How to sharpen your nails with a file. Nails. How to properly file and polish the nail plate

Hi all!

Do you want to have beautiful, strong and strong nail plates? Then pay attention to them. In this article we will find out how to file your nails correctly. After all, in fact, their appearance and health.

Working with a nail file is an art. It should definitely be used after trimming your nails. It is this tool that gives the desired shape to the nail plates. Be it round, almond or square. Well, let's go!

I present you with advice and step by step guide for beginners correct processing nail file.


How to give your nails a beautiful shape using a nail file

You can read about how to choose a nail shape in. The most common of them:

  • square;
  • oval;
  • almond-shaped.

Perhaps there is another one, sharp or triangular, but it is not in great demand now.

Square

This form is more suitable for long nails or for very short ones. It will look equally good on both thin and fuller fingers. The edges may be sharp or slightly rounded.

  1. Position the file perpendicularly free edge nail and file it straight.
  2. Then go to the sides, file strictly parallel from the bottom up.
  3. At the end, you can round the corners a little so that they are not too sharp. Be guided by your own taste.

Oval

The most best form for nails, which allows you to maintain their health and does not cause brittleness. It is symmetrically rounded on both sides. It can be called a classic of the genre.

  1. Mentally draw a line from the middle of the cuticle to the tip, this line will be the end of the oval shape.
  2. To create a soft line, hold the file at a slight angle. File from side to center in one direction. Do the same on the other edge.
  3. Gently file the oval to ensure the corners are well rounded. Create a soft round tip.

Almond-shaped

This shape of nails makes the fingers thinner, more feminine and graceful. Now she is very popular. But making an almond version on short nails is unlikely to work.

  1. First give the nail plates oval shape. It will be easier.
  2. Now start filing the edges. Hold the file at a slight angle if you want softer edges. And if, on the contrary, it is sharp, then place it almost vertically. File from the place where the nail separates from the skin.
  3. Make the tip more pointed than a regular oval. You need to file down the wide edges. But be careful not to remove excess. If you have gone too far, then slightly round the tip at the top, cutting off the too sharp edge.

That's all. I hope these tips and tricks will help you file your nails correctly to keep them healthy and strong. Experiment with the shape, this will allow you to choose the best one for your nails. And remember that you should only file your nails in one direction.

Have beautiful nails! See you!

Few girls know how to properly file their nails so that they look perfect. Using a nail file that is not intended for this purpose can cause damage to the nail plates. Instead of showing off original manicure, you will have to spend time and money on.


There are a number of rules on how to properly file your nails. Here are individually selected tools, correct application, perfect nail shape. By applying all the recommendations in practice, you can achieve excellent results with your own hands.

Varieties of nail shapes

Before you start processing your nails, you need to decide what kind of shape you need. There are not so many of them, but each requires a careful and thorough approach:

  1. sharp end of the nail;
  2. oval;
  3. square;
  4. circle.

If you can’t decide which manicure is most suitable for the shape of your fingers, try cutting out all four types of nails from paper and applying them to the nail plates one by one. This will help you choose the most ideal one.

Round nails are perfect for girls with large, wide palms and thick short fingers. In this case, making the form too long is not recommended. Most the best option- no more than 5 mm in length, while any length is allowed in a square one.

With a square shape, the length of the nail does not matter, but the girl’s hands and fingers should be graceful and thin. This manicure is not allowed on chubby fingers with short, wide nail plates. First, the middle of the nail is filed evenly, then the edges are beautifully processed.

An oval manicure will make your fingers longer and more graceful. Allowed on hands of any shape. This is the most popular and simplest type, suitable for the most different styles clothes. Ideal for attending any events. Make it with a nail file required amount movements from the edges of the nail plates to the middle, maintaining symmetry. The combination of square and oval shapes is suitable for decoration.

Sharp tips of nails usually only appear on extended nails. Natural ones are difficult to process and often break or get injured. Most often, this shape is given if you need to decorate your manicure with piercings or for the evening. For this shape, first the nails are cut into an oval, then the side edges are sharpened with a file, gradually making a beautiful sharpness.

The perfect nail file

At home, you can use professional nail files. To do this, you need to know how to saw correctly and which file to choose:

  1. for grinding;
  2. for working on artificial fabric;
  3. for working with natural nails.

