Don’t get me wrong: I love getting a professional manicure as much as the next girl, but I usually end up doing at-home manicures because I’m really picky about my nails. Also, I never have time or money to go to the salon! (I’m sure most of you can relate.)

When doing your nails at home, it’s definitely important to have great polish options, but it’s equally important to have the right tools to complete your perfect manicure and make it last.

My must-have manicure tools are a nail file, a nail clipper, a buffer, a cuticle clipper, and either a cuticle cream or treatment.

Read on to learn more about these must-have products, and why you need them in your own nail kit.

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This is quite possibly the most important and most versatile tool for a top-notch manicure: the nail file, which is usually used after a nail clipper to groom your nails into that perfect shape.

I have tried many nail files in my life and finally settled on my favorite which I’ve now had for years: my Diamancel.

It works like a charm and makes a huge, noticeable difference in how neat and polished my nails appear. Plus, how cool is it that it’s made out of diamonds?

Even though it’s easy to grab cheap files at the drugstore, I highly suggest investing in a quality nail file for the best manicure results.

Nail Clipper

I start all of my manicures with my nail clipper. Even though I’m in love with my nail file, I really need the nail clipper first so that I can get the perfect nail length with one snip.

This is one area where you can save your pennies: I’ve never really used a bad nail clipper – they’re pretty much all the same.

These are easy to find at the drugstore, and not expensive at all! The mini travel size ones can also come in handy if you ever have a nail issue on the go.

Nail Buffer

Nail buffers are definitely among my favorite manicure tools – they’re so addictive! These handy tools feature four sides, with four different functions: file, buff, smooth, and shine.