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What types of nail files are there? Which nail file is better - an overview of the most suitable options

In order to do perfect manicure, you need to choose the right tools, in particular a nail file. Due to the wide variety of nail files in stores, inexperienced nail artists may get confused, so before purchasing, you should find out how to choose a nail file.

When choosing a file for manicure, take into account its abrasiveness, shape, as well as the material from which it is made. Considering all these features, you can choose the ideal tool suitable for natural or extended nails.

File abrasiveness

Each file has a special coating that determines its level of hardness - this is abrasiveness. It is measured in gritah– the higher the abrasiveness, the softer the spraying. The packaging of the tool always contains information about the degree of hardness, as well as what material was used for spraying. Depending on the degree of abrasiveness, the scope of application of the tool changes:

From 80 to 100 grit - used for extended nails.
This rigidity of the tool makes it easy to cut even the most thick layer gel, and also shorten the length.
From 120 to 180 grit - the hardness of such a file is considered medium, it is used to give required form nail plate.
To work with natural nails, use an abrasiveness of 220 to 320 grit.
The nail file has a hardness of 340-900 grit.
For polishing, use a soft tool with an abrasiveness of 900 to 4000 grit.

To avoid harming the nail plate, you need to use the right tools. In addition to spraying, the material is of no small importance – the base of the nail file and its shape.

The table in the picture below will help you make your choice even easier:

Main types of nail files

Each of the materials used for the base of nail files has its own characteristic features:

Glass base. This is a gentle file that people stop at choice owners of natural nails. The main advantages of this tool are the soft processing of the plate and long time its operation.

Laser files are diamond-coated tools that are used for processing nail plate, as well as the skin around it.

Files on a plastic base. Such instruments have a reasonable price, are easily disinfected and are available on the market in a wide range.

IN Lately popularity in nail service won the electronic file. An example of a tool in the photo:

The tool comes with three attachments of varying hardness. The first is used to shape the nail plate, the second attachment is used to polish the nail, and the third is used to polish it. To see such a file in action, you can watch the video:

Electronic nail file provides professional care at home. Even a person who has no experience in such procedures can perform a manicure with such a tool.

How to independently determine the thickness of your nail?

In order to choose the right nail file, you need to know how thick your nail plate is. This is not difficult to do: you just need to press thumb on the tip of the index nail.

If the nail bends easily, but no pain is felt, it means that it has a thin structure.

If there is little resistance and weak painful sensations, then these are nails of medium thickness. When pressed, pain is felt, and the plate does not bend - these are signs of thick nails. Also, the color can tell about the thickness. To do this, unpainted nails need to be brought to the light. A thin nail plate will be translucent, while a thick one will be cloudy. Features of using nail files depending on the thickness of the nail:

For thick people, it is possible to use a metal file, which can easily cope with the dense structure of the nail plate. Glass is not suitable for them at all because of its delicate abrasive.
For nails of medium thickness, all files with an abrasiveness higher than 120 grit are suitable.
For thin ones - ideal option There will be glass and ceramic nail files. They do not contribute to delamination, and ceramic ones are able to seal the damaged edge of the nail.

Properly selected files for natural nails will help you delicately process the nail plate without damaging it.

Choosing a file shape

To choose suitable form files, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of each of them:

Oval– suitable for correcting the nail plate and giving it the required shape.

Boomerang– these files are also called “banana” or “crescent”; they have a very convenient curved shape that perfectly files extended nails without damaging the cuticle. An example of such a file is presented in photo below:

Rectangular– used to smooth the nail surface.

For grinding and polishing, use files - buffs, which are made in the shape of a beam. They have from four to six working planes with different abrasiveness.

Sanding file

Sanding fine-grained file - buff is used for artificial and natural nails. This tool has several varieties; in order to choose the right one, you should know the features of each.

Types of grinding tools:

Made from polyethylene foam. Such a tool has inexpensive price and is easily disinfected. Suitable for all types of nails. Most often has four work surfaces, numbered in order of use .

