Nail Storage

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An orange stick is a small wooden manicure tool that is used to tidy the nail area. It is usually thin, lightweight and pointed at one end and flat and slanted (‘hoofed’) at the other end.

What is an Orange Stick Used For?

This tool is mainly used to push the cuticle area and to clean up around the nail.

You can use it to do the following:

• Tidy the skin around the nail.
• Push back softened cuticles (be gentle).
• Clean small bits of dried polish from the edge of the nail.
• Help to place small decorations or stickers.
• Remove dirt from under the edge of the nail.

How Do You Use an Orange Stick?

It’s easiest to use an orange stick once you have softened the nail cuticle. You can do this by either washing and soaking your hands or by using cuticle oil.

You can use the flat end to gently push back the cuticle. Make sure that you do not push hard or scrape the skin harshly.

For cleaning up nail varnish around the edges of the nail, you can wrap a small amount of cotton wool around the tip of the stick. Then, dip this into nail varnish remover and gently swab around the edges of your nail to remove polish.

Why Is It Called an Orange Stick?

This is because this tool was traditionally made using wood from an orange tree, which has very fine grain wood.

Is It the Same as a Cuticle Pusher?

No, although they do have a few things in common. A nail cuticle pusher is usually made of metal, plastic or sometimes silicon. Although it should be thoroughly cleaned, a pusher can be reused.

An orange stick is a disposable tool- think of it as a nail-friendly cocktail stick! It provides a gentle, low cost option for delicately finishing nails.

Do You Need an Orange Stick for a Home Manicure?

These sticks are not essential, but they are a useful addition to have on hand in your manicure kit. They are great to have to keep a manicure neat, without having to invest in a full tool and worry about ongoing sanitisation. Always keep your sticks clean and in a hygienic place, with the lid on.

How Should You Store Orange Sticks?

Keep your orange sticks in the same place as your other manicure tools so that they don’t get lost.

Do not leave wooden sticks at the bottom of a drawer, or in a damp or overly hot place. Always keep the lid on, as you would with any products or extras that need to be used up.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

The biggest drawback is that, as they are disposable, they are a less sustainable option than a reusable cuticle pusher. However, is it worth noting that these sticks are made of wood, not plastic, so are more environmentally friendly to an extent.

Where Can I Buy Orange Sticks?

You can buy orange sticks on Amazon.

Final thoughts

Orange sticks are a simple, cheap, and beginner friendly nail tool to add to your kit. It can be worth adding a few to a manicure kit alongside essentials such as nail files and cuticle oil.