3INA

3INA Nail It! File Review

By Maychiri's Thoughts - October 26, 2024

Ooh, this is something interesting! This is the 3INA Nail It! File!
 
 
I used to not buff or polish my nails prior to applying nail polish... I do realise how dumb that is, and I do realise that that might have been the cause of many nail polishes not lasting as long as they should have. But it’s never too late for a change for the better! I found this file on Notino, I must admit that I hadn’t heard of 3INA before this file; they are a Spanish brand that is just a tad above my typical price range so I usually ignore their products, but this file was quite affordable. As I was still trying to find a good nail buffing block, it immediately caught my attention. It looked nice, and, worst-case, it will be average, which is still okay for me. So, what’s it actually like? Let’s find out!
 
 
 
Packaging: not a whole lot to protect the file during transport, just a piece of cardboard that wraps around it. I would prefer even a clamshell packaging over this, because it’s quite sensitive. The file has a foil covering it from all sides so that the surfaces don’t get damaged and that they stay hygienic until you decide to use it. Information about the file is located on one side of the cardboard.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is a classic nail buffing block; it is rectangular and made of foam, with 4 sides with varying grit sizes. Although, I do love the colours used! It’s so bright and fun! Each side of the block is bright sky blue, which looks even better with the white of the foam and the text. The files are glued to the foam; this will be important later, so put a pin in this.  
 
 
 
Each side is labelled with a number so that you know the correct order how to use it. This all makes the block super user-friendly and intuitive to use. It’s also pretty large, so there’s plenty of space to work with on each side.
 
 
Side 1 is the first side that you should use. This side has a very low grit, meaning that it feels coarse and rough. Very coarse. You can actually see the filing powder sparkling slightly. This side is supposed to be used to shorten the nail, and it does that effectively, with not too much effort. If you press down harder, it can quickly shorten nails, but it’s too rough for me. I use it very rarely because when I cut nails, I cut them to the absolute minimum, so there’s nothing to shorten, really. When I do use it, I’ve found that it sometimes leads to splitting in my nails. Still, it’s useful enough.
 
 
Side 2 is the second step of the program; it should be used to shape the nails. It’s got a higher grit than side 1, but it’s still relatively coarse, so it still feels rough, but much less compared to side 1. This is the only other side where you’ll see the filing powder glistening. I must say, this side feels pretty comfortable on the nails! It’s like a gentle, but effective file. It shapes the nails easily, and if you press down harder, you can really fine-tune the shape. But usually, a light amount of pressure will be more than enough. It shortens the nails slightly, but it doesn’t cause splitting or any other damage. In fact, it fixes any splitting that might be present after shortening the nails with side 1. I love this side, I use it to make sure my nails are all more-or-less the same shape after I cut them. 
 
 
Side 3 is the third step. This side has a much higher grit compared to the two previous ones. This is the first side to actually feel smooth to touch. This side is supposed to be used to smooth the surface of the nails. Unlike the previous two, this one can safely be used on the surface of the nails, not just the edges. It’s gentle enough. It feels smooth and gentle, but it quickly and easily buffs and smoothens the nails, so that there are no sharp parts that would catch clothing fibres. I love this side! It only takes like 10 seconds to properly buff the nail, and then they’re ready for the next, and final, step.
 
 
Side 4 is the final side you should use. This side has the highest grit out of all 4 sides, and by far. This is the side you will use to polish the nails until they are nicely shiny. This side has such high grit that it feels extremely smooth and gentle; it is the only side that starts to squeak as you are polishing the nail. This is a sign that the nail is properly polished. However, in order to polish the nails right, you will have to use extra pressure. Then just go back-and-forth across the nail surface quickly, and nails will be almost gelly shiny in no time! I love how shiny and smooth the nails are with this side! It’s definitely my favourite side on this file, and one I use the most. It’s brilliant!
 
 
Longevity is pretty good, but it could certainly be better. Remember how I said that the files were glued to the block? That becomes pretty apparent a few months into using this block, as they start to peel off, starting with the corners, followed by the edges. While this isn’t a huge problem, it may be problematic if you tend to use the edges the most. I try to use the entire surface as evenly as possible, but the edges are best when I need to buff the free edges of nails; now that it’s peeling off this becomes quite a problem. But besides that, there is a lot of life in each file, and even when they look used, they still buff the nails quite well.
 
 
 
Overall, a very good nail buffing block! I think I might’ve found the one! It’s got a great range of grits so that you can properly buff and polish your nails until they are as shiny as a mirror! Out of all the sides, I tend to use sides 3 and 4 the most, as they are my maintenance buffing/polishing sides. I rarely use sides 1 and 2, only when I cut my nails and have to fine-tune the shape. But they’re all great! Side 1 is very coarse, so it tends to file the nails the best, although it can lead to some splitting. Side 2 is excellent for refining the shape of the nail, although it is still a bit too coarse for me. Side 3 is where it’s at, though! This side has a very fine grit, to allow it to buff the surface of the nail so that it’s nice and even and ready to be polished. And side 4 is even better, as it can polish the nails so well that they get an almost gel-like shine! Do all these steps and your nails will be polished and ready to accept nail polish properly. In fact, I’ve noticed that nail polish lasts longer on average now that I’m buffing and polishing my nails with this block! I’m really very happy with this nail buffing block, even if does have some flaws. So, I will happily recommend it!
 
 
 
Rating: 8.5/10
 
 
Would buy again? YES (already have bought it multiple times by now)



 

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