A white circle with a black border surrounding a chevron pointing up. It indicates 'click here to go back to the top of the page.'
Facebook Icon The letter F. Facebook Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email. Email Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting. Twitter Snapchat icon A ghost. Snapchat Fliboard icon A stylized letter F. Flipboard Pinterest icon The letter "P" styled to look like a thumbtack pin. Pinterest Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url. Copy Link
There's more to achieving a salon-quality manicure at home than choosing the perfect polish. In fact, the color is only part of the equation: The finished product reflects how you prep and prime your tips, and that includes steps like buffing your cuticles and filing your nails. And similarly to how you might have your favorite nail polish brand, people also have strong opinions regarding nail tools, specifically which nail files are the best nail files.
The Best Nail File For Natural Nails 2022
According to licensed nail professional Patricia Reign, the owner and founder of Traveling Aura mobile spa, having the proper tools to achieve the perfect manicure is key. That includes choosing the right nail file, of which there are many kinds like wooden files, crystal, and glass nail files. There are also metal and electric models, and chunky buffing blocks.
Which kind of nail file you buy will depend on how you intend to use it. For example, glass files are mainly used on natural nails because their natural smoothness "can help prevent splitting, chipping and breaking, " Reign explained, while a 100/180 grit nail file is specifically designed for nail extensions and enhancements. Once you know the look you're going for, then you can shop for the right tool. We've listed a few nail artists preferences below to help narrow down your options.
Reign told she religiously uses Valentino's nail files as they are great to achieve the perfect stiletto, square, or coffin-shaped enhancements. "Their functioning is super easy, " she said, adding that the file also doesn't hurt clients out of the box, " which tends to happen a lot when using newer files."
The Best Nail File You Can Buy
Medicool's e-files are an investment, but for seasoned artists with proper training, Reign said this professional tool is at the top of its class for enhancements like acrylics, gels, and fiberglass. "If you're looking to create the perfect smooth surface for your nail enhancements, Medicool is a great way to achieve this so you can have the perfect surface to apply your nail enamel, " she explained.
A nail technician of 15 years, Jenna Bean (aka Nail Trapper) said the Tammy Taylor Disposable 3-in-1 File Cuticle Pusher-Shaper-Smoother is a "game-changer" because its unique shape and size make it incredibly easy to use. "[The file] offers to push back cuticles, shape the nail and also smooth your nails for the finishing look, " Bean told , unlike ordinary nail files that just shape your nails.
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen told she uses ORLY's nail files every day. "They're the perfect grid to use on natural nails as well as extensions, " Nguyen said, noting their dual-sided design with a file on one side and buffer on the other makes them an awesome travel tool. Plus, she added, "the unique shape of the files makes it easy to reach all areas around the nails to file."
What Are Glass Nail Files
This nail file is also a favorite among artists for gel manicures, as Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist and founder of NAILS OF LA tells they can be used to "gently file their gel down before soaking it in acetone or acetone-based nail polish remover."
Celebrity Manicurist and Smith & Cult brand ambassador Jessica Tong told this file from Kiss Nails is her go-to drugstore pick. "You can find it anywhere and it will always get the job done, " she said.
For DIY home manicures, Tong recommended CND's range of files. With 100/180 grit, they're great for "shaping, buffing or shining, " she explained, and can shorten the length of enhancements and acrylics. Plus, they're gentle on natural nails.
Onsen Secret Japanese Nail File
For healthy, natural nails, lead nail technician at Chillhouse Molly Romah told Deborah Lippmann's Smooth Operator Buffer Nail File is one of the best. It's made with an extra-gentle custom material to prevent breakage, and the fabric of the buffer smooths the surface of nails plus adds a nice, healthy shine to the finished product.
To avoid micro-tears on the nail's free edge, NYC-based celebrity manicurist, Julie Kandalec told a glass file, like this option from Germanikure, actually seals it to prevent peeling. Kandalec also loves this file because it's disinfectable and "never wears down like traditional nail files, so it's not only better for you and for your nails, it's better for the earth too."
Erica's ATA Diamond Hand File is another favorite of Kandalec because "they outlast 500 paper files and are disinfectable and sterilizable." They are also made from 100% real diamond, and are thinner than regular nail files, which, she said, allows you to "file with precision, especially under tight corners."
Best Nail Files For Natural And Acrylic Nails
Made from tempered glass that smooths tips and seals in keratin, the Cirque Colors Crystal Nail File is as sturdy on nails as it is stunning on your vanity.
"Ever since switching to a glass nail file I've tried quite a few of them and found that this Cirque Colors one is one of the best, " Brooklyn-based nail artist Mia Petlyak tells , noting the high-quality file is "gentle on the nail" and "makes filing a breeze!" Petlyak also appreciates the fact that glass files don't wear, and with proper care can "last a lifetime."
ManiMe's glass file is not your average shaping tool. That's evident on sight, as traditional files are long and skinny, but ManiMe's version is shaped like a teardrop cut in half.
Nail Shape 101: 7 Best Nail Trends Of 2022/2023 To Start Practicing
"It's one of the gentlest nail files I've used, " nail artist Rebecca Ludwig tells . "It's meant for frictionless filing whether you're wearing ManiMe Gels or using it on your natural nails to create clean shapes. The Glassy File helps seal the keratin into the edge of the nail — meaning fewer chipping accidents or unwanted tears."
Julia Guerra is a contributing beauty/style and fitness writer for Reviews. With over six years of writing across both verticals, she is forever testing all things makeup and skincare, fashion, athleisure, products that benefit women's health, as well as the best home gym equipment. A full-time freelance writer and editor based in New Jersey, Julia previously served as a health and wellness reporter for Elite Daily and kick-started her career in the e-comm space as the beauty editor for BestProducts.com from 2015-2017. Julia's bylines have since spanned across publications like InStyle, , SheKnows, Eat This, Not That!, MindBodyGreen, and more. When she's not writing (for work or creatively), you can find Julia curled up on her couch reading, practicing yoga, exercising in some capacity, adventuring with her husband, or spending quality time with family. Connect with her via Twitter @j_guerra27. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@.Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for , from ingredients to acne advice.
Best Nail File, How To File Nails And Best Nail Shapes
Onyeka Obioha, MD is an LA-based board certified dermatologist and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, as well as a member of the Skin of Color Society.
/ Sabrina Jiang How much attention have you paid to your nail file? If you’re anything like us, probably not much. It’s just a basic necessity, something stashed in your bathroom cabinet or purse (or that you can never seem to find when you break a nail). But it may be worth investing at least a little bit more time into finding your nail file of choice. Not all are created equal, and each type has its own pros and cons. There are classic emery boards, which are inexpensive and easy to stock up on when you just need to get the job done. If you feel like you want to make more of an investment, glass and crystal options are washable and reusable, not to mention they tend to be gentler, particularly if your nails are peeling or splitting. And if you’re rocking a gel or acrylic mani, you’ll, of course, need an entirely different file. Confused? Don’t be. We rounded up the best nail files for every purpose below. Dare we say that these have nailed it? Our Top Picks Best Overall: Deborah Lippmann Buffer
0 comments
Post a Comment