Nails: which file to choose?

Manicured hands are the business card of women. For an impeccable manicure we must choose the ideal nail file that will be our ally in the creation of imaginative nail art or even just for constant nail care.

What will be the right file for our nail type? Here is a small guide to finding the perfect nail file for our needs!

HOW TO CHOOSE THE FILE FOR NAILS

The choice, as well as the use of this tool, depends on our needs and experience in knowing how to handle this accessory. There are different types of nail files; the characteristics that make the difference are shape, color, thickness and roughness .

To understand how rough a file is, we can check the Grit number , the measure of the grain that indicates its degree of roughness . Generally speaking, the greater the Grit, the finer the grain and therefore the less abrasive; on the contrary, a low Grit implies a coarser and consequently more abrasive grain.

Let's see in detail the many  shapes and  materials  of nail files!

FORM

The files that we normally find on the market are generally of three shapes:
- curved files : also called Banana or Boomerang, curved files are perfect for nail reconstruction , to file the cuticle area and smooth the outer edges of the nail in order to obtain an oval or round shape;

- straight files : this type of files, also known as Strait, are ideal for shortening and giving any shape to our nails (square, stiletto, almond, etc.);

- crescent files : with their rounded line, the crescent files (also Jumbo Mambo or calls) have a linear side and one rounded , so they are suitable for both the functions  of the curves and straight files.

MATERIALS

After choosing the shape that best suits our needs, let's focus on the different materials that the file can be made of. Also in this case we have to choose according to the type of manicure we want, but we must also be very careful about the nail we are going to treat: for each type of nail there is the suitable file . Let's see all the characteristics of the different materials together:

- metal files : suitable for strong natural nails of medium length, for a strong filing. The file is not very flexible and of medium grain precisely because it has to treat strong nails, so it must be handled with care. It can be washed and disinfected, therefore perfect for those who carry out the profession of nail artist.

- wooden files : used for all types of nails , they are particularly suitable for the thinnest and most fragile . Being very flexible, unlike metal ones, they follow the shape of the nail well and are therefore less aggressive .

Wooden files also have different grains. For the more delicate nails the thinner one of 120/120 or 100/100 is better, while for the other types of nails we recommend the thicker one of 100/100 or 80/80. A negative aspect of this material is that it is not washable , so the wooden file is for personal use only .

- glass files : probably the best files because, thanks to the very fine grain , they are suitable for all types of nails , they are washable and it is very difficult to wear them.

The only precaution is to be careful of bumps; being made of glass, the files could chip or break and thus become unusable.

- plastic files : classic reconstruction files , they are perfect for beauticians and nail artists as they are washable and disinfectable . They are sold in different variants, with different color and grain depending on the use.

- cardboard files : of all shapes, colors and patterns. The cardboard files are suitable for all nails and easy to handle. Practical and economical , they are ideal for small touch-ups, when you need to file a flaked or broken nail even outside the home, perfect to put in your handbag! The only drawback: they are not washable.

- diamond-grained files : very similar to those in glass, these files are durable and washable . They are widely used in beauty centers as they can also be disinfected in anti-bacterial solutions for optimal sterilization .

- brick file: a multi-function file to smooth, polish and prepare nails for reconstruction. The brick-shaped version is very popular, but we can also find them straight, with a matting side and a polishing side, soft and flexible, ideal for natural nails .

If you love to take care of your hands you cannot miss a super technological innovation: the Scholl automatic file!

Now you have all the information you need to choose the perfect file for you! Which will you choose ? Let us know in the comments!