Are you someone who likes to make nail contact before eye contact when you meet someone? Well, in the world of fashion, nail art these days is the prime way to showcase your personality and express your style. Just as you can guess someone’s personality by their clothes, accessories, or makeup, nails are another way to understand a person’s taste in many things in life. And not just the art, even the shape of their nails says a lot about how the person is.
So, are you a nail enthusiast always daydreaming about your next set of nails while getting your current one done? If the nail lover in you is always excited about trying different designs on your nails but confused about whether to experiment with your nail shape, look no more! We are here to guide you about the most popular nail shapes out there and how you can pick the right nail shape for yourself to achieve your desired nail look.
Let’s first understand the science of the different nail shapes and how to file them correctly.
The Science Behind Nail Shapes
Well, it’s common for you to assume that anyone can flaunt any shape and design especially when it comes to fake nail enhancements or press-on nails. But that isn’t entirely true. When it comes to your natural nail shape, there is a science behind the ability of your nails to grow biologically as well as the physics behind the structure and the curves.
While you may try to file down your natural or fake nails the way you want them to and in the desired shape, it isn’t always necessary that you’ll be able to do it as per your personal preference. Some nails have a natural arch in the middle while some are flat and some are even upturned. Similarly, some nails grow out in a natural curve while some grow wide and some even grow downwards.
Nail Filing Techniques
The key to achieving the right nail shape is knowing the technique to file them right. All you need is to get your basics clear and follow some tips and techniques to get it done properly every time. Whether you are a professional manicurist or even an at-home artist DIYing your manicure, take help from The Nails Girl to know what things to remember:
1) Use the right nail file. It is crucial to know your tools well and invest in the right ones. Understand the difference between nail files and nail buffers and don’t get confused among them thinking you can use them interchangeably.
2) Follow the right process. Understand the grits of your file, the degree to which your file is positioned, and the condition of your nail plate before going in with your nail filing. Be clear about how to file and shape your nails step-by-step before jumping into the process.
3) Practice and patience. Whether you are experienced or a newbie, don’t be overconfident and file your nails in the air! Be patient with your tools and work in a stable space to get it right. Use a sturdy table in a well-lit room and place your hands in a way where the nails are visible to you. Don’t be in a hurry to get things done or you’ll ruin it all.
- Proper prep. Always start with properly prepped nail surfaces. Don’t work on dirty hands and don’t file nails without having them clean and dry.
- Careful strokes. Be slow and patient when filing your nails and don’t go in a sawing motion back and forth on your nail with a nail file.
The Most Popular Nail Shapes and How to Achieve Them
When it comes to shaping your nails, natural or fake enhancements, there are many variations that you can try and you can even mix and match the shapes to bring out the one that matches your style and suits your fingers and hands. But certain nail shapes have gained quite a lot of popularity for decades in the nail fashion industry. Some of the most popular ones are square, oval, almond, coffin, stiletto, etc. Let’s get into the details of them.
1) Round-Shaped Nails
Round nails are a timeless classic and the most flattering of nail shapes. It aligns closest to the natural shape of the nail and hence looks the most natural and is easiest to maintain and carry.
To achieve this shape, remember balance is the key while filing. You have to file a little each side at a time till you have a completely straight shape with curved ends. There are no tapering sides or pointed ends in this shape and the free edge should look rounded at the tip, equal on both sides.
2) Square-Shaped Nails
As per the name, square nails have the geometric shape of a square with sharp square edges and a flat, straight tip. It is difficult to carry as the sharp edges are prone to breakage with regular wear and tear.
To achieve this shape, the free edge of the nail is filed perfectly straight across and the corners are neither tapered nor rounded. It is easiest to file the nail for this shape; just hold the nail file perpendicular to the finger, hold the finger firmly resting on a sturdy surface, and file it in a single direction.
3) Oval-Shaped Nails
Oval is the most universally loved shape of nails and works well for most hands if you want to wear them.
To achieve this shape, you need to file your nails featuring a rounded tip with straight sidewalls gently sloping towards the tip. File this shape from the sides subtly tapering towards the tip equally from both sides till you get a soft, smooth oval with no harsh edges.
4) Squoval-Shaped Nails
Imagine a subtle merger of squares and ovals! This forms a squoval shape also known as soft square nails or rounded-sqaure nails. This is a combination of the straight sidewalls and tip of the square with the curved edges of the oval. This means that the nail begins its growth as a square, only for the tip to be filed down into a gentle oval shape.
To achieve this look, start filing the nail as you would for a square at a 90-degree perpendicular position across the tip. After forming the square, you just need to round off the sharp edges equally on both sides to give them a softer look and more blunt feel.
5) Almond-Shaped Nails
Named after the shape of the nut, almond nails resemble an ‘almond’ and are a slimmer version of oval nails. The difference, however, is that instead of a rounded tip, almond-shaped nails feature a soft pointed tip, and instead of straight sidewalls, they feature tapered edges.
To get this shape, file the nail by marking an imaginary middle point and tapering the sidewalls towards this base point. File the edges at a 45-degree angle until you reach this point and end it in a soft, pointy peak at the tip.
