As important as it is to choose a great colour for your gel polish manicure, selecting the right shape for your nails can be the real difference between a good manicure and a great one.
While you may think it’s as simple as going for the most on-trend shape or the most practical, the right shape can enhance the look of your whole hand for a 10/10 look.
Here are the top 7 nail shapes and how best to style them so that you can find the perfect shape for your next mani.
Round
Best for: short nails with a wide nail bed
Round nails are the classic nail shape and a great fit for natural nails. They’re easy to create at home and a great length and shape for those of you who like fuss-free nails that are less likely to break. The round edges of the nail also create the appearance of a longer nail, making your hands look more slender in the process.
Almond
Best for: short, wide fingers – helps to lengthen the appearance of nails and hands
With their wide base and slim sides, almond nails are a popular choice when it comes to nail shape. A natural look that makes your fingers look longer; but you’ll have to grow your nails first as this shape is suited to longer natural nails. If you’re still after this look but have short nails, you can try our nail extension products like Gum Gel, Hard Gel or Builder Gel.
Oval
Best for: small hands; medium-long nails
Similar in shape to almond nails but with a rounder nail tip, oval nails aregreat for medium length nails and are ideal for both short and wide nail beds. The shape is great for smaller hands as it elongates the nails to give an illusion of longer fingers.
Square
Best for: long fingers; slim hands
A stylish and slightly different look, square nails have straight edges and are squared-off at the tip. They’re also one of the most practical nail shapes out there and low-maintenance, however it’s a look suited to longer nails – so if you’ve got short digits, we’d recommend nail extensions before trying this shape.
Squoval
Best for: short nails with low maintenance
Think square nails but slightly curved at the edges. No matter what size your nails are, squoval nails are a great choice as they follow the outline of your cuticle. They don’t require much nail length, so those of you with shorter nails can work with this shape.
Coffin/Ballerina
Best for: long Acrylics/nail extensions
A classic shape for those of you who love your nail extensions. The coffin or ballerina shape works on long and strong nails, with the tip squared off to give the appearance of a ballerina’s shoe. You’ll have to grow your nails quite long for this look, so extensions are definitely the way to go.
Stiletto
Best for: long Acrylics/nail extensions
The classic look for the most glam nails around. The elongated shape is pointed at the end and great to enhance shorter fingers or to simply go all out. Not the most practical, but the most striking; best created when using nail extension products like Gum Gel.
Now you've chosen your shape, it's time to get started! Remember to pick up your Bluesky Nail File and Nail Buffer to help shape your nails, and take a look at ourour tips for prepping your nailsto get you on your way.
FAQs
If you have short palms and short fingers, it's best to opt for rounded oval and almond shapes. For longer palms and fingers, consider dramatic stiletto or coffin (or ballerina) shaped styles. Almond shaped nails tend to suit everyone.
How do I know which nail shape suits me? ›
When choosing a nail shape, it is important to consider your hand type and personal style. If you have short nails, you may want to choose a round or oval shape to help elongate your fingers. If you have wide nail beds, you may want to choose a round or squoval shape to help make them look narrower.
What is the most requested nail shape? ›
Because of this, Dang and Denney agree that round nails are among the most popular shapes for acrylics simply due to their ability to create more durable, natural-looking nails.
What nail shape makes fingers look skinnier? ›
Almond. "An almond-shaped nail is slim on the sides and wide on the base, coming to a rounded peak," says Deborah Lippmann. "This shape will lengthen and make short fingers look slim." To get the look, file the sides and make sure the tip is narrow, so the free edge mimics a peak shape.
What is the most seductive nail shape? ›
A fashionista's favorite, the almond nail shape is basically an elongated oval shape with slightly tapered sides and tip. This nail shape can elongate and slim your fingers and nail beds, making it an ultra-chic and sexy nail shape for just about anyone.
What is the classiest nail color? ›
Nail polish popularity ebbs and flows with the tides of trends, but the most enduring shades are the classics: red, nude, pale pink, sheer white, and opaque white.
Which nail shape is beautiful? ›
“I find that if it's more rounded, then a round or oval shape typically looks best. And if it's wider, then a square or squoval shape may work.” Green also recommends oval nails for anyone with wider nail beds, as they “elongate in both nail width and length.”
What is the most attractive nail? ›
Red conveys a direct attraction and is associated with sensuality and erotic interest. Black, one of the favorite colors, is considered particularly trendy and is therefore also associated with attractiveness.
What is the popular nail shape in 2024? ›
From the sharp and bold stiletto and coffin shapes to the elegant almond and deep square silhouettes, elongated nails are taking center stage. If you're looking to add a touch of sophistication and edginess to your nail game, look no further than the stiletto nail shape.
What is the toughest nail shape? ›
You'll keep the fortitude the square shape provides and, at the same time, provide the softness and elegance of the oval. This shape is best for long, strong nails since the tapered sides significantly weaken the nail's natural strength.
Nail Shape: Consider the shape of your nails as well. Opt for a slightly rounded or oval shape, as it can give the illusion of longer and more youthful-looking fingers.
Do toes and nails have to match? ›
Keep in mind: When wearing nonmatching shades, it's best to color-coordinate, says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, vice president and artistic director at OPI. So don't use yellow on your fingernails and green on your toes.
Which nail shape breaks less? ›
Having a longer or narrower point increases the chances of your client catching their nails on something and breaking it. The wider edges in square or natural-looking shapes offer more support for the nail, and rounded nails create a softer edge that is less likely to scratch and tear while doing everyday tasks.
What nail shape is most feminine? ›
OVAL. The oval shape is considered to be a more traditional shape. It features straight-filed sides with softer, rounded edges towards the top. This shape offers a natural and feminine look.
What nails do guys find hot? ›
However, there are some general trends and classic favorites that tend to catch the attention of many.
- Red – A Timeless Elegance. ...
- Natural and Nude – Understated Beauty. ...
- Soft Pastels – A Touch of Sweetness. ...
- Dark and Mysterious – Allure and Intrigue. ...
- Experimenting with Fun Colors.
The classic rich-girl nail is long and filed in a tapered square shape, which he says helps elongate your fingers. Next is the color choice: Stick with a full-coverage neutral shade that is either one shade darker or lighter than your own skin tone.
How do you know what nail color suits you? ›
Understanding your undertone colours
Finding the ideal nail color starts with understanding your undertone. To determine your undertone, observe the veins on your wrist. If your veins appear blue or purple, you likely have a cool undertone. If they have a greenish hue, you probably have a warm undertone.
What nail shape is best for skinny nails? ›
Almond nails are similar to oval nails, but they have a more tapered, pointy tip. They are a good choice for people with long, slender fingers, as they can help to elongate the fingers and make them look more elegant and slender.
How do I choose the right nail? ›
First off, a good rule of thumb for picking screws or nails for your project is this: The length should be twice the thickness of the wood you're driving through. So if you're driving through a one-by-four board, which is ¾” thick, then you should opt for a 1 ½” long screw or nail.
Which nail shape makes you look younger? ›
Nail Shape: Consider the shape of your nails as well. Opt for a slightly rounded or oval shape, as it can give the illusion of longer and more youthful-looking fingers.
