Any woman always wants to look good. This cannot be achieved with clothes alone; makeup, hairstyle and, of course, manicure are also important.
In this article, we will once and for all understand what nail shapes there are, how to choose the shape and color of varnish that suits you, as well as the main fashion trends of 2022. All this is very important, because style starts from the fingertips.
Nail shapes and their names
Now there are many different nail shapes and their names. But the main ones, from which all the others were formed, are circle, oval, square, triangle (closer to the almond type).
Many girls are faced with the problem that they cannot choose the shape of their nails that they like.
In fact, there is one small life hack that will make you forget about this problem forever:
Important! The shape of the cuticle is the ideal shape of your nails.
Of course, this does not mean that other species are categorically prohibited. It is important to find one that will please your eyes.
Square
The square has 90 degree angles and a clear line at the bottom of the free edge. At first glance it seems that it is easy to do. However, not every master will be able to do it.
Material on the topic : Manicure for square nails 2022-2023: fashionable 400+ photo ideas
The square shape is always fashionable (some years a little more fashionable, some less so). It can be done only on a short or medium length, because on long ones there is a high risk of breaking. Often it is the edges that break, which looks unsightly.
Soft square
It is also called a rounded square. The soft square is more practical in contrast to the classic one. There are no sharp corners here, but the line at the bottom of the free edge should be straight.
A soft square, like a classic one, also looks good on short or medium lengths; it won’t be very beautiful with long ones.
Oval
A form that has gained immense popularity in 2022, but in a short version. Although an oval can be made for short, medium and long nails.
The oval became the very first shape in manicure, and other types came from it. The oval is suitable for growing, because when the nails become a little longer, you can make “almond”, “ballerina”, etc.
Oval-square
This form is also called "squawal". The essence of the technique is that the lower part of the nail should follow the curve of the cuticle, i.e. be slightly rounded, and the sides of the nail plate are parallel to the central axis.
This manicure is not very popular. However, it is suitable for girls who like a square, but due to the lack of a nail plate, it does not work out for them.
Round
The circle is rarely used, although it gained popularity in 2022, with many bloggers doing short round nails. The round shape is made exclusively for short nails.
A circle differs from an oval in that the tips are more rounded. This shape is made when, due to the width of the nail plate, it is not possible to make an oval.
Acute
The sharp shape makes almost any fingers thinner, longer and more graceful. However, there are exceptions.
A girl should have a fairly long nail bed, otherwise it will look ugly. The nails must also be strong to maintain their length.
In general, with such a manicure, it is recommended to strengthen it with gel or polygel. This is due to the risk that not only the free edge will break, but also part of the nail plate.
If the nail plate breaks, firstly, it hurts, and secondly, it will take about 4 months to recover.
Almond
Almonds were very popular in 2022, but even now many girls make them. And all because almonds emphasize femininity.
The difference from the sharp form is that the almond has a less sharp free edge, the tip is slightly pointed.
To get the perfect almond, the length of the nail bed should be equal to the length of the free edge. You can make the free edge longer, but it is not recommended to make it shorter.
Trapezoidal
The most difficult shape to both create and correct is the trapezoid. The essence of the creation is to expand the free edge so that the nail resembles a trapezoid.
It turns out that the nail bed will look smaller than the free edge. The length of the nails should be medium for the manicure to look good.
Ballerina
Ballerina or pointe shoes are suitable for long nails. It's something between an almond and a soft square.
Ballerina is considered practical, but to prevent nails from breaking, it is necessary to strengthen them with gel or polygel. The ballerina herself looks interesting and unconventional, so it’s better not to choose too complex patterns.
Stylet
To achieve this shape, you will need extensions because the nails are very long. For girls who have household responsibilities, the “stiletto” (“stiletto”) is not suitable, because manicure can quickly deteriorate.
Pipe
Another complex nail shape that not every master can do. It can only be achieved through extensions. The word "pipe" is translated as "tube".
The manicure got its name because the inside of the free edge is curved and looks like a tube. To get such a manicure, the master needs to carefully work with the free edge.
