Which nail shape is ideal for your hands?

Tips for creating beautiful nails

1. Check out the different nail shapes including square, circle, oval, almond and ballerina.
2. Consider the shape of your fingers, the width of your nail plate, and the length of your nail to find your ideal shape.
3. If you prefer short nails, choose between square and circle.
4. If you have medium or long nails, then oval, almond and ballerina will suit you best.
5. Use elongated nail shapes such as almond, ballerina and oval to lengthen and make short and wide fingers appear longer and thinner.
6. For girls with long and thin fingers, it is better to choose a square nail shape to emphasize these advantages.

Fashionable colors for manicures for short nails of different shapes

There are a huge variety of popular tones of regular and helium varnishes. Nail fashionistas have something to pamper themselves with. We invite you to look at the trendy shades of nail polishes and, naturally, choose something for your own experiments and addition to your manicure set. What colors are the most popular?

1. Fashionable coral.

Presented by Pantone, Living Coral became the most fashionable nail polish shade. Optimistic “coral” will flawlessly add stylish notes to your image, adding unusualness and effectiveness. It will become especially relevant in summer and spring in makeup, manicure and outfits.

The color range of coral ranges from juicy red-orange to light peach shades. Nail stylists advise combining it with pastels, shiny and matte surfaces, and neutral tones to make the design look representative.

2. Fashionable gray.

A stylish gray tone of varnish can add charm and special chic to a manicure. This neutral color is widely known for its versatility and comfort. Gray is a base shade, but it also goes well with pink, white, black and red.

Don't be afraid to choose gray - from light gray to darker tones - throughout the year. Stylish smoky looks great in winter and summer, on weekdays and on holidays.

Silver, gold, bright crimson colors with a metallic effect will help make your manicure chic. Iridescent bright nails are a great option not only in winter, but also at any other time of the year. Brilliant, juicy, sparkling, they will not go unappreciated by any young lady!

3. Raspberry red with a metallic effect.

Metallic varnishes are present today in the lines of expensive and budget brands. Both dark and light colors are in trend; they all give wonderful shimmer under the sun’s rays. Glitter, foil elements, rubbing, and metallic varnishes will help you create similar looks.

4. Relaxing green.

With any shape of short or long nails, you can choose a manicure in green colors. These are tones from dark emerald to mint, turquoise, and apple. You can try changing traditional shades to these.

The color of mint is perfect for a stylish spring or summer manicure, it will add coolness and air, and bring peace and tranquility. Decor and fashionable design techniques will help turn a stylish image into reality.

5. Sophisticated brown.

Shades of dark chocolate, natural granite, and beige look aristocratic and chic. These colors bring to mind the cold of winter. Very rich and delicate tones of brown will help make your manicure graceful and elegant. Enjoy the combination of chocolate with golden-copper, plum, pinkish and heavenly tones.

6. Delicate pink.

This romantic color has always been one of the most popular in manicure, and this year is no exception. You can use pink from very light, pastel to bright purple.

This color is perfect for any shape of the nail plate and looks impressive on short, wide, narrow or long nails. The feminine, delicate pink palette is optimal for creating a French jacket.

7. Elegant milky.

Shades of milk do not look provocative, rather calm and soft. That is why they are included in the list of basic tones for nail art.

Using a pink and milky palette, it is easy to emphasize tanned hands or hide defects in the nail plate, while the manicure will look very discreet and natural.

8. Classic white.

This tone is always present in the list of popular ones; it will also be in trend throughout the current year. The color fits perfectly with any outfit and every nail art technique.

White without shades on nails looks too catchy, although it does not set any boundaries for its owner. When choosing a design, this color can be combined with other tones, used in geometric designs, marble stone technique, “naked” manicure, etc.

Nail shapes

When choosing a nail shape, you need to familiarize yourself with the different options. While there are many variations, there are five basic shapes you should know. These are square, circle, oval, almond and ballerina. To accurately determine which style is best for you, you must consider the shape of your fingers, the width of your nail plate, and the length of your nails.

Create a beautiful manicure

First of all, study all the most common types of plates: square, rounded variations, almond, and the so-called “ballerina”.

The shape of the nail, selected according to the appearance of the finger, is also an excellent option. To choose the best one, you will need to pay attention to the general geometry of the nails.

If the nail plate is small, you need to choose between rounded and angular types. For medium or long lengths, you can choose between oval and ballerina.

You must always remember that oblong plates give even thick fingers an aristocratic appearance.

But for beauties who have naturally long, thin fingers, a square is best suited.

