While Mylar-backed files have been around since the ‘80s, because of their cost (the average Mylar-backed file costs 80¢ to $1.30) the durable, long-lasting backing didn’t gain favour with nail technicians until they were marketed as sanitizable. However, over the past 15 years there have been genuine innovations in materials and manufacturing methods. “When nail technicians put a display on their table, the files fly off.”ĭifferent shapes and colors account for many of the “new” file styles available to nail technicians. “The files are so unusual that when someone pulls one out of her purse or drawer, people ask where she got it,” says Stuart Schwartz, sales manager for Worldwide. Hollywood, Calif.) Fantasy Files come in 28 different patterns, and are made specifically to encourage retail sales. “The changes are in the range of different materials, colors, and shapes.”ĭon’t forget to consider the client when choosing your files. “Most of the materials used in files have been used for a long time,” says Travis Bills, owner of The File Factory (Irvine, Calif.).

thin - all of these choices are a matter of personal preference. A silicon carbide file starts at about 50¢ and goes up from there.Īny nail technician can do the full range of nail services with just four basic nail files: a coarse file (around 100 grit) for shaping acrylic and taking the length or surface down quickly a medium file (180-220 grit) for smoothing artificial nails and shaping artificial and natural nails a fine file (400-600 grit) for finishing artificial and natural nails and a buffer, or microabrasive, (900- 12,000 grit) to buff and shine the nail surface. And manufacturers report the original garnet and wood file remains a strong seller, because at 15-29$ it remains the least expensive file. And if you guessed the second- best seller is the 3-way buffing block, you’re right: The buffing block is ideal for finishing both artificial and natural nails. And with good reason - the 100-grit side is ideal for shaping an acrylic nail and reducing the length, while the 180 grit smoothes and shapes the surface. “If you take a one-inch square and fill it with 240 grains of sand it will be much smoother.Īccording to file manufacturers, the best-selling nail file today is a combination 100/180 silicon carbide file. “Envision a one-inch square filled with 100 grains of sand it will be very rough,” she explains. The lower the grit value, the coarser the file. A file’s grit value is determined by the grains of abrasive in a one-inch square, explains Bobbi Berman of B&W Files in Dania-Hollywood, Fla.

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