Pike
“Pika” means the longest and brightest nails. The free edge should be several times longer than the nail bed, while the edges of the nail should be as pointed as possible.
The design itself with this form is also very bright. You can make a “peak” only with the help of extensions.
Pomade
“Lipstick” appeared quite recently, a few years ago at most. Suitable for those girls who like to look unusual compared to others.
The free edge should have clear lines. In this case, one edge of the nail is longer than the other, i.e. the shape resembles a stick lipstick.
Shapes available only for extended nails
Stiletto – long, narrow and sharp nails
The name "Stiletto" comes from Italy. In the Middle Ages, this type of piercing weapon was widespread - a short dagger without a cutting edge (blade), oval or triangular in cross-section.
This extension model has several varieties:
- “Pike”, “Sword” - a classic version of the stiletto, an even semi-arch, tapering towards the end.
- A faceted stiletto is a difficult shape to model. The material is laid out and filed in such a way that there are 3 edges of the free edge, converging at the end to a point. More often used for competition entries than in real life. This is nail art, not simple nail extensions.
- “Gothic” is extremely long, very narrowed at the end, making it as elegant as possible. The arch of the nail tends to curl into a tube. It looks like a very sharp peak.
Cat's claw, cat
Sometimes this form is referred to as a stiletto, they are very similar. But the “cat” has a downward bend, like a claw, and the stiletto has absolutely straight sides at the bottom. They are checked with a file placed on the finger and the sides of the nail - there should be a fit without gaps, from the finger to the tip of the nail.
Ballerina
This type is obtained when the tip of the Almond mold is cut off and the corners are left square.
The Ballerina shape is easily associated with pointe shoes, which is why it got its name. This is just a hit of recent years. Even pop stars such as Rihanna, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian wear it. Alternative names for the “Ballerina” uniform are “pointe shoes”, “coffin”.
Age
Edge (English) – blade, point. The modeled nail of an age shape ends in a clear V-shaped tip, and the entire length of the free edge resembles a gable roof, with a pronounced break (edge) along the central axis of symmetry. This edge, in addition to extravagance, gives the nails additional strength as a stiffening rib.
The “Edge” nail can be:
- classic - when the side lines are parallel,
- narrowed - the sides become narrower, increasing the angle of the break towards the end of the nail to a very sharp one.
Depending on the length of the nails and the preferences of the customer, the angle of the break can be different - very sharp or not very sharp. Most of the designs on the Age uniform are based on a laid-out jacket; occasionally they make a monotonous one-color coating.
Pipe
The name translated from English pipe means “pipe”. The main feature of nails of this shape is the pronounced arch of the free edge, which is possible with a long length. The side walls taper, the very tip is sawn into a semi-oval. In transverse projection, the nails look like an even half-tube. Any type of nail painting looks great on this shape. To create a pipe, a highly qualified master in the field of arch modeling is required, because you need to correctly place the apex, strengthen stress areas and not miss the arch during polymerization. The nail is long and the arches should be equally narrow. At the same time, the plates should look light, not thick.
Bridget
Derived from Age. A third edge has been added from above, as if cutting off the corner characteristic of the age. The result is a faceted nail shape - three flat edges, the transition between which is most often softened, not through clear corners, but softly filed, barely perceptible. But sometimes the corners, on the contrary, are left clear. The tip geometry is preserved as in Age. The shape of Bridget's nails is very graceful and elegant, although not without extravagance, but it requires a highly qualified artist.
Oblique, lipstick, lipstick
In such nails, the free edge is cut diagonally. Not a particularly popular form.
Flare, Manifa or Flare
Fancy nail shape. The sides fan out to the sides. Most likely, the idea came from nail art competitions and is not applicable to everyday life. And from an aesthetic point of view, the shape of the “manif” is very questionable.