Often for processing in beauty salons use a fabric-based nail file. They are designed for one use and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. After the procedure, they must be thrown away. Such files are convenient because they prevent the nail tissue from becoming infected by previous visitors to the nail technician.

A special impregnation is applied to the paper base (cardboard or paper), after which a layer of abrasive is sprayed. This layer can be granite or Teflon. The cost of the nail file depends on this coating.

If you don’t want to get injured and want to treat your nail plates delicately, it’s better to buy a file with a plastic base. These tools are recommended for processing thin, fragile fabric. Caring for them is simple - just wash under running water and wipe dry.

The most popular, durable, cheap nail files are made from metal. If your nails are very fragile, using such a tool may encourage splitting. You can get rid of this risk by using strengthening baths with essential oils every day.

Cannot be used on natural fabric diamond coated tools. This will inevitably lead to injury. They are designed to work with artificial nail extensions.

Proper processing

The quality of the manicure depends on how to file your nails correctly. The processing tool is easy to hold without straining. The thumb should be on one side, the rest on the other.


Having tried to follow all the recommendations and advice, every girl can be convinced that it is quite possible to do a manicure on her own. The main thing is to know how to file nails, what tool and shape to choose, and also what is strictly prohibited when processing nail plates. Now you can make a beautiful stylish design, spending a minimum of time and effort on this, and your hands will always look beautiful and well-groomed.

Proper nail care - what is it? First of all, this is their regular filing. Similar procedure helps to avoid delamination of the nail plate, gives it beautiful shape and also prevents it from breaking. Ladies who are used to doing their own manicure should first of all choose the right necessary tools. So, how to file your fingernails correctly?

Nail file: how to choose?

In order to properly file your nails, you need to choose a nail file. This is the main tool that is used when creating a manicure. All files can be divided into the following categories:

  • for processing natural nails;
  • for filing artificial nails;
  • for grinding;
  • for sealing.

How to file your nails correctly and how to choose the right tool? There are files of different grain sizes. The right tool will allow you to file your nails correctly and beautifully. The higher the number, the softer the abrasiveness, and the smaller part of the nail plate it will remove in one movement of the tool. The most convenient files are with values ​​from 220 to 300. They are perfect for manicure if you have healthy nails.

In turn, the grain size and other properties of the nail file depend on the material from which it is made. Glass tools can be quite effective, but also quite expensive. It is better to avoid metal files, as they can accidentally peel or tear nail plate.

How to file your nails correctly? It is best to consider using several tools at once. This way you can file your nails most neatly and beautifully.

Paper-based files

Typically, this type of tool is intended for one-time use. These files are based on specially treated cardboard or paper. An abrasive - granite, quartz or Teflon - is applied on top of this base. Please remember that these tools cannot be processed disinfectant. In most cases, they are used in beauty salons and then immediately sent to waste.

Plastic files

How to properly file nails that break easily or are too thin and soft? You need to use a plastic-based nail file - it will be ideal. This will help avoid injury, since such a tool is very gentle on the natural nail plate. Caring for a plastic nail file is extremely easy: just rinse it warm water and wipe cotton pad with any disinfectant.

Metal files

Metal files can rightfully be called the most durable and durable tool. However, they can only be used by girls who have healthy and strong natural nails. Otherwise, manicure with this tool will lead to delamination. In addition, working with such a nail file requires additional attention and accuracy.

Metal files coated with ruby ​​or diamond are no less durable. But they can only be used to treat artificial nails, since natural nails can easily be injured by this tool.

Tool shape: what types of files are there?

Files can be of a wide variety of shapes: straight, diamond-shaped, banana-shaped, domed or square. In order to reduce the length of the nail plate and give it the desired shape, it is best to use a straight or banana-shaped tool.

How to hold a nail file?

This moment must be taken Special attention. Four fingers should be placed on the top edge of the tool, and thumb- on the bottom. You should not strain your hand too much: in this case, your movements will be sloppy and abrupt.

Selecting the shape of the nail

How to file your nails correctly? Before you start manicure, you need to decide on the shape of your nails that you would like. Ladies with long graceful fingers can afford nails of short length and any shape. But short and thick fingers look much neater with long nails. At the same time, remember that long and sharp nails- the most vulnerable.

For short nails, the basic shape is oval. If your nails have wide, curved nail beds, then it is best to make them semi-oval. The most extreme nail shape is almond or pointed. It requires the most care and careful treatment: it is important that all nail plates are the same length, otherwise they will look sloppy.