Foam sanding file in the photo.

Used for cutting down bumps or large grooves that are on the plate. You should resort to this procedure no more than once a month.
The second surface is used to eliminate small irregularities.
Designed to eliminate small detachments.
Used to polish nails and give them a healthy shine.

Suede buffs are suitable only for natural nails and are an order of magnitude higher than polyethylene ones. This instrument cannot be disinfected, so it is suitable for home use.

Plastic files are used to polish the nail plate. Like buffs, they have a low price, are suitable for both natural and artificial nails and can be treated with disinfectants. The only difference from buffs is the shape of the file.

If you take a responsible and serious approach to choosing a file, your nails will always be healthy and look beautiful. It is best to use instruments that do not lose their functionality after sterilization and are designed for repeated use.

In contact with

An ideal manicure is the desire of every woman, regardless of age and social status. On the way to this goal, women are becoming more and more careful in choosing a manicure tool to achieve a pleasantly shocking effect. There is a lot on offer on the shelves different models nail files, different in material and structure. In this colorful abundance, it is difficult to understand which nail file is better.

Before choosing, you need to clearly know what result you expect from using it. Only the ideal tool for you, in relation to the condition of the original manicure and ease of use, will meet your expectations.

Deciding on the purpose of the tool

what correction, length or shape;
smoothing out irregularities, leveling the nail plate;
give a vibrant shine to your nails;
working with peeled, damaged areas;
getting rid of cuticles and unwanted growths around the nail plate.

What parameters should you pay attention to?

The main features that you should pay attention to in order to understand which file for your nails will be better:

abrasiveness.
material.
form.

The influence of abrasiveness on the result of using a file

Abrasiveness is the rough coating of the nail file. The numerical indicator of abrasiveness is measured by Grit; the higher the number, the finer the abrasive coating. Depending on the abrasiveness, the files differ for artificial or natural manicure.

By this parameter we can distinguish:

Which nail file is better based on material?

The choice of abrasiveness is important, but this is not enough to understand which nail file is better.

The material from which the nail file is made, its base and coating are important criteria when choosing.

Based on the base material, they are divided into: paper, plastic, wood, glass, ceramic and metal.

The paper base, which consists of cardboard, is prone to rapid wear. It is exclusively for individual use, because... eliminates the possibility of disinfection.
A plastic nail file is the most common option. The plastic used as a basis can be either foamed or regular. Depending on the type of plastic, the file can be soft, bendable, or, conversely, hard. Buffs are often made on foam plastic - bars with several degrees of polishing of the nail plate. The wear resistance of such a tool is quite high. Plastic-based files are subject to disinfection, which is a big plus their use.
The wooden base of the file is not as common as the previous ones. The comfort of their use is achieved due to the naturalness of the material. The tree does not allow treatment with disinfectant solutions, so use is possible only with one hand.
Glass and ceramic bases are gaining relevance and are a priority when choosing a manicure file. Glass or ceramic files are the most gentle and productive in their work. They are great for both natural nails and extensions. Nail files with such a base are often used by salons; they are easy to care for and easy to process. The only negative of this material is fragility. Glass and ceramics require careful handling to prevent falls. For such files, it is better to use special covers and cases, which are usually included in the kit.
Metal files stand out for their durability. They often have a hard abrasive, so it is preferable to use them for artificial nails. Gradually, this material is being replaced by the basics described above.

The spray material is key to achieving maximum effect.

The best nail file, what shape is it?

The quality and beauty of a manicure depends on the quality of the material and the convenience during processing. How comfortable it is to hold a nail file depends on its shape. And this parameter is absolutely individual, because... Which nail file has the best shape is decided by the performer of this procedure.

Buff - like a special type of file

Buff can be called a complex of polishing files of different nature. The buff is usually shaped like a three-dimensional rectangle or bar, but you can also find flat ones. On its sides there are usually four files of different abrasiveness, and, accordingly, different purposes.