A few words about the Butterfly shape
Some sites are seriously trying to describe the “Butterfly” nail shape. There is no such nail shape. “I hear a ringing, but I don’t know where it is.” In fact, Butterfly forms are consumables for nail extensions. These are lower forms made of foil paper, with markings for length, inserted under the place of growth of the natural plate and modeling gel is laid out on them. For convenience, many manufacturers make them in the shape of butterfly wings, since you need to press the edges around the fingertip in one way, and along the length in another way, so that the future nail has a good arch. If the bottom shape were just a rectangle, you would have to make cuts on both sides. Hence the confusion. The material is called the bottom mold.
How to choose the right nail shape?
Not all girls know which nail shape suits them best. You look at pictures on the Internet, you like some form and start asking the master to do the same.
Many masters just do manicures, and they don’t care that this shape just doesn’t suit you. The main thing is that the client likes it. However, during the first meeting, a competent nail technician must:
- will estimate the size of your fingers;
- assess the condition of the nail plate;
- finds out your lifestyle so that the length is comfortable for you.
Well, if you haven’t met such masters, then below we will figure out for ourselves which form is worth making and which is not.
For long fingers
Girls with long fingers suit any nail shape. The only options to avoid are short round and oval shapes. Against the backdrop of long fingers, such a manicure will look unnatural.
A short classic or soft square looks very good on thin, long fingers. It imparts rigor and audacity. Or you can choose long nails (almond, ballerina), this will make your fingers look even longer and more graceful.
For short fingers
To make short fingers look good, they need to be visually elongated. Therefore, the following manicure will suit owners of such fingers.
- round short nails, but then a nude manicure color so that the nails are an extension of the fingers;
- any shape, but the nails should be of medium length or long (it is advisable that the length of the free edge should be no less than the nail bed).
For fat fingers
In the case of thick fingers, it is necessary not to draw attention to them, so you should choose the following manicure:
- round short nails, painted in a nude color so that the nails are an extension of the fingers;
- oval shape on short or medium nails, manicure in nude colors so that the nails again become an extension of the fingers.
It is not recommended to make long claws and a square shape. In the first case, the nails look disproportionate to the fingers. In the second case, they visually become even wider.
Forms of extended nails
Now let's move on to the rest, more interesting and unusual designs. There are many more varieties of nail shapes for extensions than natural ones. We offer you a list of nail shapes with names and photos.
- square nail shape
- soft square nail shape
- oval nail shape
- almond nail shape
- sharp almond nail shape
- pipe nail shape
- pointe shoe nail shape
- ballerina nail shape photo
- stiletto nail shape
- age nail shape
- cat nail shape
You have seen the most popular nail shapes for manicure. We hope the photos and descriptions will help you choose a beautiful manicure for yourself. Share in the comments what nail shape do you think is the most relevant in 2022?
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Instructions for each nail shape
If you want to give yourself a fashionable manicure or just know all the nuances, then below you will find brief instructions on how to make each shape.
Square shape
To make a square shape, you need to place the file perpendicular to the central axis of the nail, i.e. its middle. In this case, the file should not fall under the nail.
After we have positioned our tool, we begin sawing. The bottom of the free edge should have a clear line.
To make 90 degree angles, you need to turn your finger and start sawing the side walls parallel to the central axis. Again, make sure that the file does not fall over.
Soft square shape
To make a soft square, you need to place the file perpendicular to the central axis of the nail. The file should not fall under the nail.
After we have positioned our manicure tool, we begin to saw the free edge so that it has a clear, even line.
Then we move on to the corners. First we make 90 degree angles. To do this, turn the finger and start sawing the side walls parallel to the central axis.
The file should not fall under the nail. To soften the corners, round the corners with sweeping rocking movements of the nail file.
Round form
All nails must be aligned so that they are the same length. This can be done using a file or nail clippers.
After this, we begin to saw the nails with light circular movements. The free edge should become arc-shaped and visually look like a circle. There shouldn't be any sharp edges anywhere.
Oval shape
The first step is to straighten your nails so that they are the same length. This can be done with the help of a file or nail clippers. After this, we place the file under the nail and file on each side until the middle of the free edge meets the file.
