Slightly OT, but you don't really need a $50 manicure set, Dead Sea minerals or not, to maintain healthy, nice nails.
There are 4 things I absolutely swear by, none of which is over $10 (US):
A RubyStone Crystal nail file: usually about $4 at Sally Beauty Supply, and Sally often has 2 for 1 sales or other specials, especially around the holidays. RubyStones are awesome; they give you a nice, smooth edge, especially when you wet the file to work with it. I have 3 of these: one I carry in my manicure bag, one I carry in my purse, and an extra I bought because I thought I had lost the one in my purse. Turns out I had switched purses and I didn't switch the file from the old bag to the new bag. *forehead smack*
A 7-way buffer: $1.97 at Wal-Mart. I don't use all 7 edges because the 2 filing edges are too rough and create snags in my nails, but the 5 buffing sides work wonders.
Vaseline Intensive Care Healthy Hand Essentials moisturizer: $4-5 at Wal-Mart. It's a great hand and nail lotion that you don't have to spend big bucks on.
Neutrogena Instant Nail Enhancer in Buffed Sheen: I think it was $7-8 at Wal-Mart. Technically you don't have to buff your nails when you use this, because it's supposed to make your nails already look buffed, but I like the extra sheen it gives with buffed nails; makes them look like glass. You need to be careful with it, though - a little goes a long way, and if you put on too much it'll get goopy.
This is really all you need for a great manicure, besides an orange stick (which aren't expensive) and a bowl of warm soapy water.
You need spend no more than about $20, and most of these things will last you a year or longer. Better than 10-15 bucks every couple of weeks at the nail salon, and MUCH less risk of staph infections from improperly disinfected or cleaned equipment.
I've decided not to go back to a nail salon until they pass legislation in California requiring them to adhere to certain health standards. I've been lucky enough never to catch an infection of any sort, but you never know when your luck will run out.
