Tweezerman 4-in-1 File, Smooth, & Shine Block, available at Amazon for $8.30
After you've filed the edge of our nails (which, by the way, you can use one side of this block for), it's time to buffer the tops of them so your nail polish goes on smooth. I'm guilty of committing the age old sin of nail biting, so thin layers of my nail protein peel off and make my natural nails look flaky.
I really should stop biting my nails, but it's harder than it seems and it's way easier to spend two minutes buffing my nails anyway. This Tweezerman block has really helped clean up the damage that I've done to my nails by removing all of the flaky nail protein and restoring the surface of my nails.
This block comes with four sides: a file, a buffer, a smoother, and a shiner. While I really only use the buffer and smoother side, this four-in-one block is the only tool you need to use prior to applying nail polish.
To use:
Step 1: Use the file side to shape and file down your nails.
Step 2: Use the buffer side to remove any flaky and uneven bumps from the entire nail.
Step 3: Use the smooth side to remove any other finer imperfections from the new nail surface.
Step 4: Use the shine side to give your nails a salon-finish shine. Now you're ready for polish.
The best thing about this Tweezerman block is that it comes with replacement pads. It makes the product last longer, and you don't need to worry if you've out-used your buffer but your file is still going strong.