My Top 6 Benefits of giving yourself(or a loved one) a manicure and pedicure.

Ordering your own Manicure and Pedicure kit not only provides you a cheaper and more convenient alternative to the hassle and inconvenience of traveling to your nearest nail salon or nail bar, but it also offers you several often overlooked benefits. While the usual intent is to have perfect finger and toenails, the overall health and wellbeing advantages arguably far outweigh just having “Cosmetically Beautiful” nails beds and cuticles.

So what are the benefits of a personal Manicure and Pedicure for yourself or a loved one?

  1. It will improve the overall health of your nails

Your fingernails and toenails are composed of layers of Keratin, which is a tough protein that grows from the base of your nail, this area is known as the matrix – which is under your cuticles. The nail or “Nail Plate” should be smooth and free from cracks or grooves.

Now, inspect your nails. I mean really take a close look. Do you see ridges, dents, hangnails, cracking, splintering or fracturing? Do you have an ingrown nail or had problems in the past? The good news is All of these conditions can be avoided by regular nail care. Manicures and pedicures remove dead skin cells and promote new cell growth, overtime this ultimately makes our nails stronger and far healthier.

2. Cleanliness and Personal Presentation

Let’s face it, no one likes having dirty and unhealthy looking nails. It looks disgusting and can be very off-putting, particularly while in public or eating with others. Frankly, it can be embarrassing and a reflection of your overall body cleanliness. Others will judge you and just assume if your nails are dirty and poorly maintained, then you’re probably not hygienically looking after the rest of your body either.

3. Hygiene and Health Factors

Where all taught from a young age to regularly wash our hands throughout the day to avoid the spreading of germs to others and lessen the chances of getting sick. But, how many of us consider that actually, it’s the space under and around our fingernails which often harbor far more bacteria than anywhere else on our feet or hands.

I stumbled across an interesting article, titled “What lives under your fingernails”, which is a short but great little read.

4. Fungus and Infections

It goes without saying that any fungus or infection is better to be prevented in the first place than having to be subsequently treated. And one of the best ways to prevent this happening is by trimming your nails short and reducing the buildup of debris under and around your nails. Other preventative measures include washing and moisturizing your hands and feet regularly, always ensuring you use sterilized Manicure and Pedicure tools, never sharing tools with others before first sterilizing, and filing and smoothing the edges of your nails after trimming and cutting.

Sets are relatively cheap so buy one for your partner, family or friends. They make a great gift and guaranteed to be appreciated, and most importantly, something EVERYONE will use.

5. Setting an example to your peers, children or partner.

Setting a good hygienic example is of course very important to your children, who are easily influenced by the world around them. As a parent, your actions and attitudes will be observed and mimicked by your kids as they grow. Equally, your peers and partner will appreciate and respect you for maintaining not only your finger and toenails but your overall health and hygiene.

6. Destressing and bonding

Finally, taking the time out to regularly pamper yourself or a loved one is a de-stressing, rejuvenating and a bonding experience. Helping others care for their nails is satisfying and physical touch promotes connections and brings about a sense of comfort and happiness. The elderly are more prone to nail fungus and infection and further complications. Perhaps a perfect excuse to pay nana and pops a visit for a relaxing manicure and pedicure!

I Review The Top 10 Manicure and Pedicure kits for 2019 – Under $25

Page Intro

  1. Manicure Pedicure Set Nail Clippers – 10 Piece Stainless Steel Manicure Kit – tools for nail, Cutter Kits -Perfect gift for women, men Includes Cuticle Remover with Portable Travel Case
    by Beauty Bon

this is my review area

2. Tseoa Manicure, Pedicure Kit, Nail Clippers, Professional Grooming Kit, Nail Tools with Luxurious Travel Case, Set of 12
by Tseoa

this is my review area

3. FAMILIFE L01 11 in 1 Stainless Steel Manicure Set with Box
by FAMILIFE

this is my review area

4. Manicure Set, ESARORA 18 In 1 Stainless Steel Professional Pedicure Kit Nail Scissors Grooming Kit with Black Leather Travel Case
by Esarora

this is my review area

5. by Cater
Cater Manicure, Nail Clippers Set of 12Pcs, Professional Grooming Kit, Nail Tools with Luxurious Travel Case (12)

this is my review area

6. Keiby Citom Professional Stainless Steel Nail Clipper Set Nail Tools Manicure & Pedicure Set of 12pcs – Travel & Grooming Kit with Luxurious Case (Pink)
by Keiby Citom

