For the longest time, going for a manicure meant picking one of two shapes: round or square; and nothing in between. But now, there’s everything from square to oval and squoval; and so much more. Other than nail art, experimenting with your nail shape is a cool and interesting way to get creative with your mani. Plus, it adds more character to the choice of nail colour or art you’d like to go with. Here are seven of the most popular nail shapes you can opt for at your next salon appointment.
Round
A self-explanatory nail shape, rounded nails are a classic go-to. They work best for those with shorter fingers as they make them appear longer. The shape usually follows the curves of your fingertips and looks more natural.
Square
Square nails neither curve or flare out—it’s a straight, flat shape. This type of nail shape looks great on those with shorter nails, as well as those with a narrower nail bed.
Oval
Giving the rounded shape a bit more dimension, oval nail shapes are filed down on the sides. Like rounded nails, these too give the appearance of longer talons and work beautifully when paired with bold hues.
Squoval
Meet the in-between nail shape that gives you the best of both worlds—square and oval. The squoval nail shape finds a comfortable spot between the two, leaving you with a shape that is neither too round nor too square. This is perfect for those who love the effect of a square nail shape, without those pointy, sharp edges. If you’ve got wider and longer nail beds, this one is for you.
Ballerina
As the name suggests, this nail shape takes inspiration from a coffin or a ballerina’s toes. It’s a square with angled edges. Apart from making your fingers appear longer—and considering they can be done only on medium to long nails—they also provide a whole lot of real estate to execute those extravagant nail art ideas.
Almond
Almond-shaped nails add a touch of glamour to your manicure. Once again, the nails take the shape of an almond, where they’re oval but are filed along the sides for a more rounded and tapered tip. They have an almost pointy tip, which makes them different from rounded or oval nails.
Stiletto
If you’re looking for claws, then the stiletto nail shape is definitely for you. A true example of pointy sharp talons, stiletto nails are over-the-top. They are shaped like almond nails, but pointier at the tip. They also make for a great canvas for various nail art designs.
