If you are just entering the world of nail polish or general nail care, you may not yet know what buffing is or how to do it, or even why you should do it. This post will hopefully answer all those questions. Please remember however that I am NOT a professional or an expert in any sense, the tips and advice offered here are based solely on my personal experiences and things I have learned from various sources over the years such as friends and online research. I do NOT know everything there is to know about nail care nor do I claim to - you may have questions I do not know the answers to. However I do enjoy researching topics that interest me so if you have any questions about nail care please feel free to ask, and if I cannot answer your question(s) I will do my best to find an answer for you.

So, all that said... on to today's subject: BUFFING!

What is buffing?

Buffing is the process of smoothing and evening out your nailbed. Simple, eh? Buffing will smooth out any ridges or uneven spots in your nails. Some say it can even encourage nail growth. It also adds a natural, glossy shine to your nails.

Why should you buff your nails?

By buffing your nails and smoothing them out, your nail polish will adhere to the nails better, thus giving you a better and longer-lasting manicure. If you don't wear polish or just like to take breaks from nail polish, your buffed nails will look naturally smooth, healthy and glossy. Buffing also helps to remove any light surface stains on your nails, so you may notice whiter tips if you buff your nails. It also helps circulation in your nails, and this may promote nail growth.

What Do You Need To Buff Your Nails?

It's really very easy. All you need is a buffer - they come in a wide variety of shapes and prices. For as little as approximately $1 (USD) you can get a nice buffer that will last a long time. Some are shaped much like an emery board, others are rectangular cubes, some are triangles, and there are some shaped like discs.

This is a 7-Sided buffer which can be found at Wal Mart (and likely other stores similar to Wal Mart) for less than $1:










This is a 3-Sided buffer, also available at Wal Mart (and similar stores) for less than $1:











The Buffing Process:

When you buff your nails, you want to move whatever buffer you are using in ONE DIRECTION ONLY. Do not use a back and forth motion when buffing your nails. Honestly I cannot find an answer as to why you must buff in one direction only - only that it is best done that way. (Un-related note: when filing your nails (shaping them) you should only file in one direction as using a back and forth motion can actually cause breakage; it's like bending a wire back and forth in the same spot - it gets weak and breaks. Perhaps this is the same school of thought on buffing in one direction only.) You may use the "shine" side of your buffer in a back and forth motion, but all other sides should be used in one direction only.

Important Things You Should Know About Buffing:

Buff your nails lightly, and take your time. You do not need to apply a lot of pressure to the buffer for it to do it's job. Do not rush buffing, and be careful to not over-buff. If you buff your nails too much or too frequently, your nails will become thin and buffing will become painful. Depending on your nails and your life-style, you may need to buff your nails once every two weeks or once per month. I would not recommend buffing any more often than once every two weeks to avoid over-buffing.

Also, buffers come in different grades so be sure you are using the proper one for your nails. The coarser sides of the 7-Sided buffer pictured above, for example, are to be used for filing and shaping the free edge of the nail only - they are not meant to be used on the nail bed itself. For your reference, sides 1, 2 and 3 are for the free edge only on the above pictured 7-sided buffer as they are quite coarse. Basically, the pictured 7-sided buffer is an emery board and buffer in one little item.