Although it may not be what you would immediately notice in a set of nails, nail shapes are an important part of creating a certain look. Not only do different nail shapes give off different vibes and have different personalities, but some shapes will look better on your fingers than others. In addition, choosing the right shape can complement your nail color, making it even more attractive, unique or visually interesting. This is something any nail artist and manicurist will tell you, along with the fact that playing with the shapes you can create with your hands can be just as fun as playing with different colors and designs.
Considering the variety—oval, square, almond, square round, and more—it can seem daunting to figure out which shapes best match your nail style and natural shape. We realize that, which is why we set out to create this nail shape guide to help you better understand what all the different shapes are and which ones are best for different hand shapes. Choosing the best nail shape for your hand is not something you should ignore, so read this nail shape guide to find out which shapes are best for you.
What shapes are there?
Natural: This one is pretty self-explanatory: natural nail shape is just how nails grow the way they want to.
Oval: The oval shape usually comes out a few millimeters past the tip of the finger, ending in a semicircle. It can make wide fingers look slimmer and achieves a very feminine look.
square: Square nails can be identified by a straight line on the top edge that has been squared off (hence the name). They achieve a very elegant look and work best for those with long, thin fingers or thin hands. Of all the shapes, they have the lowest maintenance.
Almond: The almond shape is very similar to the oval, only with a thinner and more tapered apex-like edge, similar to the walnut shape of the same name. The shape works best on longer nails and can help wider toes look slimmer.
Square Round: The square round shape combines elements of both the oval and square shapes to achieve a square shaped nail with rounded corners that don’t have such a hard edge. You may also see this shape called a “soft square”, but they describe the same thing.
Squoval: A squaval nail is essentially the square round shape that has been elongated to where it is no longer square but rectangular. It captures the elegance and femininity of the oval but has a flatter edge. It’s universally flattering and looks great on all fingers.
Coffin: It’s a little morbid, but if you can imagine the traditional shape of a coffin, you have a pretty good idea of what the coffin shape looks like on your nails. It’s long, slim and tapered to a flattened tip to create an edgy but still very feminine shape.
Handbook: The stiletto nail is striking, ending in a sharp point that makes a statement. It is similar to an almond shape, only longer and much more pointed with a more extreme taper.
Hand types
Hello five hands: If you have a long palm and short fingers, then you have what is called hi-five hands. The oval shape is best for this hand shape as it will make the fingers appear longer to match your palm size.
Grounded hands: You have grounded hands if your palms are wide and your fingers short, if not wide as well. Almond and oval nail shapes will work best for you because they can elongate wider or shorter toes.
Piano hands: People with piano hands have wide palms and long fingers. The stiletto shape works best for these hand types, as the shape is enhanced by long fingers.
Generous hands: If you have a long palm and long fingers, then your hands can be described as generous hands. This means you are one of the lucky few who can pull off square nails with ease!
Now that you know the best nail shapes for your finger and hand size, it’s time to get some stunning press-on nails that you know will make you look great. Browse our collections today and order now!