Almond shaped nails

Almond shaped nails have long sides that taper to form a rounded tip at the end. This luxurious shape won't suit short nails, but it looks great on longer ones. The shape is ideal for long and thin nails due to its elongated shape. Almond shaped nails are also suitable for short and wide fingers to give the appearance of a slimmer hand. In addition, this shape looks flattering on women with short fingers due to the extra length. If this shape suits you, try neutral and clear polishes, as well as glamorous and girly designs.

Almond shape

Almond shape (photo: @thejessikalynn) The almond shape differs from the oval shape in that the tip of the elongated nail is slightly pointed.
It looks good on medium-length nails with a small free edge. Plus, this shape creates an optical illusion: it seems that the fingers are thinner and longer than they actually are. Suitable for: girls with narrow nail plates, as well as those with short, plump fingers.

Which polish to choose: pastel and nude shades, as close as possible to the natural color of the nail plate.

Round nails

If you want to create the appearance of longer fingers but prefer short nails, you may want to choose a round shape. Round nails are short in length with a naturally rounded edge and are ideal for lengthening short and wide fingers. The shape can also be used to visually make wide nails look thin and long. At the same time, if you have narrow nails, don't rule out a round shape. The simple shape is not only classic, but also universal. Perfect for girls who don’t have time to go to the salon, because round nails are easy to maintain at home. Their soft, rounded appearance makes them ideal for any polish color. You can even switch between neutrals, bold and funky shades depending on your mood and outfit.

The simplest manicure ideas for short nails of different shapes

1. Multi-color manicure.

This is a simple and unusual version of an interesting manicure, because the same tone of nails is so boring. A varied color palette will give you the opportunity to create a formal and everyday look. Varnish shades:

• Monochrome - combinations of tones within the same color, for example from light to dark. Today, this type of gradient has become very popular.
• Complementary – two contrasting colors in the same tone.
• Achromatic - a combination of black, white and gray tones as a base.
• Triadic - the use of three tones at once in one manicure. It consists of a main color (red, blue, yellow), a tint (pink, purple, orange, green), a mixture of the main and tint colors (yellow-orange, blue-green).

It is important that the textures of the varnishes be the same (glossy or matte surface), glitter, rich or modest shades (for example, pastel), etc. Multi-color manicure goes well with newspaper, French, “reverse” French with a smile at the hole, with sparkles and pebbles.

2. Moon manicure.

“Reverse” French has been at the peak of popularity for more than one season, and the fervor of modern fashionistas will not subside, because this simple nail art provides enormous scope for experimentation. The point of lunar manicure is to leave the lunula colorless or painted in a different tone. The result is a well-groomed everyday or bright ceremonial option.

3. French.

Traditional, simple, but always fashionable nail art.

Square shaped nails

Along with round shapes, square styles are also suitable for short nails. With straight rectangular edges, this nail shape looks neat and stylish. If girls prefer longer nails, it is better for them to choose a tapered shape, while those who like a short, well-defined and at the same time elegant appearance will stick to this style. The square shape of nails is especially suitable for those with thin palms and long, thin fingers. If this applies to you, or if your nails are long and narrow, ask for a square shape during your next manicure. The shape, which slightly widens the hands, does not break as often as others, is ideal for women who do not have time to take care of their nails often. When it comes to color, square nails can be the most stunning when paired with bright, loud or glittery polishes.

Soft square shape

Website

The most popular nail shape, which is suitable for fingers of absolutely any length. Most often, masters in salons first give the nails a square shape, and then slightly round it at the edges. But for non-professionals it will be easier to do the opposite: first round the nail with a nail file, as if you want to give them an oval shape, and then “even out” the top edge.

Have you decided on the ideal nail shape? All that remains is to choose the appropriate varnish. We suggest looking for inspiration at the spring-summer fashion week shows.

San Andres fotoimedia/imaxtree

Vivetta fotoimedia/imaxtree

Alice + Olivia fotoimedia/imaxtree

Carmen Marc Valvo fotoimedia/imaxtree

Rodarte fotoimedia/imaxtree

Recently, there has been a trend towards naturalness in the nail industry. More and more women prefer to have their own nails, even if not long. Extended nails with extravagant shapes have long been out of favor. Meanwhile, the species diversity for natural nails is very limited, and also has certain limitations depending on the characteristics of the shape and structure of the hands and fingers, the size and shape of the nails.

Photo from the site: estrella-tlt.ru

Let’s look at what nail shapes there are for natural plates, decide on the ideal option and tell you about all the nuances of a particular shape. So, the topic of our next beauty study is nail shapes and their names.

