Buffing the natural nail

[cjfoy27]

HI, just a quick question about buffers/blocks

Do any of you buff the natural nail prior to polish. What grit of a buffer would you use? Is 280 or 300 to harsh?
I don't mean buffing or shinning with a girlfriend buffer just a quick a buff to smooth the nails for a polish, or to get rid of uneven ridges...

Plus to shape the nails does anyone use a 180...I usually use a 240 file.

Any help would be great THANKS!

 

[deanosnana]

I use a 240 grit to file nails and a really well worn buffer to buff the natural nail. HTH!

 

[geeg]

You've got the right idea. With files snd buffers, the higher the grit count the better, when dealing with natural nails.

I have to say I am very reluctant to buff the surface of natural nails at any time. If I had a client with fine ridges and was using traditional polish, I would use a good ridge filler as my base coat ( like Ridge Out from CND ) and get a beautiful result. Buffing the surface whether one likes to admit it or not, removes a certain amount of protection and 'opens up the surface of the plate' so that it becomes dehydrated more quickly (even when just wearing polish).

If I were using Shellac, I would do no buffing at all and simply apply the Shellac Base Coat which fills in all ridges perfectly to accept the rest of the Shellac service :green: love it and use it all the time now on my natural nail ladies.

My advice is don't buff natural nails if you don't absolutely have to, as there are other ways. If you have to, then explain to the client that their nails will be drier because of it but that regular use of Solar Oil will keep their nails in great condition even while wearing polish, Shellac or enhancements.

 

[cjfoy27]

Hi Thanks that really helpful

what about the girlfriend buffer, I take they are ok to use on the natural nail as well as enhancements?