What To Look For
When shopping for nail clippers, look for clippers that will stay sharp for a long time or that you can easily sharpen yourself in order to avoid jagged cuts. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends cutting nails, both fingernails and toenails, straight across. Nail clippers with a straight blade are the best way to go to accomplish this. If you can't find or don't want straight clippers, purchase clippers with a concave blade for fingernails and a convex blade for toenails, and clip from one side to the other to achieve a straight line. Before purchasing clippers be sure that the blade is big enough to cover your nail, but not so big that it will clip your skin along with your nail.
Common Pitfalls
If you don't know much about nail clippers, it's easy to end up using the wrong tool for the job. While it may seem ridiculous to buy a different clipper for your toenails, clippers made especially for the toes are designed to help prevent ingrown toenails and to handle the thickness of these nails. Beware of buying the cheapest nail clippers you find, as spending a little more on nail clippers can help ensure you get quality clippers that will cut properly, stay sharp and not break while you're using them.
Where To Buy
Nail clippers are readily available at retailers like Walgreen's and Amazon.com, and beauty-specific retailers like Sally Beauty Supply. These retailers, and those similar to them, carry a variety of nail clippers so you can get the clippers you want, whether simple or elaborate, at the price you want to pay.
Cost
You can spend anywhere from $2 to more than $20, depending what features you are looking for, as demonstrated on both Walgreen's and Amazon's websites. A simple metal clipper will cost you less than $5, while clippers made from stainless steel may cost twice as much. If you want additional features such as a no-slip grip or an angled handle, you will likely pay $20 or more for nail clippers.
Insider Tips
Purchase nail clippers with a safety guard if they will be used on children, diabetics or anyone with a blood disorder, to avoid cutting the skin around the nail.
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