1. Prepare Your Nails
• Clean and dry: Make sure your nails are completely clean and dry before you begin. Filing damp or wet nails increases the risk of splitting and breakage.
2. Choose the Right Side
• Coarse Side (Initial Shaping): Use the coarser, rougher side first if you need to reduce length or establish your primary nail shape (such as round, square, or oval).
• Fine Side (Smoothing & Finishing): Switch to the finer side to smooth out rough edges, refine the shape, and eliminate any tiny burrs left behind.
3. Filing Technique
• Hold at an angle: Hold the emery board at a slight (about 45-degree) angle against the edge of the nail, following its natural curve.
• File in one direction: Move the file gently from one outer edge toward the center of the nail. Avoid sawing back and forth, as this friction causes heat and can weaken, fray, or split your nail layers.
• Use light pressure: Let the abrasive do the work rather than pressing down hard.
4. Aftercare
• Moisturize: Wash or dust off your hands, then apply a hand cream, lotion, or cuticle oil to nourish the skin and nail beds.
• Care and replacement: Because traditional emery boards are made with wood/cardboard layers, keep them dry and replace them regularly when they wear out or become dull