Do you want a nail file but don't know which one to choose?
Many people buy a file without knowing that each file has a different action on your nail.
No more randomly chosen files, you will be able to advise your friends and yourself on the choice of your nail file for a better result.
The nail files that exist
To begin with, there are different types and materials of nail files:
- The cardboard file : this is the basic file that you can find everywhere. Its advantage is that it fits in any bag and it does not cost very much.
Warning: They are really used occasionally because they are often of poor quality and risk damaging your nails on a daily basis.
Choose thicker and therefore less aggressive files.
- Glass file: When you have natural nails, it is often recommended because it is softer and has fine grains. It is ideal for fragile nails.
Warning: It is glass so you have to be careful not to drop it and not to store it anywhere because it would lose its effectiveness.
- The metal file: They are often recommended for false nails because they are more abrasive and hard. Good quality, they are often found in manicure kits for their long life.
Caution: The grooves drawn on the file must be regular and not too far apart. Otherwise, it will be too aggressive on your nail.
- Electric files: They allow you to do different things at once: polish and file your nail.
Caution: Avoid polishing the surface of your nail too much to avoid weakening it and consequently damaging your nail.
We realize that for all types of files, the use we have of them is essential! All files can be used, however there are disadvantages and consequences!
The choice of material is also a personal choice but be careful if you have fragile nails: opt for soft glass files in this case.
Other than the material, the essential point for a file adapted to your needs is the grain of your file!
Which grains to choose?
On most files, there is a specific feature: they have two different layers of grit on each side. It is the size of these grits that is important for the rest of your choice of nail file.
The 4 types of grains that you can find are:
Fine grains
Medium grains
Rough grains
Extra rough grains
Important : The higher the number of grains, the smaller the grains.
So the more grains there are, the more suitable it is for fragile nails!
Grains at 80 or 100 (under the name 80/80 or 100/100):
The grits are very rough and are recommended for filing the surface of gel or resin nails. It will file the top coat/covering on the nail.
This grain is strongly discouraged on natural nails which could damage them!
Grains at 180:
Much less rough, the file is used for toenails to make the covering more transparent. It can also be used for natural nails.
Grains at 240:
The finest grain!
It is ideal for all natural nails! It allows you to file the outline of the nails.
This is the grain that is actually found on glass files.
White sanding blocks:
This medium-rough block is used to prepare the nail and remove imperfections on the nail surface before applying varnish.
File or polishing block:
This nail polisher is just a simple accessory to make your nail shiny. For nails without polish, it is a good tool to beautify your nails.