What are the different nail shapes?
Nail shapes come in different shapes; only the right shape will look beautiful, taking into account the structural features of the fingers, the size and shape of the hand, the width and length of the nail bed. There is a proven method of selection - the ideal shape would be the one whose free edge mirrors the curve of the cuticle. For example, if the curve of the cuticle is oval, then an oval will be harmonious, if it is more square, then a soft square, etc. This does not mean that other shapes cannot be made on your hands, however, based on this fact, you definitely can’t go wrong when choosing a convenient nail shape.
Square
The so-called sharp square has clear corners and straight lines. To obtain a perfect square, it is important to follow a number of rules, which we will discuss at the end of the article. In the meantime, we’ll just assure you that doing this is not as easy as it might seem, and even experienced manicurists often make mistakes and unintentionally spoil not only the shape, but also the future beauty of the nails.
The square, since its inception, has always been consistently relevant. Sometimes more, sometimes less, as for example in 2020-2021 (the most popular form is almonds). But as we know, fashion is cyclical, and a comfortable and beautiful uniform is irreplaceable.
Rounded (soft square)
A soft square is much more practical than a sharp one. It is somewhat inferior in efficiency, but its advantages easily cover this. With a soft square, you won’t snag your tights, won’t scratch your child, and will avoid many other problems. At first glance, these are small things, but when they are repeated every day, it gets pretty boring. In addition, soft corners are more compromised in appearance, sometimes this is necessary due to the type of activity or a change in image.
Round
The round shape is quite rare; it resembles an oval, but the tips are more rounded. It is performed strictly for a short length, and when an oval is impossible due to the width of the nail plate.
Oval
The oval shape is one of the first and main nail shapes. It is quite versatile and allows you to create a variety of designs and choose the length. This uniform fits easily into any dress code. If the side walls are parallel to each other, the oval shape will mask imperfections in the nail plate and hide visual imbalances. And also, it is ideal as an intermediate option when growing nails. It is easy to make an almond, stiletto and ballerina shape from an oval with minimal loss of precious millimeters.
Oval-square
The oval-square shape is a cross between a soft square and an oval. It is quite rare due to its unpopularity. It performs the same functions as an oval, but looks more like a square. It is chosen by girls who like the square, but due to the shortcomings of the nail plate, it does not suit them.
Acute
With a sharp shape, the fingers appear longer, thinner and more graceful. You can afford this shape if you have a long nail bed and strong nails, or with the help of extensions.
This is the most vulnerable form in our selection. These nails are fragile and easy to break. If you choose sharp nails, do not neglect strengthening the nail plate with gel, polygel, or at least leveling with a base coat. Otherwise, not only the free edge will break, but also the bed, and this will be painful, unpleasant, and recovery will take at least 4 months.
Almond
In 2021, almond-shaped nails took first place in popularity. Impeccable, aristocratic almonds are the dream of almost every fashionista. He truly fascinates with his ideal forms.
This shape differs from an oval in that it has a pointed tip. To achieve the desired effect, the length of the free edge should be equal to the length of the nail bed. You can make it longer, but never shorter, this will greatly affect the appearance. If your nails are too long, you should also strengthen your nails to avoid breakage. The almond form requires careful treatment and proper care.
Ballerina (pointe shoes)
The form is easily associated with pointe dances of graceful ballerinas, which is why it received this name. The ballerina uniform is practical and comfortable, although at first glance it seems otherwise. They are stronger than pointed and almond-shaped nails and in appearance are midway between the almond and square shapes. The shape is very popular among Western girls, and often among pop stars such as Rihanna, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian.
Stiletto ("stiletto")
If you have a lot of responsibilities for cleaning, cooking and other daily tasks, stilettos are not the best choice. However, the stiletto shape has its own charm. It is performed mainly by building from scratch. If you try to transform another shape, such as an oval, into a stiletto, you will disrupt the architecture of the nail. Stilettos give you freedom in choosing designs and allow your imagination to run wild.
Pipe
This form of nails appeared and became popular just a few years ago. Pipe can only be performed using artificial materials. The name stands for “tube” because this shape has very pronounced internal arches. To create a pipe, highly qualified skills are required, because this shape cannot be modeled using tips; it is achieved only by working with lower forms.
Pipe nails, due to the deep bend of the arch and reinforcement along the entire length along the upper edge, are highly resistant to damage. Pipe, when executed correctly, will look good on any hand.
Nail shape for manicure soft square
It is perfect for those with long, graceful fingers. This is the most stylish form of nails for manicure, which can be made in different designs and in different lengths. But it's not suitable for everyone. This shape makes the plate more prone to delamination if there are predisposing factors. Therefore, if a woman’s activity involves cleaning or cooking, as well as stress, which causes brittle nails, it is better to abandon it. For those with a naturally trapezoidal phalanx shape, the “soft square” is also not recommended.
