What do we think about first of all when starting a manicure? In addition to hygiene and neatness, the purely aesthetic effect of the procedure is of great importance. The nails should be beautifully decorated. The beauty formula for manicure is the harmony of shape and color. That's why decorating your nails starts with giving them shape.
Important!
A common mistake is to trim the length of your nails with scissors. It would seem that there is nothing “special” about this: if you trim a little, you will have to cut less, but this is a deceptively simple way out. When we cut our nails with scissors, we bend the nail plate, and under the influence of pressure, its edge becomes covered with microcracks. Brittle nails may even begin to crumble from this procedure. In any case, we weaken the nail plate in this way, which has a bad effect on its strength and ability to maintain a given shape. Don't be surprised later if your nails start to break, flake or curl. If you want your nails to please you with their strength, remember: we do not cut our nails with scissors, but only file them or cut them off with special clippers!
Is it possible to file nails with gel polish?
Gel polish coating is a rather expensive procedure, which is usually performed by a specialist (in a beauty salon or at home). Therefore, many women believe that such a coating is highly resistant to external influences. In fact, this is not so: gel polish, like any other varnish, can:
- flake off;
- deform;
- change color over time;
- change its texture;
- collapse.
In this regard, you should not subject your nails coated with gel polish to filing or cleaning. These procedures must be carried out strictly before applying base and varnish. Moreover, for three days after applying gel polish, you should not wash your hands in hot water or visit a steam room or sauna. When exposed to high temperatures, the gel coating loses its shine and quickly becomes dull.
If you need to use household chemicals (for example, to clean a stove or wash dishes), this should only be done while wearing protective rubber gloves. Otherwise, the gel will react with chemicals, and the coating will begin to rapidly deteriorate.
Everyone has their own beauty
If you do everything correctly, follow its own rules for each specific shape, then you will get beautiful and well-groomed nails.
But the degree of beauty is different for everyone. Some people like short nails, while others need length and dimension. You decide on this yourself and choose for yourself too, because you have to walk around with such nails.
The only thing I can advise in this matter is not to be afraid to try and think about perfection.
Everyone makes mistakes, but to get beautiful nail shapes, you just need concentration and practice. Then everything will definitely work out!
Which nail file is better to choose?
Before choosing a file, you need to decide what exactly it is needed for. All nail files can be divided into four groups, depending on the main function:
- tools that give the desired shape to nails made of artificial materials (for example, acrylic);
- files intended for the care of natural nails;
- files used to seal the edge of the nail;
- grinding tools.
Files also differ in hardness. The toughest ones are used for working with artificial nail plates. Experts say that the most durable and easiest to use files are glass ones. They are inexpensive and are often used at home. However, they are fragile and often break.
Professionals most often use nail files with ceramic coating. With their help, you can not only give shape, but also seal the edge of the nail. Using this tool you can carefully remove the cuticle. The only disadvantage of ceramic nail files is their high price. When working with artificial materials (for example, acrylic), professionals most often use diamond-coated files.
Creating a Square Shape
With a square nail shape, things are much simpler. This option will definitely work on both short and long nails. Let's look at how to make a square nail shape next.
It is necessary to file each edge of the nail with a file so that the tip of the tool is parallel to the nail. Do not sharpen, do not round, but simply create a square.
It is necessary to file the nail, but place the file perpendicular to the nail, and file until you reach the desired length.
By doing this with each nail, you will get a square shape.
How to use a nail file
In order for your manicure to always look perfect, you should follow the basic rules for using a nail file:
- The procedure can only be carried out if the nail plate is completely dry. If you ignore this rule, you can easily break your nails, as water makes them fragile, brittle, and vulnerable.
- The tool should only be moved in one direction (for example, right to left or left to right).
- If your nails are fragile and break easily, the direction of movement of the file can be changed.
- When choosing a shape, you should not blindly chase fashion. It is necessary to focus on the condition of the nail plate, as well as the shape and length of the fingers.
For those who lead an active lifestyle and often do housework, the classic oval shape is best suited. The main advantage of this form is that it is very easy to restore the shape of a broken nail at home. The square shape doesn't suit everyone.
It can only be recommended to those with long and thin fingers. It should be borne in mind: if a square nail breaks, you will have to contact a specialist to correct the shape. In addition to a variety of files, you can use a special tetrahedral polishing tool.
Special cases of nail filing
How to file false nails
It is recommended to file false nails and create a shape for them before gluing them to the nail plate, until both surfaces become a monolith.
Already glued parts may crack when cut, since the natural nail does not allow the free edge to bend and take the desired shape when moving.
How to file your nails for playing the guitar
To play the guitar, the nails are filed parabolically (the edge must be absolutely smooth, without any points).
If your nails are very thin, you should not hit the strings with them; it is better to use a pick - a plastic plate in the shape of a petal.
