Our article provides detailed instructions for the process of creating a square nail shape at home, as well as important recommendations and advice when such changes are inappropriate.
Who is not recommended to do a “square” manicure?
Strict square outlines are suitable for owners of an oblong plate. Right angles will look good on long graceful fingers. But there are those for whom strict design will not suit:
- for owners of short and wide nail plates - a manicure will make them visually shorter and wider;
- those with a trapezoidal plate;
- If you have a narrow nail bed, you won’t be able to make the right lines. The shape will resemble a pointed “almond”;
- for owners of long and thin fingers - it will look inappropriate;
- not suitable for those with weak nail plates.
Don't be discouraged if you fall under one of the points listed above. Modern nail design offers various modifications of strict lines. For example, “soft square”, “short”, “rectangular”. And the designs on square nails will help make this configuration look perfect on any fingers.
Paper square: manufacturing diagram
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Children and adults will love making geometric figures - the process is so exciting that very soon you will have a whole collection of various cubes. Before starting work, you need to stock up on the required amount of paper, which will be enough for all sides, so that later you do not have to add missing elements to the existing frame. The development is performed on whatman paper or cardboard. The material should be moderately dense so that the figure does not wrinkle during assembly, but a sheet of paper that is too thick will also not work. A special condition is the presence of additional edges on the sides of some sides, with the help of which the cube will be glued together. A volumetric square consists of eight identical sides. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of whatman paper, perform all the calculations before drawing the drawing on a sheet of paper.
How to make smooth straight lines
Manicurists believe that “square” is easy to do at home. Before you start manicure, decide on the length. Medium and short are considered practical lengths.
Important! A short square is best chosen by those with a long, slightly elongated nail plate and a narrow, long brush.
As the plate grows, you need to master the technique of filing and creating square outlines and equal angles.
- File your nails in a straight line as far as possible to the top edge.
- Round off the resulting irregularities.
- When the length increases, repeat the previous steps. This way, the outline of your plate will look like a “soft square”. This is when the protruding edge is straight with slight roundings at the corners.
- When you make a straight line from edge to edge, creating sharp corners, then it will be the correct outline of a square.
This method is suitable for those with a round shaped nail plate. If the length allows, then you just need to know how to properly file your nails to the desired straight, even lines.
- Grind down the raised edge to a straight line.
- Process the side edges in the same direction - you will get two right angles.
For beginners, the main difficulty lies in creating even right angles. How to make square nails? To facilitate this process, professionals advise that when filing, place a file at the base of the nail plate so that it is parallel to the protruding edge. Of course, the tool must be straight. When you get a straight line, proceed to the side edges, which need to be filed strictly at a right angle.
Important! When creating a square nail shape, make sure to move the nail file strictly in one direction. This way the nail plate does not deform and will not delaminate. And so that filing does not disturb the structure of the plate, it must be strengthened with acrylic powder.
If you can't create strict straight lines, you can always make a "soft square" shape.
Selection of tools and materials
To create an impressive manicure with square-shaped nails, you will need the following tools:
- abrasive nail file;
- miniature scissors;
- wire cutters;
- milling cutter (multifunctional electrical device: files, removes cuticles, grinds, polishes);
- grinding and polishing plates (if a router is not available).
The materials you will need are:
- nail polish remover;
- sponges, napkins;
- substrate;
- water with healthy salts and oils;
- hand cream.
Design options for long square nails
Long nails of this shape look catchy and immediately attract attention. But creating them on a natural plate is not so easy, because as it grows, it begins to turn inward and the charm of the square is lost. Therefore, masters often resort to an artificial option. If you like a longer length, it is better to make a “soft square”.
Nail design experts advise taking a closer look at delicate pastel shades - nude, powdery, beige. Right angles become less aggressive and add naturalness to the manicure.
But dark shades will also look good on long nails. To do this, combine these colors with decorative sand, which makes this manicure less flashy. To create a delicate romantic look, choose a combination of pastel shades with velor coating.
