In the last few years nail treatments have evolved enormously. The variety of nails on the market is astronomical, in comparison to what was available in the noughties!
One of the most apparent variables is the length and shape of nails. I remember the days when we would all traipse to the nail salon and come out with either long or short, square French tip acrylics. Those were the days!
Things are very different now, new shapes crop up all the time and even I can’t keep up! We have the coffin, the stiletto, the ballerina, the oval, the squoval and on and on! Some of them look positively weapon like and do leave me wondering how people carry out daily tasks with those tallons. All power to you!
In this article, I have gone through 5 of the most common nail shapes and discussed which hand and nail type they might suit the most…
Coffin or Ballerina
The main distinguishing feature for this nail shape is the pointed direction with a sharp squared off tip.
The length of this can vary, but it does lend itself best to a longer nail, as there won’t be enough room to get the taper before it is squared off. The taper can be slightly rounded, as in my photo, or they can be straight as a dart. It all depends on personal preference.
This nail shape suits most hand shapes. I have noticed a pattern in my clients that is it favoured by those with shorter fingers or who think they have “stubby” fingers (no ones fingers are stubby, some are just more petite than others!). I have also noticed that clients with long, thin fingers prefer a shorter version of this.
If you have;
Short fingers or wider hands – wear this shape longer with a deep colour, to elongate your natural finger and draw the eye to the end, which gives the impression of a narrower hand and fingers.
Long fingers or narrow hands – wear this shape shorter and with a muted colour or a french/ombre tip. This will give the impression of a more delicate finger and hand.
Square
The main distinguishing feature for this nail shape is the straight edges and the flat top.
The length of this shape varies a lot, probably the most of all the shapes. This is because it can be worn very, very short as the edges are straight and don’t need any length to achieve that.
Square nail shapes suit slimmer fingers best. As they are square they can highlight wider fingers or fingers which may have slight bends in them. Clients who prefer this shape often have small, slim fingers and is it avoided by those with big hands as this shape could accentuate the size of fingers and make them appear bigger than they are. A short square is very flattering for most hand and finger shapes especially when paired with a dark colour.
If you have;
Short fingers or wider hands – wear this shape short, perhaps 2-3mm past the end of your finger. Wear with a dark colour, possibly with a glitter cuticle crown or an ombre going from light at the cuticle to dark on the end.
Long fingers or narrow hands – wear this shape as short or long as you wish, I would recommend a lighter colour if you are wearing this shape long. Unless a long, bright nail is your thing in which case go for it!
Almond
The main distinguishing feature for this nail shape is the taper with a rounded point.
The length of this can vary, but it does lend itself best to a medium length nail – approx. 5-8mm past finger end.
This nail shape suits larger hands well. As it is such a delicate shape, it certainly creates a dainty and feminine appearance. This is also a slimming shape, if you feel you have “stubby” hands, this shape can elongate your fingers and achieves an elegance which many other nail shapes do not. This nail shape looks great with a glitter feature nail on the ring finger.
If you have;
Short fingers or wider hands – wear this shape medium length and compliment it with a glitter feature nail on your ring finger, and your thumb if you wish!
Long fingers or narrow hands – wear this shape shorter and with a muted colour or a french/ombre tip. This will give the impression of a more delicate finger and hand.
Stiletto
The main distinguishing feature for this nail shape is the taper with an extreme point on the end.
This nail is best suited to a long nail, the severity of the point cannot be achieved with a shorter nail. It is certainly a nail which should be built up to! I mean, I wouldn’t recommend someone gets a stiletto nail for their first ever set! Also, acrylic nails are strong so a word of caution, if you choose this style, remember they are sharp so to take care.
Stiletto nail shapes suit most hands. I have noticed a pattern in my clients that is it favoured by those with slim fingers and it is preferred during the summer months. This is a popular shape for holiday nails, for sure! It can look so glamourous with a bright colour, such as coral. It looks good on those with shorter/wider hands and fingers as it gives that illusion of a longer finger, but be careful not to have them too long, as this can overpower your finger.
If you have;
Short fingers or wider hands – wear this shape long but not TOO long, with a bright colour or ombre effect.
Long fingers or narrow hands – wear this shape as long as you like, wear a brighter colour to avoid the claw like appearance.
Oval/Squoval
The main distinguishing feature for this nail shape is the relatively straight edges with either a totally rounded top edge, or a squared off top edge that is then rounded on the corners.
The length of this is best suited to a medium to long nail. It can certainly be achieved with a short nail, but the aesthetic is often not as pleasing, as the shape is not as elegant as others, length does it many favours.
Oval nail shapes suit most hands. The length of it is the most important factor with different hand and finger types. This is because it can emphasise “stubby” fingers and it can also emphasise long, thin fingers making them look longer and thinner, so if this is something you want then this shape will help.
If you have;
Short fingers or wider hands – wear this shape as medium or long. If this is worn very short it can make fingers appear “stubby”. However, it is a very practical nail shape for reasons of it not being sharp and the rounded edges being less likely to catch and chip, therefore, a short set would be well suited to someone seeking out a more practical shape.
Long fingers or narrow hands – wear this shape short to medium, unless you want to emphasise the length and narrowness of your fingers.
Lots of love,
S&G x
