Perhaps you have been doing manicures all your life without thinking about which shape would suit you best. Or, on the contrary, you have found your ideal one and no longer see the need to experiment. In any case, it is useful to find out what modern nail shapes are, and which of them are especially relevant now.
What are the different nail shapes?
An ideal manicure consists of many important points, but the primary one is choosing the appropriate nail shape. Even the most fashionable and ideal option by all standards may categorically not suit you, or... On the contrary, your option may be just the one that has been out of trend for several seasons in a row. In the question of how to choose the shape of your nails, it is important to consider some factors:
- Square long nails are more durable than round or almond shaped nails. If your work requires you to work a lot on the computer, it is better to give preference to a square shape.
- Round and oval nails will help create a more sophisticated and feminine look.
- The popular almond shape is not recommended for those who lead an active lifestyle or play sports - such nails are very easy to break.
- For short nails, it is better to choose a round or square shape. For longer ones, it is fashionable to give preference to elongated or pointed ones.
- If you have wide fingers, nail shapes such as oval, almond, or ballerina are suitable options.
- For women with long and thin fingers, the ideal nail shape would be square.
- One of the rules of nail art is that the shape of the tip of the nail should follow the contour of the cuticle. Based on this, you can choose the ideal option for yourself.
What nail shape is in fashion now?
Choosing a nail shape is a matter that requires special attention, because this is the basis of a successful manicure. First of all, it is important to focus on the natural shape of the nail plate and the shape of the fingers, but the fashion trends of the season must also be taken into account. Thus, the most popular nail shape this season is the stylish and elegant almond-shaped, more suitable for medium and long lengths.
Trapezoidal
Among girls, there is a small percentage whose nail plate is naturally trapezoidal. But mostly it is an artificial form. Unfortunately, most masters do not like it and sometimes refuse to perform it. They consider it “kitsch”, that is, too ordinary an option.
But fashionistas still insist on their own, and, thanks to them, the form is gaining great popularity.
Almond nail shape
The graceful and sophisticated almond shape of the nails will be the perfect extension of long, thin fingers. At the same time, it is also suitable for naturally plump fingers - with its help it can visually lengthen them. The name fully corresponds to the appearance of the nail - it is a round elongated nail with a pointed soft tip. The almond shape, unfortunately, is completely unsuitable for short nails, but for long nails it is the ideal solution.
The almond-shaped shape of long nails allows you to realize a wide variety of design ideas - both a single-color idea and various creative options. French on almond-shaped nails looks interesting and sophisticated. It’s easy to make this nail shape even on your own at home:
- the top of the nail is cut off so that a square shape with sharp edges is obtained;
- then, using a highly abrasive file, the corners are filed off so that the nail turns out to be slightly pointed and symmetrical with the cavity;
- Using a low abrasive file, the nail shape is polished and the upper corner is smoothed.
Almond shaped nail design
The elegant and fashionable almond shape of nails will allow you to realize a wide variety of design ideas. There are actually no restrictions - any option you like can be safely implemented. But, according to stylists. The most successful manicure for almond-shaped nails is:
- elegant and laconic nude manicure;
- catchy geometric design;
- gradient or ombre;
- design with silver - foil, sparkles, glitter, shimmer, rhinestones;
- neat drawings.
Oval nail shape
If you have long, thin fingers, then the oval nail shape is what you need. For short, chubby fingers, this solution will also be suitable, but only if the nails are long. The oval shape is very similar to the round one with one difference - the tips of the nails slightly taper at the edges, the outline of the nail resembles the outline of an egg. It looks very gentle, elegant and aristocratic on both long and short nails.
Oval nail design
The main advantage of this solution is that a manicure on short oval-shaped nails looks no less elegant and sophisticated than on long ones. Popular nail art options are:
- manicure for oval nails using the cat's eye technique;
- plain design - matte or glossy finish;
- textured decor using sand, broths, powder, microbeads;
- elegant gentle French and moon manicure for oval-shaped nails;
- manicure with a pattern for oval nails;
- brilliant decor - rhinestones, sparkles and other ideas.
Squawed
Squoval is a symbiosis of an oval and a square. The free edge is cut perpendicular to the central axis, the corners are strongly pronounced, but, unlike a square, they are rounded. Squoval provides ample opportunities for French manicure. It looks elegant and gentle on women's fingers. Despite the fact that the nail turns out to be long, you should not be afraid of breaking it. The rounded edges also help avoid the risk of getting caught on anything.
