Nail file

Nail File

When you want to give your nails a nice color, it's important to shape them correctly first. For this, you can use a nail file. There are all kinds of nail files available, with different grits, materials, sizes, and shapes. The type of file you should use depends on the purpose and the type of nails you are working on.

 

Nail File Grit

When choosing a nail file, it's important to select the right grit. The grit is the grainy layer on the file, ranging from very fine to coarse. The higher the grit, the finer the nail file, and the smoother it feels. The grit indicates the number of grains per square centimeter. For example, a nail file can have a grit of 100 or 180.

 

Which File to Use When?

Now that we know what the grit of a nail file means, let's look at which grit to use for different treatments. Nail files with a rough grit, such as 80-100, are suitable for acrylic nails. If you are working with tips or shaping toenails, use a medium rough grit like 180. The fine grit of 240-600 is suitable for smoothing out unevenness, ridges, and discolorations. It can also be used to shape natural nails. If you opt for a file with a very fine grit of 600-2400, you can polish the nails. This will give the nails more shine and smoothness.

 

Types of Nail Files

Nail files come in different sizes and shapes. Most nail files are made of metal. However, this type of file can be very harsh on the nails and may cause damage. Files made of cardboard or wood are cheaper but do not last as long. The best option is a glass file. This file is used in one direction to prevent nail damage. The drawback of this file is that it can break easily.

 

Straight File

A straight file is primarily used for shaping the nail. With a straight file, you can create nice straight and clean lines.

 

Boomerang File

A boomerang file, as the name suggests, has the shape of a boomerang. This file is suitable for filing close to the cuticle without causing damage.

 

Block File

A block file is somewhat softer. A block file is used to finish the nail or to file the natural nail. With a block file, you cannot cause much damage to the nail.