Almond, square or oval: choosing a nail shape

Shape changes how a manicure looks more than most people expect, and the right one also decides how well your nails survive daily life. These are the shapes we file most often.

Oval and round are the most forgiving. They follow the natural curve of the fingertip, rarely snag on fabric and are the easiest to keep tidy as they grow. They suit short nails, people who type all day and anyone working with their hands, such as doctors, bakers or musicians. If you are unsure, start with a soft oval.

Square and squoval, a square with softened corners, give a clean, modern edge and make wide nail beds look neater. Sharp square corners can chip and catch on things, so we usually suggest squoval unless you want the sharp look for a particular event. Square works well with French tips and chrome.

Almond is tapered to a soft point and makes fingers look longer and slimmer. It needs some length to look right, at least 3 to 4 mm beyond the fingertip, so it is often done with soft-gel extensions at ₹2,200. Coffin, which is long and tapered with a flat tip, is mostly an extension shape and suits people who are comfortable with long nails. Look at your nail beds too. Short, wide beds look longer in oval or almond. Long, narrow beds suit almost anything. Your technician will suggest a shape at the table, and if you bring a photo, she will say honestly whether it will suit your natural length.