How to hold a file correctly
Under no circumstances should you hold the instrument in your fist, otherwise your fingers and wrist will quickly get tired. Professionals with extensive experience working in beauty salons hold a nail file like a spoon or like a fountain pen. In this case, the first finger presses on the surface with the required force. This grip can be used at home.
Attention! If you hold the file incorrectly, you can easily break your nail. Therefore, if you do not have the skills to work with this tool, it is better to turn to a professional by visiting a beauty salon.
Manicurists who take part in professional competitions know another way to hold a nail file. From the outside, this method looks especially impressive. The tool is clamped at both ends. The file is clamped with the thumb and index finger at one end, and the ring and middle finger at the other end. This gripping method allows you to treat a large area of the nail plate in a short time.
You cannot hold the file so that four fingers are at the top and the thumb is at the bottom. With this gripping method, the arm muscles quickly become overstrained, which negatively affects the quality of work.
When filing the nail sinuses, the working tool should be held at an angle of 45 - 50 degrees so as not to touch the skin of the finger, otherwise you may get injured.
In order not to injure the delicate and sensitive cuticle, you need to hold the tool in such a way as to make movements from top to bottom.
Creating an Oval Shape
Another common, but not as popular nail shape as the previous 2 is oval. It is the simplest to create, so making it yourself will definitely not be difficult.
The principle of the process is reminiscent of the almond shape, only for the oval shape it is necessary to round off the entire sawdust process. There is no need to sharpen it, but smoothly move it with a file from one edge of the nail to the other.
And your oval shape will be chic, then there will definitely be no questions left about how everyone does oval nail shapes.
Preparing the nail plate for filing
Before starting the procedure, the nail plate needs to be prepared. First of all, you need to carefully push back the cuticle and remove hangnails, if any.
Pre-requisite:
- Completely remove any remaining old varnish.
- Degrease the nail plates. If they are dry and brittle, skip this step.
- Trim your nails using nail clippers to make cutting easier.
- Select a tool of suitable rigidity. For natural nail plates you should choose soft files, for artificial ones - the hardest ones.
After this, you can begin the procedure. Sawing begins with the fifth finger and ends with the first. This sequence is strictly observed on both hands.
Correct form creation
Also, if we touch on the topic of how to properly shape your nails. The first time, and maybe even the second, not always and not everyone gets the desired shape.
You should start with an oval, and then try almonds and squares, depending on your length. Having improved your skill in one form, move on to another and constantly try, file, and keep your nails clean and cared for.
Then giving shape to your nails will not seem like such a complicated procedure, but even vice versa.
How to cut nail shapes correctly
Before you give the nail plate the desired shape, you should decide on the length. After this, the shape is outlined in general terms and the nail is polished. To give the classic oval shape, the ends must be carefully rounded. To achieve a square shape, the ends are carefully cut in a straight line.
The selected shape is corrected using a file, which should move from the center of the nail plate to its edge. The irregularities are gradually removed, and the plate takes on the desired shape. After this, be sure to wash your hands and wipe with a towel, then apply a coating to the dry nails.
Stylet
The stiletto shape is a very sharp nail. These plates are also quite fragile, but can last quite a long time if you are careful when using them. Often this form is also coated with gel for greater reliability and strength of the nail. But if you know how to file nails of this shape correctly, then this can also contribute to greater stability of the manicure.
- Start filing the nail from the place where the free edge grows into the finger, that is, from the end of the smile line;
- The direction of the sawdust should tend to the center point on the straight cut of the nail;
- As soon as the central point of the cut and the point at the end of the smile line are on the same straight line, move on to filing the other side of the nail;
- Treat the other side of the nail in the same way;
- After this, a right angle should have formed at the tip of the nail;
- We round the right angle a little, making pendulum-like movements with a file in both directions from the highest point of the free edge of the nail.
It is convenient to form this type of free edge from a triangular shape. However, a similar statement applies to almost any other nail shape. Square nails have clearer and smoother sides, and therefore any shape can be cut out of them as smoothly and clearly as possible. In this case, you will not have to worry about how to properly file your fingernails.
Is a file manicure suitable for you?
The shape of the nails, their length and skin type do not affect the possibility of a file manicure. Any girl can try it on herself. There are only a few nuances that masters should convey to their clients when talking about the benefits of manicure with a disposable file:
- It will be difficult to work with skin that has hangnails,
- If the cuticle is regularly cut, it becomes rough, and the result may not be very noticeable after one procedure,
- Thin cuticles can be sensitive to friction with a nail file, so after a manicure the skin may feel swollen and as if it’s on fire.
But this can all be resolved. For example, to deal with hangnails or rough cuticles, you can use a combined technique, working with a file and scissors.
Metal
These are the first files that were created by applying stainless steel filings onto a stainless steel plate. They are very durable and their slim shape allows for easy maneuvering and precise cutting of nails to the desired shape. Their durability allows them to be used even for several years, and they can be disinfected without problems at high temperatures. Unfortunately, you should not use them on natural nails, as they cause splitting. They are best suited for cutting artificial nails.
