How to pick the perfect nail shape

27 February 2023 | By Martinique Stevens

Whether your nails are long enough to shape into different styles, or you need a helping hand from an ‘artificial friend’, these on-trend shapes are the ones to try.

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1. The round

If you have long fingers and equally elongated palms, then the round nail shape will suit you best. Not sure how this shape looks? Imagine a square with soft, rounded corners instead of points. If you want to grow out your nails, this is a simple, low-maintenance style to keep up.

No time to wait? Pop Smudge French Nails on to get the perfect manicure in a matter of minutes.

2. The squoval

For an effortlessly chic and feminine look, choose the squoval nail shape. How does it look? Picture a long, rectangular shape except with rounded corners: basically the perfect combination between an oval and a square.

Get the look by filing straight across your free edge, then around the corners in one smooth stroke or pop on the easy-peasy Kiss Salon Acrylic French Nude Nails, which are painted with a French-style fade so all that’s left for you to do is glue them on.

3. The square

Love an extra low-maintenance style? Then the square nail shape might just be for you. It’s known for its straight-filed sides and a straight-filed free edge. But, be wary if you have short fingers, as this style is known to add width to your nail beds, which in turn may cause your fingers to look shorter than they are. Instead, opt for another nail shape that works to elongate your hands.

Achieve the square look with little to no effort with the new Essence Nails in Style Sheer Whites Artificial Nails.

4. The almond

Looking for the one nail shape that seems to work well on everybody, especially on people with short fingers and wide palms? Meet the almond. Get the look by keeping a wide base and then filing your nails into a tapered peak at the free edge, much like an almond.

Or stick Essence French Manicure Click & Go Nails on. Done!

5. The Ballerina

Also referred to as the coffin nail shape, choose the ballerina if you have long fingers and wide palms to show off your length and merge a classy look with a stylish edge. If you have natural nails, they’ll have to be extra sturdy to achieve this shape.

Alternatively, you can pop Smudge Matt Nails to get the look with ease.

IMAGE: 123rf.com