Goodbye "squoval," hello "ballerina."
Entering the nail salon can feel like stepping onto a battleground. Depending on your nails' size and shape, it could feel like there are more limitations than possibilities. Whether it's stressing that your nails are too short for a dark color, or wishing your lifestyle could allow for a stiletto mani á la Cardi B, selecting a shape can mean a war between what you want and what you'll end up asking for. So, you settle on a non-committal "squoval" or "sqround" shape, without truly knowing what you're getting. "Those two shapes do not exist in my world," says Art Nail NYC founder Sataya Stone.
Instead, she prefers modifying tried-and-true styles, such as a true square or round shape. Along with Stone, we tapped celebrity and editorial nail experts Mazz Hanna, Brittney Boyce, and Elle to discuss modern takes on age-old nail shape trends. They explain where to get specific about your nail style (with their shade picks and art tips) so you can request your new nail shape with confidence.
Almond
The Look: An oval shape that comes to a soft point.
The Length: Both Stone and Boyce agree that this shape looks best on medium-length nails. “It helps elongate your fingers, making them look slimmer,” adds Boyce.
The Shade: Stone says the main difference between an almond and stiletto shape is that the almond "is going to have three different angles" made up of the two sides and point. A neutral color could add pop to this shape's dimensions. Boyce added a two-tone french tip to the minimalist look, below.
Square
The Look: It looks exactly like it sounds, with straight and sharp edges, squared off at the tip.
The Length: This suits a shorter nail to minimize tapering.
The Shade: Stone dispels the myth that dark colors aren't meant for short nails. "I, coming into the business, heard, 'No dark colors for short nails because it makes them look shorter,'" says Stone. "But I have clients who will only do dark colors with short nails." She says that, above all, season can dictate shade more than length.
Oval
The Look: A round shape nail, with corners that curve inward. “This is such a classic shape and looks great on all nail lengths,” says Boyce.
Hanna echoes this and notes one thing to keep in mind if you decide to move forward with this shape: “It's extra important to keep your nails strong if they are oval because they are more likely to break at the tips,” she says. She explains that this is because the nail plate is usually filed into a more slender shape with less support on the sides.
The Length: Though oval looks great on all lengths, it's favored amongst those with medium-length nails and narrow nail beds. Stone mentions that clients with shorter nails might go oval if they're growing their mani out.
The Shade: Hanna says that nail art looks especially beautiful on oval nails, and suggests a minimalist look like negative space or a french manicure. Thinking of doing all-over color? Her go-to is Orly Nail Lacquer in Noveau Riche.
Source: elle.com
