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Are You Damaging Your Nails When You File?
If they won't grow and they split frequently, you might want to rethink your manicure technique. Use an emery board with a high grit, which means that it's fairly smooth, says Elle, a celebrity manicurist in New York City. Crystal files are good, but never use a metal one (too hard). And never file in a back-and-forth motion, which can cause the nail to tear. File in one direction only, in the same shape as your cuticle, because that's the shape least likely to break.