Nail files: what are there, how to choose and use correctly?

In the process of nail care at home or while receiving services in the salon, nail files act as the main working tools. These products have their own characteristics, in addition, they are divided into types, where each product has individual characteristics. Therefore, having a complete understanding of certain properties of the product, you can easily choose the most suitable manicure tool that can cope with the task at hand.

It is quite difficult to make a beautiful manicure at home or with the help of a master in the salon without using a basic set of tools, which includes a nail file.

Today the assortment of this category of tools is represented by a wide variety., thanks to which the nails can be put in order, as well as strengthened, armed with high-quality and suitable products from Russian or foreign manufacturers. The main purpose of the file is to correct the shape and length of the nail, but with the passage of time and the introduction of new materials in the nail service, the functionality along with the range of products has expanded significantly.

In light of the multifunctionality of modern nail files, one can single out their main feature, which is that this tool today occupies a special place in the list of used products for home hand care, as well as for the work of a master not only with natural, but also with artificial extensions. materials, means for design and care.

Due to the introduction of new technologies in manicure, as well as the use of new materials and techniques, the number of basic tools, including files, has significantly increased. Today, the tool can be classified taking into account the main characteristics of the product, such as: the task that the tool must perform during work, the type of raw materials used to make the tool, as well as the degree of abrasiveness, which largely depends on the type of material from which the file is made for nails.

To make it easier for a master or an amateur to choose one or another tool in the presented assortment for caring for the nail plate, for classification by functionality, it is customary to rely on the shape of the product itself.

• As for the oval file, which is familiar to everyone, it is used to correct the shape of the nail plate, in addition, using this type of tool, you can shorten its length.

• A rectangular product has a universal purpose, similar to an oval tool, but in addition to standard procedures for creating shape and length, a rectangular file can be used to polish a natural or artificial nail, remove excess gel, and make a flat surface.

• The tool, which in everyday life due to its shape is usually called "banana" or "boomerang" is recommended to be used for home hand care. The file stands out for its convenience due to the concave edges, which prevents the tool from slipping out during operation. Most often, the "banana" gives the nail a rounded shape, in addition, the file can be used to correct the applied layer of built-up synthetic material.

• Files in the form of blocks, which have a second name - buffs, are acquired for polishing the surface of a natural or artificial nail. As a rule, this type of tool can be used from several sides: usually the buff has six working zones, which are distinguished by varying degrees of abrasiveness, in light of which the tool should be used for grinding in a certain sequence.

• For professional nail service masters, well-known brands that specialize in the production of manicure tools produce domed and diamond-shaped files. With their help, the final correction of the appearance of the nail plate is carried out, including gel varnishes, acrylics, gel and other materials.

• In addition to the above types, on sale you can also find a tool of a non-standard shape. Most often, adolescents or children acquire a similar attribute for manicure care.

Taking into account the type of raw materials from which the working tool for the master is made, the files can be different. In the course of selecting the most suitable material, one should be guided by the condition of the nails, as well as the general sensitivity to mechanical contact with the plate. For brittle and thin marigolds, sparing materials with a minimum degree of abrasiveness should be selected; for artificial turf, you will need a stronger working tool. The main types of files are presented below.

This category of nail care products belongs to the category of budget manicure tools. The surface of such a file is not rigid, so this option should be used for natural nails that will be thin in nature.

This type stands out among its counterparts for its fragility, since it is very fragile.Most often, such products are sold together with a storage case, however, careful handling of such a product is a prerequisite during operation. The main purpose is considered to be the care of natural nails.

Such an attribute is not so often found in domestic nail salons. However, the high efficiency of such tools determines their gradual appearance in Russia, especially due to the fact that they polish the surface of the plate very well, smoothing out possible defects at the initial stage of delamination. The properties of this type of tool characterize it as grinding products with a sealing effect.

They belong to the segment of products with an average cost, some craftsmen note a lot of positive effects from the use of tools on a natural basis. The file perfectly copes with its task, therefore it is used in salons and at home.

Such options stand out against the background of other types of their plasticity and high cost. As a rule, the inner part of the product is a plastic or wooden part, and along the edges the file is made from a special fiber.

Until recently, it was the most popular manicure tool, which was used to correct and polish nails at home and in salons. But in the course of the appearance of more universal and modern analogues, such a nail file has become extremely rare, since it damages the nail plate quite badly, and is also capable of leaving deep scratches on it. But in terms of a grinding tool for artificial nails, it fits perfectly, in addition, such equipment is quite durable.

Recommended for correcting the ends of extended nails. Such files are able to minimize delamination, and granular particles applied to the surface are able to grind existing defects on the plate.

A modern and still expensive tool, which is most often purchased for work in a salon. In the course of working with such a product, there are no restrictions regarding the direction of work, therefore, grinding occurs at the request of the master. In addition, laser options for nail care have the ability to adjust the shape and condition of the inner part of the nail plate.

A fairly new type of laser tool is the diamond version.with which you can simultaneously remove the cuticle. The contact with the nail is very gentle, but the level of efficiency of the work done is high. The diamond file is a versatile model, as it can work with a variety of artificial materials, as well as dead skin on the sides of the nail. However, in this matter, it is important to deliberately select the degree of graininess of the instrument.

Such files can be of different grain size, as well as intended for single use or reusable use. The latter option is possible only in the case of individual use, since such a tool cannot be disinfected after use. As a rule, special coated cardboard is used for their manufacture.

Such a tool has 2,4 or 6 working sides, it is used for the final correction of the shape and condition of the plate. Most often, the tool is used for polishing, for example, after removing the gel polish, when the plate is covered with small grooves.

