Nail Files

File Away To Perfection

If you like treating yourself with a home mani or pedi, or want to maintain your salon nails, you need the right tools. That includes a good file set. From funky nail files to buffers – buy anything online from us to give you tip-top nails.

The best nail files

The right nail file can make all the difference when it comes to shaping your natural or artificial nails. If your nails are brittle or damaged, don’t use an abrasive file.

Acrylic and gel nails, on the other hand, may require a tougher file. Here’s what you need to know about different nail files, and the grit you may need.

What different types of nail files do you get?

Steel nail file: Best for artificial nails, and may break natural nails easily. It often comes with a pointed tip for cleaning underneath nails.

Glass file: This type of file also often has a pointed tip. It’s gentler on natural nails, but hardy enough to also use on salon nails. It’s easy to clean and sterilise, which is why a lot of professional nail technicians prefer it.

Buffer: Often in the shape of a block or a flat shape divided into four parts. Each part has a different grit designed to buff and shine.

Emery boards: Made from cardboard, these two-sided files are mostly disposable and you can replace it when it starts to lose some of its grit.

Wooden files: These files often have coarse grits and are best used for pedicures.

What do the gsm numbers on the nail file grit chart mean?

The lower the nail file grit numbers, the coarser the file. Nail files come in grit levels ranging from 50 gsm to 500 gsm, and it can even go as high as 12 000 gsm.

Coarse grits should only be used on hard artificial nails with care, and occasionally, on toenails. Finer grits can be used shape, polish and seal. As a guideline, you can start using anything from 180 gsm upwards on natural nails.

At Hairhouse Warehouse, we offer salon-quality nail files for sale online in South Africa. Simply register and order, and we’ll deliver.