NAIL SHAPES

•Nails vary into four general shapes. Before

you start to work on your client’s nails, both
of you should agree on the best nail shape.
It should conform to that of the fingertips for
a more natural effect. People who perform
work mostly with their hands prefer to have a
shorter nails to avoid breakage and injury.
 Types of Nail Shape
1. Round
• As one of the most conservative shapes
of the bunch, the round shape is ideal for
men and those who like to maintain short
nails. This shape is flattering for wide
nails, and gives the illusion of a thinner
nail bed. File the side walls straight like a
square, then round the free edge into
that perfect swooping circle
 Types of Nail Shape
2. Square
This shape is referred to a classic shape.
The square is ideal for a bigger nail bed (it
tends to make smaller nail beds look
shorter and wider). To create this timeless
shape, file the side walls straight and
make sure they're perpendicular to the
free edge of the nail. Once you've got the
perfect square, angle your emery board
and bevel the nail.
 Types of Nail Shape
3. Oval
The tapered side walls of the oval create
an elegant shape for women. Oval shapes
flatter both wide and narrow nail beds, and
add length with a graceful tip. To achieve
the perfect oval shape, file side walls
straight to make sure they are even. Then,
shape the side walls into a rounded oval,
making sure the angles are even on each
side.
 Types of Nail Shape
4. Square Oval (Squoval)
Combining the elegance of the oval with
the strength of the square, the squoval is
a popular nail shape for most fingers. First
begin with a square with straight and even
side walls. File the corners until your free
edge is rounded and beveled. Remember,
you still want strong side supports—don't
go too file-happy.
 Types of Nail Shape
5. Almond/Point
The pointed nail is a popular style for
acrylic and nail art designs, especially in
Eastern Europe and Asia. And while it's
not favored for the everyday look, this
extreme shape can actually slenderize
and lengthen the fingers. File the side
walls evenly and taper until you've
reached the desired tip.
 Deciding Your Shape
-If your nail beds are wide, try a squoval shape.
- If they are narrow, try a sharp square shape to
widen and strengthen.
-If you keep short nails, a rounded shape is your best
bet for low-maintenance style.
-You can also look at the lunula (the half-moon shape
on your nail bed) for nail-shaping guidance.
-If it's more curved, try oval or rounded.