How to file your nails correctly? A photo of the main shapes of the nail plate is presented below.

How to treat your nails?

Speaking about how to file nails correctly, it should be said that the most ideal shape, suitable for all types of nails and fingers, is oval. In addition, it also visually lengthens the nail plate:

  1. To create it, first process the corners: round them at the desired angle. Remember that the tool should move towards the middle of the nail from the edges in only one direction.
  2. The next step is smoothing the corners soft nail file in order to achieve symmetry.

Marigold square shape with rounded corners is best done middle length or very short. This way they won’t look provocative and sloppy:

  1. First of all, you need to file the middle of the edge so that it becomes straight.
  2. Next, you should process the side edges of the nail plate, rounding the corners.

How to file correctly square nails? This shape is best suited for fingers with a rectangular nail bed. First of all, you need to file the middle of the nail: it will be straight. Further required form attached to the side edges, the tips of which are not rounded.

An almond-shaped or sharp shape will look good only on nails with a long free edge:

  1. First of all, the nail plate is given an oval shape.
  2. Now you can sharpen the free edge: to do this, gradually move the tool from top to bottom along the sides of the nail.

The first and most important rule when creating perfect manicure states that the movements of the tool should always be in the same direction. The angle of inclination of the nail file should not be large. Move the tool from the edge of the nail plate to its center. Under no circumstances make sharp or rough movements: everything should be neat and smooth. Chaotic movements and filing using the “back and forth” method can easily damage the structure of the nail: it will begin to flake or break completely.

In addition, there is a rule of ten movements: if you do more on one nail plate, it will damage it. A manicure with filing should be done no more than once a week. Otherwise, your nails may become brittle and thin.

Do not handle wet nails: before doing a manicure, you need to thoroughly dry your hands.

Do not file your nails if they have polish residue on them: this can damage the nail plate.

You should not treat the nails deep at the base: this can provoke an inflammatory process or cause an infection.

After the process of filing the nails is completed, they should be treated with a polishing tool. This will give your manicure a finished look.

And don’t forget the main thing: caring for your nails is the key to their health, and not just the beautiful appearance of your hands.

How do you imagine well-groomed hands? Surely this is velvet and soft skin, uniform length of plates, neat uniform shape of nails. In this matter, you cannot do without creams, baths, scissors, gels, and tweezers.

Important manicure tool, helping to realize your plans - a nail file. Find out how to properly file your fingernails, what types of files exist, and what common mistakes are best known in advance to prevent them.

Classification and subtypes of nail files

Professional nail files are intended for working with artificial modeled nails, natural plates, procedures for sealing the end and grinding the surface. The answer to the question of how to properly file your fingernails lies, among other things, in choosing the right file. The cosmetic departments offer a wide range of products to suit all needs and price categories.

The key criterion is abrasiveness, which, in turn, depends on the base. According to the material, nail files are divided into:

  • paper;
  • plastic;
  • metal;
  • glass;
  • ceramic;
  • electric.

Paper ones are considered disposable. A granite, Teflon or quartz coating is applied to a cardboard or paper base. Such items cannot be pre-disinfected before a care session. As a rule, these are used in beauty salons or by private craftsmen, and after the procedure they are immediately disposed of. For home use such are impractical. Their advantage is their low price.

Made from foam plastic, the files have a gentle effect on the plates. Suitable for working with natural nails. Before and upon completion of the care procedure, plastic nail files are washed under warm water and wiped with a cotton swab with an antibacterial agent previously applied to it.

Most a long period operation is demonstrated by nail files on a metal base. They are used for processing natural nails, which are distinguished by health and strength. Contact of damaged brittle plates with such tools is unacceptable, as this will only worsen the delamination.

Glass files are gentle on natural surfaces and are effective even if your nails are thin and brittle. Among the significant disadvantages of these products are the fragility of the tool, the fragility of use and high cost.

A preventative ceramic file is needed to seal the end and prevent the plate from delaminating. This is an indispensable attribute in the process of creating perfect nails.

According to the criterion of the shape of the nail files, straight, rounded “banana”, rhombic, square, and bars are distinguished.

Types of nail plates

Traditionally, there are five types of plates:

  1. Oval.
  2. Semi-oval.
  3. Square.
  4. Round.
  5. Spicy.

For short hair, an oval shape is most preferable, with a slight rounding at the tips. For plates with a wide nail bed, a semi-oval is preferred. Square – universal for any length. Round ones are for medium and long ones. Pointed – an extravagant option for exceptional length.

