Nail Shapes Decoded: A Guide to Perfecting Your Manicure

Get inspired by various nail shapes! Our article unveils the artistry behind manicures, helping you choose the ideal shape for your nails.

Nail Shapes Decoded: A Guide to Perfecting Your Manicure

The nail shape you choose can totally change the look of your manicure. Different types of nail shapes can give totally different looks: a poppy red squoval looks classic and timeless, whereas a long red stiletto looks ultra-feminine and powerful. If you’ve found your ride-or-die nail colour but still have a hankering to freshen up your look, try a new shape – you might just discover your new go-to!

What are the different nail shapes?

Here’s a handy nail shapes chart for a quick overview:

Image by Freepik

Almond Nails

Long, tapered sides with a very rounded tip.

One of the most popular nail shapes lately, almond looks incredible on longer nails and gives you a perfect canvas for nail art. As a bonus, it creates the illusion of longer, slimmer fingers.

Keep in mind that you do need a bit of length to create this shape, and since it requires the sides of the nail being filed down to create the taper, it’s recommended to reinforce the structure of the nail with gel, BIAB, or acrylic.

Squoval Nails

Straight sides and a straight top with softly rounded corners.

This is the trending nail shape of 2023, which isn‘t surprising since it flatters nails of any length and any size nail bed.

It’s also incredibly practical, since it maintains the structural strength of the nail, and there are no hard corners that can snag or scratch.

Round Nails

A rounded shape that follows the natural curve of the nail.

This shape is ideal if you prefer short and natural nails. Foolproof for even the most rookie manicurist, this is the easiest shape to wear and maintain, and can strengthen your nail beds.

If you like the classic look of a rounded shape but want to keep your length, oval might be a more flattering option.

Oval Nails

Straight sides with a rounded tip – slightly more tapered than round nails.

One of the most natural nail shapes, oval nails give a delicate, elegant look that creates the appearance of longer nails. This is one of the most hard-wearing shapes and least prone to breakage – so if your hands see heavy use, this might be the shape for you.

Square Nails

Straight sides and a straight, flat tip.

When worn long, this shape gives you a ton of surface area for nail art, and is the classic shape for a French. When worn short, it keeps the nails strong, which is ideal for people who work with their hands.

Steer clear of short square shapes if your fingers are on the thicker side, or if you have smaller nail beds, as it can create the look of stubby digits. Due to their sharp, pointed edges, this shape is not ideal if you work with kids (or wear contacts!).

Ballerina Nails (a.k.a. Coffin Nails)

Tapered sides and a small, flat tip.

This shape gives some serious edge to your look, and works especially well with nail art. They also elongate your fingers.

Like almond nails, this shape will need some reinforcing with gel or acrylic to prevent breakage.

Stiletto Nails

Steeply tapered sides ending in a sharp point.

They might be the least practical nail shape, but they’re the most fierce! Perfect for fans of extreme nail art, you’re sure to receive compliments on them everywhere you go.

This shape will not last very long on natural nails, and they are the most breakable. We recommend trying this shape out on acrylic nails to provide some extra strength. Beware, they will snag and scratch!

I still don’t know which nail shape to go for!

If you’re stuck, use the shape of your cuticles as a guide for the most natural looking nail shape.

After gently pushing your cuticles back with a cuticle pusher, see if your cuticle follows a rounder or more squared shape. If it’s rounded, oval and round nail shapes will look the most natural. If it’s more square, go for a squoval.

Check out our manicure tools and starter manicure sets to create beautiful manicures at home!