Execution technique
First of all, you need to choose the right tools. To create the desired shape, you need to use a file - you need to move it in one direction (otherwise the nail will begin to peel off). The choice of file depends on the properties of the nail plate.
Before treating the nail, it is necessary to adjust the cuticles. To do this, place your hands in the bath - this helps soften the skin and remove hangnails and cuticles. You can also treat your hands with oil. A straight cut cuticle works best for a “soft” square.
After processing the cuticle, we proceed to the formation of the nail - we file it to the desired length (this must be done parallel to the growth of the cuticle). When the nails are the same length, gently round the ends with light gradual movements, but do not overdo it, otherwise we may end up with an oval shape. Then we treat it with protective enamel and moisturize our hands with cream.
Design options for a short square
The popular length for the square shape is short. Because it is easy to do both on a natural nail plate and on an extended one. This length is practical and will suit any dress code. The “soft square” looks especially charming on short nails.
At this length, a dark, rich palette of shades looks advantageous. Therefore, feel free to add bright decorative elements. Matte manicure looks luxurious on short square lines. But you must have a perfect nail plate, because unevenness with this design will be noticeable. You can complement the manicure with rhinestones. But it is better to place them in the middle or at the base of the nail.
More and more owners of short square manicures are choosing nail contouring. A light shade is used as the main color, and then thin lines of dark varnish are applied to it, without going beyond the side edges. This design makes short and wide plates visually thinner and elongated.
You can also choose the “ombre” technique - it has the same visual effect as nail contouring due to the smooth transition of shades. If the nail plate is wide, it is better to do a vertical ombre. A light shade of varnish is applied to the center, and a dark or contrasting color is applied to the edges. For short square nails, a design in the form of vertical stripes is suitable - they will appear narrower and longer.
Difficulties that may be encountered
Useful tips for proper manicure and healthy nails:
- You should not get nail extensions if yours are badly damaged. To apply extensions, the nail plates must be completely healthy.
- It is better not to cut the cuticle, but to push it back and lubricate it with special preventive agents: the cuticle protects the nails from infections, lesions, and allergic reactions.
- When filing nails, the movements of the abrasive file should be directed in one direction. Movements of the file in 2 directions provoke splitting of the nails.
- It is better not to use metal files when working on nails. Glass, wood, and ceramic are more suitable.
- To work with natural nails, choose a file coated with a soft abrasive material. A coarse file is more suitable for extended nails.
- Avoid manicure products containing formaldehyde: it negatively affects the structure of the nails and threatens the body as a whole with serious diseases.
- When shaping nails and painting them, rushing is not welcome.
- The degreasing stage cannot be excluded: the working material for extensions and varnish last longer on degreased nails.
- Staying in water for a long time at high temperatures leads to rapid peeling of the varnish.
- It is better not to apply any coating to the nails in one thick layer. Let there be several thin layers: the secret of a proper manicure.
- In order for varnish or any other coating to last longer, it must be sealed during application: the brush with the product is brought to the edge of the nail and grabs the end.
- Acetone is harmful to nails, so it is better to choose liquid nail polish solvents without acetone.
- The process of proper polishing of nails: rub in the healthy oil using finger movements in a circle, continue to rub in the oil with a polishing file until shiny. Do not use the polishing pad on live nails without applying oil. This is allowed on unnatural nails.
- Nail extension products are not beneficial. Vitamin-mineral complexes (the presence of B vitamins), polyunsaturated fatty acids, salt baths, healing and restorative coatings will help strengthen your nails.
- After removing artificial nails, it is advisable to give living nails a rest for 2-3 weeks and carry out a set of therapeutic and restorative measures.
- Before applying colored polish to your nails, use a base coat.
- It is not safe for living nails to wear artificial nails for more than 2 weeks: the gel product hardens, and aggressive liquids are used to remove it.
- When cutting nails, it is better to use clippers. Unlike scissors, clippers do not deform the edge of the nail. The short length is removed with an abrasive file.
- You cannot tear off extended nails yourself: the top layer of the nail is damaged.
