From Almond Nails To Squoval, Your Guide To Every Nail Shape
How to decipher the nail shape for you, according to the experts.
No, it's not as thrilling as deciding between a lick of shiny polish or daring nail art, trawling through Instagram to take your pick of wild neon talons, French tips and chrome nails – but your nail shape matters, and it's a key consideration for your manicure in general.
You can completely change the aesthetic of a simple nude nail via the IG-approved almond shape, or level up the drama with extra-long coffin nails. 'Choosing the right nail shape is key to maximising the impact of your polish or nail art,' agrees Juanita Huber-Millet, Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Townhouse. 'The shape sets the foundation, enhancing the overall look of your hands and ensuring that designs complement your personal style.'
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How to choose the right nail shape
How to choose the right nail shape is of course all down to preference, and your natural nail length, but there are a few things to note if you are thinking about a switch-up. The traditional 'rule', according to nail artist Miss Pop (who creates designs for shows like Moschino and Oscar de la Renta) is 'that your nail shape should follow the shape of your cuticle line.' But with so many to try, sometimes rules go out of the window.
Arguably more extreme shapes are having a moment, with celebrities like Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Hailey Bieber making a case for long acrylic tips. 'The ballerina file has really picked up a following - the very long tapered squoval that looks like the toe of a point shoe.' But Miss Pop is championing the return of the less edgy, more elegant oval shape. 'I love an oval nail,' she says, 'it's the most common shape in high fashion editorials and a favourite of celebrities because it's so elegant and elongates the finger.'
How to shape your own nails
'When it comes to shaping almond nails or other more intricate styles, it’s often best to consult a professional nail technician, as certain shapes can be challenging to perfect at home,' says Huber-Millet. However, if shaping your nails yourself, she advises starting with a quality nail file and gently working towards your desired shape.
'For a round shape, follow the natural curve of your fingertip. For square nails, file the top and sides straight across, gently rounding the corners to avoid sharpness. Always file in one direction—from sides to centre—to prevent peeling and splitting. With a steady hand and attention to detail, you can create a polished look that brings out the best in any nail style,' she adds.
Here's our guide to finding the right nail shape to suit you.
The different nails shapes to choose from
Almond Nails
It might look similar to the oval, but here the tip should be much slimmer than the base. 'Almond-shaped nails are a timeless choice for those seeking an elegant, feminine look,' shares Huber-Millet.
'Characterised by their tapered tips and rounded edges, this shape resembles the natural silhouette of an almond, broader at the base and narrowing towards the tip. It’s ideal for anyone looking to add a touch of sophistication while making a subtle yet stylish statement,' she shares.
Short
Short nails are enjoying a moment in the spotlight. 'We’re also noticing a shift toward shorter nails as people embrace a minimalist aesthetic, which fits perfectly with the squoval shape and "quiet luxury" trends,' adds Huber-Millet. Plus, it's by far the easiest shape to pull off, and works with every monotone polish or delicate nail art.
Round
The beginner's nail shape, you can't really go wrong with the soft curve of a round nail. Even if your nails are teeny-tiny, rounding them off will help to elongate the hands.
'The perfect shape for a short natural nail,' says Miss Pop. 'If you have small children or work with you hands, this shape is ideal because it keeps your nails trim, prevents scratches, and is snag-free.'
Oval
If your nails have a good bit of length to them, turning your round shape into a more dramatically sloped oval will give an illusion of seriously slender fingers. Best if you want to keep your nails long, but aren't brave enough for blunt edges.
Miss Pop adds that, as a rule, your nail must be longer than your finger for an oval. Otherwise stick with round until they grow out.
Square
A square shape - filed to a precise, sharp edged shape - is one that suits both long and short nails. However the blunt end can shorten fingers, so if you want to elongate your hands it's not the one.A nude or classic pink looks particularly chic on this shape, which - according to Miss Pop - is the choice of the South California girl gang.
Squoval
One of the most natural looking shapes, the squoval mimics the shape of your cuticle: flat, but with slightly rounded edges. Miss Pop adds this softened square 'works well with nails that are not longer than the fingertip. Perfect for someone practical and unfussy. 'This style combines the clean lines of a square shape with the softer edges of an oval, resulting in a universally flattering silhouette,' shares Huber-Millet. It's easy to maintain at home too, and great if you're leaving your nails naked.
Coffin/Ballerina
The current choice for cool girls - also known as the squareletto or the daintier sounding 'ballerina' - the distinctively long shape tapers off to a square tip.
Because it takes so long to achieve, (it requires the stability of gel or acrylic, you have to taper, square off, and round the file), 'this is the marked shape of a person who does not skimp on their time to primp,' says Pop.
Stiletto
The sassiest of the shapes, the stiletto is long, tapered and almost pin-pointed at the tip. It adds length to stubbier hands, but not so easy to type/eat/dress/undertake everyday tasks in.
Gels or acrylics are required for this, 'no matter how strong your nails are' says Miss Pop.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
Jennifer George is Beauty Editor across both ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar, creating content for print and online, from zeitgeisty features to conceptual still life and make-up shoots. Despite a career that's focused mainly on luxury (from events to editorial), her ride or die hair product is a £4 bargain. With a Little Black Book of London's clinics, doctors and hotels, she's the team's resident 'Tweakment' and spa expert.
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