A good manicure requires several different types of tool. Nail clippers or scissors are used to trim the nails, files to shape them, buffers to smooth them, and cuticle scissors to neaten them.
Nail Clippers
The most familiar form of nail clipper is probably the lever type, which is sold with straight or convex blades for toenails and concave blades for fingernails. Avoid using nail clippers designed for the toes on the fingers, as they can cause fingernails to splinter. Plier-type clippers are also available, and are particularly useful for very thick toenails.
It is important to keep nail clippers clean, especially if they are shared by other members of the family. Wash them in warm soapy water after every use, then dry them to keep the moving parts in working order.
Nail Files
The most basic type of nail file is the emery board, which is made from cardboard with a glued-on coating of emery – a kind of very hard rock that is ground down to produce an abrasive powder. Emery boards are cheap but do not last very long, and are difficult to clean so carry a risk of transmitting infection. They should be replaced regularly at home, while manicurists should use a new one for every customer.
Metal files last much longer than emery boards and are easy to clean. They can be rough on fingernails, causing splintering or flaking if not used gently, but being so durable are very effective for filing toenails. Some metal files are coated with particles of industrial diamond or sapphire (corundum) to increase their abrasiveness.
Glass files are a recent innovation. They are smoother than emery boards and metal files so are less likely to splinter nails. They are also long lasting and easy to clean, and are available in a range of attractive designs. Crystal files give a smoother finish still, and are so hard-wearing that they can even be used for removing hard skin on the feet. Ceramic and porcelain files are also on the market.
These more exotic types of nail file are expensive compared with basic emery boards and metal files, but if handled properly can last for years.
Nail Buffers
Nail buffers usually look like thick nail files, but with two or three surfaces of differing coarseness. The coarsest surface, which is often coloured black or dark grey, is used to remove scratches on the nail plate. Less coarse, lighter grey surfaces smooth out smaller irregularities, while the finest, usually white, surface gives a glossy shine.
Four-sided nail buffers are also available in the shape of a rectangular block. These are easy to hold, and are handy because the coarsest side is generally abrasive enough to use as a file. A four-sided nail buffer is therefore the ideal single tool for filing, buffing and shining the nails.
Never use a nail file for buffing, as the highly abrasive surface can damage the nail plate.
Nail Scissors
Good quality stainless steel nail scissors can be used for trimming the nails as an alternative to clippers. Larger, more robust scissors are available for cutting toenails.
Cuticle scissors are finer than nail-cutting scissors, with sharply pointed, curved blades. They are used to neaten the appearance of the nails by trimming hangnails and removing ragged edges of cuticle. Always ensure that cuticle scissors are clean before use, and take care not to cut into the skin at the base or sides of the nail.
Avoid using cuticle scissors to cut the nails, as this will rapidly blunt the blades.
Use Clean, Good Quality Manicure Equipment for the Best Results
The results of a manicure or pedicure can only be enhanced by good quality equipment. Always use manicure tools for the job for which they were intended, and take care to keep them clean.