How to choose the right file?

To understand what better file for nails in your case, you should pay attention to:

Natural or artificial manicure.
The length of the protruding edge of the nail before and after treatment.
Condition of the nail plate, presence of delaminations.
The presence of a cuticle, rough areas near the nail plate.
What is the most convenient shape of previously used nail files.

What should you know when using a file?

After using a file, even a strictly individual one, it should be cleaned, or better yet, disinfected.
Before you start using this tool, pay attention to the edges. Sometimes the sprayed abrasive protrudes beyond the edge of the base, which can damage the skin or nail plate. In this case, you need to trim the edge a little with another nail file.
Keep yours manicure accessories better in a separate cosmetic bag.
Before treating your nails, you should perform hand hygiene, if possible with antibacterial soap.
Upon completion of the procedure, pamper your nails with a special nourishing oil.

Important! The use of manicure devices, including files, should be exclusively individual.
The right care item will not keep you waiting positive result. The file is a nail care item, and neat manicure occupies an important position in the beauty of a woman. Careful attention to your manicure will allow you to determine which nail file is best in your case.

In today’s article, I decided to turn to a popular and visual format for presenting the material – infographics. It is dedicated to nail files - a tool that, I am sure, every girl has. Already been on the blog with detailed description and tips on choosing nail files and using them correctly, so here I simply tried to describe in a brief and accessible form what you need to know about nail files: their types, shapes, hardness and abrasiveness.

If suddenly someone's picture does not load, here is its content.

Abrasiveness– this is the hardness of the nail file, which is measured in special units – grits. The less abrasiveness, the harder the file. The greater the abrasiveness, the softer the file.

Materials from which files are made:

Glass. Good for natural nails, but prone to breakage.
Metal. Durable and practical. Not recommended for use, because lead to splitting of nails.
With sandpaper. The files are comfortable and suitable for any nails. It's difficult to break them.

Hardness of nail files

80 grit – hard. To give length and shape to artificial nails.
150 grit – medium. For final processing of artificial nails.
240 grit – soft. To add length and shape to natural nails
400 grit – sander. Removing gloss and removing irregularities from the surface of nails
900 grit – polisher. To give mirror shine nails

Nail file shapes

Oval– for correcting the shape of natural or artificial nails.
Boomerang– for rounded nail shapes and filing artificial ones at the cuticle.
Rectangular– for shaping the length and shape of artificial nails.
Diamond-shaped– are considered the most convenient for creating the shape of extended nails.
Dome– for correcting the shape of artificial nails along the entire length.
Polisher (grinder)– can be of any shape and have up to 6 degrees of hardness.

In the cosmetic bag of every representative of the fairer sex there is a metal or ceramic nail file that helps maintain a flawless manicure. Not all women attach importance to such cosmetic accessories, and some even buy the first model that catches their eye. Material of manufacture and abrasiveness of nail files – important indicators, since they determine the durability of the manicure and the service life of the accessory.

What is a nail file

This essential attribute manicure set, which aligns the free edge of the nail, gives it desired shape. If you choose the wrong tool, you can ruin your manicure and damage nearby soft fabrics. Available for sale a wide range of files that differ in material, abrasiveness, and pricing policy.

Form

This is an important selection criterion that must be taken into account not only in terms of ease of use of the tool, but also in terms of obtaining desired result. The classification of nail files by shape is as follows:

Oval. This a good buy if necessary, make the nail plate shorter, give it the desired shape, without mechanical damage align to length.
Rectangular. Counts universal option for all occasions, ideal for nails of all shapes, lengths, works with artificial material.
Boomerang (banana). This file is necessary for rounding the sharp corners of the nails; if necessary, you can file down the artificial plates of the cuticle area.
Buffs (buffers). The file is necessary for the final stage of leveling, has 2, 4 or 6 sides, eliminates small grooves on the surface of the nails.
Figurines. Such files are more often used by progressive teenagers and are shaped like a butterfly, a Coca-Cola bottle, or a telephone.