Don't forget that a poorly chosen uniform can ruin even the most ideal look. Don't be afraid to experiment, combine comfort and style.
Square nail shape
When considering various ideas for yourself, it is important to take into account that the square shape of nails visually shortens the fingers, so it is absolutely not suitable for chubby hands. But it is an ideal option for sophisticated, graceful “musical” fingers. It was originally conceived as an idea for a delicate French manicure, but now it is widely used for all sorts of stylish nail art options.
The main advantage of the square shape of nails is its strength - such a plate is much more difficult to break than a round or almond-shaped one, but many face another problem - the fragility of sharp corners. Therefore, a soft square nail shape with smoothed corners is more preferable - it looks less aggressive and is more practical. The square shape is suitable for any length, even the smallest.
Square Nail Designs
The square shape of nails, according to many stylists, looks very tough and aggressive, therefore, when choosing design options, you should give preference to more delicate and sophisticated ideas. At the same time, a long square nail plate is a huge space for implementing the most sophisticated and varied nail art ideas.
The most successful ideas for designing square-shaped short or long nails are:
- plain manicure in soothing colors;
- volumetric design made using sand, broths, gel and other textured design options;
- French for short or long square-shaped nails;
- manicure in geometric design;
- nail design using foil;
- matte manicure for square nails;
- nail design with rhinestones;
- various designs on square nails.
Ballerina pointe shoes
This form came into fashion in 2016. It is distinguished by its extreme length and bright, eye-catching design. This design is suitable exclusively for long nails. The strongly tapered square resembles a ballerina's pointe shoe. This manicure looks gentle and elegant and is very popular with girls.
Keep in mind that complex designs are not suitable for this shape. If done incorrectly, your nails will look vulgar.
Stiletto nail shape
Fans of catchy and shocking experiments will certainly appreciate the nail shape called stiletto. The nails look long and narrow, this idea is very eccentric and not very practical - the nail can easily be broken. To avoid such a nuisance, it is better to do a manicure for stiletto-shaped nails with gel strengthening, or you should use extensions.
The beautiful shape of stiletto nails looks shocking and bright, it is suitable exclusively for long lengths. It is often preferred by those who like to be the center of attention. A long, sharp nail looks more natural on thin fingers. Those who have chubby hands are not recommended to wear such a uniform - due to the contrast, the fullness of the fingers will only be visually enhanced.
Nail design with stiletto shape
Manicures for stiletto nail shapes are often very catchy and shocking ideas that attract maximum attention. The most popular design option is sharp black nails, which are often preferred by informal youth. A stiletto manicure in bright red colors, with a variety of design and decor options, looks bright and catchy on the shape of nails.
A catchy and shocking nail design is not always appropriate - for example, sharp black nails do not fit very harmoniously into a business look. For the stiletto nail shape, you can choose lighter and more neutral design options that are suitable for a specific occasion - this could be a calm, monochromatic manicure in pastel or nude colors, an elegant French manicure, or delicate lunar nail art.
How to choose a polish color depending on the shape of your nails?
Another question that arises when choosing nail art is the design and color of the nails.
Again, a good artist will definitely advise you on colors based on your preferences, lifestyle, appearance, style and the ideal impression you want to make on others. However, often the master does not make any suggestions, but blindly follows the client’s wishes.
In 2022, naturalism is in fashion, so it is best to choose nude or at least solid colors and abandon patterns or use them in a minimalist style.
But we'll still look at all the options, because if you like amazing designs, then go ahead and use them.
Short, square
You can use any color because anything will look great on this shape: dark, light, shiny and matte colors.
Short, oval
To emphasize the oval shape, bright and rich shades are recommended: black, dark blue, brown, red and all neon colors.
It is not recommended to get a manicure that matches your skin color, because then the most popular nail shape of 2022 - a short oval - will not look good in 2022.
Long, narrow
This is the most feminine shape, so a nude or red color will look great on these nails.
Light colors like light yellow and light blue don't look as nice. The same applies to dark colors, when the nails will look like claws.
Long, wide
Use dark nail polish colors; black, dark brown, dark blue, burgundy and plum will look especially good.
Avoid light and pearlescent varnishes, as they visually enlarge your fingers.
Short, widening from base to edge
It is better to avoid dark and bright colors, as they will emphasize the trapezoidal shape of the nail. You can use nude or pearlescent varnishes.
An alternative is to highlight the central part without painting the outer corners.