Nail shapes for manicure and their names, coupled with their characteristics, are important to know for girls who follow fashion trends. “Soft square” is recommended for girls with a wide phalanx and strong nails. It allows you to use musical instruments, play calmly with your child without fear of hurting him with sharp corners, do household chores and type on the computer for a long time.
Manicure for square nails
There are many design options. But it is important to remember the rule - no neon shades. They are more suitable for oval shapes. Depending on the time of year, you can choose both rich shades (yellow, orange, malachite, sapphire) and delicate pastel colors. Basic ones like white, black and gray are appropriate at any time of the year and to create any look.
The most popular nail art options:
- French
. An excellent option for both business and everyday looks. - Minimalism
. Its variations are constantly changing depending on trends. Geometric, floral and ethnic prints are trendy this season. The designs are applied to 1-2 fingernails of each hand. - Matte finish
. This manicure always looks stylish and elegant, it is practical and versatile. - Sparkles and rhinestones, sequins and bouillons
. They decorate evening manicure options, but a small amount of them is also appropriate for everyday use. - Gradient
. One of the most popular techniques, which consists of a smooth transition from one color to another. Doesn't need decoration. - Foil, mica and kamifubuki
. Beautiful nail shapes for manicure are often decorated with shiny elements.
How to choose a nail shape
It is impossible to achieve the perfect manicure without the right shape. This is the basis and half the success in achieving results. Some girls spend their whole lives doing one familiar shape, without thinking whether this is what they need. And suddenly, having found a more competent specialist, after much persuasion they change it and leave delighted.
Of course, personal preferences and tastes are important, however, architecture and individual construction have not been canceled. If you have been wearing a square or oval for many years and think that other shapes will not fit on your handles, read the recommendations from the Prostonail team and check if this is actually true.
For short fingers
For those with short fingers, the ideal shape is round. It allows you to visually lengthen your fingers and makes them more graceful even on short nails. This shape is easy to maintain at home, and it is not difficult to cut it yourself.
If your fingers are short but your nail plate is of average length, try a ballerina shape. The main thing in this case is not to overdo it with the length, and stick to the range of 1-1.5 centimeters. Too long nails on short fingers look disproportionate.
For thick fingers
For thick fingers, the round shape is again our favorite. She skillfully hides flaws. Oval is also quite suitable. But only at a short length, and with calm shades.
But the square is simply contraindicated for thick fingers. He will make his fingers rough, they will be conspicuous, and there can be no talk of any harmony.
For long fingers
For slender and long fingers, on the contrary, we recommend any shape other than round and short oval, they will look unnatural.
And almond-shaped nails are what you need. Like a sharp, soft square of any length, pipe, and ballerina. Those with long fingers can choose a shape based on their daily needs and dress code.
Nail shapes for manicure 2021
Those with beautifully shaped nails are very lucky, because the trend is, above all, naturalness. There are 5 options that are relevant now:
- soft square;
- oval;
- pointe shoes;
- almond;
- oval.
But the sharp square has lost its position, as has the beveled soft square. The trapezoid is no longer relevant. Volumetric spherical nails are also no longer held in high esteem. It is recommended to give them the shape that is as close to natural as possible. An overly pretentious manicure, bright and overloaded with decorative elements, should also not be practiced - it has long since sunk into oblivion. Now experts prefer to highlight only 1-2 fingers, and cover the rest of the nails with a monochrome color. In this way, both manicures for square nail shapes 2021 and rounded ones are designed.
How to choose a nail shape for manicure?
What nail shapes are available for manicure are listed above. When choosing, it is important to consider not only the strength of the phalanx and fingers, but also lifestyle and personal preferences. Thus, rectangular nail shapes for manicure are preferable because they are more difficult to break. Therefore, they are relevant for women who work physically or do a lot of typing at the computer.
Oval nails are less durable, but are suitable for all women without exception. They visually lengthen the fingers and add some femininity to the image. This is the choice of both young girls and mature women. The oval is suitable for those with short and medium length nails. With its help, you can create delicate nail art with a minimum amount of decor or painting.
For girls with long graceful fingers, rectangular nail shapes are suitable for manicure, and for those with short phalanxes, oval ones are suitable. When choosing, designers recommend paying attention to the shape of the cuticle, which should mirror the shape of the tips of the nails. This way you can accurately choose the right manicure.
