Inside My Hand Modeling Kit: The Hand Care Routine I Actually Use
A working hand model's real, everyday hand care kit, plus what changes when I'm booked for a shoot.
People ask me all the time what's "in my kit," like there's some secret professional-grade arsenal behind camera-ready hands. Honestly, it's mostly drugstore basics and a few nail care staples I've come to rely on. And I'm sure there's some post production magic that goes into the final images, so don't look down at your own hands and judge them too harshly.
I'm fortunate to hand model quite regularly in both Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. I made this list as a running log of my daily upkeep, plus a few add ons when I need to prep for an audition or shoot. When I go on set, I bring a small kit, just in case, since there isn't always a professional manicurist handling nails on set.
The Daily Kit
Hand Moisturizer - My go-to is literally just a simple moisturizer from Trader Joe's. Nothing fancy, I use it multiple times a day, every day.
RescueRXx Daily Keratin Treatment - I oil my nails with this twice daily. It's a keratin treatment made to strengthen and repair nails. And bonus, the pen version is actually fun to use! And just FYI, between shoots I like to have bare nails as much as possible. It allows me to use these products and keeps my nails healthy.
Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - This keeps my cuticles in order, so I find it's a must have.
Cuticle Remover - I just have this for safety! 90% of the time, a professional manicurist is handling my cuticles. But it's helpful to have if I notice a stray cuticle before an audition.
Olive & June Ridge Filler - I like this specific ridge filler because it's a clear polish. Some other brands show up white, which is fine if you put polish over it but not great when you're trying to achieve a bare nail look. When you're being shot in macro, every ridge and texture line on the nail shows up. It's the little details that matter, ya know?
And then your basics:
Nail File
Nail Buff
Nail Trimmer
For a Perfect Bare-Nail Look
OPI Matte Top Coat - A client request that is now a permanent part of my kit. When a booking calls for bare, natural looking nails, you'll want a matte finish. Regular top coats can be too glossy on camera.
Polishes to Have on Hand
Light Pink Nail Polish - My most requested color (This is because of my skin tone and the type of shoots that I book, so it may be different for you!)
Top Coat - Helpful to keep your nail color lasting longer, especially if it's a normal manicure and not gel.
For Emergencies
Essie Break Fix - If a nail breaks or splits, this patches it well enough to keep going without pulling out the nail clippers.
The One I Resisted: Gloves
When people hear 'hand model,' they almost immediately ask if I wear gloves. And I genuinely thought I didn't need to for awhile, until my dog scratched my hand two days before a shoot, and a mosquito bit my wrist one week before another. So now I do my best to eliminate risks, which can look a little silly when I'm wearing my winter gloves at almost any time of year in California.
Daily Kit vs. On-Set Kit
Everything above is what lives in my everyday routine and audition bag. For actual shoots, I just bring a small bag of essentials for safety. In addition to my nail kit, I'll also bring a travel jewelry case of ring options and wardrobe pieces if requested. And then it's time to get on camera!
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