Ballerina style nail shape

Ballerina is one of the best shapes for those who like long nails and for narrow nails. This style gets its name from its shape, which resembles a ballerina's pointe shoe. This is a very stylish shape, usually long and narrow. It tapers to a square tip. Women who are attracted to sophisticated and stylish designs can try Ballerina as long as their nails are long and strong. If you have short and brittle nails, you can try acrylic nails. Although the bold design requires a lot of maintenance, its appearance when combined with subtle, neutral shades, soothing tones and matte varnishes is worth the effort.

What are the shapes for short and long nails?

1. Square shape.

To achieve this configuration, the file must be processed at right angles to the fingers. Effectiveness is an absolute plus of these nails, but the minuses are the need for constant correction and the inconvenience of too sharp corners in everyday life.

This is one of the best shapes for short nails. A maximum of interesting design options exist with small plates of this configuration. Themes of the seasons - flowers, branches, leaves, fruits, snowflakes, etc. The theme of the sea, relevant for the holidays - stripes, fish, anchors, bright saturated summer colors, neon. The classic French manicure and its variations are always popular: with a contrasting or transparent smile at the hole, created using the stencil or ombre technique.

Geometric designs in combination with foil, glitter, stamped manicure, lace patterns, newspaper designs, wedding themes - everything looks unconventional and in keeping with the theme, the main thing is that it is done well and the nails are the same length and distinct shape.

2. Oval shape.

This type is well suited for girls with graceful hands, thin fingers and short nails. To create it, you need to work with a file, copying the curve of the base of the cuticle only in a mirror image. If you are thinking about what shape is suitable for short nails, then do not hesitate - an oval is simply ideal for them. The nail protrudes slightly and blends perfectly with the natural contour of the fingertip. Advantages of this form:

• Multifunctionality. Suitable for representatives of any profession. The oval shape for short nails is equally good for everyday use and for a holiday manicure. You just need to make the right accents.
• Convenience. Since there are no sharp corners in this option, you will not create snags on the fabrics and avoid accidental cuts.
• Ease of correction. It is convenient to create other shapes from an oval if necessary.

Recommended reading:

• Delicate manicure 2022: trends
• Manicure for small nails: features and color scheme
• Men's manicure and pedicure: how to take care of nails for a modern man

3. Circle shape.

This nail shape is good for short, plump fingers with wide palms and wrists. File processing takes place in the form of a crescent.

Looks great on small nails, even if the plate itself is far from ideal. If the nails are brittle and injured, then roundness will help reduce fragility and eliminate the likelihood of new damage. In everyday life, this shape of nails is relevant not only for those with short and thick fingers, but also for doctors, people in creative professions, musicians and workers in children's organizations.

In addition, this is how professional athletes and girls who are actively involved in fitness like to file their nails.

“Geometry” and large images will not look very advantageous on short nails. It is recommended to choose small stones and very little. French manicure is also not very good for such fingers. But polishes without glitter and pastel colors will look elegant and appropriate.

4. Almond shape.

It is wrong to believe that the oval and this shape are one and the same. The almond-shaped configuration looks much narrower and sharper, has the outline of an almond, which is why, in fact, it is called that.

The almond-shaped contours are smooth, which is the key to a long-lasting manicure. Although you shouldn't do any serious physical work with this manicure. Simple household chores and light loads will not cause breakage of such nails. If you don't know which nail shape is suitable for short fingers and small nail plates, know this is it. The narrow edge lengthens the nails visually, and the fingers also seem to “stretch out.”

“Almond” is a sign of elegance and fragility. That is why they are invariably popular in nail studios and are often chosen for adjustments at home.

Although you need to understand that if the plates are too short, then you should abandon this form. The nail bed and nail should be at least the same length. The main design problem in the “almond” version is to correctly process the plate along the free edge.

The tip should not be oval or dagger-like.

Nail treatment has three phases:

• Creating a square shape. First we make a straight edge. It is optimal to use cutters designed specifically for this purpose, rather than cutting with nail scissors.
• Symmetrically cut down the square on both sides to form a trapezoid.
• Turning the corners to an almond shape.

It is on the “almond” that a variety of designs look good. This nail shape is suitable even for short and thick fingers. Moreover, it will help correct external flaws - the brushes will look thinner. Although it is still optimal to make fragile and damaged nail plates oval or rounded. This recommendation is valid for the entire recovery period. The almond shape for short nails requires careful handling and approximately the same size plates. There is simply no other way to do them on small nails.

Different nail lengths in any manicure, including almond-shaped ones, look careless. And this is absolutely not suitable for a woman who strives to look perfect.

