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11 Best Manicure Sets For Men Who Want Pristine Nails

11 Best Manicure Sets For Men Who Want Pristine Nails

Look down at your hands. Are they the well-groomed paws of a modern gentleman? Or are you sporting a set of ragged claws better suited to a witch in a horror flick?


The days of nail care as a woman’s domain are long gone. Men happily rock up to the salon and submit their mitts to be tidied up by professionals, but if that’s not your style, there’s still no excuse for tattered talons. Invest in a manicure kit so you can DIY your way to respectable nails.

Men’s manicure sets range in size and price, from bare-bones 3-piece bundles to extravagant 10-piece splurges. The right kit for you will depend on the condition of your nails, which tools you need, your personal preferences, and your budget.

So what tools should a man’s manicure set contain and what are they for? Allow us to provide a quick crash course:

  • Nail Clippers: The most obvious tool and self-explanatory. You’ll want to look out for clippers that are sharp and don’t exhibit too much flex when you press down on them. The blades can’t be sharpened, so the higher the quality steel the longer they will last.
  • Nail Scissors: Another tool for cutting and shaping your nails, and one that is more effective than clippers. If your manicure kit has more than one pair of scissors (the other will likely be for your cuticles), the nail scissors are the pair with longer blades. You can also get scissors specifically for toenails.
  • Nail Nippers: No, these aren’t a set of hardware pliers, instead, nail nippers can be used on finger and toenails to trim any remaining pieces of nail, or dead skin around the fingers and toes. The pointer end compared to scissors allows them to get into more awkward places.
  • Nail File: An incredibly common nail tool, a nail file is used to grind down and shape the edges of your nails, sort of like using sandpaper. Metal ones are good because the grooves are cut into the surface, meaning they’ll never be worn down. Glass ones are also great because they’re immune to rust and are easily cleaned.
  • Tweezers: Tweezers aren’t necessarily used in the cutting and shaping of your nails, but they’re a handy tool to have in a manicure kit because they can be used to remove any small pieces debris, hair or splinters from around the nail area.
  • Cuticle Scissors: Cuticle scissors are easily identifiable as they are the smallest pair with the pointiest end. They’re used to remove dead skin – and only dead skin, you don’t want to remove living tissue – from the corners of the nail.
  • Cuticle Shaper: Also known as a cuticle pusher, this dedicated tool is used to literally push the cuticle away from the nail, which allows the nail itself to grow stronger.

As an extra note of caution, not all manicure kits will be allowed in your carry-on bag if you’re travelling. Instead, you’ll have to make sure you pack it in with your checked luggage. Some manicure kits are carry-on-safe, and these will be clearly defined.

You’ll find some manicure sets have more tools included, but those mentioned are the real essentials and will have your fingers and toes looking presentable in no time.

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