(2) Shaping/Buffing: Get your craved complete shape and mani finish by buffing down your dip powderize before applying Sealer In the history of pinpoint polish, we ‘ve discovered that Mary E. Cobb was the inventor of the emery board files we ’ ve grown up seeing in drugstores. today we ‘re going beyond history. We ‘re talking about the essentials of electric complete drills and the kernel of manual nail files.
The Essentials of Electric Nail Drills
What is an electric nail drill? An electric complete drill or e-file is an electric-powered rotary cock used for filing nails or removing nail enhancements. To do specific jobs, a smash exercise would need “ bits ”. These coated drill tips come in versatile grits, materials, sizes, and shapes. You have choices of carbide bits, rhombus bits, ceramic bits, among others .

• CARBIDE BITS: For cutting or shaping gel and acrylic nails by shaving off layers of the mani
• DIAMOND BITS: For removing product build-up by scratching off the nail surface
• CERAMIC BITS: For the same purposes but with less friction and heat

How do you use an electric nail drill? Before you drown yourself in a ocean of choices, let ‘s summarize how or when to use each act in a basic 10-piece set of collar drill bits .

• FLAME BIT: For creating an apex and cleaning around the cuticle area
• NIB BIT: For removing hangnails, gently lifting the eponychium—the nail fold at the base of the nail plate—and other delicate cuticle work
• SAFETY BIT: For doing surface and infill cuticle work, backfill cutting, and shortening
• BALL BIT: For cleaning sidewalls and under the nails and prepping for backfills
• MICRO BALL BIT: For safely removing dead skin and making cuticles and nails clean
• FLAT-END CYLINDER BIT: For removing shine from surface area and side grooves
• NEEDLE / THIN NEEDLE BIT: For filing away residual cured gel or cuticles in hard to reach areas, under the nails, sidewalls, and backfills
• SILICONE BIT: For polishing nail surface to make the nail smoother
• CLEANING BRUSH: For cleaning nail surface and drill bits

A friendly admonisher from Sine, Licensed Cosmetologist and DipWell ‘s Community Educator :

“E-files do require some training, learning safety measures, and practice. Proper use of how to use an electric nail drill and the bits safely is especially important to avoid nail damage. If you use an electric nail file and it starts to cause you pain, stop immediately. This should not happen if it is used correctly. You never want to use the e-file on the natural nail. The natural nail should only be filed with a light hand and 180-grit file or higher.”

If you ‘re a DIY dip mani newcomer, we recommend sticking with manual nail files. But if you ‘re cutting to power up your nail care routine with an e-file, we ca n’t stress enough how authoritative it is to learn, learn, and learn some more. Refer to your nail down exercise ‘s manual. Read up on how to set up electric collar files, including condom tips. You can besides head over to YouTube and watch “ how to use a complete drill ” instructional television. A exhaustive understanding of how to operate electric nail down drills will prevent damage to your nails and electric potential trips to your doctor. Always better safe than deplorable.
The Nitty-Gritty of Manual Nail Files
What is a manual nail file? This is the most user-friendly nail file that comes in many forms .

1. EMERY BOARDS: The most common manual nail file that’s made of cardboard and usually has different grits on its two sides.
2. WOODEN NAIL FILES: These are similar to emery boards, but they are made with wood as opposed to cardboard. They are also available in different grits.
3. BUFFING BLOCKS: They come in a variety of grits and sizes (regular and mini).
4. METAL NAIL FILES: These manual nail files are made of stainless steel and can be a bit harsh for natural nails. They are more suited for nail enhancements.
5. SPONGE BOARDS: These are extra thick cushion manual nail files that are made with no paper backing. They are available in a variety of grits and can be sanitized and disinfected.

Choosing the best-for-you manual nail file comes down to what your needs are with the pinpoint file grit as the chief criteria.

What is the nail file grit number?

“The file grit number refers to the abrasiveness of the nail file. You want to choose the correct grit nail file so you don’t damage your natural nail bed,” says licensed cosmetologist Sine.

How do you know if your nail file has a broken or high grit count ? Run your finger over the complete charge and feel the particles. A broken backbone nail file is more abrasive, while a eminent grit complete file is smooth. She besides recommended the road map below :

• LOW GRIT NUMBER: For artificial nail enhancements
• HIGH GRIT NUMBER: For natural nails

The charge grit number starts arsenic moo as 80 ( coarse ) and deoxyadenosine monophosphate eminent as 1000+ ( superfine ). here ‘s a handy chart to lay this all out. NAIL FILE GRIT GUIDE What are the types of manual nail files? If those file grit numbers seem daunting, do n’t let them overwhelm you. According to Sine, DipWell ‘s Community Educator, there are four types of breeze through files a DIY-er like you will need to use .

1. COARSE FILES (80-100 grit): For shaping acrylic or gel nail enhancements and filing down thickness and length

These manual nail files have fewer grit particles, hence they are very harsh manual nail files and not recommended to be used on lifelike nails .

1. MEDIUM GRIT FILES (180 grit): For lightly buffing dip, acrylic, or gel enhancements and for filing the free edge of your natural nails

These complete files are less abrasive because they contain more grit particles. But much like coarse files, they are besides not recommended to be used for buffing lifelike nails .

1. FINE GRIT FILES (240-600 grit): For smoothing and finishing work on dip, acrylics, wraps, and gels. They are also great for removing natural oils and invisible cuticles.

These manual nail files are the least abrasive and voiced enough to lightly buff the natural collar bed without thinning and causing nail down wrong .

1. EXTRA FINE GRIT FILES (600-2400 grit): For creating high shine on natural nails and nail enhancements, making the nail appear as if top coat has been applied

These nail files will feel smooth to the touch when you run your finger over them. They are besides used to prepare the surface of your natural nail for buffet, shining, eat up, and removing ridges and stains.
Electric file vs. manual file: Which DIY nail care tool should you choose? The truth : you do n’t in truth need an e-file. You can get amazing results with fair the right manual nail files and buffers. But pinpoint pros and experienced DIYers certain prefer an electric file since it ’ s a faster manner to prep and shape your nails when used correctly, although it does take prison term to master them.

now that we’ve shared both sides of this hot-button subject, tell us … Are you Team E-file or team Manual File ? Join the conversation in DipWell ‘s Dipper Club, or plug in with us on Instagram via @ dipwellnails or our official hashtag # DoYouDipWell. Hope to see you there !