Reddit reviews OPI Crystal Nail File

Let me start by saying this: I would have included a before pic but I was so ashamed that I never took any pictures when I was constantly biting my nails/cuticles. I am in my early 20s and I've been doing this to them since before I can remember (early childhood). I first tried to stop around 14, and have struggled since then. It is such an ingrained stress response/habit that it's taken me years to retrain myself. It was easier to stop biting my nails and I haven't done so at all in 6 months, but my cuticles/surrounding skin are another story. This is something I still struggle with as it's triggered by stress and I don't realize I've started until they're trashed. However, since January it's happened less and less, now maybe once a month or less.

What caused the change in me? Honestly, it was never one single thing. I have been building my ability to resist for years. I realize this is cliche but one important thing is to never give up. I've had too many backslides to count, from 1 day to even half a year at the most. What's helped me is NEVER accepting defeat, and always eventually trying again. One motivating factor was that I've always wanted to have nice nails for getting engaged/married. It was in January that that became an event occurring sooner rather than later, so I will definitely say that has helped me stay focused!

There was one part of stopping the habit that scared me after years of constantly damaging my nails and cuticles: would they ever properly heal and grow back 'normal'? As of yet I still do not have one straight answer. I will say that the strength in my nails has improved, although it is slow going. I am still on the lookout for products to help with this, although I think only time will help. I also tend to have some nails which are very ridged, but they've also continued to smooth out. Finally, there is one cuticle I have which was permanently damaged in a way that's difficult to explain. Basically, it grows in three separate sections, almost as if it's cut. I was absolutely AMAZED when it started to grow 'connected' again! I will say this it sometimes splits still, but it is definitely progress and I hope one day it's completely healed. So, if you're in the same boat and worried permanent damage has been done, I can't make any promises but I will say it's amazing how well they can bounce back - even if it takes months or years to reverse it.

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What helped me:

• Homemade nail oil pens - all you need are empty containers and Jojoba oil
  
• Burt's Bees lemon cuticle cream - I use this as extra moisturization/to 'seal' in the jojoba oil
  
• Splitting/cracking nails? Use brush on nail glue - WAY more effective/simple than the tea bag technique for me personally!
  
• 24/7 painted nails - letting them 'breathe' may be generally good advice, but I promise you biting them is more damaging
  
• No nail clippers/glass files only - I cannot tell you how much this helped my nails to stay strong and not constantly crack/split
  
  There is honestly so much more I could say but this post would be a book! I'm just taking the time now to sit back and enjoy all of my progress.

she would use something like this

Polishes - Brands

• Essie
  
  
• OPI
  
  
• China Glaze
  
  
• Sally Hansen
  
  
• Sinful Colors (cheap, but good for colors she'll use a lot, like black and white)
  
  Polishes - Colors
  
  
• White
  
  
• Black
  
  
• Pink (get more than one)
  
  
• Nude/Cream
  
  
• Her favorite color
  
  Tools
  
  Don't worry too much about getting "the best tools" if she's just starting. As she starts painting, she'll realize what tools she likes and which tools she doesn't. Ebay/Etsy/Amazon $5 tools are fine to start out with.
  
  
• Dotting tools
  
  
• Brushes
  
  
• Sponges
  
  
• Stamping kit (if you're feeling fancy or advanced.)
  
  Misc
  
  
• Mani/Pedi Kit (its possible she may have these tools, in which case skip this one.)
  
  
• Nail File
  
  
• Orange sticks (again, she may have these. Skip it if she does. Also she probably won't ever need 100, just wanted you to see what they were.)
  
  
• Acetone or Nail Polish Remover (100% Acetone is much more concentrated than most polish remover, but it can be very drying on your skin. I use it for clean up, but if she's just starting out, nail polish remover should be fine.)
  
  
• Cotton balls
  
  
• Something to carry all this stuff in (I have a pink tool box, but a make-up box will work too)
  
  I've given you a lot of stuff to check out, but don't run out and buy everything at once. I would pick 3 or 4 things from this list and go from there. For a very basic "start kit" I'd go for two colors of polish, dotting tools or brushes, a mani/pedi kit, and something to carry it all in. You can always get her more, or she can add to her collection herself.
  
  Best of luck!
  

You can get them from many shops where you would buy nail care products (I don't really know american stores but I think you have Boots & Sallys?) or Amazon.

They can be re-sharpened by dipping in boiling water, and cleaned/disinfected too so they're more hygenic and they are gentler on the nail. They will also get the edge feeling smoother.

I saw you're a cat person too!! I just got my kitty a crinkle tube and she looooves it!

If I win, I'd love to have this crystal nail file so I can file my nails into kitty claws ;)
You can't pick your friends nose

Welcome! I know these girls will be more then willing to help!! Ill start with a few things.

Nail care, invest in a good crystal file its not as damaging on your nails something like this
A good base coat around here people love Orly rubberized bonder great for under polish or something to help strengthen your nails is OPI nail envy (not cheap but works great)
oils or lotion are your friends use it often.

now the fun part polish around here we dont give a shit about skin color more polish color if you like it ROCK IT! great place to start for polish is sinful colors there cheap but pretty good qulity can try things out before spending tons of money. many times you can catch them at walgreens for .99 each.

if you have any questions please ask.

i'd recommend getting a well-made crystal nail file like this: https://www.amazon.com/OPI-FI031-Crystal-Nail-File/dp/B000PHKE0O

using a nail oil a few times a day will keep your nails healthy and flexible, which prevents breaking or snapping. i like to use the oils from this etsy shop called VibrantVinylsShop (so many scents to choose from! and the cuticle oil is great to massage into your nails as well.)

as for shaping, from the photo your thumb, index and middle finger nails are round while the ring finger is rounded at the tip but has sharp corners on the sides and your pinky finger is square with sharp corners. these sharp corners are the reason for the breakage. squoval is meant to have a flat tip. a rounded tip isn't squoval, even with squared edges.

here are 5 common nail shapes: click here for pic as you can see, even the square shape has somewhat rounded corners while still retaining the shape.

i would recommend gently filing the sharp corners, just enough that they aren't super sharp, then let your nails grow out a bit before trying to re-shape them. my hands are similar to yours and, before i took up guitar, my nails were round/oval. https://imgur.com/T2Jfw4R the way i filed my nails, with my crystal nail file, is with gentle pressure in one direction in the shape of a "U" around the nail tip.

so yeah, give your nails a rest from the filing for now. soften up the sharp corners on your pinky and ring finger nails. let your nails grow out so the tips are above your fingertip, then (gently) re-shape them to the length and shape you want. :3 try squoval first if you wish. if you truly don't like the flat tip, it'd be easy enough to simply file corners to make them round. :D

Not make up but I suggest this nail file

I'm a guy and I love using my friends nail file. its so soft and works like magic

1 - my day went well. i hope yours went well, too. not a lot of traffic. i have the house to myself now so i'm kinda chilling.
2 - this week i really want to finish my laundry and complete this book i'm reading for my final project. It's for my Master's degree.
3 - I'm going to go to therapy... lol. Um, try a new look everyday, and get enough rest!
4- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PHKE0O/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3JIHYYSXELMHH&coliid=I13UMJKEV6RQFB

I don't know how to link!

THANK YOU FOR BEING A SWEET MONKEYBUTT
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