7 Different Nail Shapes And How To Achieve Them

Picking the right nail shape is just as important as picking the right nail color!

August 22, 2022 By Shalini Roy

7 Different Nail Shapes And How To Achieve Them

Beautiful and manicured nails are attractive and make you appear gorgeous. If you are someone who wants to flaunt your nails but are confused with the ideal shape that makes your nails appealing, look at the types of nail shapes you can opt for.

You can achieve any shape, whether oval, round, stiletto, square, squoval, almond, or ballerina. So, say goodbye to unkempt and filthy nails. Having perfectly manicured nails is not an ordeal, and you can get them done by experts or by trying at your home.

But before that, let us look at the complete list of various nail shapes. Keep scrolling to check them out!

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In This Article

What If I Can’t Grow My Nails Out?

Now, you may be thinking, since you can’t grow out your nails, you can’t do much with them apart from the basic round. Well, I’m here to tell you that it is not so! Here are some tips for those of you who suffer from nail breakage.

Acrylic Nails: When you have very brittle nails, and you want to go for various nail shape options, it’s best that you go for acrylic nails. They are quite sturdy, and the chances of them breaking are very less.

Gel Nail Polish: I personally love getting gel nails. Firstly, it lasts SO much longer than just regular nail polish, and the shine of the nail polish that everyone loves stays the whole time! Another huge advantage for all my fellow weak-nailed women is it makes your nails so much stronger by adding an extra layer. Do not peel them off, no matter what! Soak them in acetone and remove them accordingly. You can find a detailed step-by-step tutorial on how to remove them here.

Cuticle Nail Oil: A lot of people tend to ignore using this but it helps to make the nails grow out stronger and keeps them healthy. Make it a practice to apply it every night before going to bed.

Let’s take a look at the various nail shapes so that you can figure out which one tickles your fancy!

Types of Nail Shapes

1. Round Shaped Nails

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This is probably the easiest shape to maintain. If you want something low maintenance but still want your nails to look good, this is probably the shape for you. This is also very easy to do.

Just shape them square initially, and then follow the natural curve of your finger tips. This is the best look for those who find it difficult to grow out nails.

Best Suited For: All types of fingers.

2. Oval Shaped Nails

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This is considered to be a more traditional shape. It was extremely popular in the late 1900s and early 2000s. This nail shape gives your nails a very elegant appearance. To achieve this nail shape, file around the sides in order to get an egg-like shape. It is great for those with short fingers as it makes the fingers look longer.

Best Suited For: Short fingers.

3. Square Shaped Nails

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These nails are squarely shaped at the tips. This is probably one of the most popular nail shapes. It’s a good choice as far as nail shapes go as the risk of it breaking is less since it follows the natural width of your nails. To get these nails, trim them, and using a nail filer, shape them straight across. Clean up the edges in case of any roughness.

Best Suited For: Long fingers with wide nail beds.

4. Squoval Shaped Nails

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A variation of the square and oval, the squoval or the soft square, is another popular choice in the world of nail shapes. While it is easier to manage because of its rounded edges, the classiness of the square shape still remains as is. For these nails, shape your nails in an oval as you normally would, and then shape it across the tip to square it out a little.

Best Suited For: Any type of fingers.

5. Almond Shaped Nails

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This one is much like the oval shape, except that it’s a little more pointed at the top. It is wide at the base and slender along the sides. Come to think of it, it takes the appearance of an actual almond. To achieve this, find the center spot at the tip of the nail and shape both sides so that it makes a peak at the center point. Then, smoothen it out, so that there aren’t any sharp edges.

Best Suited For: Short fingers.

6. Stiletto Shaped Nails

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You need some guts to pull this one off. It’s not very common, but celebrities like Rihanna go for this look all the time. This nail shape gives your nails the appearance of being long and slender. Same as in the case of almond nails, find a center point and start filing from each side to meet the point. This nail shape may cause the nails to break off easily so it’s best to use acrylic or gel nails for this one.

Best Suited For: All types of fingers.

7. Ballerina Shaped Nails

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This is a more subtle version of the stiletto nail shape. It follows the same shaping technique. Find a center point and file the nails along the sides to that point. After that, square out the tips. Doesn’t it look like a like a ballerina slipper? This one is a good choice if you want to go for something bold, but still keep it comfortable. Due to how long the nails have to be for this type of nail shape, it is recommended that you use acrylic or gel nails. This is a favorite of Kylie Jenner.

Best Suited For: All types of fingers.

When it comes to shaping your nails, the options are endless. From round, oval, and square shapes to squoval, almond, stiletto and ballerina – you can shape your nails in so many different ways. But before styling them, make sure you are taking care of their health. Eat healthy, stay hydrated, sleep, and do not forget to apply a cuticle nail oil to prevent breakage. An ideal lifestyle will help maintain the health of your nails and make them look refined and stylish. Go ahead, and try the shapes you love.