To determine such a characteristic of a tool as stiffness, one should pay attention to the markings given by the manufacturer of his products.Based on this property, you can determine the abrasiveness of the file, and also unmistakably choose for which nail plate the file can be used. The unit of measurement of abrasiveness is considered to be grit. Today the products are presented in the following variants:

• 80 - this indicator indicates the maximum stiffness of the tool;
• 100 - such products are also distinguished by a high level of surface hardness;
• 120, 180, 220, 240 - files with an average degree of hardness;
• 300, 320, 400 - such tools belong to the soft class.

For the extended material, experts use a tool with an abrasiveness in the range of 100/180 grit, since a composition such as acrylic or gel cannot be processed with soft files. Files with a coarse side of 80 or 100 grit, as a rule, shorten the length, and also get rid of excess material that could accumulate at the end of the surface of the nail, forming unattractive bumps. Then comes the turn of processing with a tool that has a more gentle degree of grit.

The last version of nail files is recommended for working with natural nails; some tools have two working surfaces with different degrees of abrasiveness, but the harder side is usually used on artificial compounds such as acrylic, gel or gel polish. However, in spite of their softness, this class of tools can effectively remove irregularities on the plate. To obtain a shine, the polishing side of the tool should have a grit between 280-320 grit. Some buffs can be made with sides, the abrasiveness of which will be 900 or 1200 grit. Such products are most often purchased for work in salons.

In the course of selecting the right tool in order to correct the shape and length, you should give preference to products from trusted manufacturers who offer certified products. Files made from low-quality raw materials in violation of established standards can cause serious harm to the nail plate, in addition, it is unlikely that it will be possible to sharpen nails correctly, and the use of homemade products can pose a health hazard in general.

Among the most popular brands, which, according to customer reviews, have proven themselves on the positive side, it is worth highlighting such tools.

• Glass file QVS, which is recommended for working with brittle natural nails. The surface of the tool has a fine-grained surface that grinds the insert gently. During operation, the product demonstrates durability, provided it is used correctly. The tool belongs to the class of affordable goods, since it has an average cost in its segment.

• For professional manicure, there is Brilliance series of sanding files... This tool can be used not only with artificial materials, but also for the correction and polishing of natural nails. The main advantage of the product is its affordable cost, as well as efficiency in work, since the tool provides a beautiful shine, but at the same time gently affects the structure and upper layers of the nail.

• In the list of newfangled laser nail files, the leading position is Butterfly trademark... The tool quickly and gently processes the nail without damaging the surface. In addition to laser tools, wave files for natural nails are very popular.

• Zinger offers customers a wide range of products, including professional glass and metal nail care products.In addition, the available assortment of this brand includes many double-sided tools for home use; the most popular are the 100/180 and 150/220 tools.

• Among laser instruments, it is also worth highlighting Messer & Nagel MN-1503 instruments... The file combines several functions, since it can be used not only for correcting nails, but also during procedures for performing unedged or combined manicure.

• Mertz manicure products has earned high marks among the masters; this brand offers a tool for nail care, in addition, with its help you can painlessly remove cuticles. The range of products includes laser and metal tools, as well as power saws with replaceable files.

• Christina fitzgerald - a brand that offers the consumer a large selection of glass and satin nail files, in addition, the brand manufactures a series for the care of natural nails with medium and soft abrasiveness.

During the selection of such a tool for home or professional use it is worth paying attention to the following characteristics of the tool.

• First of all, this concerns the degree of rigidity, it is possible that for high-quality care you will need several files at once, which will need to be used at different stages of working with nails. In order not to be mistaken in this matter, you should select a suitable surface by touch. If the instrument is too hard, within 80 or 100 grit, then there is a chance after such a procedure to seriously damage the plate by removing several top layers. For those who doubt their own choice, you can initially buy a tool with a grain size of 320 grit - after using it, you will already have an understanding of which nail file should be purchased: with a more or less abrasive surface. And soft products are in any case useful for polishing and correction, as well as for finishing any artificial material or natural surface.
• It is also important to initially clearly define the purpose of using the product. Because, only taking into account the type of material with which you have to work, you can choose the right tool. Removing artificial materials such as acrylic requires a rough surface; as for the gel polish, in this case it is worth giving preference to the average grain size. Correction of the built-up material is best done with 160 or 180 grit files.

• Attractive appearance of products, bright design and colors do not always indicate the high quality of the files. You should also give preference to well-known brands that have earned a reputation for quality products sold around the world.
• As for the selection of a file for working with natural nails for personal use, you can conduct a small test: try to bend the grown nail. If it gives in easily, it means that the nail plate will not withstand the effects of an overly aggressive instrument surface. For such cases, you should opt for soft nail files. When the nail can be bent with difficulty, you can use medium-grain files, for example, a diamond-coated tool.

Before using the tool, it is best to read some of the recommendations of experts.

• To correct the length and shape of the nails, start work only if the nails are completely dry. Exposure to a still wet nail plate can lead to the opposite result, when a too vulnerable nail is damaged.
• Almost all types of files require working in one direction, since chaotic movements can provoke the appearance of defects and serious chips on the nails. The exception is laser instruments.
• It is important, when working on the shape of the nail, to carefully grind its edges; one-way movements will help "seal" the end, which will reduce the risk of cracks. However, too aggressive use of a file on thin nails can lead to the opposite result.
• Final polishing should be done with a buff. This tool contains a soft side that will gently finish the surface and also give it a healthy glossy shine. Do not ignore the edges of the nail plate, which also need care.
• To smooth out grooves or irregularities on the plate, which quite often appear after removing the artificial covering or built-up material, you should polish the nails with a buff, but not more often than once every 14 days, since it will take a certain time to restore the natural layer. During this period, you can use additional strengthening compounds based on nylon or silk.

For information on how to use nail files correctly, see the next video.