How to Buff Your Nails

Co-authored by Marta Nagorska

Last Updated: January 9, 2023 References Approved

Buffing removes the shine from your nails, giving the polish more grip on your nails. Buffing doesn’t make your nails stronger, but it does make your manicure last longer.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.} To buff properly, start by filing your nails to your desired shape. Once your nails are filed, use a multi-sided buffer to buff, polish, and shine your nails. Then, you can paint them or leave them natural!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Filing Your Nails

1
Remove old nail polish. Clean, polish-free nails are essential before you begin filing. Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover. Rub each nail until all of the polish is removed. You may need to go over each nail again with a clean cotton swab to remove traces of polish around your nail and on your skin.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.}
- Re-dip the cotton swab as needed.
2
Trim your nails. If you are starting with nails that go past your fingertip, trim them first before you begin filing. This will make filing your nails much easier. Use a nail clipper to cut your nails straight across.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Don't worry about clipping sharp corners. You can use the nail file to smooth out sharp corners.
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3
Place a nail file at the corner of your nail. Gently slide the file from the corner of your nail to the middle of your nail in one direction. Lift the nail file, place it at the corner of your nail again, and repeat the motion. Do this to both sides of your nail until you reach your desired shape.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.}
- Try to avoid filing your nail in a rough back and forth motion.
- After filing your nail, there may be rough pieces of nail still attached to the tip of your nail. If there are, place the nail file under the tip and use a flicking motion to remove the nail filings to create a smoother edge.
4
File an oval shape. Hold the nail file at an angle at the corner of your nail. Slide the file from the corner of your nail to the middle and round it off. Repeat this on the other side of your nail until you achieve the oval shape. Repeat this process for each nail.^{[5]
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- The oval nail shape looks great on people who have short fingers and/or wide nail beds.
5
Do a square shape. Hold the nail file perpendicular to your nail. Gently slide the file straight across your nail. Lift the nail file and repeat the motion until the tip of your nail is a straight line. Smooth out the edges by lightly filing them. Repeat this process for each nail.^{[6]
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- The square nail shape looks great on people who have long fingers with a wide nail bed.
6
File a round shape. Place the nail file perpendicular to your nail. Then angle the nail file slightly. Following the curve of your finger, slide the nail file from one corner of your nail to the other in a single direction. Lift the nail file and slide the nail file back to the starting point. Do this until you have achieved your desired shape. Repeat this process for each nail.^{[7]
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- Because the round nail shape is low maintenance, it works great for people who work with their hands a lot and need to keep their nails short.
- It also looks great on people who have long fingers or people who have large hands.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Buffing, Polishing, and Shining Your Nails

1
Use the large grit side of the buffer to buff your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail. Place the large grit side of the buffer on your nail. Using unidirectional strokes, buff your nail in an X shape. Make sure to buff your nails gently. Buffing will help smooth out any ridges or rough patches on your nails.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.}
- Since over-buffing can damage your nails, use only six to eight strokes to buff them.
- Repeat this process for each nail.
2
Use the finer grit side of the buffer to polish your nails. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail. Place the finer grit side on your nail. Similar to buffing your nails, use unidirectional strokes to polish your nail. Polish your nail in an X shape to smooth it. Polishing helps to brighten your nails after buffing them.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.}
- Try not to over polish your nail; four to six strokes should do the job.
- Repeat this process for each nail.
3
Use the smooth side of the buffer to shine your nails. Place the smooth side of the buffer on your nail. Using light pressure, move the nail buffer in tiny circular motions. Move it in tiny circular motions over the entire surface of your nail until you achieve a glossy look, about four to five buffs. Shining your nails will add a final shine to them without having to use nail polish.^{[10]
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- Repeat this process for each nail.
4
Apply cuticle oil. To give your nails added shine, as well as moisture, apply cuticle oil after you finish buffing them. Apply the oil on the skin that borders each nail. After you have applied oil to each nail, use your fingers to massage the oil into your cuticles.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.}
5
Add fresh nail polish to give your nails a pop of color. If you just applied cuticle oil, first remove any excess oil from your nail. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol. Rub your nails to remove the excess oil. Apply a clear coat to each nail and let it dry completely. Then apply two coats of your favorite nail polish.^{[12]
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- Removing excess cuticle oil from your nail will help the nail polish adhere to it.
- Make sure the first coat dries completely before painting on the second coat.

Community Q&A

Question

Is buffing good for my nails?

Community Answer

Buffing is good for your nails, as long as it is done correctly and in moderation. Don't do it more than once a week, or the top layer of your nail could be stripped down.
Question

What happens if I over-buff my nails?

Community Answer

When you buff you are removing layers of your nail. Therefore, over-buffing can result in weak, thin nails that break/split easily.
Question

Are nail buffers reusable?

Community Answer

Yes, you can use your buffer for about 20 times before it should be replaced.