Wondering what nail shape suits your fingers best? Choosing the right one can be tricky. Getting a manicure is all about self-care, but it can be tough making decisions about nail shapes.
Are you the one who left the salon disappointed because the shape didn’t quite suit your fingers?
We understand the pain and let us tell you besides picking the perfect color, your nail shape plays a big role in how your manicure turns out. Some shapes elongate your fingers, while others offer a more natural look.
So, in this blog, we’ll find 8 nail shapes tailored to complement your fingers perfectly.
Table of Contents
1. Round
Ideal for: Short fingers with a broader nail base.
Round nails follow the natural contour of the nail and form a circular edge at the tip. This shape is particularly suitable for individuals with shorter fingers. Round nails are also preferred by celebrity Margot Robbie
According to expert Amy Lin, round nails soften the appearance of wide nail beds and create the illusion of longer fingers.
To achieve this shape, simply take a nail file and follow the natural curvature of your nail. Ensure that the sides remain straight while rounding off the top edge for a polished finish.
2. Oval
Ideal for: Short hands with short fingers.
Oval nails, similar to what Emma Stone likes, look like almonds but with the tip shaped like an egg. They’re great for small hands and short fingers.
Mary Lennon says oval nails make your nails seem longer because they’re filed in on the sides, giving them a bit more length and style.
To do oval nails, first shape your nails into a rounded edge. Then, file the sides gently inward to keep them even and smooth for a nice oval shape.
3. Almond
Ideal for: Short and wide fingers.
Almond nails are slender on the sides and widen at the base, forming a rounded peak. This type of nail is favored by celebrity Ariana Grande. According to Deborah Lippmann, this shape helps lengthen and slenderize short fingers.
To get the almond nail look, start by filing the sides of your nails to create a slim, tapered shape. Then, ensure that the tip is narrow, so the free edge mimics a peak shape.
- You may also read this: Top 18 Black Toe Nails Designs to Express Elegance In Simplicity
4. Square
Ideal for: Slender fingers with narrow nail bases.
Square nails have straighter sides and a blunt top edge that is achieved by filing in a straight line. According to Chelsea King, square nails may make your hands appear shorter and stubbier due to the wider nail bed illusion they create.
However, if you have narrow nail beds and long fingers, square nails can look very chic because of their sharp edges.
To achieve square nails, simply file the edges of your nails straight across, ensuring that the top edge is blunt. This will give you the sleek and polished appearance of square nails.
5. Squoval
Ideal for: For all fingers.
A squoval (square-oval) shape is the easiest shape to maintain. King says “For most people, it’s the way their nails naturally grow, so the upkeep is just about evening out the shape.”
Also, King adds “To get this shape, trim nails to the length you want in a square shape, and then use a nail file to round the corners.”
This shape is flattering on every finger type because it’s the most natural, but it looks best on nails that are not longer than the fingertip.
6. Coffin Or Ballerina
Ideal for: Slim fingers with strong nails.
This shape looks like a coffin or a ballerina’s pointe shoe. It’s narrower than a square shape and has a squared-off tip, says Lippman.
It’s best for people with long, strong nails and slim fingers. To get this shape, just square off the tip of your nails. This will give you the sleek look of a coffin or ballerina shape, similar to what Rihanna likes.
7. Siletto
Ideal for: Long fingers.
Stiletto nails have long, pointed tips and are dramatic. According to Lennon, it’s the toughest to maintain because it’s the most susceptible to breakage.
To create this look, file the sides into a tapered point on the free edge. This shape looks best on long nails but, to maintain it, you need gels or acrylics to reinforce the nails.
This style is often favored by celebrities like Cardi B for its edgy and glamorous appearance.
- You may also read this: 21 Trendy Micro French Nails For Chic & Delicate Nail Art
8. Lipstick
Ideal for: Short fingers.
Instagram influencers love the lipstick shape because it makes fingers appear longer and looks stunning in photos. This shape works for both long and short nails.
You achieve it by filing your nails at an angle to create a slant like a lipstick bullet, as explained by Lin. She says, “Artist Park Eunkyung of Unistella Nails popularized this shape.”