Design options for an extravagant beveled square
This angle is created only on extended plates. Because this variety requires clear lines and a beveled corner, which is not easy to do. Nails should be perfectly shaped and have a strong plate. The square shape of the nails and the beveled tip look bold and original.
In this variation, rhinestones are glued to the tip of the nail. The overlays will cope with the load, and the design of the protruding edge will only emphasize the originality of the form. For special occasions, you can make an aqua design - your nails will look extravagant and unusual.
Shape Features
Manicure with square nails has several variations, such as regular and soft “square”, as well as with different lengths - from quite short to outstanding sizes. The most spectacular ideas for the square style are images on long nails. But trying to create such an image on natural plates is quite problematic, since a long manicure, as it grows, curls inward, thereby spoiling the entire geometry
Therefore, for those ladies who would like to do one of the varieties of square manicure on their nails, you should pay attention to a more rounded version
Beautiful design options for a soft square
Another common short length configuration. A soft square has similar outlines to an oval. It is great for experimenting with nail designs. The combination of a soft square and velvet covering looks elegant. Matte texture and muted dark shades make the manicure discreet and luxurious.
The combination of matte and glossy finishes looks interesting. Make glossy patterns in the form of stripes and polka dots on a matte background. The velvety nature of the nail is emphasized by gold and silver colors.
Volumetric patterns look impressive on a soft square. Multi-colored varnishes look advantageous on a soft square. Another interesting design is the creation of a marble pattern. If you create a pattern on all fingers, then it should occupy no more than half of the nail surface. And if there is only 1 or 2 designs, apply to the entire surface.
Classic French and its variations
One of the successful design solutions is a square jacket. This can be a classic version with a straight smile line. But an interesting solution would be a V-shaped line.
A white French jacket is a win-win option. But modern trends allow you to experiment with bright colors. The combination of cherry or black with a gold line is an option for a beautiful and luxurious manicure.
Due to the fact that square nails have a protruding edge area, it allows not only to make a “smile”, but also to draw an ornament. Make a non-standard geometric jacket, but to make it less strict, use a matte finish. For those with a wide nail plate, a vertical French jacket is suitable. This will make your nails visually narrower and longer.
The next popular variation of the French design is lunar. An island is drawn at the base of the nail bed. We accept both the classic version and a combination of bright colors. Emphasize it with a pattern or rhinestones. An inverted French manicure does not suit square short nails; it will simply make them visually shorter and narrower. A smile is drawn at the base, which should be decorated with rhinestones.
A variation of the French ombre technique is suitable for nails with a square length. Transitions can also be made using glitter. The original solution is a smile that follows square lines. To smooth out the angularity of such a manicure, paint a couple of nails in a soft pastel color or decorate with rhinestones.
The square shape of nails, despite the clarity and severity of the lines, looks elegant and graceful. With the right color and design, the manicure will look gentle and feminine. Girls and women will be able to attract the attention of others by making interesting and bright accents. Having mastered the creation of straight lines, you will add an interesting and stylish twist to your look.
Increasing the “square”
Learning how to file square nails is not that difficult. It is much more difficult to ensure that your nails do not peel or break. To do this, you need to consume a sufficient amount of vitamins with food, as well as regularly take nutritious baths.
Unfortunately, not every girl can boast of perfectly healthy and strong nails. That is why more and more women prefer the extension procedure - such a manicure is quite strong and retains its neat appearance until subsequent correction.
Gel or acrylic?
Square shaped nail extensions can be made from gel or acrylic. Each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, and therefore it is simply impossible to clearly determine which one is better.
Acrylic is a powder with a pungent odor, suitable for owners of various types of nail plates
. This material is quite durable and comfortable to wear, but the nail plate under it does not breathe. As a result, the nails become noticeably weaker and more exhausted.
The effect of the gel is softer - the nail plate breathes and, accordingly, does not lose its vitality. The gel extension procedure takes longer and costs more, but in the end the manicure looks natural.
To understand which material is right for you, it is better to try both. This is the only way you can decide which type of extension is closer to you.
