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- DIY manicures require more than the right nail polish.
- The right nail file can literally make or break your tips.
- Professional nail artists and technicians’ favorite nail files include drugstore and high end picks.
Valentino, Sephora, CND, Amazon; Alyssa Powell/Insider
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.
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.
Here are the best nail files, according to experts, in 2021:
Valentino
The Valentino nail file is ideal for shaping enhancements.
Reign told INSIDER 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.”
Medicool Pro Power 30K Precision Electric File
Amazon
Medicool’s electric nail file is a professional tool that requires practice to use.
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.
Tammy Taylor Peel N Stick Cutie Files
Amazon
Tammy Taylor’s Peel N Stick nail file is one of the easiest to use.
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 “gamer 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 finishing look,” Bean told INSIDER, unlike ordinary nail files that just shape your nails.
ORLY Buffer File Duo
Orly
ORLY’s double-duty nail file is great on natural nails and extensions.
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen told INSIDER 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 make it easy to reach all areas around the nails to file.”
Flowery MyLar PuriFile
Sally Beauty
This drugstore option from Flowery is affordable, reusable, and can be disinfected.
Nguyen also mentioned she loves Flowery’s MyLar PuriFile because it’s reusable and disinfectable. “They’re meant to be immersed in disinfectants post use each time or cleaned with soap and water before storing for next use,” Nguyen explained, adding that the grid is also safe to use on natural nails.
KISS Power File
Amazon
KISS nail files are widely available and reliable.
Celebrity Manicurist and Smith & Cult brand ambassador, Jessica Tong told INSIDER 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.
CDN Blizzard Board File 100/180 Grit
CND
CND files are salon-quality and work for all different nail types.
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.
Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator Buffer Nail File
Sephora
Deborah Lippmann’s Smooth Operator Buffer file is incredibly gentle on natural nails.
For healthy, natural nails, lead nail technician at Chillhouse Molly Romah told INSIDER 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.
Germanikure Glass File
Amazon
Germanikure’s glass nail file is good for your nails and easy on the environment.
To avoid micro tears on the nail’s free edge, NYC-based celebrity manicurist, Julie Kandalec told INSIDER 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 Diamond Hand File
Erica’s ATA
This diamond nail file is a great pick for precise shaping.
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.”
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