Beauty

How to Pick your Nail Shape

March 30, 2015

A guide to shaping your nails according to your own finger shape, needs and lifestyle.

Oval, squoval, square, really pointy or just plain old round ones; with so many nail shapes these days we can try out a different shape each week until we fall in love with the right one.

But regardless of which shape is in fashion this season, do you know which shape works best for you? Do you know which shape is the most durable and will keep your nails from chipping or breaking? Well, we didn’t. So we did our research and here is what we found out.

How to Pick your Nail Shape

Round Nails. Picture by Mouret F13/ImaxTree
Round:

This shape is versatile and it's low-maintenance, especially if you don't like growing your nails too long. It's also a
good way to give the illusion of thinner nail beds. Because it's not too narrow from the front, it's also a good shape
if your nails are prone to breakage.
Read More

Squoval nails. Picture by Siriano S14/ImaxTree
A mix between the square and the oval, this shape is by far the best for breakage because the nail tips are wide
enough not to break and the edges are smooth enough not to chip. It is best for those with wider, longer nail beds
as it creates the illusion of a narrower nail.
Read More

Square nails. Picture by Carvallo S14/ImaxTree
Square-shaped nail tips are as big as your nail beds, which means there are no weak points and so they're harder
to break than other shapes but if the edges are too sharp they may be prone to chipping. They're also great for
French manicures and those who have wider nail beds. Keep them medium to long so they don't end up looking
sloppily maintained.
Read More

Oval nails. Picture by Telefon/SXC
Somewhere between square, round and almond, oval is a great choice for practicality, style, strength and
maintenance. It doesn't break too easily but still gives that slender feel and the illusion of longer
nails and narrows broad nail beds. Work great with medium and long length and are perfect for that
feminine, retro, 1970s look.
Read More

Almond Nails. Picture by Kate Spade/ImaxTree
If you don't want to go with the edgier stiletto, almond shape is a good way to go for a trendy but subtle look.
This look gives an impression of a longer nail and a thinner finger but isn't the greatest option when it comes
to nail strength so keep them short or medium. As a general rule, the wider the top, the less prone the nail is
to breaking, so if you have frail nails it could be hard to maintain an almond shape.
Read More

Stiletto Nails. Picture by Cushnie et Ochs/ImaxTree
Very trendy but very bold and fragile; stiletto is definitely the nail shape for 2015, but we do not recommend it on
natural nails; they will break before you get the chance to show them off. It's also not the most practical of
shapes so if you're doing a lot of work with your hands, stir away from it. If you like this shape and can
handle the maintenance of it, go for acrylic nails instead of filing your own that shape.