How to Make a Back-to-School Mani Emergency Kit
So you’ve been back-to-school shopping. You have your cute highlighters. You have your big binder. You have that extra notebook that you probably didn’t need.
And let’s not forget the “just in case” stash! You have your dry shampoo. You have your lip balm. You have your mani emergency kit.
Wait! You don’t have your mani emergency kit?! Well, it’s a good thing you clicked on this blog post! If you’re a serious #nailnerd, you’ll want to keep a few things on hand (pun intended) to keep your nails and hands healthy and cared-for all day long. Whether you’re going back to school or headed to a job, this little emergency kit is just the save for you.
Check out my YouTube video where I chat all about what goes into the kit and scroll down for more details and links…
(!) Some of the Amazon products listed here are suggestions/recommendations from the site that I have not personally tried nor endorse. As such, I also cannot vouch for their exact ingredients that may or may not be questionable, so please visit my “less-toxic” page to learn more and, as always, make sure you do your own research on ingredients and/or customer reviews before purchasing.
1. Makeup Bag, Pencil Case, or Box
First things first, you’ll need something to put everything in! Personally, I love using makeup bags because they’re generally nice and roomy, but if you need something smaller, a pencil case or box can be a great option.
Here are some links for you…
2. Cuticle Butter, Cuticle Oil, or Hand Cream
This is your hydration station! Especially in the winter months, it’s so important to keep your hands and nails moisturized. Keeping a cuticle butter/oil or hand cream with you is a great way to keep your skin feeling good all throughout the day.
Here are some links for you…
3. Nail Polish Remover Wipes or a Mini Bottle of Remover
Just in case you chip a nail and want to wipe off the rest of the damage, these are a great little extra to have around. Nail polish remover wipes are a much better option if you’re keeping your mani emergency kit in a backpack or purse to reduce the risk of an unwanted mess. However, if you’ll be keeping your kit stationery inside a locker or desk drawer, a bottle might be more feasible. (Remember that, like nail polish, nail polish remover is flammable, so make sure to check that it’s safe to keep wherever you are.)
Here are some links for you…
4. Top Coat or Current Polish
Just in case you ever need a touchup throughout the day, having your current top coat or polish is really handy (another pun intended). I would recommend skipping this one, however, unless you know that you’ll be able to keep the bottle(s) totally upright and secure. Nobody likes spilled nail polish!
Here are some links for you…
5. Buffer Block or Nail File
This one is definitely essential! If you ever break a nail or get a painful hang-nail, you can use a buffer block or nail file to quickly fix it up so you don’t snag a rough edge during the day. I recommend a four-sided buffer block if you want to most bang for your buck, but a crystal/glass nail file is also a great option for healthy nails.
Here are some links for you…
6. Cuticle Pusher
It’s nice to have the “pusher” end on hand, but I’m bringing this one up specifically for the double-sided ones. The one I have has a soft cuticle pusher (which is so much better than metal) on one side and a little cuticle nipper on the other. This is an easy quick fix if you have a hang nail or annoying and painful pealed-up skin around your sidewalls. Another essential!
Here are some links for you…
7. Mini Nail Clippers
Again, just in case you need to fix up a broken nail, these are a great basic to keep with you for those really jagged edges.
Here are some links for you…
I hope you found this blog post helpful! If you make your own mani emergency kit, be sure to share on Instagram with #tsninspo so I can see and share it with our community.
Also, if you have any questions or want to offer your own tips on what to include in a mani emergency kit, then go ahead and leave a comment below!
Have a polished rest of your day,