Nail Shapes
Our nails are one of the few body parts we have that we can admire without requiring a mirror, which is possibly why some of us are much more obsessed with manicures than others. There’s so much to cover about nails that the information can be overwhelming! Don’t worry, we have compiled a nice list of information for you with links so that you can read more in-depth in some of our published articles.
Revolution of Nail Shapes
Nails have always received special attention, even dating back to our earlier ancestors. Before we delve into the historical revolution of nail shapes, here’s 3 mentions of nails and styles in history.
- 5000B.C.: Indian women decorated their nails with henna
- 4000B.C.: Babylon men manicured & colored their nails with kohl, either in black or green color.
- 3000B.C.: In China, egg whites, beeswax and vegetable dyes were used to create nail stains.
What then, about the nail shapes throughout history? There are also certain more popular nail shapes in certain durations, although cyclical nails still take the cake.
- Late 1800’s – Early 1900’s: Nails were kept short and round for easy cleaning. This nail shape symbolized a wealthy lifestyle.
- 1920’s -1930’s: Actresses began featuring sharp and pointy nails while the first lines of nail polish began to be marketed.
- 1940’s – 1950’s: Long almond-shaped nails ruled the era as women trends towards more feminine looks.
- 1960’s: Long oval nails were the trend in this decade, with subtle shades such as pastel or shiny pink.
- 1970’s – 1980’s: French manicure led the trend for square nails from 1978 onwards after the oval trend.
- 1990’s – Early 2000’s: Square & squoval nails remained popular, although several stars opted for shorter and more rounded versions.
- Present Day: Different groups of people adopt their own preferred nail shapes!
Popular Nail Shapes
Whether your nails are natural or acrylic, you will find that you have an array of nail shapes to choose from. There are about 10 types of nail shapes in total, but 7 of them are more common and popular. Here’s what you should know about the 7 popular nail shapes:
Round Nail
- Style: Elegant, tidy
- Suitable For: Shorter fingers, narrow nail beds
- Best Paired With: Any nail polish shades or none at all
Oval Shaped Nail
- Style: Classy and classic.
- Suitable For: Shorter fingers with wide nail beds to produce an illusion of length.
- Best Paired With: Nail arts.
Square
- Style: Low-maintenance and clean-cut
- Suitable For: Long fingers with narrow but long nail beds
- Best Paired With: Single bold colors
Squoval Nails
- Style: Natural, classic
- Suitable For: Wide, long nail beds.
- Best Paired With: Geometrical nail arts
Almond Nails
- Style: Glamorous and feminine.
- Suitable For: Narrow but long nail beds.
- Best Paired With: Plain, metallic colors.
Coffin (also known as Ballerina)
- Style: High-maintenance, chic
- Suitable For: Narrow but long nail beds
- Best Paired With: Pale nail polish tones
Stiletto
- Style: High-maintenance, loud
- Suitable For: Fashion statement enthusiasts
- Best Paired With: Elaborate nail designs
Toe Nail Shapes
Toenail shapes less stylish, although most of the time pedicurists will trim your toenails to give them a neat rounded shape.
Acrylic Nail Shapes
Acrylic nail shapes do not differ too much from the nail shapes mentioned above. However, here is where we can tell you about the 5 remaining nail shapes that you request for acrylic nail applications.
Lipstick
- Style: Funky
- Suitable For: Acrylic nails, narrow nail beds, slender fingers
- Best Paired With: French manicures and designs at the extended nail areas
Fantasy
- Style: Hip and unique
- Suitable For: Acrylic extensions and a choreless lifestyle!
- Best Paired With: Glittery stones, 3D acrylic decoration topped with glitter
Flare
- Style: Difficult but unique
- Suitable For: Narrow nail bases, as an acrylic extension
- Best Paired With: Simple gemstone designs
Edge
- Style: Extraordinary and interesting
- Suitable For: Fashionistas, acrylic extensions
- Best Paired With: Crease-centered designs
Arrowhead (Mountain Peak)
- Style: Bold and extraordinary
- Suitable For: Acrylic nail extensions
- Best Paired With: Minimalistic designs and colors
How to Shape Your Nails
Each nail shape has its own unique method for shaping. Some nail shapes will require you to grow your nails a little longer before filing the sides and the tip, while others will need you to file it straight along the edges.
However, generally speaking, you can always rely on nail clippers and a file for the common nail shapes. You can always use acrylics to create fake nail extensions for certain nail shapes as well!
Diseases That Change Your Nail Shapes
Healthy nails need some maintaining and serious taking care of. At times, certain nail conditions can even change the form of your natural nails! Some of the more common nail-related diseases include the Green Nail Syndrome, brittle nails, Paronychia and more.
What If Your Nail Shape Takes the Wrong Turn?
We hope that you never had to experience the unpleasantness of ingrown nails. These can be terribly painful and could even cause inflammations if left untended for some time. However, there are several home remedies and other treatment options that you can consider if you are experiencing these issues.
What Nail Shape Says About You
Yes, you heard it right. You just don’t carry a particular shape on your nails. Rather, those talons on your fingers are giving a sneak peek of your persona to the world. The following doctrine may make you think twice next time you head to the salon.
- Round- Feminine
- Square- Bold, Leader/Diva,
- Squoval- Assertive & Ambitious
- Oval- Elegant
- Stiletto- Daring, Sexy
- Almond- Modern
- Ballerina or Coffin- Strong & Unconventional
- Short Nails– Simple & Low Maintainance
Celebrity Favorites
People actively follow nail artists or celebrities or the fashion craze of their time for any style inspiration. It is celebrities who keep the trend get going or we can say keep Instagram active! Same goes for the nail art trends. If we go through the most influential celebrity manicures of all time it has nothing to do with the colors or fancy nail art, it was and it always has been the shapes that matter most.
As an era shifts, changes in nail shapes also take place. We have seen jacky Kennedy flaunting short square nails, on the other Elizabeth Taylor sported long round nail way before Badgirl RiRi made long nails as a statement. Even today, not every celebrity opt for long, flashy talons, while we have Kate Middleton with subtle short nails, on the other hand, we have Kardashian-Jenner clans, Flo-Jo who are the torchbearer of extra long nails. Katty Perry, j-Lo, Kylie Jenner swap their nails so fast that it’s impossible to tell which shapes they prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Nail Shape Is In Fashion Right Now?
It’s 2018 and counting, and we don’t rely on our natural nail shapes as much anymore! By now, most of our nail shape choices are defined by our own personalities and what we like. With acrylic nails, gel nails and the like on the rise, there are now limitless possibilities on the nail shapes and designs that we can go with!
What Is Nail Shape Best For Me?
If you want to play safe, you can always opt for squoval nails which are suitable for everyone. If you prefer shorter nails, you can go for rounded or oval nails. Bolder and want more choices? Pick any that sounds great to you!
Which Nail Shape Is Considered the Strongest?
Square or squoval nail shapes are considered the strongest, although a gentle almond edge with a carefully balanced apex can be considered as a close competitor.
What’s the Best Nail Shape for Chubby Fingers?
If you want to achieve the illusion of slim, slender and long fingers, the best three nail shapes for you will be squoval, almond and oval.