Materials Breakdown
basics ·Course Materials
The world of nail art is a fun and expressive place. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for this course and what you might want in order to excel at nail art in general!
Note: The items required for the course are in bold. The rest will either be provided or are simply optional and/or recommended.
See below for advice on what to look for when purchasing these materials.
Nail Polishes
- 2 colors of Nail Polish (required)
- We recommend white/black and an additional (fun) color
- Top Coat Polish (highly recommended)
- Base Coat Polish (recommended)
Nail Care
- Nail Polish Remover (required)
- Nail File (recommended)
Nail Art Tools
- 1 Small Nail Art Brush (required)
- We have opted for DIY-trimmed art brushes in favor of lower prices. If you wish to have a brush made specifically for nail art, we recommend you purchase your own nail brush(es).
- Nail Dotter (optional; alternatives include sewing/bobby pins)
Household Items (provided by course)
- Sewing Pins (alternative to nail dotter)
- Tape
- Makeup Sponges
- Toothpicks
Above and Beyond (all optional)
- Cuticle Oil
- Nail Stickers
- Nail Accents/Decorations
- Liquid Latex
- Nail Stamper, Scraper, and Stamping Plates
- Cuticle Pusher
- Nail Scissors
Material Recommendations
Here are some recommendations on specific nail products and/or general aspects to consider when shopping for your materials, whether it’s for this class or beyond!
Nail Polishes
Disclaimer: Because we did not have the budget to mass purchase nail polishes and test each one, many of these recommendations are simply summaries of online recommendations.
Whether you heed these recommendations or not, please make sure you research your products before purchasing them! Choosing a cheaper price may often lead to a significant sacrifice of quality. Look up your product, read its reviews, research its ingredients, and ask your friends.
White Nail Polish
- Best Overall: OPI Nail Lacquer ($7)
- Best Budget: Sinful Colors Nail Polish ($2)
- Best in Strength: China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners ($7)
- Read here for more.
Black Nail Polish
- Best Overall: Essie Nail Polish ($8)
- Best Budget: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish ($5)
- Read here for more.
Top Coat Polish
- Best Overall: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat ($2)
- Best Budget: Revlon Nail Enamel Clear ($5)
- Best Anti-Chip: China Glaze No Chip To Coat ($8)
- Read here for more.
Base Coat Polish
- Best Overall: OPI Natural Nail Base Coat ($7)
- Best Budget: Sally Hansen Color Therapy Beautifiers Strengthening Base Coat
- Best Quick-Dry: REVLON Quick Dry Base Coat ($10)
- Read here for more.
All Nail Polishes
- See here for recommended nail polish brands.
Nail Care
Nail Polish Remover
- Most nail polish removers (a.k.a. acetone polish removers) found at your local drugstore or retail store will be effective at their job.
- Consider buying non-acetone polish removers if you intend on frequently painting and cleaning your nails, as acetone can dry out your skin if used often. Acetone, however, is most effective at removing nail polish.
- Read here for more.
- For those feeling a little fancy, consider a “Cutex Twist & Scrub Sponge” or an “up&up dip-it”. These are large jars into which you can insert your nail, twist it against plastic brushes, and emerge with a polish-free nail (similar to a car wash).
Nail Files
- Most nail files found at your local drugstore or retail store will be effective at their job.
- Some recommended types of nail files include emery boards, wooden nail files, or glass/crystal nail files.
- Metal nail files are not recommended.
- Read here for more.
Nail Art Tools
Nail Art Brushes/Dotters
- You can either purchase nail-specific brushes or purchase normal paint brushes and trim them to be thinner if necessary (watch this video to see how to trim brushes).
- If you are purchasing nail-specific brushes, you should be able to find tools which have a brush on one end and a dotter tool on the other.
- In this course, and in general, you will most likely only need liner brushes, also known as detail brushes (watch this video to the different types of nail art brushes and what designs they can create).
Household Items
Makeup Sponges (a.k.a. Nail Art Soft Sponge)
- Any cheap makeup sponge will do! You can buy them in bulk online.