6) Coffin-Shaped Nails
The coffin nails resemble the shape of a coffin box with triangular edges and a blunt tip. It is also sometimes called ballerina nails considering its shape similar to the ballerina shoe. Not that it is not possible to carry this shape with natural nails and hence this is usually used with long fake nail enhancements like press-on nails, acrylics, or gels.
To achieve this shape, the free edge of the nail should be significantly longer than the nail bed and hence the fake nails can hold this shape stronger. The filing can be viewed as a combination of almond nails and square nails; file the sidewalls at a 45-degree angle tapering them towards a middle point and then, instead of a pointy tip, place the nail file perpendicular and file down the tip straight with sharp edges.
When we say coffins and ballerinas are similar, the only minute difference is that ballerinas have slightly curved sidewalls and edges and a narrower blunt tip. Contrarily, coffins have sharp and straight sidewalls with a broader blunt tip and sharp edges.
7) Stiletto-Shaped Nails
Also known as pointed nails, stilettos are the sharpest of all just like stiletto heels! As impressive as this is, this shape is also not possible to obtain with natural nails as they don’t have the strength to hold this shape. It has to be done on extremely long fake nails and is also very difficult to carry as it is prone to breakages.
To get the shape, again create an imaginary base point in the middle and start by placing your nail file straight on the sidewalls. Run the nail file symmetrically on both sides tapering towards this base point and create a sharp point at the edge. It can be understood as an extreme version of the almond, only there are no curves.
How to Pick the Right Nail Shape for Yourself
You might be seeing all the different nail shapes on Pinterest and Instagram with the perfect design. It might seem as if certain designs go perfectly well with certain shapes only and cannot look flaunting with others. Well, this isn’t a lie. Some nail art designs look perfectly flaunting on a particular nail shape and length but may not go well with other shapes.
For example, French tip nail art looks beautifully flattering and feminine with almond nails but doesn’t go well with coffins. Similarly, it makes square nails look more subtle and professional but doesn’t enhance the charm of oval nails. But that doesn’t mean nail shapes should be chosen based on designs alone.
When you are deciding on the nail shape, move ahead from nail art and also take into consideration the shape of your fingers and the look of your hands. Understand that the goal is to enhance the overall look of your hands and nails and not to make them look shabby. Be smart and choose the shape that you can carry comfortably, is practical, and brings out what’s most beautiful in your hands.
How to pick the right nail shape for yourself?
1) If you have slender hands with long and slim fingers, you may choose wider nail shapes with an angular finish to make them appear even and balanced. The best shapes you can carry would be squares, squovals, and round nails. You can choose them in short to medium lengths. Avoid long lengths or pointy shapes to refrain from making your hands more elongated.
2) If you have little chubbier hands with short fingers, the goal is to make them look elongated by choosing smoother and more slender shapes that will optically lengthen your fingers. Opt for shapes like ovals or almonds if you have stubby fingers to make them appear slimmer.
3) If you have a wide nail bed, avoid round and square shapes as they make them appear even wider. Also, opt for medium to long lengths as shorter nails won’t look flattering on your hands.
4) When choosing fake nail enhancements, you may experiment with coffins or stilettos to make your nails look professionally done. With these shapes, it is advisable to avoid long or extra-long lengths as they are not practical. They are also high-maintenance as it requires redoing them as soon as they grow out.
What Does Your Favorite Nail Shape Say About You
It would be so much fun if you could get conversations started with your nails. And you know the person is into details when they go deeper and instead of your nail color or design, they talk about the shape of your nails.
Having said that, it is common that your nail shape represents your style and how you are as an individual. It has been observed that:
1) If you love round or almond nails, you are more of a classy feminine personality. You tend to be an introvert being selective in your friendships. You prefer rounded and more tapering shapes because they are more natural-looking and the epitome of panache!
2) Introverts also, at times, prefer oval nails as they don’t prefer to draw people’s attention towards them. If you like oval nails, your style is very refined, elegant, and put together. You are sweet and inviting in nature and you take pride in opting for a clean and polished take on your nails and your life.
3) If you are a square-nails person, your personality is a combination of feminine and minimalistic. You prefer to live life at ease and appreciate simple things in life. You choose squares or squovals because you are a more relaxed person who chooses to stick to your style rather than get creative with trends.
4) If you like to get coffin nails every time you go for a nail enhancement, you have a confident personality. You have a style that is dressy and unparalleled. You like to turn heads wherever you go and inspire people with your looks and beauty.
5) If you love to go with long, edgy stilettos for your acrylics, you have a bold and vivacious personality. You are a feisty who likes to make loud fashion statements and take risks in life too. Your style is not practical but more exuberant and experimental.
Wrapping Up Nail Shape’s
Choosing the right nail shape is a personal decision that can greatly enhance your overall look. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of a square, the modern flair of an almond, or the edgy vibe of a stiletto, there’s a nail shape out there that perfectly suits your style and personality. By considering factors such as your natural nail structure, lifestyle, and personal preferences, you can confidently select a shape that not only looks great but also feels comfortable.
Experimenting with different nail shapes can be a fun way to express your creativity and switch up your look. Remember, the key to achieving the perfect nails lies in proper nail care, including regular filing and maintenance. So, go ahead, try out different shapes, and discover the perfect one for you!
