

Nail Brands She Loves…

“Byredo is a firm favourite of mine. They offer a range of hand scrubs and creams, all of which are so luxe. They’re gentle, too, with subtle scents that linger for hours. Bio Sculpture is another of my favourite brands. Their Ethos Mirror Top Coat is second to none – as is their Calcium Seaweed Base. The latter is very versatile and gives nails a plump, healthy finish that mimics the gel effect.”

The Products She Buys On Repeat…

“There are two tools I love, both from Navy Pro Tools, called the Katey and the Doris. I use the latter to gently push back my cuticles and then I’ll cut off the excess with the Katey nippers. This leaves a neat cuticle line to work with – if you can get this bit right, your manicures will look last longer. Also, I’m never without my Crème de La Mer Renewal Oil. I apply this every single day and really work it into my skin in circular motions. Finally, everything is locked down with Jo Malone’s Oud & Bergamot Body Crème – yes, it’s for your body, but it works just as well on hands and nails.” 

Her Go-To Regime…

“I always want to make sure my hands and fingertips look presentable. To do this, I scrub my hands and nails at least two or three times a week. If you use a good scrub, you’ll be amazed at the difference. After that, I add moisture back in by using both a hand cream and cuticle oil. I love a scented cream – especially woody, oud scents.”

Do’s & Don’t’s She Follows…

“In my opinion, it is worth applying cuticle oil at least two to three times a day. That might sound like a lot, but our hands and nails lose moisture so quickly, it’s essential to replenish it. Also, get into the habit of moisturising your hands right after you’ve washed them. Likewise, wear gloves when your hands are exposed to chemicals, as this will prevent dryness and in turn, breakage. Finally, don’t pick your gels – it’s a complete no-no. The damage can be long-term, so it’s not worth it.” 

The Nail Brands She Loves…

“I’m always buying Butter London’s Quick Dry Drops. When using regular polish, I’ll use these to speed up the drying process. They contain rosehip seed oil, which nourishes nails and locks in moisture – it’s a product I wish more people knew about. In terms of other brands I love, it has to be OPI. They are – in my opinion – one of the best out there – especially when it comes to colour. Their brushes are nice and wide, too, which makes them easier to paint with. OPI’s Top Coat also dries really fast and has some of the best shine I’ve ever seen.” 

Iram’s Final Takeaway Tip…

“Hand and foot masks are a personal favourite and often, most people ignore them. When you’re sat watching TV, or just relaxing at home, pop one on. They’re an absolute must if you suffer with dry skin or want to maintain mani/pedi results in between appointments. There are so many to choose from now, and most are pretty affordable. Nails Inc’s Thirsty Hand & Feet Masks are my favourite as they’re so hydrating, but it’s worth doing some research to find ones which will suit your individual needs.”