A Guide on The Different Types of Nail Shapes
Freshening up your nail shapes and lengths can be a fun and unique form of self-expression. It allows you to keep your hands neat, clean, and stylish while also displaying your individuality.
With so many different nail shape types paired with the latest trending nail colors, it might seem a little overwhelming to decide which style is right for you.
Many of you might be surprised that the different shapes of nails go way beyond the traditional square or round nail — follow this guide to see all of the different shapes you can try out and which one might be best for you for your next manicure.
#1 Round
Of the different types of nail shapes, this is the nail shape that started it all — round is a timeless look. Round nails automatically exude a pristine and professional style. You can get a rounded shape while keeping your nails short or long. A major benefit to the round nail shape is its smoothness, making it very hard for you to snag your nails on your clothing or on anybody else.
#2 Square
The square nail shape is another go-to classic. You can wear your nails short or long with a square finish. What’s more, square nails provide a broader canvas for anyone who enjoys getting their tips painted a la French manicure.
#3 Oval
Oval walks the line between rounded and square. It’s not fully rounded nor does it have the sharp edges that a square finish has. If you have wide nail beds this could be a good shape for you — it’ll give your qualified nail stylist plenty of room to work with.
#4 Squoval
For those looking for the best of both worlds, there’s the squoval nail shape. Squoval is a mish-mash of the words “square” and “oval.” Though it’s between the rounded and square shapes, the squoval leans a bit more toward the square look. It won’t have quite as sharp edges as the square. This is an edgy, eye-catching look for most nails and a good pick if you are having trouble deciding between square or round.
#5 Almond
Searching for a more pointed look? Almond nails will be round on the edges and the tip will be a little narrower than a rounded shape. With a true almond shape, your nails will need to be on the longer end (whether that be your natural nails or tips).
#6 Mountain Peak
You might summit the peak of your personal nail style with a mountain peak shape. The mountain peak shape comes to a point at the top, (hence the name), and is usually on the shorter side. That means almost all of the nail above the fingertip will consist of the peak. This is a stylish option if you are looking for something fun and different but still very manageable for the day-to-day. You won’t have to worry about mountain peak shaped nails breaking as easily as some of the longer styles.
#7 Stiletto
The stiletto shape will look a lot like the shape of the mountain peak but longer and sharper — think of a long, thin stiletto heel. This longer nail shape lengthens the hands and will accentuate your fingers nicely, making them look slender.
#8 Arrowhead
If Katniss had a favorite nail shape, you know this would be it. The arrowhead shape will come up as if it’s going to be squared off at the top and then angles into a point. It’ll be wide at the bottom and very skinny at the top. This is a very sharp style that will make your fingers stand out in a crowd. If you opt in for the arrowhead nail shape, be sure to pair this style with top quality nail polish brands, such as OPI or Essie, to help boost the longevity of your look.
#9 Coffin
The coffin style curves at the base of the nail and then comes to a square finish at the top, which is slightly more narrow than the bottom. The coffin nail shape works well with long nails because space is needed to get the correct shaping on the edges.
#10 Ballerina
For the little girls who wanted to grow up dancing The Nutcracker, this might just be the style for you. Ballerina nails are very similar to the coffin look but will be more rounded on the edges of the nails and still come to a square finish on the top. This looks best on long nails so you can see the full effect of this different nail shape.
#11 Edge
The edge shape will be square on the edges, coming to a dull point on the top. This is a good choice if you’re looking for a bit of an edge but don’t want as defined a point as the arrowhead shape.
#12 Lipstick
The lipstick nail shape looks like… well, lipstick. So it’ll be shaved higher on the top to one side. You can choose to have it higher on the left or right side depending on your preference. It’s basically the square shape but angled on the top. For chef’s kiss-worthy nails, ask the beauty professionals at your nail salon for the lipstick shape.
#13 Flare
Want to add a little flair to your nail game? Flare-shaped nails are formed when the bottom is narrower than the top, creating a fan effect. From there, the corners of the top are squared off.
#14 Cutout
The cutout shape features a unique curve shape at the top. It gives the nail a cool, swooped effect. It’s square on the sides and has squared edges on top and then swoops down. This is a fun and flirty twist on the traditional square shape and is an easy style to pull off for most nail types.
How to Pick The Right Nail Shape for You
With so many great nail shape options to choose from, it can be difficult to identify the right one for you. The good news is, you really can’t go wrong with any of these fabulous shapes. Picking any one of these nail shapes is sure to have you bounding out of the salon with a fresh, exciting, and bold new look.
Here are a few considerations when trying to decide which shape is right for your next visit to the salon:
- Work – Do you need to have a clean and professional look when you work? If so, rounded, square, oval, squoval, and almond nails are all great choices for you.
- Practicality – Some of the longer, pointier shapes can limit the ease of some fine-tuned things you do with your hands. Keep this in mind if you work with your hands a lot, if you choose a longer, pointier shape this could cause your nails to break easier.
- Height preference – Whether you are more comfortable with tall or short nails will help you narrow down your shape choices.
- Nail art – Whether you are searching Pinterest for acrylic or dip powder nail ideas for your next manicure, nail shape is a top consideration for a variety of looks. If you plan on adding gems, stickers, or any other design to your nails, keep this in mind when picking your shape. Certain accouterments will look better on different shapes depending on what you choose. You also may opt for some of the long nail options so you have more “canvas space” on your nails to work with.
- Step outside your comfort zone – With all this said, never be afraid to try a new style. You don’t know if it’s going to be the right fit for you until you’ve given it a chance! If you are drawn to a particular nail length or shape but worry that it’s not quite you, always remember you can change it if you don’t like it.
If you want to really spice it up, you can choose to have different shapes on different nails! This is uncommon but it can help you to decide which shape you are aligned with the most.
Quick Tips For Your Next Visit To The Nail Salon
To make sure you and your manicurist get the most out of your visit, consider taking the following steps before you go to the nail salon:
- Let your nails grow out – This will allow your manicurist to have more to work with when trying to give you the shape you are looking for.
- Practice good hygiene – Make sure you’ve washed your hands and cleaned your nails before your appointment.
- Have an idea of what you want – Go ahead, go down that Pinterest rabbit hole and find some different nail shapes and styles you love—but be sure to do that before you walk through those salon doors. If you’re stuck between two shapes or can’t decide between dip vs acrylic, you can absolutely ask for your stylist’s opinion, but help her out by presenting some ideas and options. This is especially true if you have an appointment with a manicurist you haven’t been to before.
Try One Shape, Try Them All—with StyleSeat
Let us help you find your next nail salon appointment. Simply search to find exactly what services and style you want to get done, and we’ll match you with a salon that meets your budget.
Whether you are searching for the best nail salons in Washington D.C. or are interested in finding more qualified nail technicians in Memphis, with us, you’ll receive the highest quality service for the most affordable price for your nails.
After all, there’s no reason to cut corners when it comes to your nails. Book with us today!
Sources:
Mamabee. 12 Trendy Looking Nail Shapes For This Fall and Winter. http://mamabee.com/12-trendy-looking-nail-shapes-for-this-fall-and-winter/
Super Drug. The Ultimate Guide To Nail Shapes. https://www.superdrug.com/blog/makeup/the-ultimate-guide-to-nail-shapes/