Step-by-step technology for filing nails

  1. At the first stage, wash your hands with soap and water.
  2. Remove previous manicure using remover decorative coatings– remover.
  3. Hands are thoroughly dried with disposable or terry towel. At the time of filing, the surface must be perfectly clean and dry.
  4. Next, the length is trimmed with tweezers.

General principle: move the nail file towards the center. If you operate in different sides back and forth, you injure the structure. Therefore only in one direction.

  • To give it a square shape, you first need to file down the center, and then slightly round off the remaining sharp corners.
  • An oval will visually lengthen your fingers; in the process of creating it, it is better to use a soft nail file.
  • The sharp form acts as a modification of the oval one, in which the free edge is even more narrowed.

Do not overlook the base coating, which performs a protective function. That's it, now you can start designing.

Secrets of work and features of choosing a nail file

  • When purchasing a file, pay special attention to the grain size criterion. The higher this parameter, the less coarse the grain size, and therefore the less area to be removed during operation. The optimal value is 220-300.
  • Your ability to use the instrument is also responsible for the success of the procedure. While holding the nail file, you need to place your thumb at the bottom and the rest at the top. Move smoothly and carefully in the direction from the little finger to the thumb. Excessive pressure is unacceptable.
  • Among the specialists nail service There is an unspoken “Rule of Ten”, 10 – that is how many movements on one nail are acceptable. By overdoing it, you risk harming the condition of the plate, which will lead to its delamination, thinning, or even infection through the damaged area.
  • It is not recommended to file the nails at the base. This sensitive area, where the infection strives to penetrate. To prevent inflammation, bleeding and pain, avoid this area when filing the plate.
  • It is imperative to erase traces of previous manicure. Never begin filing if varnish or varnish particles are still present. At first glance this is a coating - thin layer. In contact with the file, it scratches the surface and disrupts its integrity.
  • File processing wet nailsthe right way aggravate existing problems and create new ones. Dry your hands thoroughly with a towel before starting the procedure. The rougher part of the file is for uneven edges. The surface of the plate is ground from the coarse-grained side to the coarser-grained side. At the end of the procedure, use the tip of a file to remove any dirt and dust that has formed from under the nails. To obtain smooth and shiny plates, polishing is necessary. Keep in mind that this weakens the nails and must be done with extreme caution.

The usual procedure - filing, in fact, has many more nuances than it would seem. Follow our tips on how to file your nails, and then you won't run into trouble. Take care of the plates, care for them properly and decorate them effectively!

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If you file your nails yourself at home, you provide them with beauty, perfect shape and health. But for this you need to learn how to do it correctly. Otherwise, you will end up with laminated plates with a terrible shape.

Read our article and you can do a manicure at home no worse than in a salon.

You will need:

Choosing nail files

Plastic-based files are considered the best (1). Second place – glass (2) and ceramic (3). Metal (4) spoil the natural nail.

Glass and ceramic ones are dishwasher safe.

  • Use a sanding file with an abrasiveness of 300–600 grit. It will ensure the smooth edge of the nail.
  • Too hard files (80–100 grit) can only be used for extensions. They will ruin natural ones beyond recognition.

If you are very short nails, and you can’t make a shape, apply oil to them every day to strengthen the plate and enhance growth. And soon you can choose a form for them.

Nail preparation

  1. First of all, you need to wash your hands with soap, removing any sebum that will make filing more difficult.
  2. Then dry well with a towel.

Before the procedure, you must leave the bathroom, because if the surface of your nails is too soft, they may break.

Shaping

Manicure scissors cut the length. There are certain rules on how to do a trim manicure.

  • If you want square ones, don't trim too much. A square can only be made on a long nail plate. They are cut straight, leaving sharp edges, which will later be filed down.
  • Trim oval ones to the shape of an oval.
  • To get an almond shape, trim the edges of the nail a little more than the tip.

To avoid breaking the nail, the file should be kept parallel to the side of the nail that you are filing.

The sides are filed least of all, since there they are thinnest and can flake. You need to saw off the edges until the desired result is achieved, while holding the file straight (to achieve a square shape) or turning it at the edges (to achieve an oval or almond shape).

Move the file from the edge to the center smoothly in one direction. Do not move the file back and forth as this will damage the structure. Just lift it up, put it away and return to the place where you started filing.

