Traditionally, you’ve always had to choose between square and round nail shapes just seconds after you sat down. However, things are more complicated now. Thanks to influencers and celebrities alike donning a range of unconventional silhouettes, manicure shapes are more diversified than ever these days. When it comes to nailing a manicure, nail shapes are the newest it-factor. Gone are the days of selecting the ideal nail color or flaunting a quirky pattern.
“Trying out different nail shapes keeps things fun, and it’s a great way to express ourselves. “Just as trying out colors you wouldn’t typically wear takes courage, figuring out your ideal nail form may give you a boost of empowerment and self-assurance.”
Having said that, you should also choose the form that is most comfortable for you. When selecting a nail shape, there are a few considerations to make, advises Anastasia Totty, a LeChat nail trainer and owner of Artistique Salon in Jacksonville, Florida: your style, your personal preference, and your line of work. “It has to enhance your look, make you feel beautiful, and fit your idea of what looks good,” she states. “Trends come and go, but finding your unique style is extremely important.”
Manicurist Deborah Lippmann advises that following the cuticles is the key to finding your most naturally-looking nail form. “The best way to find the best shape for you is to do proper cuticle pushing and then mirror the shape of the tip of your nails to the shape of your cuticles,” she says. “That gives you the most natural elongated nail and is how you find your best personal nail shape.”
Nowadays, there are more different nail shapes available than there are fingers on our hands, so it might be difficult to keep track of them all, let alone select one. For this reason, we’ve analyzed 11 of the most well-liked choices so that the next time you visit the salon, you can make a well-informed choice.
Additionally, experimenting with a few other possibilities can be entertaining. “I would suggest trying out a new nail shape every few months because, you never know, it might become your new favorite shape,” Rojas advises.
What are the different nail shapes?
Here is our curated and favorite list of the top nail shapes:
1. Square Nails
The shape of the square nails is rather obvious. Square nails have sharp corners and a flat top. They are a common shape for those with short nails or long, narrow nail beds since they neither flare out nor taper in.
“People tend to view square nails as elegant, tidy, and low-maintenance,” says Charlotte Knight, the creator of Ciaté London, a manicure salon. “This shape looks amazing with a bold, block colour.”
2. Round Nail Shape
For those who choose to wear their nails short, the traditional round shape is also a favorite. “If you feel you have shorter fingers, you may be more likely to go for a round nail as it can elongate fingers,” Knight explains. Similar to square nails, round nails have straight sides at first, but they bend at the edges to conform to the fingertip’s natural shape.
Knight thinks you can’t go wrong with a circular nail form if you want to go wild with color but aren’t sure about the shape. “They truly look brilliant with any shade of polish you’re in the mood for,” she claims.
3. Squovals Shape
If you like the flat edge of the square but detest sharp edges, square ovals, also known as squovals, are ideal for you. It combines the greatest features of oval and square nails. Knight points out that everyone genuinely looks good in this timeless, hybrid design. But because it counteracts the appearance of wide nails, it can be particularly alluring for people with longer, wider nail beds.
4. Oval Nails
Indeed, round and oval nails are not the same. How to do it is as follows: Not only are the tips of oval nails filed down, but also the sides. Because of the more extreme curvature, fingers tend to appear slightly longer. “Known to be a classic choice, an oval shape will also elongate the nail to give the illusion of length,” Knight explains. She also says that if you want to perform some nail art, an oval nail shape is particularly ideal.
5. Almond Shape
Are you looking for a glitzy nail design? The almond nail form is the one for you, then. Almond nails are filed along the sides, just like oval nails. The nail wall tapers to a spherical tip at the end, resembling a genuine almond. Since most natural nails are too brittle to support this structure on their own, gel or acrylic reinforcement is used in most almond manicures.
6. Stiletto Nails
Stiletto nails are all about the drama and are maybe one of the most striking manicure shapes you can choose. This spiking appearance begins to be shaped similarly to that of its nuttier counterpart, the almond, but culminates with a larger base and a much sharper point. Although this shape requires a lot of upkeep, according to Knight, “it can showcase creativity with color, art, and texture.” You can give your stiletto-style manicure even more edge by adding some glitter and texture, like these diamond-inspired press-ons from The Editorial Nail.
7. Almondetto Nails
Almondetto would be the offspring of stiletto and almond nails. If you want a little more edge but still adore the delicate look of almond-shaped nails, this cross between two manicure forms is ideal. According to Elle Gerstein, a nail artist based in Los Angeles, “It has this hybrid name because it’s longer than the traditional almond.”
The nail artist claims that since Aprés, a Gel-X nail company, started making gel tips in the almondetto shape, it has grown a lot in popularity. “We’re seeing it everywhere because Après took the work out of sculpting it, making it easier to just get straight to your art and cut down on salon time,” adds Gerstein.
8. Ballerina Nails
Kylie Jenner’s preferred nail form is the ballerina nail, sometimes referred to as the coffin-shaped nail. “We are seeing a huge spike in coffin-shaped nails at the moment,” Knight explains. “As inspired by the resurgence of Y2K beauty and that throwback style that has made a huge comeback,”
The shape is similar to that of a coffin or ballerina slipper. It essentially has the same shape as a stiletto nail but with a square tip instead of a pointed one. This form provides a stiletto nail’s length without the dramatic, pointy tip.
