An emery board is one of the most popular tools used for smoothing and shaping nails. It is very useful for keeping the edges of the nails neat and preventing snags.
An emery board is a type of nail file that is thin and flexible, usually made out of a disposable material such as cardboard or paper and covered in a rough, abrasive surface.
What is an Emery Board Used For?
An emery board is used to:
- Shape the free edge of the nail.
- Smooth down rough or uneven nail tips.
- Shorten nails without using clippers or scissors.
- Remove small snags before they tear.
- Tidy your nails between manicures.
In other words, emery boards are a great way to shorten your nails slightly and make small adjustments, without the might of nail clippers. However, if your nails are long, it’s easier to clip or cut them first, and then file down the rest to make corrections.
Is an Emery Board the Same as a Nail File?
An emery board is a type of nail file. This means that all emery boards are nail files but not all nail files are emery boards.
Whilst emery boards are lightweight, flexible and disposable, true nail files are usually made of materials such as glass, metal ceramic or cushioned foam. As a result of their more disposable materials, emery boards usually wear down over time, but they are convenient for bringing on the go in your handbag.
If you want an instrument that lasts longer term but is more expensive upfront, a glass or metal nail file is a great choice.
Think of an emery board being to a nail file what an orange stick is to a cuticle pusher.
How Should You Use an Emery Board?
You can use the board as follows:
- Clean and dry your nails.
- Choose the shape you want; this could be rounded, oval, square, or ‘squoval’.
- File gently, starting at the outer edge and moving towards the centre.
- Use a light pressure.
- Smooth any sharp corners that you have left at the end.
Avoid using an emery board on the surface on the nail, unless it is a special board for buffing. If you do, you can weaken the nail.
How Should You Store Emery Boards?
Make sure to keep your emery boards dry and store them in a pouch, drawer, or small organiser. Don’t leave them loose at the bottom of a draw, where they can collect dust and bend.
Replace your boards once the surface becomes smooth, bent, dirty, or worn down. For the sake of hygiene, keep your emery boards separate from other people’s, and make sure that other people don’t use it. Because they are disposable and have a rough surface, they are hard to clean.
Final Thoughts
Emery boards are simple, yet useful tools for shaping, smoothing, and fixing small snags in nails. They are lower cost, disposable alternatives to nail files. Keep your boards clean and dry and store them safely with the rest of your nail tools and collection for ease of access. Finally, make sure to replace them on a regular basis, once they become worn down and/ or dirty.
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