How to determine the shape of natural nails. Choosing the shape of nails according to the shape and length of the fingers

While stylish colors add the perfect finish to beautiful nails, any nail artist will tell you that shape matters. Considering the foundation of any good manicure, your nail shape is paramount to creating stunning toes. Together with the color or design you choose, the right shape will make them more attractive.

  1. Check out the different nail shapes including square, circle, oval, almond, and ballerina.
  2. Consider the shape of your fingers, the width of the nail plate and the length of the nail in order to find your ideal shape.
  3. If you prefer short nails, choose between a square or a circle.
  4. If you have medium to long nails, then oval, almond and ballerina will suit you best.
  5. Use elongated nail shapes such as almond, ballerina, and oval to lengthen and slim down short, wide fingers.
  6. For girls with long and thin fingers, it is better to choose a square shape of nails to emphasize these advantages.

Nail shapes

When choosing the shape of your nails, you need to familiarize yourself with the different options. While there are many variations, there are five basic shapes you should know. These are square, circle, oval, almond and ballerina. To determine exactly which style is best for you, you must consider the shape of your fingers, the width of the nail plate, and the length of the nails.

Almond nails

Almond-shaped nails feature long sides that taper to form a rounded tip at the end. This luxurious shape won't suit short nails, but it looks great on longer ones. The shape is ideal for long and thin nails due to its elongated shape. Almond nails are also suitable for short and wide fingers to give the appearance of a thinner hand. Plus, this shape looks great on women with short toes due to the extra length. If this shape suits you, try neutral and sheer polishes, as well as glamorous and girly designs.

Round nails

If you want to create the appearance of longer fingers, but prefer short nails, you are better off choosing a round shape. Round nails are short in length with a naturally rounded edge and are ideal for lengthening short and wide toes. The shape can also be used to visually thin and long wide nails. At the same time, if you have narrow nails, do not rule out the round shape. The simple form is not only classic, but also versatile. Perfect for girls who do not have time for a salon, because round nails are easy to maintain at home. Their soft, rounded appearance makes them ideal for any varnish color. You can even switch between neutral, catchy and original shades, depending on your mood and outfit.

Square nails

Along with round shapes, square styles are also suitable for short nails. Thanks to the straight rectangular edges, this nail shape looks neat and stylish. If girls prefer longer nails, they are better off choosing a tapering shape, while those who like a short, well-defined and, at the same time, elegant look will stick to this style. The square shape of the nails is especially suitable for those with thin palms and long, thin fingers. If this can be said about you, or if your nails are long and narrow, ask them to make you a square shape during your next manicure. A shape that slightly widens the arms, does not break as often as others, and is ideal for women who do not have time to care for their nails often. When it comes to color, square nails can be the most stunning when paired with bright, flashy or glittery nail polishes.

Ballerina style nail shape

Ballerina is one of the best shapes for long nail lovers and narrow nails. This style gets its name from its shape reminiscent of ballerina's pointe shoes. It is a very stylish shape, usually long and narrow. It tapers to a square tip. Women who are attracted by sophisticated and stylish designs can try Ballerina as long as their nails are long and strong. If you have short and brittle nails, you can try acrylic nails. While the bold design requires a lot of maintenance, its look, combined with delicate, neutral shades, soothing tones and matte finishes, are well worth the effort.

Oval nails

Due to its ability to visually lengthen, oval nails are suitable for both short and wide nails and fingers. The medium to long shape ends in a semicircle similar to the almond style. This feminine nail shape will help make wide fingers look thinner and short fingers longer. Plus, you don't need to have very long nails to get an oval shape, just a short length is enough. A few millimeters of the free edge is enough for the effect. Once you've created this chic shape, you can pair it with cool painting or feminine pastel tones for a chic runway-ready look.

How to shape your nails at home

While visiting the salon always comes first, when your nails need to be refreshed and cared for, you can get the shape at home. If you have experience with a nail file, you can create any shape you want. Each shape, almond and oval, ballerina and square, requires concentration, patience and skill. Therefore, if you want to refresh or completely change your usual nail shape, this video will help you do it. Once you know the information you need about angles and proportions, you will soon be able to shape your nails like a pro. Just remember that some shapes will only work with long nails, while others will look better on shorter ones.

And the graceful shape of the hands with long fingers. Now it is fashionable, such a standard of appearance is considered impeccable. You can achieve a lot with the right makeup, style of clothing and shoes. But one cannot hide either the plumpness of the fingers, or wide marigolds, or the shortish nail plate on the hands, which are always in sight. What to do? First of all, do not dream of the unreal.

Shape of fingers and nails

From nature, each person got a certain shape of fingers and nails. It does not depend on his work, personal care, or the quality of food. Known kings with ugly fleshy fingers and beggars with aristocratic fingers. The state of the cuticle is also in the genes. A villager with a successful combination of genes may not take care of her nails: the cuticle does not grow.

