The ideal manicure is determined by the correct shape of the nails. Perhaps you have been doing manicures for many years, but still don’t know which shape is best, so you are constantly experimenting with the length and width of your nails. Or you mistakenly believe that you have found the “ideal” shape for yourself and have not changed it for a long time.
When choosing a manicure, you should take into account the condition of the nail plate, the length and thickness of your fingers, daily habits and lifestyle.
Natural nail shape
The body of a human nail consists of several parts:
- nail plate;
- side rollers;
- cuticles;
- smile lines;
- free edge.
The smile line is where the edge and bed of the nail meet.
The natural shape of nails varies depending on how the following lines are positioned:
- lateral (located between the rollers and the plate);
- nail plate;
- cuticles (located between the cuticle and the plate).
Basic 4 nail shapes:
- square;
- trapezoidal;
- rectangular;
- oval.
When doing a manicure, you need to take into account the natural shape of an overgrown nail, and also take into account the parameters of the hand, fingers, and nail bed. The most harmonious shape of the nail looks, which is a reflection of the bend of the cuticle.
When to choose an oval nail shape
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Oval shape on long nails. Photo: Darya Lavinskaya / Shutterstock
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Oval shape on short nails. Photo: Honchar Roman / Shutterstock
Convenience
The oval shape is suitable in most cases, even for those who lead a very active lifestyle.
Alina Toropchenko
In my opinion, the oval shape requires the least amount of maintenance. Such nails do not have corners, and in everyday life, when we are faced with household work (washing dishes, cleaning shoes, whatever), the likelihood of damaging the manicure is much less.
Nail quality
“Oval” is suitable for any nails, even the weakest ones. After all, it is difficult to break a smoothly shaped nail, even if the plate itself is fragile and thin.
Desired length
The length of the free edge can be any, even just half a millimeter.
Possibility to do your own manicure
Of all the shapes, oval is the most unpretentious: a few movements with a nail file are enough to maintain a neat appearance.
Alina Toropchenko
“Oval” is more versatile due to the fact that the nail looks like a natural extension of the finger, and the shape is easy to repeat at home.
Shape of fingers and nail bed
The oval shape is suitable for any fingers, it makes the hand graceful and even visually lengthens the short nail plate. Therefore, if you can’t decide on a manicure, start with the “oval” and you definitely won’t get into trouble.
Nail shapes with grown edges
Taking into account the above data, with a grown nail, you can make a wide variety of shapes.
Square
This is one of the popular forms. A clear square has straight lines and sharp corners.
In a soft square, the corners are slightly rounded, but the lines remain straight. This form of nails is more practical and convenient, although it looks no less impressive.
Oval
The oval shape is made with parallel side lines. It masks imperfections of the nail plate and looks good with a round cuticle line. The oval is great for further modeling of the nail as it grows.
Square oval
This form is made with a wide nail plate. It looks like an oval, but has sawn edges with slightly rounded tips.
Almond
A very popular nail shape at all times. The pointed end of the free edge with soft lines makes the nails graceful.
Stylet
This shape cannot be made from a natural nail plate. It is constructed using gel or acrylic extensions. What form this design has is clear from the name. The nail has a very sharp edge.
Ballerina
Another name for the form is pointe shoes. This is a telling name. The nail plate at the end has the same shape as a ballerina's pointe shoes. The almond-shaped shape is taken as the basis here, but its edge is filed like a square shape, i.e. straight and sharp. The pointe shoes look great and are quite comfortable. This is a universal shape that fits any look. The ballerina is very popular among secular people.
Pipe
The pipe is made on artificial nails: helium or acrylic. The shape fully corresponds to its translation “tube”. In this case, the own nail is filed down into an oval square, and artificial material is applied on top to form an arch. It lasts well and looks perfect on any nails. However, it is not recommended to make a pipe all the time; you can ruin your own plate.
Choosing a polish color for your nail shape
Often the shades and palette are chosen based on the outfit and skin tone. However, there are nuances here that are associated with the shape of the nail plates. If you follow them, you can make your manicure more beautiful and harmonious.
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Round nails look neat in pastel and soothing colors. As a rule, these are pale and delicate shades of beige, pink, blue, and white. You can use rich red, scarlet, anthracite black, deep orange and even night blue.