Then you need to smooth out the middle a little, so we file this part with light circular movements. Additionally, we file down all sharp corners and remove them. There should be no sharp corners in an oval shape.
Almond shape
You can make a beautiful almond from a long oval nail (read above for how to make an oval shape). Afterwards, you need to cut off the side part in the direction from the edges to the center.
It is better not to touch the tip; during sawing it will take the desired shape on its own. The inner surface of the nail also needs to be smoothed so that there are no corners. To do this, you need to turn your finger a little to the side.
Acute form
It will take a long time to file your nails to a sharp shape, so you can use the nail clippers from the manicure set and remove the extra corners.
After this, you need to file the sides of the nail from the edge to the center. It is better not to touch the tip of the nail; during filing, it will take the desired shape on its own. To trim the side walls, you need to turn your finger and file the nail, removing sharp corners.
How and what shape to give to short nails? How to make round nails?
Short nails are usually given a round or square shape. It is better not to make a pointed one, because:
- the sharp tips of short nails can look ridiculous, even intimidating, making a woman’s hands look like the clawed paws of an animal
- The sharp tips of short nails will quickly break off
For short nails, a round shape is ideal.
IMPORTANT: Round nails are considered the most natural. French manicure is the most organic on them.
Round shape on short nails.
To make your nails round, you need:
- Perform a hygienic manicure
- Give the plates the same length. To do this, you need to find the shortest nail and fit all the others to it.
- Using a nail file, file all nails into a square.
- Moving from the edges of the plate to its center, round the corners
- Ideally, a round nail should follow the shape of your fingertip.
The most fashionable nail shapes in 2022
Back in 2022, a fashion for naturalness . This trend has become even larger in 2022. But this does not mean that you now need to take off your nails and not do a manicure at all.
It is recommended to avoid extended nails, so we say no to the “ballerina”, “stiletto” and “spade” shapes. It is better to have short or medium length nails.
Important! In the description below, by “nail length” we will mean the length of the nail bed, not the length of the nail bed + free edge.
For long nails
The following shapes are suitable for long nails.
Short length:
- classic square;
- soft (rounded) square;
- oval;
Average Length:
- classic square;
- soft (rounded) square;
- oval;
- almond;
Long nails: in 2022, it is better to give up very long nails.
You can also make an oval-square shape if the nail plate is asymmetrical.
For short nails
Those with short nails can choose the following manicure options in 2022.
Short length:
- classic square;
- soft (rounded) square;
Average Length:
- classic square;
- soft (rounded) square;
- oval;
Long marigolds: in this case, you can make almonds. If you want this manicure, you will need extensions. But your nails will need care, because it is difficult for short nails to hold the extended part.
For medium nails
You should not use forms that expand the nail plate. Therefore, the following manicure options are suitable for girls with such nails.
Short length:
- classic square;
- soft (rounded) square;
Average Length:
- classic square;
- soft (rounded) square;
- oval;
- almond;
Long nails: in 2022, it is better to give up very long nails, especially since the average length of nails does not allow this.
For wide nails
Those with wide, trapezoidal nails have a hard time, because the only shape that will look good on their hands is an oval-square one.
However, in this case, a correction . You can change the shape to a more classic one using arched extensions and modeling with gel and acrylic.
What nail shape is suitable for long fingers?
Thin, thin brushes are already beautiful in themselves. It would seem that no matter what you do, everything will be fine. However, not all so simple. Both a clear and soft square looks great on long, thin fingers. By the way, classic French manicure is done on a square.
Oval and circle can be chosen for thin fingers, but pay attention to the stock: the first option looks harmonious on a narrow plate, the second - on a wide and short one.
“Almond”, “pointe” and with a beveled edge - such nails are good for long, thin fingers, if the free edge does not protrude too much. Of course, this is a matter of taste, but it is important not to overdo it. Overgrown nails stretch the fingers even more. Often, pointed manicures on elongated palms look unsightly, and the brush resembles the paw of a bird of prey. Keep it in moderation.
