Nails - do you buff?

[wickedfairy]

As above! I have ridges on my thumb nails and was wondering if I should buff them? If yes, what us the best thing to use please?

Also, should I do my other nails too? Have been inspired by the other thread about making an effort and have been moisturising, etc. my hands are starting to look and feel better but have no experience with buffing or why I should do it.

Any tips gratefully accepted! Thanks

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I try to resist buffing, although I have slight ridges and it feels nice when you do it. It seems to mess up the colour of my nails, ie I end up with white marks on the nail bed part and clearer stripes on the white tips where the ridges have rubbed off. Also, I find the shiny effect only lasts 24 hours or so, so it is tempting to do it again, I have ended up with seriously weakened nails once as a result of buffing too often. Having said that, the massaging action is supposed to be very good for the nails/beds.

[wickedfairy]

Thanks! Good point re weakened nails though. Is there a specific type of buffer you use?

Just want to de-ridge before making attempts at keeping nicely polished nails! Thanks

[BagCat]

I've over-buffed my nails in the past and ended up with them splitting and peeling for a few months after, was really horrible. I must have done it too much or something so now I just keep the ridges and paint them with a basecoat underneath. For me, I wouldn't disturb the layers of my nails again because of that, but probably I done it wrong.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I don't think there's much difference between them performance wise. Some are nailfile shaped, some are on the sides of a bigger foam block. I prefer them to be flexible not rigid, makes it easier to follow the curve of the nail. Just don't overdo it and make sure you go from coarse to fine.