Reddit mentions: The best manicure & pedicure kits

Ohhhhh my gosh, well I've got this one down pat! My Nonnie was just released from the hospital where she was admitted for pneumonia and was diagnosed with two new malignant lumps on her lungs, although the cancer has been in remission for the past 3 years. She literally can't even bend over without wheezing and feeling terrible so her quality of life is very affected and she can't do any of the things she used to love to do - go dancing, go to the boat, go shopping, or even drink whiskey (she worked as a Seagram's whiskey taster for years). She is my only surviving grandparent, I am her only grandchild, and she is an AWESOME firecracker of an 87-year-old who I love to death!

That being said, all she can really do is paint her nails (she used to LOVE dressing up but has to limit herself to easy-to-remove comfy clothes now) and play cards and watch TV, so here's what I'd get her: a nice new manicure kit, since she's always wearing through hers and we already just bought her a hand-crafted glass nail file, some beautiful new nail polishes (she loves red!), and/or some fun gold-plated playing cards, because she has normal ones galore but everyone deserves a super-special treat from time to time, and she loves gold so she'd think these were awesome.

If I had more I'd get her a wonderful soft robe, a brand-new giant TV with easy-to-use voice remote (she always gets mad at hers, lol), and, of course, a new pair of lungs. :(

This is such a nice contest, thank you for hosting it.

Polishes - Brands

• Essie
  
  
• OPI
  
  
• China Glaze
  
  
• Sally Hansen
  
  
• Sinful Colors (cheap, but good for colors she'll use a lot, like black and white)
  
  Polishes - Colors
  
  
• White
  
  
• Black
  
  
• Pink (get more than one)
  
  
• Nude/Cream
  
  
• Her favorite color
  
  Tools
  
  Don't worry too much about getting "the best tools" if she's just starting. As she starts painting, she'll realize what tools she likes and which tools she doesn't. Ebay/Etsy/Amazon $5 tools are fine to start out with.
  
  
• Dotting tools
  
  
• Brushes
  
  
• Sponges
  
  
• Stamping kit (if you're feeling fancy or advanced.)
  
  Misc
  
  
• Mani/Pedi Kit (its possible she may have these tools, in which case skip this one.)
  
  
• Nail File
  
  
• Orange sticks (again, she may have these. Skip it if she does. Also she probably won't ever need 100, just wanted you to see what they were.)
  
  
• Acetone or Nail Polish Remover (100% Acetone is much more concentrated than most polish remover, but it can be very drying on your skin. I use it for clean up, but if she's just starting out, nail polish remover should be fine.)
  
  
• Cotton balls
  
  
• Something to carry all this stuff in (I have a pink tool box, but a make-up box will work too)
  
  I've given you a lot of stuff to check out, but don't run out and buy everything at once. I would pick 3 or 4 things from this list and go from there. For a very basic "start kit" I'd go for two colors of polish, dotting tools or brushes, a mani/pedi kit, and something to carry it all in. You can always get her more, or she can add to her collection herself.
  
  Best of luck!
  

When my SO was leaving for BMT with the Air Force, I got him a nice new grooming kit. He couldn't really use it at basic but he's been using it at tech school and it's very convenient for him to pack quickly and not lose anything when they move around a bunch for training. His parents also got him a nice, plain white stationary set and some stamps and he used the entire thing at basic and loved it.


There aren't many things that you can give him right now that he's going to be able to have with him. One of the best things you can do right now is make a lot of memories for him to think about while he's going through training. Go on dates, go explore new things together, and take a ton of pictures. You can mail him some (appropriate) photos along with your letters. My SO said mail call was always the part of the day he looked forward to the most. Hope this helps a bit!

Here are some recommedations :)

https://www.amazon.com/Things-Before-Finish-High-School/dp/0979017300/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482192227&sr=1-5&keywords=teen+girl+gifts (I got this for my niece and we are completing it together)

https://www.amazon.com/10-Sinful-Colors-No-Repeats/dp/B015RR4I3A/ref=pd_sim_194_19?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XZ07NHZTEXDMAFM6DZAG (nail polish)

https://www.amazon.com/Manicure-Pedicure-Grooming-bogo-Brands/dp/B01LYXIJ98/ref=sr_1_11_m?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1482192540&sr=1-11&keywords=teen%2Bgirl%2Bgifts%2Bnail%2Bcare%2Bkit&th=1
(nail care kit)

https://www.amazon.com/Holidayli-Hanging-String-Bedroom-Lighting/dp/B01M1C3EDQ/ref=sr_1_33?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1482192658&sr=1-33&keywords=teen+girl+gifts (super awesome lights/picture hangers)

https://www.amazon.com/UZZO-flexible-handmade-embellishment-Watermelon/dp/B00OINAPV4/ref=sr_1_21?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1482192798&sr=1-21&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=teen%2Bgirl%2Bgifts&th=1
(pick any color, super warm)

https://www.amazon.com/tiful-Inspirational-BROWN-LEATHER-Bracelet/dp/B017AUEYE0/ref=sr_1_49?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1482192798&sr=1-49-spons&nodeID=7141123011&keywords=teen+girl+gifts&psc=1 (see reccomendations too...not sure what she is into but there are tons of cute bracelets like this)

https://www.amazon.com/Bungalow-360-Clutch-Purse-Octopus/dp/B00SYPSUQY/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1482193952&sr=1-1&nodeID=15743631&keywords=teen%2Bgirl%2Bgifts&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_89%3ABungalow%2B360&th=1 (cute clutches)

Let me know if any of this seems like stuff she is into.

