Are buffers safe? I love the smooth glossy look of buffed nails, but I’m afraid to weaken my nails.
Buffers won’t damage your nails if you buff properly. It’s a less-is-more type of activity: Be gentle and don’t do it more than once a week. There are some fantastic buffers now. In the old days you needed to use a cream then buff with a chamois. Today there are three- or four-sided buffers that will smooth ridges and add gloss when used in a step-by-step manner. Or the large black buffers you can pick up at beauty-supply stores are effective too. If you give yourself a weekly manicure, definitely gently buff nails before applying polish. Anything rough or uneven on the nail will make it more likely that your polish will peel.