Abrasiveness

In this case, we are talking about the hardness of a particular file, which is measured in special units called grits. This is the ratio of the total number of abrasive particles per specific unit area. Therefore, some files are hard when in contact with the nail, while others, on the contrary, are soft. According to this selection criterion, the following classification is provided (grit):

60-80. A rigid base that is used only to change the length of artificial gel and acrylic nails.
100-150. The base is also characterized by increased rigidity and is intended for filing the surface of extended nails.
150-240. This option is of medium abrasiveness, but it is also advisable to use it when working with artificial nail plates.
240. This is already a compromise option, ideal for all natural nail structures.
240-400. The base is soft, intended exclusively for polishing natural or extended structures.
400-900. Suitable for polishing, used for working with natural, artificial nails.
900-1200. Essentially, this is a buff that gives the surface a mirror-like, glossy shine.

Types of nail files

If a few decades ago the specified manicure instrument was made only of metal, then in modern world The range of basics is extensive. You can find glass, crystal, porcelain, plastic models, the price range is extensive. Such variations have been developed not only to create flawless manicure, but also to increase safety measures during work, convenient use at a professional level, at home. Below are the most common and popular coatings.

Glass

This is one of the most expensive models, which is preferably used on natural nail plates. The glass nail file is distinguished by its durability, it is convenient not only to use, but also to care for the manicure tool itself (you just need to wash it in hot water and dry). Here's what distinctive features has this manicure tool:

gentle file for natural nails;
different lengths, thickness;
hardness – 240 grit and higher;
durability – high (with proper handling it lasts up to 1 year);
influence on delamination – soft surface treatment;
special instructions – easy to clean with water, prevents destruction of natural marigolds.

Ceramic

This best option for the weakened and damaged nail surfaces, with which you can remove the cuticle without injury or damage to soft tissue. Ceramic files are not only safe for nail plates, but also regular use contribute to their health. Information to note:

high quality due to ceramic coating;
hardness and graininess big choice, depends on the desired result;
durability – from 1 year;
influence on delamination – possibility of use on thin, diseased nail plates;
nails – only natural;
special instructions – suitable for removing cuticles.

Metal

Such a tool is not in short supply, but some manicurists consider it obsolete. The metal nail file has a rigid base and therefore cannot be used on natural nail plates. With its everyday use, nail fragility increases and there is a risk of injury. Here short description specified models:

grain size – coarse-grained (for cutting lengths) and fine-grained (for giving shape);
rigidity – high;
durability – from 1 year;
influence on delamination – adjustment of overlay or extended plates;
nails – artificial;
special instructions - cheap, suitable not only for manicures, but also for pedicures.

Plastic

If you need to buy a nail file, it is recommended to Special attention for progressive plastic models. For example, the base is straight or foamed - for greater ease of use. Such a purchase is not as expensive as glass and diamond models. Here's a short description:

graininess – differs depending on the requested evaluation criteria;
rigidity - a solid or bendable base;
durability – up to 1 year at correct use and care;
influence on delamination – processing of thin and soft surfaces;
nail plates – natural;
special instructions – prices, possibility of disinfection without damaging the coating.

Cardboard based

Such modern nail files are also called paper nail files; they have a short service life. Considering the low rigidity of nail files, it is recommended to use them for processing gel and acrylic plates. Here interesting information:

grain size – low;
rigidity - the abrasive surface is applied to a base made of hard cardboard;
durability - disposable models (2–3 treatments);
no effect on nail splitting;
special instructions – bright design and variety, affordable price.

Diamond

This manicure tool is different high cost, more often used by professional manicurists. Files have a second name - laser. Due to their texture and diamond coating they provide high-quality processing free edge nail plate in all directions. They appeared on sale relatively recently, but are already popular. Here a brief description of:

hardness, grain size – different;
durability – up to 1 year;
influence on delamination - the structure is restored;
nail plates – natural, artificial;
special instructions – high price.

