Shape it Up!

Figuring Out Which Nail Shape Looks Best on You

While a stylish swipe of colour adds the perfect finishing touch to beautiful nails, it's the shape that is important. If you ask any Nail technician, the base of any good manicure, is your nail shape because it is the foundation for creating gorgeous fingers.

As well as complementing your choice of colour or design, the right shape can also flatter your whole hand and make it appear more attractive. From making short fingers appear longer to accentuating nice nails, the shape of your manicure has more power than you might think ladies! As such, choosing the best nail shape for your fingers is an important task that you should not overlook.

Nail Shapes

When selecting a nail shape, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the different options available. Although there are many silhouettes and variations on offer, there are key shapes you should know. But I'm gonna be talking about 4 nail shapes and this will possibly help you figure out which nail shape best suits you. To precisely determine which style is best for you, you will need to take into consideration your finger shape, nail bed width, and nail length.

Below are some descriptions of the four(4) nail types

1. Almond Shaped Nails

These nails feature slim sides, which taper towards the end, and a rounded tip. Although this chic form won’t work on short nails, it does look lovely on longer lengths. The silhouette naturally suits long and thin nail beds thanks to its elongated shape. According to Cosmopoliton "almond nails are also ideal for making wide fingers look slender in order to create the appearance of slim hands." If you believe this shape is for you, try the look with neutral and nude polishes as well as glamorous and girly designs.

2. Coffin/Ballerina Shaped Nails

In my opinion, the best shape for long nail lovers, like myself and those with narrow nail beds is defienetly coffin shaped. Also known as a ballerina shape, this nail style is named after its silhouette, which resembles both a coffin and ballet slipper and is characteristically long and narrow. It also dramatically tapers in towards the end before finishing with a square tip. For natural nails, ladies, you should only attempt this shape if your nails are long and sturdy because short and brittle nails may not be able to handle this shape. However, you can try this shape with acrylic nails and with any nail polish because it look bomb everytime.

3.Oval Shaped Nails

This shape isn't my style but thanks to their elongating abilities, oval-shaped nails are ideal for both short and wide nail beds and fingers. Similar to almond shaped nails, these medium to long shape nails, ends in a semi-circle, but is more blunt delicate in appearance. The result is a feminine nail shape that helps to make wide fingers appear slimmer and short fingers to look longer. For your natural nails you won’t need seriously long nails to rock an oval shape, but you will need a little length. A few millimetres of free edge extending past your fingertip should do the trick with some cute pastel colors on top.

4.Stiletto Shaped Nails

This nail style isn't one of the traditional nails shapes mention above but it is one of the newest nail shapes today.Funny enough, in my experience if you ask your nail tech for stiletto nails, don't be surprised if she asks you if you're sure, and instead suggests an almond or oval shape. And that's because true stiletto nails are point and I mean really pointy, but that's part of their appeal.

Like stiletto heels, they're fierce, they stand out, and they command attention. I believe they don't even need a lot of polish or nail art to stand out, but they're even more dramatic that way. Named after the iconic shoe, this nail is a very long and sharp option and like the coffin shaped nail it goes well with wider hands and slender fingers.

Just remember to keep in mind that some shapes will only suit long nails while others will look better on shorter lengths but it all comes down to what you like and prefer.