best nail shapes: which nail shape will suit me?

best nail shapes: key takeaways

 ● the best nail shape for you will depend on several factors including: your finger length, your nail bed width, and the level of care you want to put into your nail.
 ● some of the most versatile and most popular nail shapes include: square, round, oval, almond, ballerina, and squoval-shaped nails.
 ● for shorter fingers, we recommend lengthening styles with a curved peak like oval and almond-shaped nails,
 ● for longer fingers we recommend square, blocky styles like ballerina or square-shaped nails.
 ● round and squoval shaped nails are good all-round types of nail shapes that suit everyone, regardless of finger or nail length.
 ● to keep your nail shape safer from breakage and wear, try essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener.

different types of nail shapes

from squoval to ballerina, there’s a wide range of nail shapes you can choose from. but how to pick the best nail shape for you? let’s discover what each nail shape looks like and who its recommended for:

square nails

a timeless type of nail shape, square nails are versatile and work well on both short and long nails. though versatile, square nails are probably best suited to super short or narrow nails, while those with wider nails may be better suited to a square variant like a squoval or ballerina nail.

square nails are also one of the best nail shapes for longevity. as they stretch the whole width and length of the natural nail, they tend to withstand bumps and stress much better than their curved or rounded counterparts.

round nails

one of the most popular nail shapes, round nails are a classic and versatile shape that suit most people. round nails are easy to shape, low maintenance, and keep well as they don’t have sharp corners that snag or break.

though round nails suit most people, if you have very short nails, you may be better suited to the squoval shape.

oval nails

an elegant, round nail, oval nails are a great nail shape option for those with a rounded cuticle or very long nails. to shape an oval nail, your natural nail will need to extend beyond your fingertip enough to create a gradual curve and finish.

though elegant, the slender, elongated shape of oval nails means they can be slightly more fragile and less durable than square-shaped nails.

almond nails

almond-shaped nails are a sophisticated and elegant shape, excellent for boosting length and drama; like high heels for nails!

this type of nail shape is best suited to long, wide nails as on thinner nails it can look quite claw-like. as a contoured nail, almond-shaped nails are prone to cracks and breaks, so don’t forget to use a strengthening base coat, like essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener pink tint, if you opt for almond nails.

squoval nails

a combination of a square and an oval, squoval nails are flat at the top and curved at the sides. squoval nails are universally flattering, so if you’re unsure which shape to choose, they offer a good choice for any nail shape.

if you prefer low-maintenance nails, squovals are one of the best nail shapes to go for as their short flat shape tends to not break easily.

ballerina nails

if a square and an oval make a squoval shape, then a square and an almond make a ballerina. inspired by the tip of a ballet slipper, the ballerine is a softer, more contemporary type of nail shape. if you have naturally wider nails, ballerina nails are an ideal choice, as they add a touch more refinement to your fingers than a simple square shape.

as a longer and thinner type of nail shape, make sure to use our nail strengthener when you have ballerina nails as these do tend to break more easily.

stiletto nails

all about the drama? then go for stiletto nails, defined by their long length and sharply pointed tip. designed to elongate the fingers, stiletto-shaped nails are a bold, glamorous choice if you want a high-impact manicure.

because of their tapered point, stiletto nails are best suited to longer nails and tend to require more maintenance than round, square or squoval shapes. they can be more prone to breakage, so we recommend using a strengthening base coat, like essie’s hard to resist nail strengthener, to help protect your nails before applying colour.

how to choose the best nail shape for your hands

its one thing to be familiar with the most popular nail shapes, but you may still be wondering ‘which nail shape suits me?’ here’s a quick guide on how to pick a nail shape that suits your hand type and lifestyle:

 ● finger length: round nails are the ideal choice for all fingers, while almond nails complement shorter fingers by helping to lengthen them.
 ● nail bed width: for narrow nail beds, we recommend square nails, while for wide nail beds, we recommend round nails.
 ● natural nail shape: for longer nails, try almond-shaped or ballerina nails, and for shorter ones, opt for round or squoval nails.
 ● maintenance: for low-maintenance nails, try some shorter, stronger styles like squoval or round nails. if you don’t mind a higher maintenance style, try ballerina or stiletto nails.

best nail shapes for different hand types

best nail shape for longer fingers

for longer fingers, we recommend distinct, square-edged styles that complement your fingers' length. ballerina and square-shaped nails are our pick for the types of nail shape best suited to longer fingers.

best nail shape for short fingers

for shorter fingers, opt for a slimming style that lengthens your fingers. we recommend opting for one of the following styles:

 ● almond-shaped nails.
 ● oval-shaped nails.
 ● round-shaped nails.

these styles create peaks that help to make your fingers appear longer and slimmer, making them some of the best nail shapes for short fingers.

best nail shape for wide nail beds

if you have naturally wide nail beds, then styles that create a slimming look are the best choice. oval and almond-shaped nails balance the width of wider nails by creating a gentle peak that has a slimming effect on the fingers. you could also opt for a ballerina nail if you don’t mind a higher-maintenance style.

best nail shape for short nails

if short nails and low-maintenance is your vibe, then there are plenty of styles you can choose from that look great but require little effort. squoval and round nails both add a subtle touch of glamour to a look and (because of their short rounded shape) don’t break easily. for even more protection against breaks, browse essie’s range of nail care.

key considerations when choosing a nail shape

the ideal nail shape for you will be one that combines a shape that suits your finger length, and the amount of maintenance you’d ideally like to put into nailcare.

regardless of your nail shape though, nail breakage is one thing we all want to avoid. whether you’re rocking a glamorous ballerina shape or a classic square, keep your nails in the best condition with essie’s range of nail care.

discover essie’s nail care range