What's in a 6 Piece Manicure Set and How to Use Each Tool

A six-piece manicure set holds the tools most people use for nail care at home or while travelling: a clipper, scissors, a file, a cuticle pusher, tweezers and an ear pick. Knowing what each one is for makes a home manicure quicker and helps the tools last longer.

This guide uses LIZ, the CORKSTORE six-piece manicure set, as the example. The tools are stainless steel and sit in a padded natural cork case with a snap closure, 11 × 6 × 2 cm when closed.

The six tools and what each one does

• Nail clipper: cuts fingernails and toenails to length. Clip straight across in small cuts rather than one large cut, which can split the nail.
• Small scissors: trim hangnails, loose skin and threads. They also suit nails that are too thin for the clipper.
• Nail file: shapes and smooths the nail edge after clipping. File in one direction from the side towards the centre. The pointed tip can clean under the nail.
• Cuticle pusher: gently pushes cuticles back after a shower or soak, when the skin is soft. Use light pressure and don't cut the cuticle itself.
• Tweezers: the slanted tip shapes eyebrows and removes splinters.
• Ear pick: a small scoop for the outer ear only. Don't insert it into the ear canal.

A simple routine in five steps

1. Wash your hands and soak your fingertips in warm water for a few minutes.
2. Push back the cuticles with the cuticle pusher.
3. Clip the nails to length with the clipper.
4. Shape and smooth the edges with the file.
5. Trim any hangnails with the scissors, then apply hand cream.

Keeping the tools clean

Wipe each tool with rubbing alcohol after use and let it dry fully before putting it back in the case. Stainless steel resists rust, but storing tools wet shortens their life. If you share a set within a household, clean the tools between users.

The cork case can be wiped with a damp cloth. Cork is water-resistant and light, and it is a renewable plant-based material harvested from the bark of the cork oak without cutting the tree down. You can read more about it on our materials page.

Packing a manicure set for travel

A manicure set is easier to find in a bag when it sits inside a small pouch with the other items you reach for often. The LIZ case fits inside the 14 × 8 cm CONNIE cork makeup purse, which comes with a matching 6 × 6 cm compact mirror. Note that airlines set their own rules on scissors in carry-on luggage, so check before you fly.

Giving a manicure set as a gift

LIZ and CONNIE are sold together as the LIZ + CONNIE gift set, for 5% less than buying the two separately. Both pieces are plastic-free and vegan. For more ideas, see our zero waste beauty gifts and the gifts collection.