- Oval manicure looks better with a bright pattern on a light background. You can use floral motifs and plant patterns, use abstraction or strict geometry.
- For square nails, it is recommended to choose bright and deep shades: blue, red, orange. Be sure to pay attention to matte varnishes in dark colors that are fashionable this season.
- A light background with geometry is suitable for a “ballerina”.
- For almond-shaped nails, you can choose pastel colors with a metallic design. Painting them is more difficult than a square or oval, so experts advise not to rush and always start from the middle. The edges can be finished later.
- When choosing stilettos for daily wear, it is better to give preference to plain colors.
- A light palette visually enlarges, a dark palette hides and makes it appear smaller. These principles work in makeup, and they are equivalent for manicure. If you want the shape of your nails to be more noticeable, a light jacket and bright designs will help with this, but if you do not want to emphasize it, on the contrary, use dark colors.
The choice of nail shape and design is up to you. Try, combine and experiment, determine what in your case is more suitable for home, what is more suitable for work, or a party. Search and be sure to figure out your perfect manicure!
How to choose a nail shape
In addition to the fact that when manicure you need to take into account the natural shape, you should not forget about the structure of your fingers and hands. It is also worth understanding that not every form can be used to. The nail design is selected so that it meets all the above parameters and is comfortable to wear.
For long fingers
Long fingers look good with any manicure. Almond-shaped nails look perfect on them. A square, both sharp and soft, works well for long fingers. Its length does not play a big role. Elegant and daring pipe and pointe shoes highlight the grace of long fingers.
For short fingers
But for women with short fingers, the round shape is ideal. She will stretch out her fingers, adding grace to them. Having an elongated plate, you can make pointe shoes of medium length.
For thick fingers
Oval and round shapes are ideal for thick fingers. With this manicure they will appear thinner and longer.
A square is absolutely not suitable for thick fingers. Visually they will become even thicker and shorter.
What nail shape do you prefer?
What to look for when choosing a nail shape for a manicure
Usually, when choosing a nail shape, it is advised to design the tips so that they mirror the outline of the cuticle. This is a good tip, but far from universal. To find the shape that's right for you, also consider other factors and how they relate to each other. Here are some of them.
Convenience
The rule that a manicure of extreme length is inconvenient in everyday life does not always work, because all people are different. But it may well turn out that long, oddly shaped nails will actually cause difficulties when playing sports (for example, volleyball). Or they will interfere with putting on tights and fastening small buttons.
Nail quality
As a rule, for strong nails there are no restrictions on the shape and length. But it happens that the plates are naturally thin, weak and often flake off. In these cases, artificial strengthening materials can be used to help. But it’s better not to experiment too much: the longer such a nail, the higher the likelihood that it will break very quickly. The same applies to pointed forms. So for fragile nails, short or medium length and a rounded shape are more suitable.
Desired length
The shorter your nails, the less likely you are to damage them. But the longer length looks very impressive and is perfect if you want to try a complex design.
Possibility to do your own manicure
Decide where you will get your manicure done - at home or in a salon. Unusual, complex shapes (almond-shaped, “ballerina”, “stiletto”) are best left to the master. This means that caring for them will require regular financial investments. If you are not ready to visit a beauty salon often, it is better to opt for an oval or “soft square”.
Shape of fingers and nail bed
Traditionally, it is believed that a short nail plate needs to be visually lengthened. This is where recommendations like “square nails suit only women with thin fingers” come from. If this is important to you, these kinds of tips are really worth listening to. If you like everything about yourself (and this is great), try any form.
How to choose the length for a manicure
When choosing the length you need to take into account some details:
- nail strength;
- nature of work, hobby;
- length and shape of fingers.
Manicurists suggest using a length classification from 1 to 5:
- 1 – the shortest, suitable for those who work with small children and who have very fragile nails.
- 2-3 will be convenient for those who type on a keyboard or have thin fingers.
- 4-5 can be afforded by secular people. This length is suitable for complex designs, but is difficult to do any work with.
For ladies with thick or short fingers, you should not choose a length that is too short or too long.
Trends 2022
Changing fashion never affects classic nail shapes. This happened this year too.
