4. Tools of the trade
To be able to do your job well, you need to have the right tools, equipment, and products in your kit! The world of nail artistry, tools and products can be a little overwhelming as there are so many options on the market. Like any product, there are some nail products that are better than others, and every nail technician will have their favourite brands and suppliers.
In this module, we run through the tools, equipment, products, disposables, and consumables that you will need as you start your career. It would be impossible to list and explain every single product as there are thousands of options to choose from. Plus, many nail technicians will have their preferences for certain product brands and formulations. We will look at all products in general, and at the end of this module, we will also look at the sorts of equipment you will need to set up a professional workspace.
As you work through this module, we will be showcasing a range of products, but aside from what is provided in your kit, be sure to always ensure that you are doing your research and only deal with reputable suppliers. Reading online reviews and carefully reading product descriptions will help to ensure that what you are buying does exactly what it says on the box! The cosmetics industry is a huge market, and brands are very clever with their marketing. If something appears too good to be true, it usually is.
When stocking up your kit, you want to focus on quality over quantity. This doesn’t mean that you have to buy the most expensive products; you just want to ensure the products and equipment you do have are long-lasting, and this will only help you be a better nail technician. If you are using low-quality products, your nail services will suffer, and so will your clients.
Every product on the market today has a history, and there was a lot of trial and error to get it to the quality it is today. Thankfully today, selecting cosmetics is not a life or death choice because science has evolved, and the industry is regulated.
In Australia, the Australian Government’s Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) regulates the importation and manufacturing of chemicals. This means that every ingredient in a cosmetic product must be scientifically assessed and approved by AICIS before it can be sold. AICIS was formerly the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), and this changed in 2020. For any cosmetics which claim to have a therapeutic claim, such as skin lightening, these are regulated by a separate government body- the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). In terms of product safety and labelling, this is managed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
In addition to regulating the industry, requirements for testing have also developed over the years. For decades now, big brands have been testing cosmetics on animals as part of their product development process to determine whether or not products are safe to use. Of course, subjecting animals to rigorous testing is inhumane, but it still happens around the world. Some people argue that it is better to test on animals rather than testing potentially unsafe products on humans. Currently, cosmetic animal testing is banned in Colombia, the European Union, the United Kingdom, India, Israel and Norway. On July 1st, 2020, Australia implemented a ban on cosmetic testing on animals after strong public support.
While the ban is a step in the right direction, it only applies to new products, so any cosmetics which already exist on the market are not affected. This means that big brands can still test on animals in other countries and sell their goods in Australia. In addition to this, the way the legislation in Australia is written, it has created a loophole whereby ingredients used for multiple purposes (not solely cosmetics) can be tested on animals. Some of the major brands on the market test on animals, so if this is something you want to avoid, you should conduct research into cruelty-free products before stocking your kit.