this is my review area

7. 3 Swords Germany – brand quality 8 piece manicure pedicure grooming kit set for professional finger & toe nail care scissors clipper fashion leather case in gift box, Made in Solingen Germany (21309)
by 3 Swords Germany

this is my review area

8. Keiby Citom Professional Stainless Steel Nail Clipper Travel & Grooming Kit Nail Tools Manicure & Pedicure Set of 15pcs with Luxurious Case(Black/Yellow)
by Keiby Citom

this is my review area

9. ZIZZON Professional Nail Care kit Manicure Grooming Set with Travel Case(Rose Gold)
by ZIZZON

this is my review area

10. Three Seven (777) Travel Manicure Grooming Kit Nail Clipper Set (11 PCs, 810BG), MADE IN KOREA, SINCE 1975.
by Three Seven (777)

this is my review area

10 essential Manicure and Pedicure kit components – what you need to know!

You’ve made the right choice to buy a manicure and pedicure set, but before you make the final decision, you should first consider what exactly all those tools, gizmos and gadgets in the sets actually do, and most importantly, why YOU need them.

 

10 Essential Manicure and Pedicure Kit Components

  1. Nail Clippers AKA Nail Cutters
  2. Ingrown Toenail Cutters
  3. Cuticle Nipper
  4. V-Shaped Cuticle Trimmer
  5. Cuticle and Nail Polish Pusher
  6. Nail File
  7. Tweezers
  8. Scissors
  9. Ear Pick and Ear Spoons
  10. Blackhead and Pimple Remover

 

  1. Nail clippers and Nail cutters

Nail clippers, also known as Nail cutters, are arguably the most important component of any manicure and pedicure kit.

Most kits come with fingernail and toenail clippers. So, what’s the difference?

The smaller sized clippers in your set are for your fingernails and have rounded cutting blades for getting into the corners of your nails and offering a more detailed and accurate cut – on the first try.

The larger size clippers, AKA cutters, are for your toenails and can be flat across the top or also have curved cutting blades. They are usually sturdier and have a wider jaw to accommodate the larger and thicker nails on your feet. The larger handle provides more leverage and mitigates the chances of a miss-snip, cutting your skin or leaving behind jagged edges.

Both should come with a thumb indentation for an easy grip, be comfortable to hold and have an ergonomic design.

Parts and Accessories

Typical nail clippers usually consist of 4 parts. The blades, which do the cutting, the pin which holds the lever to the blades and allows it to rotate from the cutting position to the storage position and finally, but not always, the file.

As mentioned they sometimes come with a small nail file attached, however, most kits come with more sturdy and durable larger sized files.

Nail catchers can be purchased separately and are a cleaner and necessary buy to trap clippings for hygienic and no mess grooming. Great for when traveling!

2. Ingrown Toenail Cutters

Ingrown toenails are usually caused by wearing poor-fitting shoes, rounding the edge of your nails when you cut them – particularly on your feet- or from subbing your toe or other injury’s.

Most good quality manicure and pedicure kits will come with an ingrown toenail cutter. These can sometimes be mistaken for a Cuticle Nipper but will have a heavier duty and plier type appearance. They generally have longer, slenderer and very sharp blades for sliding underneath the problem nail.

Parts and Accessories

On most occasions the cutters in your set will be sufficient, however, if you have thicker or more problematic nails, or you set does not contain an ingrown toenail tool, I recommend you separately purchase a specialist pair of Ingrown toenail pliers. In addition, a “Blacks File” is a fantastic, small but robust rasp that is used to file and contour the edges of your nail plate. This is ordinarily used AFTER you have used your ingrown toenail tool.

These are high-quality stainless steel products and sure to last a lifetime!

I highly recommend the Kohm ingrown toenail clippers and the  Kohm Ingrown Toenail File and Lifter Set to correct and minimize the return of that irritating and painful ingrown nail.

 

3. Cuticle Nipper

Cuticles nippers, as the name implies are used for nipping away skin from the cuticle on your finger and toenails. The cuticle is the clear area between your skin and the nail and serves to protect your nails from bacteria or infection as they grow out from the nail root.

They come in a variety of sizes, with smaller 1/8 and 1/4 inch jaw sizes allowing more control and precession and the larger 1/2 inch allowing you to trim at a faster pace and offering more leverage.

Got Glamour Cuticle Nipper 1/2 Jaw Single Spring, Stainless Steel

Alternatively, cuticle nippers can also be used for trimming thin nails or getting into tight places for more precision cutting and cleaning. They are also perfect for “hangnails” which are they incredibly annoying stiff bits of skin that stick out between the edge of your skin and fingernails.