Sharp nail shape
Many girls are interested in the question of which nail shape lengthens and thins their fingers. Sharp nails, which can be of different shapes, do an excellent job of this task. This category includes the almond shape, stiletto and ballerina, which have become extremely popular this season. Stylists do not recommend the stiletto for visually increasing the length of the fingers - the effect may be the opposite.
Pointed nails look beautiful and catchy - a pointed tip gives the image a more shocking and defiant look, while a rounded tip looks sophisticated and gentle. The only significant drawback of sharp nails is their impracticality. First of all, this form is only suitable for long lengths; they can be extremely inconvenient in everyday life, and they break very easily.
Manicure for sharp nail shapes
There are several options for sharp-shaped nail designs:
- Bright and shocking nail design. Pointed nails are often preferred by those who want to stand out from the crowd, and nail art can contribute to this. Design options in black, red, and acidic shades using a variety of decorative ideas have become trendy.
- Neutral nail design. Flashy and shocking nail art is not always appropriate, and sharp nails in calm shades look no less beautiful. This can be a single-color coating in white, pastel or nude colors; you can use laconic design and decor ideas.
- French on sharp nails. Such ideas in a wide variety of options can be both gentle and laconic, and, on the contrary, bright and catchy.
Almond shape
This form is similar in appearance to almonds. The tip of the nail plate becomes slightly sharper. This shape lengthens the finger, making it slimmer and thinner. Almond-shaped nails are comfortable to wear, thanks to the pointed edge, they rarely break.
With this choice, you should use a single-color coating. Then a manicure will complement any of your looks. The choice of design should be approached responsibly. On the middle and ring fingers, you can use glitter coating or rhinestones laid along the cuticle.
Pointe shoe nail shape
Another version of the nail shape, which is both sharp and square, is the so-called ballerina, or pointe shoe. It is a tapered nail with a square tip and is ideal for any nails and any fingers. Natural or extended nails in this version are worn much better than the stiletto shape - the ballerina does not break as easily and is more comfortable and practical.
Manicure for ballerina nail shape
The graceful and shape of ballerina nails is a combination of shocking, sharp and practical square; the design can be absolutely anything - from catchy and shocking ideas to graceful and sophisticated, including exquisite designs. Ideas such as:
- nail design in minimalist style;
- ballerina shaped nail design in geometry style;
- catchy nail art using bright colors;
- brilliant nail design - rhinestones, sparkles and other ideas;
- various designs on nails.
Round form
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Posted by Jin Soon Choi (@jinsoonchoi) Apr 24, 2016 at 11:02 am PDT
Essentially, a circle is an oval for short nails. This form will be a great help for those who unexpectedly broke their nails, or those who find it difficult to grow them back. A neatly filed circle will add grace to even short fingers with wide nail plates.
This is the most versatile manicure in shape and easy to care for. Multi-colored polish and delicate designs look good on round nails.
Nail shape squawked
There is a huge percentage of girls who prefer to wear square nails, but face the problem of brittleness. As a result, the beautiful sharp corners break off and the manicure loses its attractiveness. The ideal solution could be the shape of a squaw nail, which is the same square, but with soft, well-smoothed corners.
The beautiful shape of squaw nails has the same features as the classic square, beloved by many:
- nails squawked, like a square, are stronger than a round or sharp shape, they are much more difficult to break;
- this shape of nails can visually shorten the fingers, so those with graceful, thin hands should wear it;
- Like the square, the squawk nail shape can look tough and aggressive, so if you want to create a delicate and feminine look, you should use graceful and sophisticated ideas for the design.
Checking the length of your nails
It is important not only to make one or all nails perfect, but also to make them the same length. It is not recommended to make your nails too short, as most people have asymmetrical fingers and nails.
Therefore, if you cut your nails below the roots, this asymmetry will appear and not look very good.
To find out the length of your nails, use the following cheat sheet.
The entire nail on the second and fourth fingers should be the same length and shape. The entire length of the nail on the third finger should be 1-2 mm longer than on the second or fourth. The entire length of the nail on the first finger should be 1-3 mm longer than on the third finger. The entire length of the nail on the fifth finger should be 1 mm shorter than on the third finger.
Important: Don’t forget to also compare identical nails on different hands. The nails must be the same length.
Pipe nail shape
The name of this nail shape speaks for itself - translated from English this word means “pipe”. This version of the form has very long ends, reminiscent of thin tubes. Anyone who has seen this idea at least once will certainly come to the conclusion that in everyday life this version of nails is extremely inconvenient, but it can successfully become part of a bright and shocking image. The pipe nail shape is applicable only for long nails; short ones are not suitable for this idea.
