Christmas is getting closer and I’m on to the final phase of my Christmas shopping – the stocking fillers. I love picking out little gifts that are cute and handy, and I get an extra kick of the warm and fuzzies when I know it’s something they’re going to get some real use out of.
Now, I know most of you reading this will be nailistas yourself and don’t need my help picking out nail art gifts, but hey, maybe there’s a certain someone you know who might benefit from a subtle nudge and this quick read?
1. A MoYou Starter Kit
If you’ve ever heard her say she wants to ‘get in to stamping’, she needs a MoYou starter kit. MoYou is my favourite brand for stamping plates and the packaging is always flawless so it’s perfect for gifting. The starter kits contain everything a novice needs to get started – a stamping plate, scrape, special stamping polish and an instruction manual. There are lots to choose from and something for every personality.
If she’s already in to stamping, you can never go wrong with a couple of new MoYou plates.
2. A Nail Polish Rack
An acrylic nail polish rack is a super cute way for any nailista to display her precious polishes. I have one on my desk where I keep the ‘essentials’ that I reach for daily such as my base/top coats and most used shades. Plus a few on the top shelf that are ‘just for show’ – the prettiest of the bunch! The racks come in a variety of sizes from a small one that’ll hold about 12 bottles to the biggest one I’ve seen that’ll display up to 65 bottles.
3. A Nail Art Book
Of course I’m gonna recommend the one that I helped write but there are plenty out there for all skill levels. A search for ‘nail art book’ on Amazon will return plenty to choose from. You can get the book I co-authored, Pretty Hands and Sweet Feet, from Amazon UK, Amazon US and basically anywhere that sells books.
4. Stamping Plate Storage
If you know she’s already skillful stamper, why not treat her to some sophisticated storage specifically designed to house her stamping plates. Before you do though, see if you can skillfully find/figure out what kind of plates she’s partial to. There is different storage available for round plates and rectangular plates.
5. UberChic Beauty Uber Mat
Nail art mats have soared in popularity this year. These super durable mats can be rolled out anywhere to protect your work surface and also act as a canvas for testing out nail art combinations and creating stamping decals. As far as I know, the mat from UberChic Beauty ($13.99) was the first but they’re cropping up everywhere now. You can also try Winstonia ($13.95) and Bundle Monster ($13.99)
6. Winstonia Nail Art Brushes
Nail art brushes are a nail girl’s best friend and I think everyone needs the Winstonia 5 Piece Set in their collection. The brushes come in varying lengths and thicknesses so there’s one in there for every occasion.
7. Liquid Latex and an Empty Nail Polish Bottle
Admittedly not the most glamorous addition to the list but I promise she’ll thank you for it! Liquid latex is traditionally used to create wounds and other effects in special FX makeup but some clever bunny figured out that it’s also great for creating a peel off ‘shield’ around your nails to protect the skin and cuticles from any mess during a nail art session. The 500ml bottle can be decanted in to an empty bottle with brush for easy application and will probably last her until next Christmas.
It should go without saying but if the person you’re gifting has a latex allergy, do not put this in their stocking! There are latex free alternatives, such as Liquid Palisade, available.
8. Nail Guides/Vinyls/Stencils
You can get stencils to create pretty much any design you can imagine with these days. These essentials are so versatile and always get the creative juices flowing. My favourite places to buy stencils are Whatsup Nails (US based) and She Sells Seashells (UK).
If all else fails, there’s always… Gift Vouchers
Unless you’ve been handed a very specific list, it can be near impossible to pick out nail polish for someone else unless you know their beauty habits very well and/or are a nail addict yourself. When in doubt, your best bet is to pick up a gift card so she can choose out something she’ll treasure forever at her own leisurely pace. The retailers below stock all of the most coveted indie brands so she can treat herself to something extra special this holiday.
US | Live Love Polish, Color4Nails
Canada | Harlow & Co, Nail Polish Canada
AUS | Femme Fatale