Accessories

Hangnails are predominately caused by dry skin, so I highly recommend you purchase some cuticle softening and nail strengthing conditioning cream.

Hard as hoof is a best seller and has a sweet and aromatic coconut fragrance.

4. V-Shaped Cuticle Trimmer

V-shaped cuticle pushers and trimmers, also known as a “dead skin fork”, as the name implies, have a “V-shaped” head and are a specialized tool for removing excess cuticles and hangnails. Almost always included in a good quality pedicure and manicure kits they have sharp internal blades and are perfect for quickly removing dead skin.

5. Cuticle and Nail polish Pusher

Cuticle pushers are a basic manicure and pedicure tool used to push the clear cuticle skin away from your nails towards your nail roots. This makes your nails appear longer and smother as well as assisting them to grow healthier and stronger.

They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are often doubled ended. The heads are usually spoon-shaped but have an Arrowhead shape on the other end for cleaning down the sides and under your nails.

I recommend you always soften your nails before using these types of tools. After a shower or bath is best.

Cuticle nail polish pushers and cleaners are used to peel and remove gel nail polish from your finger and toenails.

Alternatives

Something you are unlikely to find in your set is an orangewood stick. These are inexpensive and disposable cuticle pushers that have a flattened curved end for cuticles and an opposite sharpened end, with a point, for cleaning under your nails. They are widely considered to be a  more gentle implement for those with more tender fingers and toes.

A bulk pack of 50 will only set you back a few dollars.

6. Nail Files

Nail files are used to gently file down the edges of your nails after you’ve cut them. Often they will have two sides, one rough and one fine.

Your kit will almost certainly come with at least one good quality stainless steel file. Usually, files are metal, which is perfect for thicker nails and abrasive enough to file through plastics, like acrylic or nail gels.

7. Tweezers

Tweezers are not necessarily an important component of a good manicure and pedicure set, but more of a universal optional extra that kit makers like to throw in. But who’s complaining? Plucking out pesky ingrown hairs, removing splinters or picking up smaller items that are in an awkward or difficult position. There really are a million and one uses for tweezers.

8. Scissors 

A pair of multi-purpose manicure scissors will almost surely be included in your set, and some will also include a pair of “Safety scissors”. Safety scissors have small rounded tips and the end of their blades. But why do you need a pair of safety scissors and what are they used for? Well, for safely cutting in sensitive areas such as the hairs in your nose and ears – particularly when grooming babies and young children.

9. Ear Pick and Ear Spoons

Yes, I know, what does an ear pick have to do with a manicure and pedicure kit I hear you ask? Well, much like the Tweezers they are included as a complimentary item, and some would argue an important one. There is nothing more annoying then built up wax and debris in your ears, and ear pick and/or an ear spoon is the perfect tool for the job. An ear spoon, as the name implies, has a small spoon-shaped head. An ear pick, AKA  Ear Care Curette, normally has a larger head, which sometimes can be spiral in shape, for removing ear junk and wax.

An ear pick.spoon is included in this stylish set by Keiby Citom

A Q-tip or cotton earbud is often not up to the task, particularly if you have very dry ear wax, so using a specialized stainless steel tool is often a more preferable option.

WARNING: Use these tools with caution to avoid damaging your eardrum or ear canal.

Alternatives

Irrigation sets, Ear washing kits, Ear wax removal drops – A variety of names for liquids that generally either contain natural ingredients or a peroxide solution to soften and flush out the ear wax from your ear canal.

Herb Pharm Mullein Garlic Herbal Oil comes in a one fluid ounce bottle and is made from a  blend of natural ingredients including flower and garlic bulb extracts. The application is by ear drops.

Squip Kyrosol-All Natural Ear Wax Removal Kit  Is applied with a syringe and uses glycerin to first soften and then loosen excessive and dry ear wax. Alternatively, it can be applied using the included ear drop bottle. A fantastic alternative to Ear Pick and Ear Spoons for around 10 bucks.

My third choice and a more serious and professional option is the Elephant Ear Washer Bottle System by Doctor Easy YES! It really was invented by a doctor! The kit contains a large spray bottle, a tube applicator, and three disposable ear tips.

10. Blackhead and Pimple Remover

Although not as frequent, your chosen set may contain a tool for removing blackheads and pimples. It may have a tip (which often is very sharp!) This needle end is used to break and loosen the surface of the skin or pore. The opposing end, or sperate provided implement, will have a ring shape for subsequently squeezing blackheads and whiteheads and pressing out the targeted pimple.