The file is passed over the nail no more than ten times to avoid damage.

If you file from the side to the center, hold the file perpendicular to the top of the nail plate. If the saw is tilted, the structure will deteriorate. For thin nails, the position of the file should be perpendicular to the surface of the nail, slightly curling it under the nail.

If after completing the procedure there are “residues” along the edges, remove them by placing a file under the nail, pointing smoothly “up”.

Private questions and answers

    How to saw correctly round nails?

    To get a rounded shape, the nail must first be given a straight shape. Next, file from the edge of the nail plate to the center, giving the edge a semicircular shape.

    How to file nails in a soft square?

    Using the same technique as square ones, only with small curves along the free edge of the nail.

    How to file nails with a spatula?

    Those with trapezoidal nails that widen at the top should avoid the square shape.

    How to file sharp nails?

    First make an oval shape. The edges are then filed until they become sharp. Use a file to move from top to bottom along the sides of the nail.

    How to file nails with a stiletto?

    Start filing from the end of the smile line. Direct your movements towards the center point on the straight cut of the nail. When the center point of the cut and the point at the end of the smile line are on the same straight line, start filing the other side of the nail in the same way. Make a right angle at the tip of the nail. Let's round it up. The easiest way to get this shape is from a triangular shape.

    How to file your nails the same way?

    To get your nails the same length, look at them from time to time. inside palms, fingers bent into a fist (do not bend your thumb). Then the length of the nails can be compared and determined which ones to correct. Compare the nails on both hands.

Polishing

To do this, use a buffer (buff) - a volume file rectangular shape, designed for polishing nails. Use it to add shine.

Completion

Now you need to apply hand cream and cuticle oil. Do this as often as possible to improve the skin on your hands and the condition of your nails. You especially shouldn’t forget about this after washing your hands.

More detailed instructions You can watch it in the video on YouTube.

Private questions and answers

    Can you file your nails every day?

    It is forbidden. This will lead to their damage, as they will not have time to grow normally. You can do this every two to four weeks.

    Is it possible to file painted nails?

    Prohibited! Filing the nail and varnish together provokes delamination of the plate. If a painted nail breaks, you can only easily remove the “extra” with a nail file.

    Is it possible to file your nails from the side?

    How to properly file nails from the side?

    It is not recommended to file too much on the sides, as the nail there is too thin. This may damage it. Make minimal movements. But if you are making a sharp shape, then use a file on the sides of the nail to move from top to bottom.

    How to file nails for guitarists?

    File - only highest quality with a steel blade with a notch and a diamond (or other precious stones) coating. You need to hold the file between the nail at an angle of 45°. The movements are short in a straight line in both directions, unlike regular manicure. Make the edge of the nail plate smooth and round the corners. Sand your nail sandpaper of the highest quality to smooth out sharp edges and remove traces of rough sharpening. Polish until shiny.

    Is it possible to file a baby's nails?

    Infants and older children can, even need, to file their nails. This should end the nail trimming procedure. The nails are filed with a nail file until the uneven edges are smoothed out. Use a file with a soft coating and rounded edges.

    How to file correctly men's nails?

    Men use medium abrasive and polishing files. You can remove the length using either scissors or a file. Start with the little finger. Move from the sides to the center. Hold the nail file only perpendicularly, this is the only way to remove all layers nail plate. Don't file a man's nails down to the root.

    How to file toenails?

    Take a regular nail file, but not a metal one. File in a straight line. Do not cut the corners down to the roots, they may begin to grow in. Don't leave your nails too long as they may curl. Do not trim the edges of the nail plate, but file them.

Artificial nails

Covered with shellac/gel polish

If you don't like the shape, you can't change it with a nail file. This will cause the coating to begin to peel off very quickly. At home, and only then file it.

Invoices

Opinions differ as to whether they can be filed. Most experts claim that after filing they crack and break off. You can only file it lightly to remove excess glue.

Invoices have different thicknesses, unlike natural ones. If you want to file it, be prepared for the fact that it won’t look very pretty. This is their advantage - they do not require special care, always neat. Correction is necessary only at the site where your nail grows. There it is easily filed down so that the transition is less noticeable.

Extensions

To do this, you definitely need to buy files and polishers for artificial nails. This cannot be done with a metal file. Despite their strength, it is better to entrust filing to a manicurist.