Frequently Asked Questions
What should you look for when shopping for a nail file?
As mentioned, files with 100–180 grit are best for shaping and shortening gel, acrylic, or press-on nails, 180–220 grit works well for shaping natural nails without causing splits or tears, and anything above 220 grit is fine enough for smoothing edges and buffing the nail surface to a polished finish. LA-based nail artist Sarah Chue prefers thin nail boards with a smooth grit (around 150 to 180) and plenty of surface area to handle all nail shapes and sizes. She likes a diamond shape, with a narrow tip and wider middle—it’s versatile enough for every filing need, from refining length and shape to getting super-precise around the tips.
How do you use a nail file?
New York City-based Nail artist Julie Kandalec says that one myth about using a nail file is that it should only be used in one direction. “But, the nail grows straight out, and filing in one direction only works on one half, forcing you to go in the opposite direction for the other half of the nail.”
She explains it with a simple visual: imagine your nail as a clock, where 3 to 9 represents the free edge. Filing from 3 to 6 moves with the natural grain of the nail, but once you pass the center point (6) and continue from 6 to 9 in the same direction, you’re now filing against the grain—this can cause splitting and that unpleasant nails-on-a-chalkboard sensation. Instead, file from each corner toward the center: 3 to 6, then 9 to 6—working corner to center on both sides rather than straight across from 3 to 9.
If you don’t have access to a file, the best press-on nails will cover up what you don’t want anyone seeing.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We scrutinize brand claims and rely on experts who shape their fields to help us vet our picks. We also ask questions about a number of factors: Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our list of the best nail files, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and nail artists to review the products. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, wear and longevity, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
