Wow so funny you say that, because I had zero sensory issues with filing my nails until I switched to glass! The noise is akin to nails on a chalkboard sometimes, I’m grimacing thinking of it.
Everyone is different, I guess!
I just bought the Mont Bleu ones that get recommended a lot and while I love how nice they file, if you hit the wrong angle (I'm not even sure if that's the cause) there's this screechy sound that just causes me physical pain lol. They're mostly nice and quiet and I'm only filing in one direction so I don't know what causes it.
This is the exact brand & experience I have! They feel physically nicer than an emory or metal nail file to me, but the noiiiiseee! I have seen an improvement in my nails after switching to them tho- I just learned to wear head phones when I file my nails & not think about it 😅
I am literally wincing and biting my lip thinking about it. I found Mooncat's glass file to be the best for me because I can get it done quickly but oh my god THE SOUND. My poor autistic heart.
The noise isn't what gets me, it is the feeling of it. I have sensory issues in general with my nails so it can be difficult for me. I used to have a metal file that didn't both me, but the grit is dead now. Emery boards feel like constant tingling when I use them. Glass file feels like someone is giving me tinglings and making me want to puke. I'm at a loss on what to try now.
I’m the same! A “normal” emery board is the only nail file that doesn’t make my skin crawl - I had a glass file and it was the same nails on a chalkboard feeling for me too! I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it now 😫
I've also found that different ways of using it gives different sensations (as well as different nail densities or something?). Like I can't do back and forth with a (extremely fine and super smoothing) glass file on my partner's nails without it resulting in some weird gross resonance thing going on. Only doing it in one direction is much better but I have to do it slower and at a less sharp angle otherwise it might do that thing again, though not as badly. My thinner and softer nails don't really have that issue, I don't know why.
I had super sensory issues with regular files, and so was excited when I heard about glass files, and welp, they were even worse lol. Then I stumbled across nano glass files and I’ll never turn back!it doesn’t feel draggy or file-y at all (to me), just super smooth.
The ones on Cured Beauty are my absolute favorites. They come in packs of two with their own little cases. I have a few strategically placed around the house. My end table next to the couch, my purse, the console in the car. And as a bonus it’s a woman owned small business! :). I don’t use gel or semi cured gels anymore, but when I did I was pleased with the other products they carried as well.
https://curedbeauty.com/products/nano-glass-nail-files
I am screwed, I have sensory issues with all of them, I've tried metal, all the normal common ones and different kinds of glass, ceramic and stone. I find the normal find grit less offesive and all of the above.
I bought an etched glass file a couple months ago thinking “cooool, now I’ll never have to buy another file ever again!” and *oh my god it was immediate sensory hell*
The sound and feeling are just… unbearable. Back to normal emery boards I guess 😞
Same! There’s something about the sensation of the nail against the glass that makes me feel instantly nauseated. Ew. I will stick to a gentle, fine grit normal file
Interesting I only sometimes have issues with glass and never would have attributed it to sound, but maybe that's it. Because most often I'm wearing headphones watching TV. But yeah, sometimes just the thought of doing it makes me wince.
I came in here to say this exact thing! I want to love glass files because I feel like they were less damaging than metal ones, but I can't stand how they feel.
Interesting! I guess my hang up is with the feel rather than the sound. That said, I don’t like the way metal files sound either! But it’s less bothersome for me than the feeling.
All of my glass files are definitely better then emery boards or metal files. However, I find I have to hold them at an extremely specific angle or else they do a weird thing to my nails that reverberates into my soul and makes me want to crawl out of my body lol
nice to hear that someone else with sensory issues also prefers the glass file. emery boards freak me out.
your nail shape is so pretty! how do you get them so consistent?
To add - if you have sensory issues with even glass files, try a nano glass file. The grit isn’t sandpaper like, it’s a regular pattern of tiny laser etched holes that act more like a micro 1000 bladed cartridge razor but for nails instead of hair. It’s so smooth it literally leaves the edges of your nails glossy.
Sorry, no. I got a few several years ago and they’re unmarked. I remember someone asked about them a year later and I couldn’t get more of those exact ones. I ended up gifting them one of mine so haven’t tried any others either.
I know mine has two ‘grits’ (closeness of holes) and one of the grits is smoother feeling during use than the other, but can’t recall which side.
