Do you cut or file your nails?

[macuser]

At the last manicure the person told me to never cut my nails but to always file them down.

What is your opinion?

[ialli]

Both! My nails grow very fast, but I prefer to have them shorter.  So when I have time to fully tend to my nails, I usually cut them, then file the edges so they're nice and smooth.

If I break a nail, I go straight for the file. If you do want to just file rather than cut, I suggest investing in a glass nail file if you don't already have one.  They're super durable and won't leave the dead "remains" of your nail hanging on the tip when you're done, as many nail files and emery boards tend to do, in my experience. ^_^

[glamournut]

I file my nails but I keep them really short. If I let them grow I end up biting them. I really don't know which way is better, but I don't like cutting mine.

[lolastarr]

I have a new baby. Much to my horror, when I used those infant nail cutters for the 1st time, I caused my precious baby to bleed unbeknownst to him. I have since learned that filing is a far better means to keep baby's ever growing nails trimmed down. My experience isn't as unique as I feared, which helped assuage a little of my new mother's guilt. I mean, who intends to harm someone so precious, right? So, my vote: filing nails is the way to go no matter what your age!

[stepha0322]

As far as babies are concerned I prefer trimming with cuticle nippers when baby is sleeping. It's far too easy to unknowingly cut the skin with the baby nail clippers.

For us big people, where length needs to be taken down cut and then file. Excessive filing can weaken the nail.  Hope this helps ! 

[pandapple6]

I HATE the way nail files feel, I will occasionally try to file an edge of a sharp nail or one that has broke, but either way I always go back to my nail clipper (not scissor), because I feel it works better. I also don't think that the nail file really shapes my nails much differently than a nail clipper. I think nail files are better used when someone has long nails that need to be either rounded or squared. I like my nails short, and I think it is easiest to do with a nail clipper. 

[jbyrne]

I usually do a variety of both.  My nails are really short and brittle, always have and will so I tend to just go with the flow. if they get snagged and I can fix it with a nail file, i will file if however they break , I usually just fix it by cutting it.  

[pimehmeh]

I cut my nails first and then file then afterward because my nails are brittle as of right now, they break easily and in some cases after cutting the nail parts of the nail come off in small layers! Gross. I file the nails down after cutting them to prevent those layers from peeling off too much. I also do it so my nails wouldn't be so lethally sharp as they are right after cutting them. My nails are slightly rounded at the corners as a result.

[brookie673]

I don't usually file because I'm very impatient 🙂 I just cut them when they start to get long, because they grow out pretty nicely. I'm very lazy with my nails, though. 😄

[officegal]

I think it depends on how long your nails are and how strong your nails are. If they're short and weak, filing is best. If they're longer and weak, filing is also best. If they're short and strong or long and strong, cutting is faster. I have strong nails so I always cut, but if there are ragged edges or I want to change the shape of the nail tips, I will grab my nail file.

[pinkyy13]

I always file mine. Mine nails are short and super thin so they never get so long that I need to cut them. They usually just need to be slightly shortened and re-shaped. Plus, I feel like I have more control over the shape when I file them. But hey, thats just me. 

[mermadelove]

I always file unless I break a nail. Then I cut ( if needed) then file. I agree that you have more control when you file. I have the Diamancel files in medium and fine. I use the medium to shorten and shape and the fine to smooth the edges. They last FOREVER!!!!!

[oliviabt]

I like to keep my nails pretty short. If they grow out I get impatient filing them down so I'll clip them a bit and then file the rest of the way. I've found that I'm more inclined to take the extra time filing when I'm using a good file and the Diamoncel is the best I've ever used. It's very strong, fast and flexible.

[katie1724]

I agree with Olivia -- I will only cut them if they get longer (which rarely happens) but I keep them pretty short in general. I file them when they need it. Also, I could be wrong, but I really don't think either one (cutting or filing) is better.

[shyvicki]

I cut mine if I break one. I can't stand having one nail shorter than the others. Otherwise I file between polish colors.