Nails are a Pointy Subject

I'm grieving the loss of my finger nails. Ever since we started the massage module of my aromatherapy course we have to keep our nails so short that when you look at the palm of your hand you can't see the nails poking over the tops of the fingers. Cutting them off was particularly tragic given that they had never been stronger or longer due to the fact that I had given up wearing nail polish for about 8 months prior.  I’ve sworn off the toxic stuff but I'd still like to try out some non-toxic nail polish versions when I’m done with my course.  However for the next 10 months until I hand in all of my homework and take my exams it’s short nails and no polish for me. 

Besides the length of my nails I've had to rethink a few other things like the shape of my nails. During my second practice massage I had filed my nails down in a square shape but my "client" aka boyfriend later complained he could feel my nails. Ok round nails only in future. Clients can also feel hangnails and the rough bits on the side of your nails if I don't file on all sides of the nails.

Now that my nails have to be groomed in such a strict way at all times (on average I give 2 massages per week) I've been more open minded to spending money on a proper nail file.  When I used to get manicures at Nails Inc (before I quit the toxic polish) they used to always do the hard sell on glass nail files. I always resisted which wasn't too challenging because £15 ($23) seems outrageous for a nail file. Although ironically I would pay £35 pounds for a manicure at the time!

One of the ladies on my aromatherapy course recommended the Leighton Denny glass nail file and I'm in love. They're the perfect texture- rough enough that you can file nails down quickly but at the same time you get a nice smooth edge. You can also file in 2 directions without damaging your nails which cuts your filing time in half.   (Personally I always filed in 2 directions with inferior nail files even though I knew you weren't supposed to!)  Leighton Denny claims its glass nail files are “the Rolls Royce of nail files.”  Normally I’m very quick to challenge companies’ claims but I would tend to agree with them on that one.   Plus the glass nail file lasts forever (provided you don't drop it on the floor and smash it!)