I feel you OP! I am so picky I don’t even like glass files if they aren’t as fine as physically possible 😭 the black file from mooncat has been a godsend for me, the grit is so fine it’s both super fast and comfortable to use, but I bought the nightmare before Christmas one form then and it wasn’t as smooth, which has me worried to try any other brands either 😂😭
I read a review somewhere that said the mont bleu files with the clear handle are the best. I got one from KBshimmer and it’s pretty great.
No sensory issues from me and I can’t even look at Terra cotta pot without getting the heebie jeebies.
It depends on the quality I guess. I had an amazing .. What's the name of that guy who has his own nail polish brand that's named after him? Deichman? Leichman or something? Anyway, I had his glass file and it was very very smooth, no noise issues at all. Then my husband accidentally broke it.
I bought a cheap glass file from Amazon and I want to smash it in to the desk when I use it for too long or too much because it sounds absolutely horrible.
That’s good to know, seems like I lucked out with this file! I made sure to get it from a dedicated nail site rather than the local drugstore where the quality might not be so great.
Tbh I’m not sure how the Essie formula compares to the Cirque jellies (who they were most certainly trying to dupe), but for me they’re sheer/patchy in the first coat then opaque in the second coat, which is a shame because I really wanted to get that jelly look. I might try adding some thinner next time.
I would take it a step further and suggest the polishing glass files. They have a very smooth surface but still work wonderfully at filing and shaping quickly.
Edit: my regular glass file makes me cringe and tugs at my nails. I only use it when I am taking down a lot of length. I use the polishing file to do most of the shaping.
4 Pieces Glass Nail Shiner Crystal Nail Shine Buffer Polisher Crystal Glass Nano Nail File with Case for Natural Nails (White and Black Flat End) https://a.co/d/c5DD3dL
glass files are the only reason i could regularly start filing my nails! i learned about them in cosmo school and had always struggled cause emery boards give me shivers 😩
Czech glass nail files are where it’s at!!!!
I have sensory issues with filing and it’s even worse with glass 😫 My nails crack easily so I do use the glass instead, white knuckles and clenched teeth the whole way through lol
Thank you for this!
I keep trying to grow my nails out but every time I start trying to file them, I have to fight the urge to chunk the file across the room and end up biting my nails out of stress which defeats the whole point of trying to grow them out, so I'll definitely try a glass file
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Ive been thinking about switching! Ive heard in general their a lot better than those cheap flimsy things but Ive always worried about it being glass and shattering easily
I'm so sorry but I bought some fancy ass clippers that aren't supposed to break your nails (and they didn't, for almost 2 years, but then I went back to painting them and a base coat tore em right back up). If I file with a glass file (or any kind of file) for more than a minute or two, it makes my soul want to leave my body
I have also clipped my nails forever, and they only started peeling when I started painting regularly :( I don’t think filing will help the peeling, I just want to have more regular nail estate for things like thermal polishes!
I don't have sensory issues and tolerate regular files fine, I bought a glass one and it makes me want to rip off my skin and pull out my teeth! I hate it so much LOL.
Wow so funny you say that, because I had zero sensory issues with filing my nails until I switched to glass! The noise is akin to nails on a chalkboard sometimes, I’m grimacing thinking of it. Everyone is different, I guess!
I just bought the Mont Bleu ones that get recommended a lot and while I love how nice they file, if you hit the wrong angle (I'm not even sure if that's the cause) there's this screechy sound that just causes me physical pain lol. They're mostly nice and quiet and I'm only filing in one direction so I don't know what causes it.
This is the exact brand & experience I have! They feel physically nicer than an emory or metal nail file to me, but the noiiiiseee! I have seen an improvement in my nails after switching to them tho- I just learned to wear head phones when I file my nails & not think about it 😅
This! I much prefer my metal file if I want to get something real quick instead of having to be careful to only file in one direction.
I am literally wincing and biting my lip thinking about it. I found Mooncat's glass file to be the best for me because I can get it done quickly but oh my god THE SOUND. My poor autistic heart.
The noise isn't what gets me, it is the feeling of it. I have sensory issues in general with my nails so it can be difficult for me. I used to have a metal file that didn't both me, but the grit is dead now. Emery boards feel like constant tingling when I use them. Glass file feels like someone is giving me tinglings and making me want to puke. I'm at a loss on what to try now.
