5 must-haves for your professional gel nail kit

“A worker is only ever as good as their tools”... or so they say. While it's not always 100% true, we know a great set of tools can certainly make a difference!

Are you ready to unlock your full potential? Don't miss out on these 5 professional gel nail kit essentials to help you every step of the way.

What essentials are needed for gel nails?

From budding techs to blossoming artists, your professional gel nail kit will continue to grow as you do. But no matter how much your kit expands, one thing's for certain — nothing will ever replace those all-important essentials.

Gel nail tools, files, base coats, gel colours, top coats and a nail lamp will forever be the staples of your professional gel nail kit. So, how can you be sure to get the best out of your essentials? Enjoy unparalleled results day in and day out with these GelBottle must-haves.

1. Get started with the perfect prep

Nippers, pushers, and files — get your professional gel nail kit off to a flying start with a range of prep tools needed for gel nails. While all of these are important, we know there's one trusty tool you'll lean on more than any other: your nail file.

The major player in helping you to achieve the perfect nail, our files give you precision prep when you need it most. Ready to give your gel designs the best head-start? It's time to choose the right file for your professional gel nail kit.

So, what is the best nail file for gel nails?

The short answer? It totally depends. With varying grit values, nail files are created for a range of different functions.

Double up on functionality with our 220/240 nail file, perfect for shaping natural nails (240 grit) and filing thicker toenails (220 grit). Or check out our 120/180 nail file that's able to debulk and refine the product once applied, respectively.

Filing nail tips for perfect prep or smoothing the surface of overlays? Consider our 100/180 grit buffer, featuring a coarse 100 grit side for perfecting the surface and a softer 180 grit side to prep the natural nail.

Ready to level up your nail prep? Quicker, easier, and more efficient than ever before, get ready for near-effortless prep every time with our Portable E-Files or Desktop E-Files.

2. Prepare for beauty with a base coat

You wouldn't fake tan without exfoliating, and you wouldn't apply makeup before priming your skin. So, what makes nails any different?

An essential for priming the nail, your base coat is the secret recipe for seamless colour application. Providing a base for your gel colour allows you to protect while you perfect with smooth and even colour coverage.

Want to give base coats the credit they deserve? Make room for our 2-in-1 Gel Base Coat in your professional nail kit. A base coat and primer in one, this nifty solution allows you to double functionality in half the application time.

Tackling flaky, brittle, or thin nails? Rescue, repair and reinvigorate your client's nails with our Clear Rubber Base. Designed to add strength to weak nails, this innovative base coat is an easy way to inject a new lease of life into your client's nails.

3. Time to celebrate with colour

Arguably, the best part of a nail tech's job is watching your design come alive with colour. And with so many colours to choose from, nail design has never looked so good…

Seeking timeless shades? Lose yourself in the classic collection of Sheer Simplicity. Searching for distinctive design? Capture hearts with the iconic '90s Baby. In need of must-have shades? Stay classy with the House of TGB.

With over 500+ GelBottle shades, impress your clients with colours that bring the wow factor to your business.

4. Lock in glorious colour with a top coat

The same way artists frame their work, your pro nail designs deserve the ultimate protection. Helping to prevent chips, scratches and other surface damage, make sure there's always room for a top coat in your professional gel nail kit.

Enjoy the eye-catching sheen of our Extreme Shine Top Coat, or catch a vibe with the visual depth of our Matte Top Coat instead.

5. Finish strong with a professional nail lamp

You've perfected your process up until this point, so why let your professional nail lamp slow you down? Required to cure and complete your final look, be sure to use the correct nail lamp for your professional gel nail kit.

A force to be reckoned with, our nail lamps and gel colours go hand-in-hand to secure your on-trend design in under 100 seconds. That's maximum speed and style together at last!

What's the difference between LED and UV nail lamps?

Unlike LED nail lamps that only work with gels set under LED light, UV nail lamps are compatible with all types of gel polish. Combining both, our UV & LED Gel Nail Lamp takes anywhere between 60-99 seconds for an ultra-efficient solution to curing. The only lamp we recommend using with TGB products.

Starters to specialists — shop the nail tools you need with TGB

From recent graduates of The GelBottle Academy to specialists who have been crafting for years, we're the obvious choice for filling your kit with everything you need — and love — for gel nails.

Still unsure of where to buy a gel nail kit? Order your nail essentials online or opt for our TGB Starter Kit for everything you need in one place.