

To achieve the square, begin shaping the nail with the client’s palm facing you in a high-five position to ensure the file is perpendicular to the edge of the nail. To be the best nail shape guide for your customers, recommend this look for clients with thin fingers and longer nail beds. While the square nail is widely recognized and often requested, it’s not always the most flattering shape, as it can give the finger a blunt, thick look. Professionals now know that eliminating the sidewall completely diminishes the nail’s strength, so today’s nail technicians will start the point further out on the finger than they used to.įiling the pointed nail is similar to filing the oval, but be sure to increase the angle of the file to create the perfect point. Said to have originated in Russia and Eastern Europe, pointed nails have become a recent trend that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. By creating the perfect oval, you’re sure to make any client smile.

For consistency, file side to center to create the transition from sidewall to tip, then clean up the angles from underneath while ensuring you do not remove any of the sidewall. Shaping the oval can be tricky, as it’s difficult to balance the curves on either side of the nail tip. A versatile shape, oval looks great on any nail, long or short. It can offer the illusion of a thinner, longer nail bed, which translates into a classy and sleek appearance. A Standing Oval-ationĪn oval nail is perhaps the most common and universally flattering of all the nail shapes. On either short or long nails, the round shape is a classic for a reason.
Nail shapes for short nail beds skin#
When filing the nails into a round shape, remember to keep the sidewall - the skin on the side of the nail plate - straight and intact, then file gently from side to center, blending the corners to a smooth curve from the end of the sidewall to the tip of the free edge. Most commonly used for short nails, the round is popular for active clients, as it creates a soft, clean look that protects against damage. It’s often dismissed as old-fashioned, but it can be the perfect complement to a finger with a round eponychium (cuticle). The round nail has gotten a bad rap over the years. Let’s take a closer look at the shapes your clients are sure to ask for.

In the world of nail art, there are countless shapes and designs, but this nail shape guide will focus on the foundational four that set the ground for most other shapes: round, oval, pointed and square. With the right tools, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect shape efficiently and safely. Use a 100-grit file to shape plastic tips, file a hard gel or reshape grown-out nail enhancements. If the nail has a freshly applied enhancement created with liquid and powder products, however, a 180-grit file will do the job without causing structural damage. If you’re shaping the natural nail, for example, use a 240-grit file or higher to smooth and seal the nail edge and reduce peeling. When it comes to constructing the perfect nail shape, the tools are everything. Here’s a nail shape guide to help you create the best shape for any set of nails. The nails that leave your salon are signatures of your work, and sloppy shapes are unacceptable when your work is on constant display. Nailing the right shape can mean the difference between creating a picture-perfect manicure and leaving fingertips looking too wide or fingers too short. For professionals, it also involves assessing the whole hand to determine which nail shape would best suit your client’s overall look. Nail art isn’t just about choosing and applying the right colors.
