Nail file nail

Ceramic is more affordable but less durable than glass or crystal. Commonly used in professional nail salons, it does take some time to get used to operating an electric nail file. Metal: Metal nail files are usually made of stainless steel. Nail files use a variety of abrasive materials to file down your nails.

Some common nail file abrasives include the following:. Silicon carbide: This material is extremely hard and works more quickly than other abrasives, but it can create dust. Silicon carbide with zinc stearate: This material has a lubricant that keeps dust from covering the file surface. Grit refers to the roughness of the surface of the nail file.

Files are available in a variety of grit levels. The higher the number, the finer the grit. Some files do have waterproof paper backing. The paper is treated with chemicals to prevent it from falling apart when it gets wet. Wood: This is extremely stiff, so a nail file with a wood core can be somewhat harsh on nails. It depends on how quickly your nails grow. Most nails grow about two to three millimeters a month, so filing your nails once a week is usually all you need.

If your nails grow more slowly, you might be able to do it every two or three weeks. For nails that grow very quickly, you might need to file and shape your nails two or more times per week. Only glass, metal, and ceramic files can be washed. To clean a washable file, add some antibacterial soap to some warm water. Place your nail file in the mixture to wet it, and then use a nail brush to scrub the entire surface.

Rinse the file well and let it dry completely. If you share your file with other people, you could easily spread germs back and forth. Best Nail Files Updated December BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

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Bona Fide Beauty. Popular Pick Bottom Line. Most Comprehensive Bottom Line. Electric Option Bottom Line. Click here for testing insights. Models Considered. Consumers Consulted. Hours Researched. Updated December Written by Jennifer Blair. Buying guide for Best nail files When it comes to your manicure, there are many different nail shapes to choose from these days. Using a nail file is a much safer, healthier way to trim and shape your nails than using nail clippers, which can easily take off too much nail.

Nail files fall into five main categories: metal, emery board, glass or crystal, electric, and ceramic. We evaluate each type for performance and durability in our research. Avoid metal files as they can also tear up your natural nails. Decide on your nail shape. There are many nail shapes to choose from, but the most basic shapes are oval, square, and almond.

Deciding what shape you want will depend on what your preference is and what kind of nails you have. Oval-shaped nails are a great shape for growing out and maintaining your nails. Oval-shaped nails are symmetrically round at the tip. This type of nail gives an elongated, feminine look.

Square-shaped nails are a great statement and work well with people who have long nails. The square shape comes from filing the nail straight at the tip all the way across the nail. Almond-shaped nails are great for making your fingers look more slender.

The shape mimics the curve at the base of your nail. Part 2. Cut your nails before you begin. If your nails are on the longer side, cut them down taking into consideration the nail shape you want.

You can cut your nails a little shorter if you desire an oval-shaped nail. However, be sure to cut your nails in that oval shape. Hold the file parallel to the side of the nail. Hold the file parallel to the side of the nail when beginning your filing. This will prevent breakage.

Be sure to not file too far into the side of your nail. If you do, this can make your nails more susceptible to breakage. File by moving from the side of the nail to the center.

This will ensure that your nail is smooth, and not jagged. This will cause peeling and breakage of the nail. Hold the file flat against the nail tip. When filing your nails from the side to the center, you should always hold the nail file perpendicular to the tip of the nail. This will prevent weakening the nail while filing.

If your nails are already thin, hold the nail file flat to your nail, tilting it to file from slightly underneath your nail. Finish filing by holding the file parallel to the other side of the nail. Move the file from its perpendicular position at the tip of the nail to the opposite side of the nail from which you began.

Make sure that you hold the file parallel to the side of the nail. Lift the file away from your nail for another pass. Part 3. Remove any nail filings still attached to the nail.

Buff your nails. Give your nails a shine by buffing them after you finish filing. This will help show off your newly shaped nails! Apply cuticle oil and moisturize.

Regularly apply cuticle oil to your nails and keep your hands moisturized to ensure healthy nails. Everytime you wash your hands, you should apply cuticle oil and moisturizer. Keep cuticle oil and moisturizer next to the soap at your sink as a reminder to apply regularly. File your nails every couple of weeks. Only file your nails once every two to four weeks. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow.

Mia Rubie Nail Artist. Mia Rubie. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5. Use warm water with soap to remove oils or dirt. Use a nail brush to get under nails to remove dirt.

Dry with a soft, fluffy towel. Add moisturizer or lotion. Not Helpful 12 Helpful I used to bite my nails, but stopped. However, they still are short and jagged. How do I make them proper again? Wait for the nails to grow out first; use moisturizing and nutritious products to make them healthier.

After that, clip the jagged parts, and file your nails to create a smooth line and desired shape. Not Helpful 8 Helpful Use the nail of your other hand, provided it is rounded. If you have delicate skin, use a moist cloth between your nail and your cuticle. Apply lotion afterwards to keep your cuticles moist. Not Helpful 13 Helpful It is best if you can file your nails when they're bare, otherwise the polish can flake and crack, leading it to look awful. Not Helpful 23 Helpful What products can be used to remove nail polish if I don't have nail polish remover?

Coat your colored polish with clear polish and rub it off before it dries. I'm going to get my nails done at a salon. Cecilia Flores. Getting your nails done at a salon doesn't have any extra benefits other than having color on you nails, which you can apply yourself at home.

You can apply it as much as you want to, but it would be best to use it overnight so it will have plenty of time to absorb without being washed or wiped off as it would during the day. Not Helpful 4 Helpful I have different types of nails in my right hand, how do I make them look equal? You should trim your nails equally, or grow them and file all the nails in the same way. Not Helpful 14 Helpful Use cuticle oil or olive oil to keep them moisturized.

Make sure you keep your hands clean to prevent infections. File the nails so there are no edges that could get caught in fabric. Not Helpful 7 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.