Traditionally done using Henna, you can purchase tattoo pens or rub on designs. I brought a rubber template and a tattoo pen to do mine with and had lots of fun with it.

Paring the nails -

Using the pointy tip of a nail file or orange stick to remove dirt from under the nail.

Fingernail scissors -

Small curved scissors for cutting nails into shape.

Fingernail clippers -

Has a tweezer like action with curved blades at the end for cutting nails.

Cuticle cleaners/pushers
/trimmers -

Sticks with a weird array of blades at the end for poking at the cuticle.

Cuticle cutters -

As above with sharper blade.

Orange stick
/soft pusher -

Originally made from the wood of an orange tree. It's a stick with a pointy end and a flattish end. It can be plastic or it can be wood and is used to push the cuticle back once softened. Soft pushers just have a soft rubber bit at one end. This is to shield the nail from scratches while the cuticle is being pushed back. Some times people wrap the end of an Orange stick in cotton wool to do the same thing.

Nail Strengthener

An applied liquid of various sorts used to strengthen the nail. Use with care as product likely to build up on your nails.

Nail Glue

Used to fix tears and splits in long nails. Can be used with a nylon wrap for further strength.

Nylon Wrap

Scrap of thin nylon used like a bandage to hold a ripped nail together. Glued in place.

Nail Files

Emery Board

A slim board with fine sandpaper like surface for shaping nails. Wears out fast, has to be replaced regularly. Beware buying too coarse a grained emery board, these are for use with false nails only.

Nail Stone

Tough ceramic grains bonded together in a slim block. This block will smooth and seal the edges when used on your fingernails.

Nail File

A metal file with fine abrasion marks etched into it for filing down nails. Works best if drawn only in the one direction to lessen fractures. Clean with a toothbrush to unclog file after use.

Glass Nail File

Hardened granules of glass bonded on a slim metal board. Lasts a lifetime, easily cleanable under running water.

Buffing System

About the size of the old emery boards, but these ultra fine (they look smooth, if you can see bumps on your board then it is an emery and NOT part of the buffing system) boards are used to remove ridges caused by aging on the nail surface. They are not used to shape them, but to smooth and shine them.

Buffing Board

About the size of the old emery boards, but these are used to buff the nail surface, not to shape them. Will add a glossy shine to most nails.