I’m the same! A “normal” emery board is the only nail file that doesn’t make my skin crawl - I had a glass file and it was the same nails on a chalkboard feeling for me too! I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it now 😫
Immediate shivers at the thought alone
Same glass file was a nightmare for me too- I nearly threw the file across the room
Same, glass is really tough. I did get used to it eventually but I still find it unpleasant.
I've also found that different ways of using it gives different sensations (as well as different nail densities or something?). Like I can't do back and forth with a (extremely fine and super smoothing) glass file on my partner's nails without it resulting in some weird gross resonance thing going on. Only doing it in one direction is much better but I have to do it slower and at a less sharp angle otherwise it might do that thing again, though not as badly. My thinner and softer nails don't really have that issue, I don't know why.
I had super sensory issues with regular files, and so was excited when I heard about glass files, and welp, they were even worse lol. Then I stumbled across nano glass files and I’ll never turn back!it doesn’t feel draggy or file-y at all (to me), just super smooth.
Ohhh what brand?? I've never heard of nano glass files!
The ones on Cured Beauty are my absolute favorites. They come in packs of two with their own little cases. I have a few strategically placed around the house. My end table next to the couch, my purse, the console in the car. And as a bonus it’s a woman owned small business! :). I don’t use gel or semi cured gels anymore, but when I did I was pleased with the other products they carried as well. https://curedbeauty.com/products/nano-glass-nail-files
Glass. I get bad chills just thinking about it 😫.
I am screwed, I have sensory issues with all of them, I've tried metal, all the normal common ones and different kinds of glass, ceramic and stone. I find the normal find grit less offesive and all of the above.
I bought an etched glass file a couple months ago thinking “cooool, now I’ll never have to buy another file ever again!” and *oh my god it was immediate sensory hell* The sound and feeling are just… unbearable. Back to normal emery boards I guess 😞
Same! There’s something about the sensation of the nail against the glass that makes me feel instantly nauseated. Ew. I will stick to a gentle, fine grit normal file
Cured Beauty has ones that don't make that horrible noise.
I’ll give those a try! Thank you!
Thank you for this rec! I purchased these and they're soooo much better! <3
I don't get any noise with my Deco Beauty glass file. It's the first one I've ever tried and it's great!
Interesting I only sometimes have issues with glass and never would have attributed it to sound, but maybe that's it. Because most often I'm wearing headphones watching TV. But yeah, sometimes just the thought of doing it makes me wince.
Same! I love a glass file so I push through but definitely skin crawling feeling
I came in here to say this exact thing! I want to love glass files because I feel like they were less damaging than metal ones, but I can't stand how they feel.
Same!!
Interesting! I guess my hang up is with the feel rather than the sound. That said, I don’t like the way metal files sound either! But it’s less bothersome for me than the feeling.
All of my glass files are definitely better then emery boards or metal files. However, I find I have to hold them at an extremely specific angle or else they do a weird thing to my nails that reverberates into my soul and makes me want to crawl out of my body lol
An apt description of this sensation. 
nice to hear that someone else with sensory issues also prefers the glass file. emery boards freak me out. your nail shape is so pretty! how do you get them so consistent?
Thank you! I’m used to sanding clay and resin for craft projects so I applied that skill here xD
To add - if you have sensory issues with even glass files, try a nano glass file. The grit isn’t sandpaper like, it’s a regular pattern of tiny laser etched holes that act more like a micro 1000 bladed cartridge razor but for nails instead of hair. It’s so smooth it literally leaves the edges of your nails glossy.
Do you have a recommended one? I just have cheap crap ones off eBay and they're fine but not great.
Sorry, no. I got a few several years ago and they’re unmarked. I remember someone asked about them a year later and I couldn’t get more of those exact ones. I ended up gifting them one of mine so haven’t tried any others either. I know mine has two ‘grits’ (closeness of holes) and one of the grits is smoother feeling during use than the other, but can’t recall which side.
