Nail filing is an important part of everyday grooming. While you can enjoy having your manicures and pedicures done at the salon, the need for constant nail management extends way after that visit.
You need to invest in a high-quality nail file for your home nail routine. Nail files are ideal for smoothening any rough or irregular edges on a fingernail or toenail. They also help you attain a desirable shape for the nail.
You can opt to use either the best glass nail file or the best metal nail file. Both are ideal for filing natural and artificial nails while also protecting your nails from poor health.
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Glass Nail File
It is also called a crystal nail file, and it is made with actual pre-treated sheets of glass and an abrasive filing surface. A glass nail file is ideal for manicures and pedicures after you have already trimmed your nails to a desirable shape.
A glass file comes in a sleek and colorful design and features an ultra-fine grit that does not damage your nail keratin. A great crystal file is ideal for you if you have brittle nails and don’t require too much nail filing.
When you use a crystal file, it glides over the nail tip without tearing the nail. It allows you to file fragile nails in both directions. A glass nail file seals your smooth nail tips to minimize damage from external factors such as water and debris.
As glass is a non-porous material, the best glass nail files are easy to clean and sanitize, therefore meeting all FDA sanitization standards. You can use alcohol, UV light, other sanitization methods used by nail techs.
Advantages of Using a Crystal Nail File to a Metal Nail File
1. Smooth filing
Compared to metal nail files, glass files nail files glide smoothly over your nails and firmly align your nail tips to leave you with sealed edges rather than the jagged edges you get from the metal or emery nail files.
Our favorite choice for the best glass nail file, the ClassLady Nail File, prevents splitting, chipping, and peeling to cultivate stronger nails.
2. Easy to clean
A glass nail file is also easy to clean and sanitize compared to a metal nail file. Because glass is a non-porous material, dirt, water, or debris can not get stuck on the roughened surface. You can easily clean and sanitize a glass file even at home. It is also suitable for professional use at a salon as it meets all FDA standards.
3. Durable
A glass nail file is very durable and also recyclable. While the glass material may not be as strong as the metal file, the glass nail file is made from recycled glass with environmentally friendly dyes. Their easy cleaning and sanitization allow them to withstand more use even in professional nail salons.
4. Design
Glass nail files are designed for use at home without damaging your nail health. They are made with a glass stick with adhered tiny glass filings using super glue or from pre-treated glass sheets, which are roughened to create a filing surface.
The glass is carefully cut and polished to prevent it from cutting you as you file your nails. Other regular nail files, such as metal files, can contain sharp edges that can hurt you as you file nails.
Metal Nail File
A metal nail file is made by forming a lower grade metal stick and roughening it to create the filing surface or gluing tiny metal bits on a metal surface or an emery board.
When filing your nails using a metal nail file, it leaves the nail tip open, exposing it to dirt. A metal file can have a rough edge that will damage natural nails, so it is best used by a nail technician. However, metal nail files are stronger than other nail files and are ideal for thick nails or artificial nails.
Metal nail files are soft and, as a non-porous material, can prevent bacteria growth. However, the specific metal material used for nail files fails to pass FDA standards, and thus, not ideal for professional re-use in professional salons.
Benefits of Using a Metal Nail File over Glass Nail Files
1. Easy-grip
Compared to many crystal files, the metal nail files are easier to hold and file nails. Out top pick, the Revlon Emeryl File comes with a sturdy handle that makes the whole nail file feel stronger even when you file hard artificial nails.
2. Less costly
Metal nail files are more affordable compared with glass nail files.
Which is Better Between Glass or Metal Nail File?
While the responsibility of choosing your favorite nail files lies with your needs, the glass nail files seem to have better features that protect your nail health.
A crystal nail file is your best option if you are looking to maintain your manicure longer or support sustainable living. It lets you file your nails in more than one direction as it does not come with rough edges.
A glass file is designed with your safety in mind; it supports a smooth filing process that won’t damage your nail polish or manicure. Additionally, the thick glass that makes crystal nail files is recycled and polished with safe dyes. Thus, the glass nail files score higher on the Green-O meter compared to the metal nail files.
How to Choose the Best Nail Files
When choosing your ideal metal and glass nail files, you can consider the following vital features that allow you to use them at home and even when traveling.
1. Lightweight
Choosing a lightweight nail file is a sure way to make sure you can use it without the help of a nail technician.
2. Type of grit
When buying your ideal nail file, it would help to understand the type of grit sufficient to maintain healthy nails. Most glass and metal nail files have their grit number labeled from extra coarse, coarse, medium, fine, and extra-fine grits.
It will be best to understand the importance of your file grit. Nail files with small grains will provide smoother filing, while those with extra coarse grit will do more harm to your natural nails.