I got this kit at Costco for about $15, and it's fantastic! It's pretty easy to use, and I've found that if I do about 2 layers of gel color, I can easily paint a regular color over it that I like! The only drawback is that it often leaves a tiny sharp edge around the cuticle, and then I pick at it. But I think that would be fixed by practice.

http://www.amazon.com/Nailuv-Home-Professional-System-Count/dp/B00CTIB0ZA

Professional 10pcs Durable Reusable Plastic Nail Art Polish Soak Off Remover Wrap Cleaner Clip Cap Tool (White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGQMA5A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_F1GsybD4F9V4W

These helped me so much. You need 100% acetone. Split a small cotton ball into 2-3 pieces. Completely soak with acetone and leave on for 20-40 min. Filing the top coat a bit will help the acetone better penetrate the polish.

What helped me a LOT was the Tweezerman Nail Rescue Kit. My issue was wanting to bite skin that was hanging near my fingernails and drawing blood. Having the little cuticle cutters makes it easy to just snip it before ripping into newer skin.

1. Single Malt Scotch

2. Good Watch

3. Straight Razor Shavette + Kit

4. Decent Pocket Knife

5. Shoe Shine kit

6. Fountain Pen

7. Leather Wallet

8. EDC flashlight

9. Men's manicure set

10. Bottle Opener

These are the products I used, thanks to this sub for guiding me -

-Lagunamoon Gel Nail Polish Set UV... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NL57T9H?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

-Nail Lamp 60W UV LED Nail Dryer,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G4B8MF2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

• MelodySusie Portable Electric... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H05EDK0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
  -Manicure Set, ESARORA 18 In 1... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078JCCGB8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
  -Tweezerman Neon Hot 4-In-1 File,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YRBWOWU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
  -TOODOO Cuticle Peeler Scraper... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07998KWCW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
  
  No, I’m not getting paid per click for those links...I wish!

Nope! Mum can't remember where she bought it, but here is an amazon UK link for it! I live in Canada if that helps. Shoppers or London Drugs or a travel store might have it!

EDIT: She says she got it at Bentley's of all places!

Ah, even things like nail clippers I keep in their own case. Might just be the way I organize things though. For example I have something like this, https://www.amazon.com/THREE-SWORDS-Exclusive-MANICURE-PEDICURE/dp/B003CZ81NI/ref=sr_1_11_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1481149372&sr=1-11&keywords=nail+care+set

Which I keep everything in that I then throw in my dopp bag.

I think you need to super glue this on the robot https://www.amazon.com/Diane-D902-Practice-Mannequin-Hand/dp/B001DYFIPY

Emery Paddle like this one, couple bucks - or plain old sandpaper, higher grit of course. Then decent lotion on the hands.

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Plastic-Pedicure-Paddle-VAGA/dp/B00N7HBW9Q

I carry the slant tip set from this set (https://www.amazon.ca/Revlon-Designer-Slant-Tweezer-Travel/dp/B01ARS8SC6/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_194_t_0/142-9336883-9365742?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NHJKXS58Q51DAFRKP9V0). Bought it at target like 3 years ago, still works and was cheap to begin with.

Advent Calendars come in all kinds too, so if your giftee is more into Lego or nail polish for example, there are usually Advent Calendars to suit their interests.

They've gone up in price on Amazon, but:

TopInox "IMANTADO XL" Manicure Set for Men in a Black Leather Case. Made by Niegeloh, Germany
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002B0EOC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xI6VAbFGSMTXN

I have this set and I can't imagine going back. The tools are the same as Seki Edge/Greenbell, if you want to purchase individually.

Its a ear pick
https://www.amazon.com/MIRANCO-Manicure-Stainless-Professional-Luxurious/dp/B07DVDJ8XB#immersive-view_1541957416780
Check the second picture

Here ya go

https://www.amazon.com/Pedicure-Segbeauty-Professional-Storage-Manganese/dp/B074778V2B/ref=asc_df_B074778V2B/

Here's a video of someone using one on a callus https://youtube.com/watch?v=ld8dVt9PnEw

http://www.amazon.com/Jin-Li-quality-tungsten-Full-function/dp/B0089L0M2S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450292819&sr=8-2&keywords=manicure+set

Dyan practice hand