A nail block is a tool used for manicures and pedicures. There are various types. Some are two sided and some are four sided. Some offer the same characteristics on each side while others differ on each side. These tools are generally rather inexpensive and are widely purchased for personal and salon use.
Generally a nail block is a rectangular tool that can be used to care for the fingernails and toenails. The rectangular base is commonly made of some type of foam or plastic. The flat sides are then covered with different types of materials that can be used for a number of nail care purposes.
Every nail block is not covered on all sides. It is common to find those that only have nail care surfaces on two sides. The other two sides may be used for improved grip.
The type of nail care that can be executed with these tools varies depending on the surfaces. Some have either one or all sides that serve as an emery board. This is generally used to even out or shape the tips of a person’s nails.
There may also be one side that is used for smoothing. This is generally a tool for the whole nail bed. It may be able to eliminate ridges in the nails or smooth those that are peeling. When acrylic nails are applied, this surface may help make the acrylic coated nail bed smoother, resulting in a more natural look.
A third side of the nail block may be dedicated to buffing. Using a nail buffer helps eliminate buildup that has occurred from fingernail polish and other things. Buffing removes the top layers and allows for a natural shine. It also helps to further smooth the nails, which can allow nail polish to be applied more effectively.
The fourth side of a nail block may contain a shining surface. This may help improve the natural shininess that resulted from buffing. Sometimes the shining surface is treated with ingredients that help achieve this, such as natural oils. The oils contained on the shining surface may also help strengthen and repair damaged nails.
When a nail block has sides with different tools, these are generally meant to be used in a certain order. For this reason, it is common to find that the sides are numbered. This helps to inform consumers of the best way to utilize such tools.