Nail shapes
Circle
The round shape is always in trend. It goes perfectly with short nails. This is a great option to be on trend for those with brittle nails.
Oval
The second classic option in 2022 is the oval, which also remains on the pedestal. A neat oval looks elegant at any age and with any type of design.
Square
A square with sharp corners is also a classic, so you can’t do without it in 2022. Sharp angles can be used to create an interesting design that will highlight the elegance of your hands and fingers.
Soft square
Of course, soft squares will remain trendy. This universal nail shape looks laconic and feminine, perfect for the office dress code. The soft square is very practical, it does not break off and does not catch clothes.
Almond
Stylish and elegant almonds will allow you to create a catchy look in 2021. For more effective solutions, it can be done on extended nails.
Stylet
The fashionable shape of the stiletto can hardly be called practical, but it can be called eccentric without a stretch. This form is suitable for creating an evening look, but working on a computer with it will be problematic.
Ballerina
The shape of a ballerina will give an immense flight of fantasy to the design. Elegant and sophisticated, it will decorate an evening look if it is successfully decorated.
Pipe
Pipe has not come into fashion very long ago and is not used often. To create a “tube”, fashionistas will have to extend their nails, because natural plates cannot take the shape of an arch.
Design
Fashion for nail design dictates a trend towards composite types. As the name suggests, the manicure will be a mixture of different styles, types of coatings, and colors.
Matte finish
One type of this trend is the combination of a matte finish with a glossy one. The matte finish of the nails itself will be at its peak, both when performed solo and with different designs:
- ombre;
- abstraction;
- geometry;
- floristics;
- foil;
- rhinestones;
- cobweb;
- minimalism.
Any of these designs can be used on one or more nails.
Matte manicure will suit any shape and length.
Different hands
In 2022, “wearing different hands” is very fashionable. There are several trend options here.
- Nails painted in different colors on one and the other hand;
- A repeating pattern on the hands, but in different tones, looks very extraordinary;
- You can paint the nails on one hand a single color, and apply designs on the nails of the other.
- You can make a jacket in different colors for each hand.
The imagination for the “different hands” design is simply limitless.
Nude
For many years now, nude manicure has been in the TOP of fashionable designs. It looks irresistible in any design:
- plain;
- different hands;
- foil;
- rhinestones;
- glitter.
Nude design suits all nail shapes. It can be made for every day and for going out.
In addition, among the fashionable designs for 2022, the following types of designs can be distinguished:
- marble;
- with foil;
- minimalism;
- rubbing;
- quail egg;
- abstraction;
- inscriptions;
- glitter;
- drawings;
- rhinestones;
- French;
- geometry;
- ombre;
- animal prints.
For long fingers
Long fingers look perfect with any nail shape. To be on trend, women with long fingers should try on the stiletto and square with sharp or soft corners, which are fashionable in 2022.
For short fingers
Short-fingered ladies need to be more decisive this year and try a ballerina this year, which will visually lengthen their fingers. On short fingers, almonds look good and will also add the missing length.
For thick fingers
Women with thick fingers, in order to keep up with fashion, should stick to a rounded nail shape: oval or circle.
How to choose a shape if the nail bed is short or trapezoidal
When the plate is short and has practically no free edge, but its shape is beautiful, then you can make a round shape. As the nail grows, it will only need to be slightly adjusted without radically changing its shape.
In the future, you can make an almond shape on your nails, but not too long, otherwise there is a risk of breaking the nail, because a short stock will not be able to support a longer length.
It is more difficult to choose the shape of nails with a wide and trapezoidal bed. As an option, you can try an oval-square shape, which will slightly smooth out the imperfections of the nail plate.
There is another option to model the plate with gel or acrylic. Perhaps gradually its shape will smooth out a little and will not be so wide.
When to choose a square nail shape
Photo: Dina Shuba / Shutterstock
Square nails not only look elegant and neat, they also give you the opportunity to experiment with the design. French and various geometric patterns look especially good with this shape.
Convenience
Let's immediately highlight the obvious disadvantage of this form: sharp edges can cling to everything around. They can also easily scratch your own or someone else’s skin, so you need to be extremely careful with square nails.
