Are you looking at your manicure kit and wondering what those abrasive bar-like tools are doing in there? They look similar but then why are there two of them instead of one? Are you wondering what nail files and nail buffers are and why you are supposed to use them in your mani? Don’t worry. Read on to understand the simple difference between files and buffers and why you need them for a perfect nail polish application.
What are Nail Files and Nail Buffers?
Nail files and buffers are essential nail care tools for your manicures and pedicures. These are used to shape your nails and smoothen your nail surface for better product application. Both tools are a part of your nail prep routine and should be used correctly to obtain a smooth and even base before going ahead with applying your nail polish or press-on nails.
Nail Files vs. Nail Buffers: What’s the Difference?
If you look at their structure, both nail files and buffers look pretty similar to each other but are not. They have certain functionalities and properties that are different from each other and solve different purposes when it comes to manicures.
1) Nail files are for reducing the length of long nails or grinding down broken and uneven nails whereas Nail Buffers are for smoothing and polishing the rough and uneven surface of your nail bed.
2) Nail files are used perpendicular to your nails to trim down the free edge whereas Nail Buffers are used parallel to the flat nail surface to remove the ridges and smoothen the nail bed.
3) Nail Buffers are made of sponge whereas Nail files can be made of emery board, glass, metal, etc.
4) Nail Buffers are meant to be softer than files considering their use and functionality whereas Nail Files are firmer to be used for shaping the nails in a certain way and removing unwanted product or debris.
5) Nail Files generally have two sides – front and back – with the same or different grit on each. These solve different purposes depending on the coarseness of the grit. Buffers can have either two sides or four popularly known as a 4-way buffer block.
6) Files are more coarse and abrasive than buffers and have to be used more gently and slowly.
What are Grits?
Grits are numbers graded as per the grit per square inch of a nail file or buffer. It is crucial to choose the correct grit for your requirements because they are crucial for protecting your nails from coarseness and abrasion. Nail files are generally used with 100/150 grit for shaping and filing your natural nails or even extensions of press-ons. Contrarily, buffers are used with 180/200 grit to prepare your nail for product application by removing product residue and uneven ridges and smoothing and polishing the nail surface.
Bottom Line
Knowing the correct use of files and buffers, you can make the most out of your manicure kit. Understand the material and grit of both the tools and follow the instructions to use them properly and you will get salon-quality nails at home. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or make back-and-forth sawing movements with your nail files or nail buffers to avoid causing harm to your precious natural nails. Be patient and gentle with these babies and you’ll get amazing results.
