Which Nail Shape is Best For Your Nails?
Long square nails are an aesthetically pleasing choice for anyone who enjoys acrylic or nail art applications, as their shape mirrors natural nails better and can better withstand impacts than other shapes.
This pointed style elongates your fingers but may be too fragile for people who use their hands frequently. To achieve it, file your nails straight then soften any sharp corners using a file.
Round
The classic round nail shape is an all-purpose favorite because it complements all finger lengths and colors, providing no sharp corners that could snag fabric or surfaces, and looking fantastic with any polish color. However, maintaining these nails requires more frequent attention as they tend to break more frequently.
Oval nails resemble round ones in many respects but differ by having gently tapered, elongated edges that create a softer appearance. This shape suits all finger lengths but works particularly well on long ones.
Almond-based shapes like oval and almond work to elongate shorter or wider fingers for a feminine appearance, making them the ideal choice for anyone seeking a more delicate appearance. Plus, these versatile designs lend themselves well to nail art experiments and texture exploration!
Oval
Oval nails feature rounded edges that taper gradually towards the tip, creating an elegant silhouette. This shape is popular among women looking for natural-looking yet classic nails; its rounder edges help prevent them from catching or breaking easily.
Another popular nail shape is the squoval, which combines elements of oval and square. Ideal for women who appreciate both straight edges of square nails but dislike its sharp corners, this low maintenance option can easily be created by filing across their free edge in one smooth stroke and softening corners with filing.
For an eye-catching manicure, the ballerina nail shape may be your answer. Inspired by the tip of ballet slipper shoes, it complements long and slender fingers while needing salon maintenance to stay intact – however, breakage may occur more easily with this shape than others.
Almond
Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec recommends this delicate nail shape as it elongates fingers for a sophisticated appearance. A deep purple hue looks hypnotizing and luxurious for maximum statement nails.
Almond nails feature wide base width, tapering gradually to a soft point that resembles the shape of an almond, also known as stiletto nails. Unfortunately, natural nails often lack the strength needed to support such an elaborate nail shape without reinforcement from gel or acrylic products.
Square nails offer more of the traditional shape with straight tips and slightly rounded free edges, providing durability as well as additional nail real estate for nail art designs. Squares make the ideal shape for those who bite their nails or wish to grow out their natural ones naturally, providing ample opportunities for nail art designs and creating more real estate for nail art designs. To achieve this shape, file both sides evenly in forward motion before filing down to achieve a subtle point at the tip.
Square
Square nails are an iconic shape with straight edges and sharp corners, perfect for anyone seeking a timeless and simplistic aesthetic or those with shorter nails who wish to elongate the appearance of their nail bed.
Kandalec suggests the key to creating square nails is trimming straight across with a nail clipper and refining their tips by filing in a horizontal direction rather than slanting your file – this will ensure they remain even, helping avoid jagged, jagged nails in the future.
“Squoval,” which combines oval and square shapes, “brings balance to both,” according to Kandalec, as it’s easy to maintain on short nails while being flattering for all fingers. To achieve the squoval nail shape, start with a square nail tip before filing soft corners in one smooth stroke with your file.