A Definitive Ranking of Every Nail Shape
The shape of your nails commands every manicure. For example, wearing black nail polish with short, round nails can be youthful. However, once you add a sharp, long stiletto silhouette, it looks gothic and mature.
That said, we all have our opinions on the shapes and what fits our hands and personality best. Ahead, find our definitive ranking of the options at the spa, from 2000s-inspired duck nails to trendy almond ones.
7. Duck
Duck nails were all the rage in the 2000s, and they're unfortunately making a comeback. This shape is characterized by its flared look, which resembles a duck's foot. It looks extremely unnatural. And just as bad as this gaudy shape are the neon and animal-print designs often accompanying it.
Also read about: 6 Rich, Dark Nail Polishes to Wear During Fall 2023
6. Stiletto
We know there are plenty of people who will ride for stiletto nails. We don't believe they're ugly—and once upon a time, we enjoyed them. However, it's not the vibe we usually go for with our nails. If you have an edgy look, you probably can rock this shape well.
5. Square
Square nails don't rank this low on the list because we dislike their shape. We like this shape, and it looks really flattering on long nails and any type of hand, young or old, skinny or chubby. However, it is one of the most uncomfortable shapes to have. We repeatedly scratch ourselves, and it seems like they break easily.
4. Round
One of the first nail shapes we got regularly was round. There's a large margin of error here. With the wrong technician, your round nails can look wonky and uneven. However, when they're filed correctly, they look beautiful. It's a soft, classy look. Whenever we have a more professional event, we still opt for round nails.
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3. Coffin
Coffin is the mature older sister of sharp square nails. It's more refined and feminine. These are also the most versatile—you can completely transform the vibe of these nails based on the color you use. For example, a soft pink will give you the perfect corporate or wedding look, and you can embody the witchy vibes of your dreams when painted black.
2. Soft Square
As we mentioned earlier, we really like square nails. But with soft square, your hands are taken to the next level. This shape is the most natural. You could convince anyone that your acrylics are your actual nails, and if you get no chip or a regular polish, you can ensure that your nails won't break too often. We don't think there is a single person who doesn't look good in this effortlessly beautiful shape.
1. Almond
These days, we've been wearing almond nails. Honestly, our hands look completely different with them. They elongate them in the best way possible, and they make them look thinner. While it might not look natural, it tells people that you've gone out of your way to shape them in such a chic way. And like coffin, almond looks great for any occasion or design.
Are you about to get your first professional manicure? Read HERE for a beginner's guide to getting your nails done at a salon.