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(Ive learned that the hard way.)

Image of a hand holding a nail file with nails painted in black nail polish.

Getty Images

One golden rule to follow when you have a nail file in hand: Easy does it.

Ready to shape things up?

(Rounded clippers inherently created a more curved edge.)

Image of two Tweezerman nail clippers.

The position you start clipping from matters, too.

When cutting your nails, never start in the middle," manicuristBetina Goldsteinpreviously toldAllure.

Begin on the side and work your way across so you don’t split the nail.

Hermès Les Mains Nail File Set with branded box packaging and two nail files on light gray background

This coarser grit will help do the heavy-duty smoothing and shaping.

Grits can range from 100 to 600the higher the number, the finer the grit.

Using the wrong grit isnt going to solve your problemits going to create a new one.

Green and white nail files on a grey background.

(Shes uses a 180 grit.)

Youre not trying to saw down your nail, adds Miss Pop.

A glass nail file smooths all those little [imperfections], she says.

Germanikure Glass Nail File black to clear gradient glass nail file and gray case on light gray background

That goes for the entire nail surface.

Removing these stubborn hangers-on will prevent snagging and fraying.

Maryton

Maryton Nail Buffer

Keep your nails looking polished.

Tweezerman Glass Nailcare Set three tweezers on light grey background

Watch how to DIY chrome nails:

A stack of yellow nail buffers on a grey background.