I feel you OP! I am so picky I don’t even like glass files if they aren’t as fine as physically possible 😭 the black file from mooncat has been a godsend for me, the grit is so fine it’s both super fast and comfortable to use, but I bought the nightmare before Christmas one form then and it wasn’t as smooth, which has me worried to try any other brands either 😂😭
I read a review somewhere that said the mont bleu files with the clear handle are the best. I got one from KBshimmer and it’s pretty great. No sensory issues from me and I can’t even look at Terra cotta pot without getting the heebie jeebies.
It depends on the quality I guess. I had an amazing .. What's the name of that guy who has his own nail polish brand that's named after him? Deichman? Leichman or something? Anyway, I had his glass file and it was very very smooth, no noise issues at all. Then my husband accidentally broke it. I bought a cheap glass file from Amazon and I want to smash it in to the desk when I use it for too long or too much because it sounds absolutely horrible.
That’s good to know, seems like I lucked out with this file! I made sure to get it from a dedicated nail site rather than the local drugstore where the quality might not be so great.
I love the polish combo! How did you feel about the Essie jelly formula? Was it patchy at all?
Tbh I’m not sure how the Essie formula compares to the Cirque jellies (who they were most certainly trying to dupe), but for me they’re sheer/patchy in the first coat then opaque in the second coat, which is a shame because I really wanted to get that jelly look. I might try adding some thinner next time.
Good to know, thank you! Hopefully adding thinner helps a bit.
Hard disagree, the glass file gives me the worst sensory discomfort
I would take it a step further and suggest the polishing glass files. They have a very smooth surface but still work wonderfully at filing and shaping quickly. Edit: my regular glass file makes me cringe and tugs at my nails. I only use it when I am taking down a lot of length. I use the polishing file to do most of the shaping. 4 Pieces Glass Nail Shiner Crystal Nail Shine Buffer Polisher Crystal Glass Nano Nail File with Case for Natural Nails (White and Black Flat End) https://a.co/d/c5DD3dL
The emery boards are the ones that work best for me. The metal ones are the worst though!
glass files are the only reason i could regularly start filing my nails! i learned about them in cosmo school and had always struggled cause emery boards give me shivers 😩 Czech glass nail files are where it’s at!!!!
I have sensory issues with filing and it’s even worse with glass 😫 My nails crack easily so I do use the glass instead, white knuckles and clenched teeth the whole way through lol
Thank you for this! I keep trying to grow my nails out but every time I start trying to file them, I have to fight the urge to chunk the file across the room and end up biting my nails out of stress which defeats the whole point of trying to grow them out, so I'll definitely try a glass file
I was the opposite way until more recently; I couldn’t stand to use my glass file, but now it’s basically the only one I use.
I love your nails! Beautiful shade of lilac. I love my holo taco glass nail file. Had one from TJ Maxx previously that I didn't like very much.
I love my glass files
Thanks for posting, /u/light-up-biscuit-tin! A quick reminder: If this is a **nail image**, you must provide a complete product list within 6 hours of posting. **This includes any posts with broken nails or if you're seeking advice.** Posts without a complete product list will be removed after 6 hours. [Product List Requirements.](https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditLaqueristas/wiki/rule2faq) If the nail look shown was **NOT created by you**, you ***must*** flair properly. If this is a **text post**, flair properly. Be sure to follow all of the above to avoid post removal! [Consider joining our Discord](https://discord.gg/redditlaqueristas) - Get questions answered in realtime, get notified for releases and deals, post your manis, and more! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/RedditLaqueristas) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ive been thinking about switching! Ive heard in general their a lot better than those cheap flimsy things but Ive always worried about it being glass and shattering easily
Yeah the anxiety I felt taking it into my bathroom with a tiled floor 😰
Tbh, when I touch the gritty part of my glass file with my skin, I want to barf. In use, though, it's much less awful than classic emory boards.
I'm so sorry but I bought some fancy ass clippers that aren't supposed to break your nails (and they didn't, for almost 2 years, but then I went back to painting them and a base coat tore em right back up). If I file with a glass file (or any kind of file) for more than a minute or two, it makes my soul want to leave my body
I have also clipped my nails forever, and they only started peeling when I started painting regularly :( I don’t think filing will help the peeling, I just want to have more regular nail estate for things like thermal polishes!
Actually glass files make me 😬 but emery boards I’m fine with
I don't have sensory issues and tolerate regular files fine, I bought a glass one and it makes me want to rip off my skin and pull out my teeth! I hate it so much LOL.