Nail quality
“Square” is suitable for any nails, even weak ones. Although if the length is long, too fragile and thin plates may break. So people with problem nails should choose a short or medium length.
Desired length
Square manicure goes well with any length. Most importantly, do not forget to take into account the quality of your nails. If the length is long, the plates can be strengthened with acrylic powder.
Possibility to do your own manicure
It is very easy to give your nails a square shape: you just need to file them in a straight line so that there are clear corners at the free edge. Moreover, as the plates grow, they will have to be trimmed from time to time in order to maintain the desired shape.
Shape of fingers and nail bed
This shape is most suitable for an elongated nail bed, but not too narrow. But with wide plates or trapezoidal nail shapes, the “square” will no longer look so elegant.
Alina Toropchenko
nail service master
The square shape is very beautiful and is perfect for girls with elongated nail beds. Whatever the length of the free edge, the manicure will look good.
Gone trends
To follow fashion, you must always keep your finger on the pulse and follow not only new products, but also monitor anti-trends.
Design not relevant in 2022:
- multi-colored bright nails;
- large glitter;
- a lot of rhinestones;
- stencil designs;
- gradient;
- moon manicure;
- French manicure with dark edge;
- matte black design;
- design overloaded with voluminous patterns;
- extended nails.
How to do your own manicure
Without visiting a salon, you can do almost any of the proposed nail shapes yourself. It’s better to start with simple types, and then, after gaining experience, move on to more complex ones.
Square
A square cannot be made on a nail without a free edge. Its length must be at least 3 mm.
To obtain a square, the sides are processed first. To do this, place the file parallel to the right side roller and file it a little until a smooth wall is obtained. Then the same operation is performed on the left side.
After this, placing the file perpendicular to the free edge, file the nail to the desired length. When working, you need to ensure that:
- the file did not fall over;
- do not touch the growth points.
After finishing the work, you can check the correctness of the shape by applying the tool to the free edge. If there are no gaps between them, then the shape is perfect.
Oval
To obtain an oval, you need to mentally draw a line of symmetry, and then use a medium-grain file to file the corners on both sides towards the center, simulating a smile line.
Almond, triangle, stiletto
To work, you will need a file with a large grain.
If before this there was a square, then to get almonds you just need to file the corners; if there was an oval, the side walls are slightly narrowed.
Once sawing is complete, the sharp edge softens slightly. When working, you must ensure that all nails are the same length and do not differ in shape.
To obtain a stiletto or triangle, an almond shape is cut out, but the edge is left sharp.
Ballerina
The ballerina is modeled from an almond shape, only the sharp tip is filed off perpendicularly, as in a square.
Pipe
To get the pipe form you need:
- Set the shape correctly under the nail bed.
- Make a bend in the arch.
- File the sides.
After setting the shape, the nails are dried in a lamp for 45-60 seconds, and then the clips are installed and dried for another minute.
Then they file it like this: parallel to the sides, slightly narrow and round the edge to a semi-oval. When the nails are ready, you need to check the bend of the arch.
When making any form, you must follow the following recommendations:
- The abrasive coating of the file must not be damaged;
- The file is held strictly perpendicular to the plate;
- All lines are symmetrical;
- All 10 nails are the same length;
- After filing, shake off the dust and moisten the nail;
- To make the varnish lay more evenly, it must be applied after the base.
How to check that your nails are the same length
A manicure looks perfect when the nails have not only an ideal shape, but also the same length. The free edge is checked as follows.
- The nails of the index and ring fingers should be at the same level;
- The nail on the middle finger should be the same length as the index finger;
- The nail on the little finger is 1 mm smaller than on the ring finger
- The thumbnail is also 1 mm longer than the index fingernail.
Only by following these recommendations can you create the nails of your dreams.
Choosing a nail shape based on the shape of the cuticle
The cuticle comes in three main shapes: triangular, square and oval. Also, the shape of the nails can be selected according to the convexity of the nail plate; it can be flat or convex.
- In the event that the cuticle is oval in shape with a flat shape of the nail plate, absolutely any shape is suitable; for a convex shape of the plate - square.
- In the event that the cuticle has a square shape, but the nails, accordingly, should be square.
- If the shape of the cuticle is close to a triangle, then it is better to opt for pointed or oval nail shapes.
