If you ask ten nail technicians which base, top or hard gel is “the best”, you’ll probably get twelve different answers. Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats and forums are full of heated debates: one master swears by a brand, another calls it trash, a third says “it only works on my clients with perfect nails”.
For many nail techs this creates a real problem: it’s hard to understand which tools and materials are actually professional, reliable and safe – and which products are just hype, marketing or simply not suitable for everyday salon work.
Why choosing nail tools & materials is so confusing
Modern nail industry offers hundreds of brands, formulas and systems: hard gels, acrygels, rubber bases, “biogels”, builder-in-a-bottle, hybrid systems, dozens of e-file models and thousands of drill bits. Every brand promises premium quality, “no lifting”, “self-levelling” and “9-free / 21-free” formulas.
In reality, nail technicians face very practical questions:
- Which e-file is quiet, powerful and safe enough for Russian Manicure and hard gel work?
- Which hard gels and bases actually hold on problem nails – not only on perfect models?
- Which brands have stable quality and good customer support in the USA?
- Where to order everything in one place, without overpaying for shipping and random experiments?
This is exactly where a structured, real-life based tools & materials list becomes valuable.
Who is Vikki Swan?
Vikki Swan is an international nail artist, educator and judge with years of experience working with clients and students in different countries. She specializes in Russian Manicure, Hard Gel, Gel Polish and Pedicure Aesthetic, with a strong focus on premium salon standards and safe technique.
Through her online academy and in-person classes, Vikki has trained hundreds of nail technicians – helping them refine their technique, raise their prices and build a more stable, professional business.
As one of our contributors at Nail Insider, Vikki decided to share the exact tools, materials, equipment and suppliers she personally uses in her daily work in the USA.
What’s inside the Nail Tools & Materials Guide
Instead of another random “top 10 products” list, this guide is built like a working checklist for real salon life. It’s based on Vikki’s day-to-day workflow with Russian Manicure, hard gel systems and long-lasting gel polish services.
Inside the guide you will find, among other things:
- Core tools for safe Russian Manicure and cuticle work.
- Bases, tops and builder products Vikki actually uses on clients.
- E-file and drill bits selection for removal and refinement.
- Hand files, buffers, disposables and hygiene essentials.
- Disinfection and sterilization equipment for salon standards.
- Trusted suppliers and online stores that ship within the USA.
- Promo codes and discounts where available.
The goal of the guide is simple: help nail technicians stop wasting money on random experiments and build a reliable, professional kit faster – whether you are working from home, in a salon or as a mobile nail tech.
How to get the guide
We published Vikki’s Nail Tools & Materials Guide on a dedicated page with a simple email form. After you enter your email, you will receive an instant download link to the full PDF.
Get the free Nail Tools & Materials Guide
The guide is free for nail technicians and students. No spam – you can unsubscribe at any time.
For who this resource will be especially useful
- Beginners building their first professional kit from zero.
- Experienced nail techs who want to standardize materials and stop switching brands every month.
- Salon owners looking to align products across their team.
- Mobile nail techs who need a compact, efficient and reliable setup.
- Educators who want to recommend a clear starting point for their students.
If you constantly see the same questions in nail forums – “Which base is the best?”, “Which drill should I buy?”, “Which gel doesn’t lift?” – this guide is a practical way to cut through the noise and see a complete, real working kit from an educator who uses these products every day.