Moderation is the key word to follow if you strive to be an elegant, sophisticated person. Moderation should be manifested in the choice of design and color of manicure. If you are not sure what is right for you, consult a specialist. His experience can help.
Checking the length of your nails
It is important not only to cut one or all nails perfectly, but also to make them the same length. It is not recommended to make them too short, because the shape of most fingers and nails is asymmetrical.
Accordingly, if the nails are cut to the root, then this asymmetry will be noticeable, which does not look very beautiful.
To check the length of your nails, use the following cheat sheet :
- The length of the entire nail and the shape on the second and fourth fingers should be the same.
- The length of the entire nail on the third finger should be 1-2 mm longer than the second or fourth.
- The length of the entire nail on the first finger should be 1-3 mm longer than the third.
- The length of the entire nail on the fifth finger should be 1 mm less than the third.
Important! Don't forget to also compare identical fingers on different hands. The length of the nails should be the same.
How to choose a polish color depending on the shape of your nails?
Another problem that arises when choosing a manicure is the design and color of the nails.
Again, a good master will definitely advise you on a color in accordance with your preferences, lifestyle, appearance characteristics, style and the desired impression you want to make on other people. But often the masters do not advise anything and blindly follow the client’s wishes.
In 2022, the fashion is for naturalness, so it is better to choose nude or at least monochromatic colors, abandon designs or use them in a minimalist style.
But we will still consider all the options, because if you like eye-catching designs, then feel free to use them.
Short, square
You can use any color, because anything will look good on this form: dark, light, glossy and matte colors.
Short, oval
To emphasize the oval shape, it is recommended to use bright and rich shades: black, dark blue, brown, red, as well as all neon colors.
You shouldn’t do a manicure to match your skin color, because then the most fashionable nail shape of 2022, flowing into 2022 - a short oval - will not be noticeable.
Long, narrow
This is the most feminine shape, so nude or red colors will look good on these nails.
Subtle colors, such as light yellow, light blue, etc., will not look attractive. The same goes for dark colors, your nails will look like claws.
Long, wide
We use dark varnish colors; black, dark brown, dark blue, burgundy, and plum colors will look especially good.
We avoid light and pearlescent varnishes because they visually widen the fingers.
Short, widening from base to edge
It is better not to use dark and bright colors because they will indicate the trapezoidal shape of the nail. You can use nude or pearlescent varnishes.
Another option is to focus on the central part and leave the outer corners unpainted.
Peak nail design photo
The main trends in spade nail decoration can be seen in the photo:
The good old French manicure is always relevant on any nail shape. At the same time, the large area of the nail plate allows you to make it more elegant and festive. The peaked jacket is quite suitable for everyday wear, and with the addition of lace decorations it can be used to decorate the bride’s hands.
Bright single-color coatings with a shine or matte effect will emphasize the length and shape of the peaks.
The combination of matte and shiny shades gives a special depth to the coating.
The trend is lunar design with various variations.
Aquarium design is gaining popularity, in which the design is hidden behind the gel as if behind glass.
Graphic designs on one nail or all of them give an unusual look. For greater effect, use bright contrasting colors.
Seasonal designs are always on the fashion wave. Each season has its own design.
The modeling is losing its position, but when performed alone it looks very impressive.
All kinds of decorations in the form of beads, rhinestones, broken glass will be ideal for a festive manicure.
Which nails should you definitely not do in 2022?
The trend towards naturalness has replaced bright colors and designs, so in 2022 we say “bye” to the following trends of past years:
- claws too long;
- extensions (this does not include additional extensions, when one or more nails have broken off and need to be reshaped);
- multi-colored bright manicure;
- a large number of sparkles and rhinestones;
- large sparkles and rhinestones;
- stencil designs;
- gradient, cat's eye, etc.;
- moon manicure;
- French manicure with dark edges;
- matte finish;
- design overloaded with drawings and rhinestones.
You can look good at any age. The main thing is to always take care of yourself. Start with simple things like a manicure.
Firstly, it will lift your mood and self-esteem, and, secondly, it will attract the views of others. After all, a good quality manicure is always noticeable.