Fashionable nail shapes 2021
In 2021, naturalness is in fashion, this applies not only to nails, but also to fashion in general. However, this does not mean that you need to urgently run to the salon and remove your favorite gel polish. But if you wear extended nails, you should choose the shape more carefully. The extravagant forms of stiletto and ballerina are relevant in their circles, but in the general understanding they are not so popular. It would be better to reduce the length from extra to medium, and add more rounded and natural shapes.
For long nails
Here we do not mean the entire length of the nail, but only the nail bed without the free edge. You've probably noticed that some girls have long nails even though they have been cut down, while others have them becoming very short.
On long nails, a short neat square, a short oval, or a medium-length almond looks best.
An oval-square shape is also suitable, especially if the nail plate has imperfections, such as asymmetry and different widths of the nails.
For short nails
For natural short nails, the winning shape would be a medium-length oval and a short soft square. If you have a short nail plate, but at the same time thin fingers and want long beautiful nails, the modeling technique will help you. At absolutely any length, even very short, you can grow chic nails with a sharp or almond shape. But in such a situation, you need to treat them twice as carefully, because the longer the extended nails, the less support they have on the short nail plate, and no strengthening will help here.
If you have just embarked on the path of correction and decided to start your journey called “beautiful manicure”, but there is not enough length, we advise you to make a round shape to zero before coating. Yes, at first it cannot be called beautiful, but this way you will quickly achieve the desired shape, because as it grows you will have to cut less and change shape from one to another, which also affects the length.
For wide nails
On wide and trapezoidal nails it is difficult to hide obvious imperfections. We understand girls with such nails perfectly. After all, you want to have the same neat, beautiful nails as the majority. Of course, if you want to leave them alone and focus on naturalness, then the oval-square shape will smooth out the appearance a little. But in the modern world, masters have learned to extend and extend nails in such a way that no one will understand whether they are theirs or artificial ones. With long-term modeling of arched nails with clips, the natural shape of the nails gradually changes, and this can really be a salvation for the trapezoid. Try it, maybe this is your option.
Sharp nail shape for manicure
Pointed nails are not the most fashionable, but many fashionistas still prefer them. They resemble stilettos, but look less aggressive. However, such a manicure still looks very eccentric and needs to be properly “designed”. Unfortunately, the sharp shape of the nails is impractical, as they often break. Therefore, experts recommend choosing a gel polish that adds strength to the plate. A manicure that suits your nail shape must be chosen carefully. The pointed version requires a certain length. Better than average, because excessively long nails will look provocative.
Manicure for sharp nail shapes
For design, many fashionistas choose predominantly dark, rich shades. One of the most popular is marsala, burgundy and black. The manicure can be done in monochrome or decorated with decor or other shades. It is ideal for an evening look or a special event. In this case, the design can be complemented with sparkles, rhinestones or bright colors. For example, rubbing, liquid foil or “broken glass”.
This fashionable manicure nail shape combined with bright nail art may look too aggressive for an everyday look. Therefore, designers advise either “calming” the design with a matte finish, or doing it in soft pastel colors. A suitable option is a combination of a light tone with a dark one. Stylish businesswomen choose a pointed nail shape combined with nude shades and minimal decor with rhinestones.
How to shape your nails yourself
We will share valuable information from experienced nail technicians on how to file your nails to create an impeccable shape. All you have to do is put it into practice and be content with the beauty.
How to make a square
For a square shape, you must have at least 2-3 millimeters of free edge. Place the file parallel to the left side, and lightly file until you get a smooth wall, then do the same with the right side.
Then place the saw straight to the free edge, without tilting it to the side, and saw to the desired length, stopping periodically and checking the symmetry. At the end, shake off the dust, and placing the file to the free edge, see if there are any gaps between the file and the nail, if there are any, modify it, if not, you’re smart, the shape is perfect.
It is very important to cut in the right place and not touch the growth points (see photo). Otherwise, you will ruin the shape not only for this manicure, but also for future ones. This mistake will also provoke the development of onycholysis (air pockets under the nail), and as a result, detachment of the nail plate from the bed.
How to make a soft square
You need to cut out a sharp square (see above), then place the file exactly to the corner with an angle under the nail, and carefully file the corners making them a little rounder. Don't overdo it or you'll end up with an oval-square shape.
How to make almonds
The progress of the work depends on the existing form. When square, you need to cut off the corners. For an oval, narrow the side parallels a little. You will need a file with a coarse abrasive of 100 grit. Strive to achieve identical side walls, without bulges or roundness. Next, the sharp edge needs to be slightly softened with semicircular movements. Do this with all your nails. They should be the same, “look” in one direction, and check the length according to our diagram from the section below “how to correctly check the length of nails.”
How to make a sharp shape
For the spicy form, you just need to overdo it with cutting out the almonds. Joke
