A Guide To Different Nail Shapes

We help you choose the right one that suits your finger! ‘What shape would you like?’ — The next time you are asked that question at your monthly manicure, we ...

We help you choose the right one that suits your finger!

1. Round nails

2. Square nails

3. Oval nails

4. Squoval nails

5. Almond nails

6. Stiletto nails

7. Coffin nails

Round nails

Let’s start with a shape you are already familiar with. The round nail shape is a classic that suits all and is particularly liked by those who like to keep their nails short for more functionality.

In this shape, the sides are straight and rounded at the edges, which follows the natural shape of pink part of the nail, the nail bed. This nail shape suits all types of fingers and is great for those times when you want to be a little bold with the nail colour. You can’t really go wrong with a round nail shape, it looks good with all colours!

Square nails

This is another golden oldie that is still very popular, especially with those who have long fingers and those with long, narrow nail beds. As the name suggests, square nails are flat at the tip and squared off at the corners, with straight sides. This type of nail shape works on nails of any length, from super long to short. Square nails are also typically seen as low-maintenance and look great with a block of colour or a French tip.

Oval nails

This classic shape is best suited for those with small hands as it makes fingers appear longer. The oval nail shape is different from the round nail shape, in that the sides are filed down and so is the tip. The curve at the tip is more extreme than in a round nail, which gives the illusion of length, making the fingers look longer. It is a very elegant shape, which makes it a great option if you are starting out and experimenting with nail art.

Squoval nails

The name might sound confusing, but the shape is as elegant as can be. Squoval nails are a variation of square and oval shapes. These nails have the flat edge of the square shape, but with rounder corners.

The squoval shape has a neatness to it, thanks to the straight edge, and a hint of softness from the rounded corners. This elegant shape is for those who want their nails to be square or round, but somewhere in the middle.

Squoval nails will suit everyone, but those with longer, wider nail beds might find them especially appealing.

Almond nails

Now this is where it starts to get a little bit interesting. This nail shape gets its name from the fact that the nails are shaped similar to that of an actual almond. Like oval nails, the sides are filed down and the tip is tapered, ending in a rounded peak.

Because of their design, almond nails are typically long. This nail shape can be tough on natural nails, making them weak and prone to breaking. That’s why women often opt for enhancement with acrylic or gel nails to get the desired length and shape for almond nails.

With its tapering effect, this nail shape makes fingers look longer and slimmer — a great option for those with short fingers. The additional length also gives you more room to play with nail art and colours.

Stiletto nails

This nail shape brings a whole lot of drama to your tips. Stiletto nails are extra-long and shaped like a sharp point at the end. This shape is difficult to attain and maintain with natural nails — it makes them fragile and more likely to get damaged.

The stiletto nail shape is therefore best achieved with acrylic or gel nails, which are stronger and less prone to damage than natural nails. A flashy shape calls for flashy designs and the long nail shape makes it easier to showcase creativity and create intricate nail art designs. And as is the case with most long nail shapes, they are suitable for types of hands and fingers.

Coffin nails

These are also known as ballerina or squareletto nails and are a popular shape as they suit everyone and are especially trendy among those who opt for long acrylic nails. The coffin nail shape has long, tapered sides that end in a square tip — though not as boxy as the tip in the square shape.

Coffin nails have a similar wow factor to stiletto nails, minus the maintenance and difficulty of a sharp tip. As the length and shape is only possible with long nails, people often opt to do this with gel or acrylic nails.

These are just seven of the many different nail shapes out there. Don’t believe us? There are lipstick nails, edge nails, arrow head nails, flare nails, mountain peak nails, pipe nails, cut-out nails… we could go on. But when it’s time for your next manicure, we suggest you start with one of the seven listed above.