This is a special device with several speed modes, which is equipped with a set of removable attachments. The more replaceable elements are included in the package, the wider the possibilities and the higher the price of the electric saw. Products from Russian and foreign manufacturers predominate on free sale; the range of models is extensive. In order not to be lost with the choice, professionals recommend focusing on such important criteria ratings:

Power. The more revolutions the electric file has, the higher the speed of obtaining a flawless manicure.
Charger. The batteries have to be changed periodically, while the charger works from the mains without failure.
Equipment. The more removable attachments, the less need to use additional tools when performing a manicure.
Quality and price. The better the quality of the product, the more you will have to pay for it, but the result is worth it.

What files are needed for manicure?

With the right choice of manicure tools, you can ensure the beauty and health of your nails, give a manicure in a comfortable home environment. A nail file is important element cosmetics bag, which is sure to be found in every representative of the fairer sex. With the right choice, the tool will last more than one day.

Grinding

IN in this case We are talking about a buff, which is used to design and correct artificial and natural nails. When performing a home manicure procedure, all the advantages of such a purchase are immediately noticeable:

The file is made of polyethylene foam and is necessary for masking and filing down bumps and grooves on the surface of the nails.
Such devices have a double-sided base. The sides differ markedly in terms of abrasiveness.
Buffs have a low price, are easy to disinfect, and are durable when used when working with natural and artificial nails.

For natural nails

Great option glass, ceramic and diamond files are becoming available, which contribute to the safe design and adjustment of the nail plate without injury or mechanical damage. It is very important to buy manicure tools with average or high rate abrasiveness, otherwise it may damage natural structure, provoke the appearance of cracks and microcracks on uneven surface. Other selection features are presented below:

Boomerang files are convenient to hold and process natural nails, the risk of injury is minimized.
Buffs are necessary for safe polishing of surfaces, ensuring a mirror shine.
Using an oval file, you can cut down the nail plates to the required length, without the need for scissors.

For extensions

In this case, it is advisable to use different files (we are talking about length, thickness, hardness, grain size). For example, models with low abrasiveness are used to file off a gel or acrylic surface during planned or unscheduled correction; buffs are necessary for the final stage of manicure. Metal files can also be used; this will significantly speed up the process of giving the nail the required length and shape.

It is undesirable to use soft bases for filing gel or acrylic, since the tool will soon become unusable:

Metal ones cut down the extended nail to the required length in just a few movements.
Diamond coating is also hard, excellent for working with artificial nail coverings from gel and acrylic.
Rectangular blocks of 3–6 ribs perfectly polish the surface and give it shine.

For artificial

All files are disinfected, and when correct use And daily care The instrument lasts for several months and even a year. For artificial nails, you need to choose a rigid base so that you can file them down if necessary. extra length, width, make adjustments. Here good options for working with artificial nails:

Metal files instead of nail scissors.
Buffs for polishing.
Laser files.

Files should adjust the length and width and perform the function of manicure scissors. Especially for cuticles, it is recommended to use buffs and laser models, which, thanks to their texture, remove the stratum corneum without injury or mechanical damage. Such coatings have a fine diamond coating with grooves, have a gentle effect on the tips of the nail plate, and prevent injury to soft tissues.

How to choose a nail file

To do right choice, when purchasing, several evaluation criteria are taken into account. The nuances are:

The material of manufacture, shape and dimensions depend on the goals and objectives. It is important to decide what the file is for - for home use or for the purpose of performing professional manicure.
Manufacturer and price. It is advisable to give preference famous brands who produce and sell only high-quality products. Prices vary, ranging from affordable to expensive models. Expensive models are not necessarily better than budget ones.
Equipment. For professional manicure, it is advisable to buy sets of electric files with removable attachments and several speed modes.

Price for nail files

A tool for performing manicure can be ordered in the online store from the catalog or purchased at retail trade in a specialty store. Prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg are the same, depending on the choice of model: