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Question
What is the best way for me to files and shape my nails so that they remain strong and healthy?
Answer
It's best to file for you to do your nails only when the tip, or the white part of the nail, has grown at least a quarter of an inch from where the white nail edge meets the pink part of the nail plate. If you file your nails below this point, it can weaken them. At the same time, if you let the white part of your nail grow longer than the pinkish nail plate, your nail will almost certainly become brittle and break. When filing nails, DO NOT file from side to side, as this will weaken them and be sure to file gently from corner to centre in one direction and one motion, using the groove on each side of your nail as a guide.
Question
What is the best shape for my nail?
Answer
The reality is that there is no right or wrong shape - there is a belief that a square shaped nail is stronger however this is a myth and no one shape is any stronger than another, strength is governed by the health of the nail and cuticle rather than their shape. Our advice would be to go for the shape that best suits you and certainly the trend at the moment is towards a softer, rounded shape.
Question
What type of nail file should I choose?
Answer
Try to keep well away from harsh metal nail files as they have a tendancy to split your nails and are quite rough. Our advice would always be to invest in a soft file preferebly made from glass as these are very long lasting, do not wear down with use and are easy to care for.
Question
What is the best way for me to keep my nails strong as they tend to break when the white tip gets to about half a centimeter?
Answer
The best way to make sure you have healthy and strong nails is to rub hand cream and nail oil into the cuticles and base of the nails after every time you wash your hands. This keeps the nail matrix conditioned, so that nails grow looking better and stronger. Cuticle Resuce and Minicure Heaven treatments from So-Nails and available here are ideal for this.
Question
Should I go for artificial nails?
Answer
Artificial nails are a good option if you bite your nails or have trouble growing them. Some women try fake ones strictly to kick their habit, while others simply want beautiful, low maintenance nails that can endure the wear and tear of daily tasks.
If applied and removed correctly, artificial nails will not damage your natural nails, but they won't make them healthier.
Artificial nails aren’t like a regular manicure and you should still see your manicurist regularly: if water gets trapped under your fake nails, your real nails can develop a fungal infection and turn green. You’ll also need regular manicurist appointments to fill in the artificial nails as they grow out with your natural ones. If you want to have them taken off, the safest, easiest way is to go to the salon, have them soaked and then gently removed by a manicurist.
Although artificial nails vary there is no ‘best’ type and your manicurist should be able to advise on which type would best suite you.
Sculptured Nails
In this process, acrylic, gel or fibreglass is applied to your natural nails, and the material is lengthened and sculpted over small pieces of metal or foil. Alternatively, a plastic nail tip can be applied with glue, then gel, fibreglass, silk or acrylic can be laid over the entire nail. As the natural nail grows out, your manicurist will fill in the base and file down the artificial tip. Eventually, you will end up with just the overlay on your natural nail.
Acrylic Nails
These are the strongest and last the longest of all nail overlays. But, if they are not applied properly, they can look thick and very fake. Find a manicurist who is an expert at applying acrylic nails, and he or she can make them look thin and natural. They usually need to be filled in every two to three weeks as your nails grow, but if you are hard on them, you may need to see the manicurist more often to avoid nail loosening. This will also lead to mildew if water gets trapped underneath. If a professional removes them, the acrylic nails should cause little weakening to the nail plate. One factor that might make you choose acrylic: It’s the most commonly-used artificial nail; if you travel frequently, it will be easier for you to find a place to repair or fill in your manicure.
Silk, Linen and Fibre Wraps
Wraps are pieces of silk, linen or fibreglass that have been cut to a desired shape and glued to the nail plate. This adds strength, and sometimes length, to the nail. Also though applied on top of natural nails, wraps are most commonly used to strengthen tips. Silk is the most natural-looking wrap and provides a lot of flexibility, but it is often too delicate for those with an active lifestyle. Linen is stronger, but not transparent and appears quite thick. Fibreglass provides the best of both worlds since it gives the natural look of silk and the strength of linen.
Gel Nails
Once, these nails were made of dental porcelain gel-powder. Now, manicurists use a Mylar form to sculpt your nail, and then cure – or set – it under an ultraviolet light. Because of this process, gel nails may need to be filled in less often than acrylic ones, although fill-ins are still necessary, and a professional must remove the tips. This type of artificial nail may not be ideal for those who type a lot, as constant contact with a keyboard can cause the gel seal around the nail to crack and break.
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GLASS NAIL FILES
Brief History
Nail files have been produced from glass for over 50 years, an idea that originally came from Switzerland and that over the years has been refined as the manufacturing processes for glass have improved.Todays production process is now based on a highly advance technological process to bring you files of the very highest quality. Our files offer durability and design features not found elsewhere and which make them the perfect manicure and pedicure nail care tool.
Production - The Czech glass from which these are produced is particularly pure and certified by the Institute of Health in Prague and durng the manufacturing process each file is tempered to a high degree making them strong and safe to use. One side of each file has a micro-abrasive surface for nail filing while the other is smooth to as not to abrade your fingers while using it and Mont Bleu pay the highest attention to both the acuracy of production and the decoration process. The abrasive surface of our files will never wear down and they can also be disinfected by boiling or sterilization.