How to Find the Best Nail Shape for Your Hands

After a few weeks of quarantine, we all feel a little tempted to try something new. Instead of reaching for the scissors and attempt a haircut, why not reach for a file and try a new nail shape? We’ve scoped out the best nail shapes for you, with a few tips to guide you along the way.

The world has more nail shapes than we have fingers, but we’re on hand to help you select the right angles for your nails, so you really can enjoy your perfect mani. Before we get started, take a good look at your hands. To flatter those tips, you need to find the nail shape that works for you by figuring out the shape of your cuticle and nail bed. Simply push back your cuticles with a cuticle stick to look at your true cuticle shape, then get started. 

Start shaping by filing the sides down and narrowing them out a bit. Depending on the shape you're going for, you will go more or less narrow. For best results, file in one direction, thus lessening the fraying of the nail. Once you get the sides down, start on refining the tip to get your final shape.

Don't forget to finish off with a trendy shade！

1. 
   Short Fingers

    

   Best Shape: Round. This shape elongates your fingers, making them look slender and also makes wide nail beds appear thinner. Start by filing and following the natural shape of the fingertip. Flip your hands and check the symmetry of the curve.

2. 
   Wide Nail Beds And Long Nails

    

   Best Shape: Oval. This runway favorite elongates nails in both width and length. It’s similar to an almond shape but a tad more blunt. File each side of the nail, and slightly curve your file toward the center of the nail to create an egg-like shape.

3. 
   To lengthen and slim fingers

    

   Best Shape: Almond. Slender at the sides and slim at the base, this is an instantly flattering shape. File each side of the nail, and shape the tip by narrowing the free edge to create a peak.

4. 
   Low Maintenance

    

   Best Shape: Square. If you have long, narrow nail beds and like a short length, this is the shape for you. Looking for extra length? Acrylic fans rejoice, long square nails are the perfect canvas for trending shades and nail art. Achieve this shape by filing in a straight line across the free edge.

5. 
   The Universal Shape

    

   Best Shape: Squoval - it looks good on everyone! This universally flattering nail shape looks good on short and long fingers. Part-oval and part-square, this is super easy to maintain on short nails. Start by filing straight across, then round of the corners in one long stroke, connecting the free edge together. Flip your hands towards you and adjust as needed

6. 
   Short Fingers and Long Nails

    

   Best Shape: Stiletto. This is a shape made for long nails (we recommend with acrylics) that ends with a sharp statement point. This is like an almond shape, but more pointed. Find the center of the nail tip, then shape both sides by filing into a slight taper towards the nail tip. Next, begin shaping the tip by narrowing the free edge to create a peak

7. 
   For the Acrylic Enthusiasts

    

   Best Shape: Ballerina, which requires salon maintenance. Long, slim and squared off at the tip, this suits long, slender fingers and angled cuticles. They’re called ballerina nails as the tip resembles a pointed shoe. Looking for something with a bit more edge? Try a related shape with coffin nails, this shape is slightly more angled than ballerina nails and is less rounded when it comes to the sides of the nail.

8. 
   The Influencer

    

   Best Shape: Lipstick. Be a trendsetter! Like your favorite shade, this squared nail style slants diagonally for a seriously unique nail shape.

   Last but not least, don't forget to apply some cuticle oil to make your skin luscious and healthy.