9. Lipstick Nails
Lipstick nails are named after the cut angle of a new lipstick tube, which is another simple moniker. For a distinctive nail form, this squared manicure type slants diagonally at the tip. According to Rojas, “They work well with any nail length, and they’ll make you stand out.” To accentuate the distinctive shape, you can also experiment with geometric nail art, such as slanted lines and curves.
10. Flared Nail
The flared nail shape, also called the duckbill shape, expands upward and outward, as the name implies. According to Totty, having fun with a flared nail is the best way to appreciate it. “They can’t be plain; flashy colors, fun prints, and bling are the way to go,” she adds. “You have to pay attention to be able to rock these beauties.”
That being said, this may not be the nail shape for you if you spend a lot of time using your hands. “If you work at a bar, are a hairstylist, have a small child who needs nappy changes, or operate a cleaning business, it just won’t work,” explains Totty. “They get in the way compared to more traditional shapes.”
11. Edge Nails
Although edge nails produce a point, they are not as sharp or lengthy as an arrowhead or stiletto shape. But compared to a mountain summit, it has a slightly sharper, pointed tip. “They’re shaped with the sides extending straight before the top edges are filed to look like an edge,” Rojas says. The edge nail, which is made with acrylic, similarly resembles an edge. It has a ridge running across the middle of it.
Totty says that if you’re considering trying this design, it’s crucial to feel at ease with its sharpness. “Those edge nails are very sharp and may get in the way,” she warns. “It’s also important to fill them in more often and reshape to avoid wear and tear.”
Having said that, Lippmann advises trying this one if you’re looking for something novel and thrilling. “Anyone that wants to try a new nail shape should try this,” she advises. “A new nail shape is just as fun as trying out a new nail color.”
A less extreme take on the stiletto nail, arrowhead nails have a shorter point and more striking angles at the tip. “These are perfect for those that don’t have or like the super long nails,” Rojas explains. If you want to experiment with long, pointed nails before committing to the stiletto shape, this shape is ideal.
How to File Different Nail Shapes
Here is a guide on how to file different nail shapes:
1. Natural Nails
Natural nail shapes are brief and follow the natural curve of your nail bed. This means that, depending on how your fingertips curve, natural formations may resemble circular ones. To appear neat and well-maintained, this nail form is short and trimmed. For those who like shorter nails that are simpler to shape and care for, round nails are fantastic. There are two methods to obtain a nail with a round form.
- After following the instructions to create a square-shaped nail, file your nails inward, following the curvature of your finger, rather than upward, at the corners.
- Start by filing and shaping your nails into a rounder form with a nail file.
2. Square Nails
These nails have square tips. This is one of the most common types of nails. This look works best on shorter nails because you will only need a tip to achieve it. Square-shaped nails have been a big trend for a while now.
- First, use clippers to cut your nails straight across to the desired length to obtain them.
- Using a nail file, file straight across in a single direction until the top is perfectly straight.
- After the top of your nails is straight, file the corners upward to smooth off the edges and eliminate any sharp edges.
3. Oval Nails
Compared to round nail forms, oval nail forms are a little longer and feature curved edges. Your fingers look more proportionate and somewhat longer with this nail shape. If you want to slim down the appearance of your fingers, oval nails are a great alternative because they also give the impression that your hands are longer.
- You can get it by using a nail file to round the tips of your nails while maintaining straight sides.
4. Squoval Nails
A cross between square and oval nails is known as a squoval nail. It softens the appearance while fusing the curving edges of square shapes with the stylish oval nail shape. This shape, sometimes referred to as the “soft square,” suits all body shapes and is incredibly easy to maintain.
- A squoval nail is made by first shaping the nail into a square form.
- Then soften the edges by filing to make the shape more oval.
5. Ballerina Nails
Nails for ballerinas are longer and slimmer than nails for squares. This variation on the stiletto nail form is less conspicuous, but it still follows the same shaping technique. These are the presently in-demand nail art design styles. Another name for them is coffin-shaped nails. It has a flat tip, is lengthy, and narrows towards the tip.
6. Almond Nails
Traditional manicures look well on nails with an almond shape because of their refined appearance. This shape, which is slender and ends in a rounded tip, lengthens and slims your hands. Similar to oval nails, almond-shaped tips make your hands appear longer and thinner. It works well with medium- to long-length nails.
- Although shaping an almond nail might be challenging, it can be achieved by filing upward from an oval nail shape, resulting in a more rounded, pointed tip.
7. Stiletto Nails
Of all the manicure shapes, stiletto nails are some of the most striking. They are long and have sharp tips, much like stiletto heels. Use elegant nail art patterns like these to make a statement. Use acrylic or gel nails instead of this nail form, as it may make the nails easily come off.
- If your nails are naturally long, you can apply stiletto nails at home, but most people would rather have them done at a salon.
- All you need to produce this nail shape is an upward-facing nail file to help smooth the edges of your nails.
Conclusion
Self-expression has many intriguing and varied options when it comes to nail shapes! Everybody may find the ideal fit, whether they prefer the classic grace of round nails or the striking drama of stilettos. See what fits and looks the best on you by experimenting with various shapes. Expressing oneself shouldn’t be feared! You can accentuate your selected shape even more with nail art and color selection.
The nail shape that makes you feel beautiful and confident is ultimately the “best” one. Enjoy your time discovering the options and embracing the ability to express yourself through the creative application of nail shapes!
