There are several essential manicure products. You need an emery board to smooth the edges of your natural nails. Cotton wool and nail polish remover are helpful for removing old or excess nail polish. A cuticle remover, cuticle knife and cuticle nipper removes hang nails and excess cuticle. A buffer fills imperfections on the nail's surface. A cotton stick allows you to correct mistakes that occur when you apply nail polish. Pre-primer balances your nail's pH and enables the nail polish to last longer. The base coat protects the nail from staining and provides a smooth surface for the polish.