How to Pick the Best Nail Shape for You (2024)

FAQs

How to Pick the Best Nail Shape for You? ›

If you have short palms and short fingers, it's best to opt for rounded oval and almond shapes. For longer palms and fingers, consider dramatic stiletto or coffin (or ballerina) shaped styles. Almond shaped nails tend to suit everyone.

If you have short palms and short fingers, it's best to opt for rounded oval and almond shapes. For longer palms and fingers, consider dramatic stiletto or coffin (or ballerina) shaped styles. Almond shaped nails tend to suit everyone.

Acrylic nails are known for their durability and strength. They are resistant to chipping and breaking, making them a popular choice for people who have a busy lifestyle or who engage in activities that put their nails at risk of damage. Gel nails, while durable, aren't as strong as acrylic nails.

I would always recommend disposable forms because you can tailor them to any nail shape and natural nail, and I find reusable forms a little awkward to disinfect. Forms made with both paper and foil tend to be the best because they allow you to create your C-curve without the need to pinch.

Hi, for a more feminine look, ask for rounded or almond shaped nails. These are generally considered more feminine shapes.

Impact of Nail Shape and Length on Perceived Age

Round or Oval Shape: These classic nail shapes are synonymous with timelessness and are believed to visually elongate your fingers. They look natural and are hence associated with a younger appearance.

Vertically long and Almond nails are the most desired and long lasting of the bunch. They have long straight side walls and a beautiful arch. The perfect amount of strength and natural support.

Squoval Nails

Coming in as one of the most popular nail shapes out there is the squoval nail shape. A blend of the square and oval nail shapes, squoval nails make for an elegant look. Keeping the straight square edge with soft rounded edges, this balanced shape might be your new favorite staple.

Stiletto nails are dramatic, long, and filed to a pointed tip. According to Lennon, it's the toughest to maintain because it's the most susceptible to breakage and requires longer, stronger nails. To create this look, file the sides into a tapered point on the free edge.

Opt for a slightly rounded or oval shape, as it can give the illusion of longer and more youthful-looking fingers.

What color nails look classy? ›

If you don't want anything too colourful, then opt for a sheer, milky white shade. This manicure is subtle but sophisticated, and I just know it's going to be in style for years to come.

Mani trends come and go, but round nails remain ever-popular. This is one of the easiest shapes to create at home and works across all nail lengths – especially short nails. Round nails are perfect for those with a wide nail bed or people who want to optically elongate the length of their hands and fingers.

Almond – The slimmer sides, gentle tapering, and rounded tip of this style make the hands and fingers appear slimmer. The overall effect is more feminine, elegant looking hands. Oval – This softer, blunter shape makes the fingers appear to be slimmer.

According to Lippmann, many clients are interested in shorter nails instead of long acrylic manicures. The favored nail shape has also shifted from rounded almond to short and square. "While the almond shape was widely popular this past year, I think we will see more short square-shape nails come into play," she said.

She told 21Ninety coffin, stiletto, or round nails are the best nail shapes for fat fingers. “[Stiletto nails] are extremely tapered, giving your thick fingers a slim and lengthened appearance,” Littlewood said. Coffin nails also offer this lengthening effect, but with a more squared tip at the end.

Short, Square Nail Shapes

Another nail shape that will be popular this year is short, square nails. "My personal preference is short because it's more practical and gives that clean, old-money look," explains Shelton.

On an oval nail shape a fingernail is rounded on the top and then tapers to a point at the tip. It is one of the most popular nail shapes as it provides a balanced and natural look. It's not too long or too short yet not too round nor too pointy.

“Nail polish colors that have cool tones—like blue, lavender, and light pink—typically complement people with cool undertones,” says celebrity manicurist Queenie Nguyen. Pastel colors, blue-based reds, and jewel tones are also very flattering. If you're choosing brown nail polish, lean toward taupes.