How to Buff Nails Properly (Simple Guide for Beginners)

by Rod Nichol

Hey everyone, it’s your girl back with another how-to, and today we’re tackling something I get asked about all the time: how to buff nails. Now, I’m no pro, but I’ve been doing my own nails for, like, forever, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Trust me, if I can do it, you totally can too. So, let’s get started!

How to Buff Nails Properly (Simple Guide for Beginners)

Gather Your Tools

First, I gather my tools. I grabbed a few things from my nail kit. I got a nail file, a buffer block (those things with different sides, you know?), and some cuticle oil. I saw online somewhere about using Amazon for fingernail buffers, but I already had mine.

Prep Your Nails

Next, I pushed back my cuticles. I used a little cuticle pusher tool, but you could also use the end of a nail file in a pinch. Then, I cleaned my nails. Just a quick wipe with some nail polish remover to get rid of any old polish or oils. Gotta have a clean slate, right?

File First

After that, I filed my nails into the shape I wanted. Today I went for a simple rounded shape. I made sure to file in one direction, not back and forth, to avoid splitting. It’s like a little mini workout for your fingers.

Buff Time

Now for the main event: buffing! I took my buffer block and started with the roughest side. I gently rubbed it across each nail in an X motion. Not too much pressure, just enough to smooth out any ridges. I did this a few times on each nail.

Then, I moved to the next side of the buffer, which was a little less rough. Same X motion, same gentle pressure. I repeated this with each side of the buffer, going from roughest to smoothest. Some guides online talk about buffing safely and effectively, and that’s what I was aiming for.

How to Buff Nails Properly (Simple Guide for Beginners)

Oil Up

Once I was done buffing, my nails were looking pretty smooth and shiny. I added a drop of cuticle oil to each nail and rubbed it in. This helps to moisturize and protect the nails. Plus, it feels super nice, like a mini spa treatment.

Admire Your Work

Finally, I took a step back and admired my handiwork. My nails were looking all smooth and polished, even without any actual nail polish. I might throw on a clear coat later, but for now, I’m just gonna enjoy my naturally shiny nails.

Final Tips

  • Don’t over-buff! It can thin your nails. I learned that the hard way once. Ouch.

  • Use oil after buffing. It’s a game-changer for keeping your nails healthy.

  • Practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better you’ll get.

    How to Buff Nails Properly (Simple Guide for Beginners)

So there you have it, my super easy guide to buffing nails. I hope this was helpful! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions, or if you have any other nail tips to share. Until next time, stay beautiful!

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