Buffers - natural nails?

[fluffycat]

Newbie here, im qualified level 3 beauty therapist and unsure about how to choose the right buffer for natural nail manicures.

With our college kit we got about 100 orange and black buffing blocks (http://www.salon-services.com/salon-services-orange-block-100180-grit/ - unsure why we got these when it says in the description on salon services website 'for acrylic' ) but in our course we were trained in using buffing cream with a canvas buffer. At the time i bought all the products from wholesalers in order to practice at home including the buffing cream but i didnt get a canvas buffer, i just got this which i used alongside the buffing cream - http://www.salon-services.com/salon-services-3-way-jumbo-buffer/

Anyway, in the salon i work in, we use these (im not sure which grit off the top of my head) (the salon does natural nail manicures and gelish) http://www.salon-services.com/gelish-100180g-buffer-buffers-pfiles59/ http://www.salon-services.com/gelish-220280g-buffer-buffers-pfiles60/

As i have already purchased the buffing cream I feel that i may as well buy a canvas buffer and just use it up. Or can I use the 3 way jumbo buffer i already have (pictured above) in place of a canvas buffer? But im aware its an outdated practice? Im looking to do natural nail manicures and pedicures as im not trained in gel or acrylic yet.

Can anyone advise?

 

[*Carly*]

I did the opposite to you! I bought a chamois buffer but no cream lol! I then realised you can't blimmin sanitise the chamois and for hygiene reasons you should throw it away and replace it after each use. You can get a piece of chamois cloth and cut it yourself to fit the pad or buy replacements. I have never bothered to use it, total waste of time and very old fashioned. I use this http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk/professional-shiner/ it's a 2 way, so similar thing to your 3 way, you don't need to use any cream with it though. Tbh I never get asked for it, even for a male mani I'd use V for Men by Nubar instead. In my training I used a glossing block on a man and made them a bit too shiny lol! In general most people will tell you not to buff at all, I know it's part of the training at college but this is thought to be quite outdated now and most techs prefer to avoid buffing at all. No clue why they gave you those orange blocks! Nothing lower than 220 should ever touch the natural nail. x

 

[fluffycat]

Really? Thats interesting, I didnt know that you shouldnt buff? What is the reasoning behind this? Always feel like a bit of a file and buff always makes the nail look better! lol

 

[Ryk]

Buffing is used to stimulate nail growth, you buff for the cuticle to the free edge using the chamois buffer prior to applying your nail finish . It can also be used with buffing paste which main ingredient is pumice stone to create a high shine finish. It's in the NOS national occupational standards of all HABIA quails but isn't used in industry.

 

[fluffycat]

Thanks Ryk!