Perfect Manicure Step #1 - File and Shape Nails

The first step to a perfect manicure is to file and shape nails. This step is often overlooked and skipped during the manicure, but I think everyone will agree that misshapen, crooked, and nails of uneven lengths will NOT look good on even the most perfectly polished digits. There are many nail shapes that are commonly used which can be seen in the photo below, found on www.beautylish.com. 

Let's get a little more in depth with each nail shape:

Oval: This is a more traditional nail shape. An oval nail shape is similar to the round nail shape, but I find it looks better on longer nails, (compare the oval vs the round nail length in the picture above). It can elongate the fingers, slim wider nail beds, and look elegant and classy if it's done right. To achieve the oval nail shape, file the sides of the nails slightly towards the centre and round the top. Voila!

Squoval: This is the classic "salon manicure" shape, the offspring of a square and oval nail. This shape looks best on shorter nails, as it can look slightly tacky on longer nails. A squoval nail can be achieved by either starting with an oval or square shape. It works either way. If you are starting with an oval shape, simply square off the top and round the corners to get rid of any sharp edges. Easy! If you are starting with a square shape, round the corners slightly towards the centre, the way you would achieve an oval nail while still keeping the nail square on the sides. There you go!

Square: This is, in my opinion, one of the more popular nail shapes among nail polish bloggers. A square nail shape is basically a straight tip at the end of the nails. This shape looks better on longer short nails, if that makes any sense, because it can cause a really short nail to look wider and even blunt. A square nail can be achieved by simply filing the nails straight across, only filing the corners when necessary to remove excessively sharp corners. 

Round: This nail shape looks best on shorter nails or nails with minimal free edge. Similar to the oval, this nail shape is flattering and slimming on shorter, wider nails. Simply round the edge. 

Almond: Hmmm... I don't have much to say about this one. Not to offend any people who are fond on the almond shape, but this is basically a nail that's shaped to represent the pointed end of peeled almond. This nail shape is the weakest of the bunch and can look evil and witch-like if it's done on long nails. Ummmmm, that's it.....

Let's talk files and clippers now. There are many types of files and clippers, varying in type, material, and size. Starting with files; there are glass files, ceramic files, crystal files, and emery boards. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find a glass/ceramic file that won't give me shivers down my spine. For that reason, I use higher quality emery boards, more specifically, Revlon nail files, sold individually and in 2-packs. I am in no way shape or form recommending you use those cheap, sandpapery files sold in huge packs at the drug store. They are way to rough and will most definitely cause peeling, splitting, cracking nails. Now onto clippers; they are used to take down considerable length when needed. There's not much to talk about them, though clippers with a sharper crescent curve on the blade may cause the nail to crack.

I'm also going to share with you my favourite files and clippers:

From left to right: Revlon Files (approximately $1.50 each at Walmart or Shoppers Drug Mart), Earth Therapeutics Nail Clippers (approx. $5.99), Revlon Nail Clippers (unsure about price, guessing approx. $3-4), Pointed Orangewood Stick (got it in an art project kit, should be relatively cheap and sold in bulk), Revlon Crazy Shine (This is a sample, but full sizes are $5.99 at Shoppers).

That's it for today, thank you so much for reading!

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