When there is absolutely no way to restore damaged nails, but you want to wear this particular form, you can resort to shellac. Under it, the nail plate will be able to get stronger, while maintaining flexibility. Gel polish will provide the opportunity to grow nails and help preserve the elegant “almonds”.

5. "Pointe shoes."

It's not easy to find fingers that wouldn't look lovely with such an interesting nail shape. This is a mixture of “square” and “oval”, visually helping to lengthen short and thick fingers and emphasizing the elegance of graceful hands.

This shape is similar to ballet pointe shoes, hence the name. “Ballerina” (the second name of the form) is always graceful and impeccable, therefore it looks solemn. Even minimal decor looks elegant. Uniqueness and brightness can be added with stones, sparkles and painting. At business events, it would be optimal to design your nails in the most natural and natural shades, for example, with powdery or matte varnish in cool tones in a gray-brown palette.

If you are wondering which nail shape is suitable for short fingers, then “pointe shoes” will definitely not disappoint you. With a feminine lace design, an elegant French manicure, a popular marble pattern or with relief patterns - the ballet shape of nails will always look elegant and beautiful. Although a darkened palette is not prohibited. And if you combine them with oriental themes and ethnic elements, you can find yourself at the very peak of fashion trends in nail style.

Decoration with rhinestones along the pattern line, wine shades, burgundy, blue, cream, 3D decor with elegant shine and spectacular accents are still relevant.

Oval nails

Due to their ability to visually lengthen, oval nails are suitable for both short and wide nails and fingers. The medium or long shape ends in a semicircle, similar to the almond style. This feminine nail shape will help make wide fingers look thinner and short fingers look longer. Plus, you don't need to have very long nails to get an oval shape, just a little length is enough. A few millimeters of free edge is enough to have an effect. Once you've created this chic shape, you can pair it with cool prints or feminine pastels for a chic, runway-ready look.

Fashionable manicure for short nails of different shapes

A trendy resort manicure creates bright and brilliant images. Neon and one-color rich varnishes are in fashion. In addition, it is not necessary to cover all the nails with one tone. Each finger can have its own color, and both bright contrasts and smooth shade transitions are acceptable.

It can be wine or neon hot pink. And this is not the limit. Young ladies who actively follow fashion trends are advised to try manicures in light green, mint, rich green, orange, bright yellow, lemon and other rich summer colors. Summer should be colorful and sunny. And the legs must also have a neat, bright pedicure. Red and its rich, spectacular shades are at the peak of popularity.

How to shape your nails at home

Although a visit to the salon is always a priority, when your nails need updating and care, you can reshape them at home. If you have experience with a nail file, you can create any shape you want. Each shape, almond and oval, ballerina and square, requires concentration, patience and skill. So if you want to freshen up or completely change your usual nail shape, this video will help you do it. By learning the information you need about angles and proportions, you'll soon be able to shape your nails like a pro. Just remember that some shapes will only suit long nails, while others will look better on shorter ones.

Stilettos

Stiletto nail shape (photo: @kyliejenner) Stiletto nails are very long, pointed nails that resemble a cat's claws.
It is very difficult to grow your nails to such a length that they are still strong and do not break; this option is more suitable for those who love extensions. And remember that with stilettos you will attract several thousand times more attention to yourself - get ready for this. Another advantage of this shape is that it visually lengthens the nails and fingers. Suitable for: those with naturally short and round nails.

Which polish to choose: pastel, if you want to lower the intensity of your manicure a little, or in general any polish you want.

Types of nails from nature

There are 4 main types of natural forms:

• square;
• oval;
• trapezoid;
• rectangle.

Nails by nature cannot have a sharp tip, but they are often rounded. Outwardly, they most closely resemble almonds, hence the corresponding name - almond-shaped. It is worth noting that natural and salon almond-shaped nails are very different from each other. The former have a less sharp tip.

Trapezoid-shaped nail plates are also called spade-shaped because they widen at the top. Rectangular nails do not have sharp transitions, just like square ones. They differ only in width.

There are different square types, soft and hard stand out. Soft square nails with slightly rounded sides, making them look neater and more feminine. By nature, fingernails are only rigidly square, so if necessary, they are refined using cosmetic procedures (haircuts, manicures).

Nail shapes: 1. Oblong nails, 2. Wide nails, 3. Round nails, 4. Oval nails, 5. Square shape, 6. Triangular shape, 7. Almond shape, 8. Sword shape

Geometric names are not accidental, because they perfectly reflect the appearance of a particular shape. You can determine the type of marigold at home. To do this, you need to carefully look at the nail plates and compare them with a specific geometric figure. You can also find photos that show all the natural types of marigolds to help you navigate.