Hi, I'm Maddie, and I'm type A. We're talking Pinterest-worthy drink storage in my fridge, alphabetized bookshelf (by author, duh), full itinerary for every trip type A. Don't even get me started on how this personality quirk plays out in my at-home manicures. I've been known to post up in front of my latest Apple TV+ binge with a cuticle pusher, nipper, file, and buffer perfecting my nail prep for hours before I ever reach for a bottle of polish, which is typically Olive & June in CTT, the perfect sheer pinky-nude IMHO.
When what's called the "russian manicure" blew up on TikTok late last year, I knew it was for me. The look is all about precise nail prep using an e-file, which is those teeny tiny drills you see at the nail salon. "The technique involves very extreme and extensive cuticle care [and requires a manicurist] to have almost surgeon-like precision," manicurist Elle Gerstein previously told POPSUGAR. But like the obsessive type A person that I am, I needed to take matters into my own hands, literally. Enter, Finishing Touch Flawless Salon Nails ($20).
Did it deliver in giving me the at-home russian manicure of my dreams? Keep reading to find out.
The first thing I noticed when I took the tool out of the packaging was how lightweight it was. I've used pricier e-files in the past, and the heavy handles and tangly cords made maneuvering around my nails pretty tricky. In contrast, this device was lighter than my iPhone — and I don't even have a Plus — and the lack of cord was clutch. Plus, the compact organizing case for all the attachments made me very happy.
Another unexpected perk of this device is the LED tip applicator. When it's turned on, the tip of the handle works like a flashlight, so it gives you a really good visual on all your nails as you work. Check out the before picture of my nails below. Admittedly, I was starting from a pretty good place (see type A personality above), but there was a little work to be done around the side walls of my nails and cuticles.
1. Fully charge the handle. For your first use, the brand recommends a full two-hour charge using the micro USB cable it comes with and to wait for the indicator light to turn off when it's fully charged. I did like that the device still turned on when it charged, and the cord was long enough that if you were in a crunch, you could charge and nail prep at the same time.
2. Work your way through the attachments. Each attachment head has a really specific purpose, so depending on what you need for your nails, you can choose the tips. They slide into the device really easily (just make sure you insert them all the way or I found they were a bit wobbly).
3. Clean off the device and heads. Once you're done with your nail prep, rinse the heads under water to remove any dust and debris, and let them air dry before storing it all away. This helps keep the buffers working like new.
Like any power tool, this device wasn't exactly quiet. It does emit a buzzing noise, but even on the highest speed setting, it was quieter than a blow dryer or a vacuum, and I was still able to hear "Ted Lasso" in the background the whole time.
The only thing that did interrupt my viewing was that I had to keep referring back to the instruction booklet to check with heads I needed to use and how to work them on my nail (it did come with helpful diagrams). I think the more I use this, I'll figure out exactly which attachments work best for my needs, but they were a little confusing at first.
The other thing I had a hard time figuring out was the direction I needed the attachments to spin as I worked on each nail. They can spin forward and backward. The instructions mention choosing a setting that directs the nail dust and debris away from your hand, but it did take a little trial and error as I was working. Still, once I figured it out, I decided: this is one tool I'll keep in my nail kit for good.
Rating
★★★★☆