The shape of your nails can have a significant impact on how your hands feel and look. Every shape has a distinct appeal, whether you’re more of a soft circle, trendy square, or traditional oval.
Making the right decision requires knowing the various nail shapes and how they work with your fingers. Your choice of shape can impact the longevity of your manicure as well as accentuate the inherent beauty of your hands.
The three most common nail shapes—oval, square, and circle—will be discussed in this article along with advice on how to choose the best one for you.
| Nail Shape | Best For |
| Circle | Short nails, low-maintenance, natural look |
| Oval | Elongating fingers, elegant and feminine style |
| Square | Strong nails, modern and edgy appearance |
- Almond-shaped nails
- How to give your nails an almond shape?
- Round nail shape
- Oval nail shape
- Square nail shape
- Stiletto nail shape
- Ballerina-shaped nails
- Pipe nail shape
- Sharp nail shapes
- How to create a sharp nail shape?
- How to choose a varnish, taking into account the shape of the nails?
- Video on the topic
- NAIL SHAPES. How to choose and how to make the right filing?
- 5 mistakes in filing natural nails. How to choose the right shape?
- FILE nail shapes step by step | How to file a square, oval and almond
Almond-shaped nails
Long, thin fingers will look amazing with almond-shaped nails. But this shape will also help if your nails are naturally plump because it makes your fingers appear longer. Simply visualize an almond to get a clear idea of this shape’s appearance and how it varies from the others. Almond-shaped nails are specifically identified by their narrowed, yet not overly sharp, tips. The "almond" will give long nails a flawless appearance, but it is not appropriate for short ones.
How to give your nails an almond shape?
Professionals and nail bloggers alike prefer almond-shaped nails these days, and fashion shows are increasingly featuring this style of manicure. It’s very easy to create the same shape at home if you follow the detailed instructions.
- 1 Use scissors or nippers to cut a little from the free edge of the nail – so that the nails become square, with sharp edges.
- 2 Use a low-abrasive file to file the sharp corners of the resulting square so as to create a slight sharpening on the nails. Note that the edge of the nail should not be too sharp, do not try to create an even “pyramid” or “triangle”.
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Round nail shape
Although the round form is thought to fit most hands, girls with short fingers and wide nails will benefit most from it. Even if your nails stay short, you’ll be able to create a more sophisticated image and visually lengthen your fingers. One major benefit of round nails is that they are simple to keep in shape at home and don’t require any special abilities. Furthermore, they don’t obstruct daily activities; even when the apartment is being cleaned thoroughly, they won’t break or cause any issues.
Oval nail shape
An oval shape is a great way to hide long, thin fingers, and it will make your hands look very aristocratic. Because it softens the appearance and gives the impression of longer nails and fingers, this style is also perfect for short fingers. The tips of the oval and round shapes differ primarily in that the oval has slightly tapered edges. Try to make your nails resemble the inside of a chicken egg by filing them at a slight angle.
Square nail shape
Keep in mind that fingers with square nails are "shorter." Therefore, the primary "indication" for selecting this shape is a wide nail plate and long fingers. Although these nails were originally designed exclusively for the French manicure, they can now serve as a good foundation for any type of manicure. Since the width of the upper and lower edges is nearly equal, square nails are, incidentally, very durable.
These days, manicurists typically "order" a "soft square" shape, which has rounded edges rather than sharp ones, to make it appear less aggressive. Please be aware that if you have medium- or long-length nails, the square shape will work best. The square portion should be able to "stick out" from the fingertips thanks to their length. An oval or round shape is the best option if you prefer extremely short nails.
When doing nail art, if your nails aren’t very long and square-shaped, arrange the images vertically and in the middle of the nail to give the illusion of longer nails. Additionally, stay away from big, round elements.
The side edges of the nail should be filed vertically and strictly perpendicular to the free edge of the nail in order to form a square. Next, use a file to soften the corners. The video will teach you more about how to use this nail shape for a basic manicure.
Stiletto nail shape
Fans of nail experiments will find long, narrow, and sharp nails to be rather eccentric, if not shocking. Additionally, gel polish is preferable to regular polish when creating a manicure because such nails are very unpractical and frequently break. In the event that your natural nails aren’t prepared for such trials, go for artificial nails.
Ballerina-shaped nails
The second name for this shape is "coffin," so ballerina-shaped nails with tapered square tips that resemble the silhouette of pointe shoes are definitely not the most obvious choice for an everyday manicure. However, "ballerina" works with any type of nail and any shape of finger. This form is a more "wearable" take on the "stiletto" nails that were covered in the previous section. Make a square shape first, then file the nail edges at an angle to soften the lines in order to achieve the "ballerina" shape. Please be aware that short and weak nails are not suited for the "ballerina" shape; they cannot support such a "load."
Pipe nail shape
The main feature of this nail shape is already encrypted in the name. Translated from English, pipe means "pipe", and nails of this shape have very long tips, which really resemble tubes from afar. Needless to say, such nails are extremely inconvenient in everyday life. With pipe nails, it is easy to imagine only Zhanna Aguzarova or Rihanna, they are not suitable for everyday life, but they will instantly make you the star of the party. Since nails of this shape look shocking in any case, there is no point in being modest when choosing varnish and nail design: neon colors, abundant decor, rhinestones – time to go all out! But keep in mind that you are unlikely to grow your nails to the required length, you will have to do extensions.
Sharp nail shapes
Sharp nail shapes like "almond," "ballerina," and "stiletto" are available (which are also on the list of 2023 fashion trends). Sharp nails are not the most practical solution, as we’ve already discussed. However, the result of "operation" outweighs the inconvenience. Grow your nails to a minimum of medium length if you choose a sharp shape for them; short nails just don’t have anything to make sharp tips out of.
How to create a sharp nail shape?
File the nails in a single direction to get pointed tips. Should you file them in a "back and forth" pattern, the nails might start to peel. which is harmful in theory and deadly for nails that are sharp: this shape needs strong, healthy nails.
Whether you choose a square, oval, or circle nail shape, it all depends on your finger shape, nail length, and personal style. Knowing which shapes go well with which hands will help you create a look that accentuates your inherent beauty and fits your style.
How to choose a varnish, taking into account the shape of the nails?
While selecting a nail polish shade, the shape of the nails is undoubtedly not the most crucial element to take into account; the skin tone is. However, there are still a few guidelines that can help you achieve an even more gorgeous manicure.
- 1 Both pastel varnishes (soft beige, pale pink, white, sky blue) and saturated ones (scarlet, burgundy, black, dark orange, dark blue) look great on round nails.
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Your lifestyle, hand structure, and personal style all play a role in selecting the perfect nail shape. It’s crucial to choose a shape that fits your daily activities and looks good on your fingers.
Try a variety of shapes, such as square, oval, and circle, to see what suits you the best and feels most natural. Never be afraid to change it up based on the situation or your attitude.
In the end, the ideal nail shape is the one that exudes style and confidence in you. Embrace your gut and enjoy yourself while you explore your options!
