Nail Designs by Shape
Shape changes how long your fingers look more than colour ever will.
Choose a shape that fits your natural nail
Start with the width of the nail bed and the amount of free edge you can maintain. Square and oval shapes preserve more of the natural sidewall, making them practical for short nails. Almond, coffin, and stiletto shapes need progressively more length to create a clear taper without weakening the stress points.
Daily use matters as much as appearance. Typing, cleaning, lifting, and opening packaging put pressure on corners and long tips. If your hands take frequent contact, choose a shorter outline and soften sharp corners. Save longer tapered shapes for extensions or for routines where the nails can be protected.
What each one means
- Almond
- Tapered with a soft rounded tip. Lengthens the finger, forgiving on short nail beds.
- Coffin
- Tapered sides with a flat tip. Needs some length: best on extensions.
- Square
- Straight edges, flat tip. The strongest shape on short natural nails.
- Stiletto
- Sharp point. Highest drama, lowest durability.
- Oval
- Rounded and symmetrical. The safest shape for wide nail beds.