Q&A for How to File Your Nails

Use a softer nail file, around 180 grit. That's going to help your nails be nice and smooth, and you're not going to get scraggly edges around your nails.

Use warm water with soap to remove oils or dirt. Use a nail brush to get under nails to remove dirt. Dry with a soft, fluffy towel. Add moisturizer or lotion.

Wait for the nails to grow out first; use moisturizing and nutritious products to make them healthier. After that, clip the jagged parts, and file your nails to create a smooth line and desired shape.

Use the nail of your other hand, provided it is rounded. If you have delicate skin, use a moist cloth between your nail and your cuticle. Apply lotion afterwards to keep your cuticles moist.

It is best if you can file your nails when they're bare, otherwise the polish can flake and crack, leading it to look awful.

Coat your colored polish with clear polish and rub it off before it dries.

Getting your nails done at a salon doesn't have any extra benefits other than having color on you nails, which you can apply yourself at home.

Yes. You can apply it as much as you want to, but it would be best to use it overnight so it will have plenty of time to absorb without being washed or wiped off as it would during the day.

You should trim your nails equally, or grow them and file all the nails in the same way.

Use cuticle oil (or olive oil) to keep them moisturized. Make sure you keep your hands clean to prevent infections. File the nails so there are no edges that could get caught in fabric.

Any nail file will work. You can probably find a plain one in most stores if you don't want a "girly" one. There is really no reason to buy anything different though.

There isn't really a shape to make your nails look longer, but if you file them in an oval shape, they might look a bit longer.

File the sides of your nail to make them straight, but the downward curve is normal, it'll always happen.

Sadly, you need a file to file your nails. I've seen people using very fine sandpaper, but I wouldn't recommend it.

No, filing shouldn't damage your nails unless you're doing it excessively.

Filing your nails can help you achieve the desired shape of your nail. It can also help you even out sharp points or uneven trimming on your nails.

Never file in a zigzag, it weakens your nails. Rather, file them the same direction.

If you go on YouTube and look up nail scrub it should pop up. I think you can, though.

Yes, of course, you can, just make sure you're gentle while using it. Also, make sure that it's not too coarse as it may cause your nail to break.

Any drug store or beauty supply store will carry it.

Clip your nails as a triangle shape, then clip them horizontally and then file them all the same way to make an oval shape .

You can't buff them out, so don't try. Excessive buffing can cause weakness in the nails and more white patches. That said, weak nails or coloration problems are a sign that something is wrong with your diet. In this case, white patches mean that you are lacking calcium, so you should try to up your milk/yogurt/cheese intake to prevent white patches from forming again. I'm afraid that the only way to get rid of the ones you currently have is to wait for your nails to grow.

You can gently file your nail with fine grade sandpaper. Just be very careful to avoid scraping your skin.

Use a small piece of felt or other soft smooth cloth (by itself or wrapped around an empty pill bottle.)

As a last resort you could use very fine grained sandpaper. However, this should not be a long term solution as this can damage your nails and is likely more expensive than just getting some nail files from your local pharmacist.

If you prefer your nails long, file them down to the longest length you can have with your sports. I recommend caring for them by applying jojoba oil, then applying aloe vera gel (the first ingredient must be aloe). Let it soak in and then finish with a small amount of petroleum jelly or lanolin. Go to bed with this on your nails and in the morning they should be a lot more moisturized.

You don't need a buffer, but it will help if you want to apply polish. If you want one, they are very affordable.

Square nails will help look chubby fingers look skinnier. Plus, nails don't have to be too long to do square nails.

Having less nail provides less to bite and is less tempting. Apply bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails. Available over-the-counter, this safe but awful-tasting formula, discourages many people from biting their nails. Get regular manicures.