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!

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.

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
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Don’t over-buff! It can thin your nails. I learned that the hard way once. Ouch.
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Use oil after buffing. It’s a game-changer for keeping your nails healthy.
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Practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better you’ll get.
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!