Nail Know-how

Korean-Standard Nail Tools: What a Proper Salon Should Have

Much of what makes Korean nails different is the tools and how they are used. Four groups of tools — cuticle, shaping, colour and single-use — and what you can check at the salon.

VESSCA · · 2 min read
Korean-standard manicure tools

Ảnh: Iguanat / Pixabay

When people hear "Korean standard" they think of colours. Most of the difference, though, is in the tools on the table and how they are used. The tools a Korean-standard nail salon should have, what each does, and what to look for.

1. Cuticle tools

  • Metal cuticle pusher: pushes back living skin to reveal the cuticle; the tip should be smooth.
  • Cuticle nippers: only for trimming lifted bits — never for cutting deep.
  • Cuticle oil: to finish, keeping skin soft.

These touch skin most closely and must be sterilised in a machine after every guest. VESSCA uses its own sterilizer.

Korean-standard manicure tools
Korean-standard manicure tools · Photo: roheryn319 / Pixabay

2. Shaping and prep

  • Files in different grits; paper files should be single-use or kept per guest.
  • Buffers to lightly dull the shine so gel bonds — not to thin the nail.
  • E-file and bits for removing or adjusting builder; in skilled hands it barely touches the nail.

3. Colour

  • Gel, base and top coat: VESSCA's are chosen and brought from Korea — Kiss NY Tinker Gel, 눈서림 Snow Velvet / Snow Velvet Candy, Aurora Queen.
  • Brushes for colour, fine lines and French.
  • LED/UV lamp to cure each thin layer fully.
  • Magnet for cat-eye gel.
Korean-standard manicure tools
Korean-standard manicure tools · Photo: szilviavincze / Pixabay

4. Single-use items

Cotton, wooden sticks, table liners, tissues and removal foil should be used once and thrown away.

What to look for

WatchGood sign
Where tools come fromA sterilizer or sealed pouch
FilesNew or kept for you
Gel bottlesOriginal labels, a named brand
Cuticle workNo stinging or bleeding
Gel removalSoaked off, never pried

Good tools are half the job; the other half is skill and process. VESSCA's owner trained in Korea, and every set follows the same procedure.

VESSCA is at 251/30 Le Quang Dinh, Gia Dinh ward (Binh Thanh), Ho Chi Minh City, open 9:00–20:30 daily.

Korean nail toolsnail salon hygiene SaigonKorean nail salon Saigonsterilized nail toolsnail salon Binh Thanh
Other languages:Tiếng Việt한국어中文

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