A Comprehensive Guide to the 12 Nail Shapes
Are you still struggling to find the perfect nail shape for you? You’re not alone! Many individuals can’t easily decide which shape is best for them, and this is why we created this guide. Your nails should be a statement of your personality and style and not just a nail polish canvas.
In this detailed exploration, we uncover the different nail shapes, how each complements hand sizes, hand types, factors to consider in choosing the proper nail shape and more. Let’s now unlock the secrets to knowing the best nail shape for you!
1. Stiletto
Stilleto is a striking nail shape primarily because of its spiked look. It’s shaped like an almond but has a very pointy tip and a wide base. If you want dramatic nails, stiletto is one of the best options. It may require high maintenance but can definitely display a style and statement with texture, art and colour.
2. Almond
Almond nails are considered a super glamorous shape. They are shaped by filing the sides to form a pointy tip but tapered at the end to achieve a round peak. You’ll see your nails shaped like the actual almond.
3. Oval
Oval nails are different from round nails. Their sides are filed down aside from the tips to achieve more extreme curvature, making your nails look longer. This shape is a classic choice and great for nail art.
4. Square
Like the shape square, your nails will look like a square. They have straight sides, sharp corners and flat tops, popular for people with long and narrow nail beds or short nails. They are also low maintenance and provide a clean and stylish finish.
5. Squoval
Squoval nails are a combination of square and oval shapes. They have straight sides like square nails but have curved corners. This nail shape is perfect for those who want a square tip without the sharp corners. What’s interesting about this is it suits everyone. It can only be more appealing to people with longer and wider nail beds, however. It balances out the appearance of wide nails.
6. Round
Round nails are also a classic shape excellent for short nails. People with short fingers can make their digits look long with round nails. This shape has straight sides as well but with curved edges that follow the fingertip’s natural shape. What’s great about round nails is they fit any polish colour as they will look brilliant.
7. Arrowhead
This is another dramatic nail shape, and it is less severe than stiletto. It has a shorter point than stiletto but features more dramatic angles to make an arrow-like tip. If you’re unsure whether to go for long, pointy nails, arrowhead nails are great to try first.
8. Edge
Edge nails are not as pointy and long as stiletto and not as aggressive as arrowhead. The key feature is its angled tips that are slightly sharper than arrowhead. The sides of the tip are filed to ensure they look like edges. Individuals who opt for this shape should get used to being comfortable with sharp edges.
9. Flare
Flare is exactly how it looks like in shape. Your nails flare upward and out and are magnificent with bling, fun prints and flashy colours. This nail shape doesn’t settle with less and plain and is also called the duck bill shape. If you want to be the centre of attention, this is the nail shape for you.
10. Lipstick
Lipstick nails are like the cut of lipstick you see from a new lipstick tube. It’s shaped like square, but the tips slant diagonally to create that lipstick cut. You can have it in long and short nails, and it’s great with geometric nail art patterns like shapes and lines.
11. Ballerina
Ballerina or coffin nails are shaped the same as stiletto but with square tips. They are fantastic with long nails and great if you don’t like dramatic tips. Any nail art or colour is suited for this nail shape.
12. Almondetto
Almondetto is a combination of almond and stiletto shapes to offer a dainty appeal but a little bit edgy. It’s longer than the almond nail shape and fantastic for various nail art designs. It’s also perfect for special occasions to showcase your nails.
How to Choose the Right Nail Shape: The 4 Hand Types
Now that you know the 12 different nail shapes, it’s time you learn how to identify the ideal shape for you. This section discusses the four hand types and which nail shapes suit each type best.
Generous Hands
These hands have long fingers and palms, and the best nail shape for these is square at any length. Nail art is also great on square nails as these provide a better canvas for artwork.
How to shape square nails:
- Cut the nails with a nail clipper to flatten the tips. Trim down based on your desired length.
- File the nails using a nail file and start from the middle of each nail to ensure a flat top. Also, make sure your tips are parallel to your nail beds.
- Continue filing to shape and smooth out the tips.
- Slightly file the corners to ensure they aren’t too sharp.
Piano Hands
These hands have long fingers and wide palms and are best for coffin or ballerina nails. You’ll be the centre of attention if you have this hand type and coffin nails. Just make sure to take extra care with coffin to prevent breakages.
How to shape ballerina or coffin nails:
- The first step is to create a square shape. Follow the steps presented above for Generous Hands.
- Next is to shape the sides of the nails to a specific angle. Ensure that both sides have a certain point to meet in the middle.
- Go slow when filing to ensure accuracy.
- Lastly, you should file the corners of the tips to your preference, whether you want them to be a little bit sharp or slightly rounded and softer.
Grounded Hands
Grounded hands have short fingers and wide palms and are best for oval and almond nails. Almond nails, for example, make the wide or short fingers look long.
How to shape almond nails:
- You need a guide to create a perfect almond shape. Draw a vertical line at the centre of your nail.
- Trim the sides of the nail to a slight angle using rounded clippers. Use the thin line you drew as your guide. Make sure not to cut too close to your fingers’ sidewalls.
- Be sure to check the sides of the nails as well if they are aligned nicely with the centre line you drew on the first step.
- Start filing the sides of the nail to smoothen or round them into an almond shape. File upwards gently going to the tip. Once the sides look great, file the tip of the nail to create a curved point.
Hi-Five Hands
Hi-five hands have short fingers and long palms and are best with oval nails. Your fingers will look slender and longer with an oval nail shape as it balances out your palms’ length.
How to shape oval nails:
- Oval nails require some length, and that’s why you need to carefully trim your nails to a minimum to achieve your desired length.
- File the sides of the nail to make them round and then continue to the tip. It’s important to go in one direction while filing to ensure an even shape.
Other Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Nail Shape
Aside from identifying your hand type, there are still other important considerations you need to take note of in choosing a nail shape:
Cuticle Shape
Yes, your cuticles’ shape matters in choosing the right nail shape. If you have prominent cuticles, squoval and square are your ideal shapes as they create polished and clean finishes. They make an illusion of a symmetrical look as they help reduce your cuticles’ appearance.
Personal Style
Of course, you have to consider your preference in enhancing your nails’ appearance. If you’re looking for everyday wear that can easily match any outfit, you can opt for oval or round nails. These shapes are versatile and complement most styles and looks.
However, if you want to stand out and make a statement, ballerina nails are your best bet. They require a length to make them eye-catching without the dramatic effect of pointy nails like the stiletto shape. No wonder it’s a favourite of many celebrities.
Lifestyle
This is also another essential factor in choosing your nail shape. You must think about your lifestyle whether it requires having short or long nails. If you have a busy one, consider round and square nails as these are low maintenance and great with short lengths. There’s a low chance of these shapes to break or snag.
However, if you have plenty of time for nail care, you can always go for bold and dramatic shapes like stiletto or ballerina. These shapes require high maintenance but are able to showcase your style and make it stand out.
Budget
Like it or not, dramatic and bold nails are a little bit pricey. They usually are long and eye-catching, which is perfect if you want attention. The longer the nails are, the higher the cost. This is especially true if you add many nail accessories like rhinestones. Make sure you know the cost for the enhancements you want to assess if it fits your budget. Go for short nails if you’re on a budget but you still want to beautify your nails.
The Takeaway
Knowing the different nail shapes and understanding how they complement your look enable you to easily identify the best shape you should have. Whether your hands look great with short or long nails, you’re able to rock your everyday look or every occasion you’ll attend. Be practical yet creative with your choices to get the best nail shape.