With a whole lot of trendy, new nail fashion coming up, you are surely confused as to which style to go for, how to match each style, or how to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest nail fashion. Whether you love to shape your fingernails at home or give your dear hands a treat to a manicure every weak at the fashion parlor, you might be asking yourself questions like ‘what types of nail shape are en vogue?’, or ‘which nail shape should I choose?’ and ‘which shape is best – the long, or short, or medium one?’ Well, here we are, then, with all your answers.
The following list discusses the top seven and most popular nail shapes; and not just that, we have discussed in details, and broken down each category to help you find the best one for yourself. Just go through this exhaustive list, and you will actually believe what we mean! So, here you go:
This is the very traditional ‘oval’ or U-shaped nail that you can find worn by many girls and women. This is probably the easiest yet one of the most elegant nail shapes, and will be right for you to choose for just anything, including parties to discs, or shopping to dating. You can safely go for this one without a second thought.
The tip of the oval-shaped nails is soft and much blunter. This shape only works with longer nails, so no chance for you to get this shape if you are a nail-biter. This shape looks even more beautiful on nail beds that are wider (and yes, it is also a perfect base for any kind of nail art).
Look and feel / Features: girly, classic, classy
Suits whom: It will suit someone with relatively shorter fingers or hands, having broad and stubby nail beds since oval-shaped nails are meant to give an illusion of length. However, it will also be suitable for those with longer fingers, but have broad and short nail beds.
How to beautify: You can use any kind of manual to readymade to nail art.
This shape, basically, is a perfect rectangular- to square-shaped one without any soft or rounded edges. Honestly speaking, having this kind of a shape, you might be having a chance of your fingers having a stubby look. However, this shape looks wonderful for those who have narrow nail beds on relatively shorter nails.
This shape is also perfect for a low-maintenance manicure. Another merit of this shape is that, its characteristic straight edges gives the nails much more durability, as opposed to other shapes, since square nails are much less prone to breaking.
Look and feel / Features: clean-cut, low-maintenance, stylish
Suits whom: It will look great on you especially if your fingers are long and slender, and your nail beds are narrow. You might also want to go for this style even if your fingers are short; however, in that case, it is recommended that you narrow your nail beds.
How to Beautify: Make your nails beautiful using block, bold nail polish colors.
As the name suggests, ‘squoval’ is a portmanteau for a combination of both the above styles, i.e. square and oval. The squoval shape is not only easy for maintenance, especially on shorter nails, but also looks all the more appealing on all finger shapes.
Also called Soft Square, this shape looks almost similar to square-shaped nails, but with the nail edges being a lot softer (or, more towards the blunt and rounded side). So, in that sense, this one is a fair compromise between oval- and square-shaped nails. So, interestingly, it is for those who prefer to get both the worlds (and can’t decide between the two).
Look and feel / Features: suits all finger shapes, natural, classic.
Suits whom: You can safely go for the squoval shape if your nail beds are broad and long. The Soft Square shape looks equally amazing on both long and short finger types.
How to Beautify: You can experiment with various geometric nail art styles on the canvas of a squoval nail.
It is easily understandable by the name that round nails are ‘rounded’ off at their edges; however, just like the square-shaped nails, this nail type, too, is characterized by straight sides.
Round and almond-shaped (discussed below) nails elongate the beds of your nails so as to make them have more slender and wider features. Well-known nail designer Schell has suggested that, those who feel that their fingers as chubby or short should safely choose to wear round nails.
Look and feel / Features: elongates shorter fingers, elegant, tidy.
Suits whom: Round nails will suit you the best, if you think your fingers are short, having slim or narrow nail beds. It is not recommended for those who have long, slender, or thin fingers.
How to Beautify: It is relatively easier to beautify this nail type since you are free to use any nail polish shade, or else, can even leave it unpainted.
Like an almond, this shape is almost oval but is additionally a little more elongated. This type, however, is pretty flattering. Almond-shaped nails are slender on their sides but have a relatively wider base, as they gradually reach the tips, reminding you of a real almond.
The shape almond is a slimming variation of the nail that looks best on long to medium nail types, giving the look of some extra length (even when they are not much long). However, as one demerit, this nail type is easily breakable because of it shape.
Look and feel / Features: feminine, chic, glamorous.
Suits whom: It will look best on you, if you have short or long fingers but with the nail beds being long and narrow.
How to Beautify: You can safely sport this style using shiny or plain metallic nail polish colors; and additionally, you can experiment with acrylics, or can even try any kind of gel polish.
This nail style is quite popular amongst Hollywood celebs, with many of the actresses often seen flaunting the Stiletto style! Additionally, we must mention that, there is a big misconception that stiletto is the other name for ‘almond’ nails, but it is not at all true. Moreover, this type of finger nail involves a much more drastic aspect of fashion.
All we mean is, you just cannot sport the stiletto if you have natural nails; since then, your nails won’t have enough strength to retain the characteristic stiletto shape. This means that, if you fantasize partying around with this shape, you need to go for nail enhancements like acrylics first. Otherwise, you might have to repent with your nails broken off in a few hours’ time!
Look and feel / Features: elongates hands, high in maintenance, loud.
Suits whom: Practically speaking, to have this nail shape, you need to have enough time and money for upkeeping it, and of course, you are fit for it, if you are looking forward to make a statement.
How to Beautify: You can make the shape attractive and eye-catching by using elaborate, pretty, but unchipped, designs on your nails.
This shape is very similar to the stiletto style. However, the only difference is that, the tips of your nails, in case of Coffin shape, is rather squared off. This design renders the look of a coffin. This style is certainly cool especially if you are looking for a very different shape.
It is also called Ballerina because some people find it shaped like the ballerina slipper. Ballerina style is commonly favorite to those who prefer long fingernails. However again, as we mentioned above, you can wear this shape if you are sure that your natural nails are sturdy and long enough. In that case, you might as well want to experiment with acrylic designs with this style.
Look and feel / Features: glamorous, chic, high-maintenance.
Suits whom: It is best for those who suit squoval or square shaped nails with narrow and long nail beds.
How to Beautify: Make your nails gorgeous and attractive by using unchipped and neat acrylic nail shapes combined with pale nail polish colors.