Modern people attach great importance to the condition of the nails. Cosmetic companies make a variety of hand and nail care products. Manicurists are asked to correct the shape of wide, flat, short nails. There is a debate among girlfriends about which way is best to remove the cuticle so that the nails grow well, which shape of nails is suitable for which fingers.

All this is good, but it will not do the main thing: it will not change what is given by nature. So far, plastic surgery on fingers has not yet been thought of. Is it really necessary? Imagine a person with large features, powerful build, and thin long fingers. This is inharmonious and will create an unpleasant tone in communication. The thought of some kind of illness will arise.

But what can be done to bring the shape of the nails as close as possible to the ideal? Follow a few simple rules.

Nails need to be protected

Even the most beautiful nail shape can be ruined by improper care. Constant exposure to water with solvents (and now liquid soap and dishwashing detergents can be attributed to them) dries out nails, making them brittle and brittle.

A neglected cuticle can significantly extend onto the nail, thereby reducing its length. The constant formation of a round or oval free edge with a short length leads to a decrease in the nail bed. Scrubbing under the nails with metal objects (a scraper, or "hatchet") does not allow the growth of hyponychia - a thin skin under the free edge.

That is why, before deciding which nail shape is suitable for which fingers, it is good to provide your hands with protection and proper care. And maybe the marigolds will delight their mistress.

Result in four months

Nails are constantly growing, and you can adjust their shape if it leaves a lot to be desired. Constant shortening of the nails leads to a decrease in the nail bed, and the roller of the free edge begins to protrude upwards. But everything can be corrected, and after four months - the period of the average turnover of the nail plate - the result will be visible.

The photo on the left shows the nails before growing in length. It can be seen that they are very short. This makes the fingers appear thick. After a while, with proper care, it was possible to grow a short length and make a straight free edge. Now the question does not arise which shape of nails is suitable for which fingers. In most cases, their native natural form suits them.

The right manicure for lengthening nails

There are many small blood vessels in the cuticle area, and it is not easy to get rid of it. But if you constantly push it back, the vessels will become thinner, the nail will gradually open more and more. Some allowed the cuticle to grow on the nail for so long that the hole was no longer visible. Constant care of the cuticle will allow you to see it again.

If they are fragile, they need to be strengthened. A good base for nails will cope with this task. Only it will need to be applied not in a thin layer, but in two stages: the first - with rubbing movements of the brush, the second - like painting with varnish with an additional drop applied to the center of the nail.

Don't be afraid of dark and vibrant colors and designs. A check mark made over the entire nail and painted in contrasting colors will visually lengthen the nails.

How to get the right shape

If you ask a question to nail designers, which shape of nails is suitable for which fingers, for the most part they will choose the classics. Moreover, the masters are sure that the shape of the nails is much more important than the length. Correct proportions are more important than grooming: no matter how much hand cream you use, flared flat nails will not add charm to them. Fortunately, it is possible to "reshape" the shape by constantly wearing gel polish. You don't need to do anything special. Just wear the gel polish, peeling off the old one and shortening the length of your nails.

In the photo on the right - the first application of gel polish, on the left - the result of wearing a decorative coating after three months. The pink outline marks the nail plate. It can be seen that it has become narrower and longer. This happened because the nails were under a protective film for a long time, did not absorb water, did not expand. The free edge was not injured, cracked or bent. The nails were not cut too short, and gradually hyponychia grew, the nail bed increased.

At the same time, the nail assumed its natural shape - a semicircle in cross section. The side rollers stood parallel to each other and the nail visually became narrower.

Manicurists know which nail shape is suitable for thick fingers. There are several principles here:

1. The wider the nails, the longer they should be. To visually stretch your fingers, to make them slimmer, you need to stretch them using the length of the nails. If you need short nails, you can make them slightly longer than the transverse size of the nail. The main thing is that they should resemble a rectangle, not a circle or a square.

2. The shorter and thicker the fingers, the longer the nails should be. The more graceful the hands will look. Long nails are great in this case. A few millimeters of the free edge will add length not only to the nails, but also to the fingers. The proportions will improve.

3. Avoid trapezoidal nails extending to the free edge. It may even be necessary to cut off the sides so that the width is the same throughout the nail.

4. The varnish should not be applied to the entire plate; it is better to leave a small strip of natural nail along the rollers.

Design for wide nails

If the nails are wide, they require doubly care and maintenance. With this shape, even the slightest divergence towards the free edge seems sloppy. It is better to forget about the round shape. It is good to always maintain a free edge length of two to three millimeters. This will achieve beautiful proportions.

Often, owners of wide fingers have strong nails, and this is not surprising: the growth zone - the lunula - is larger, and the nail plate is thicker. Visits to the nail salon are infrequent. Such nails can grow to considerable lengths and it is tempting to make an almond shape. Not necessary. Better to stay on a soft square. Better yet, straight nails with clear lines.

The design should be matte, velvet. Light shades of varnish will visually shorten the nails. A French manicure will do, but with a lengthening of the nail bed. Drawings are best done on one nail, but on a large area you can depict whatever you want. Large rhinestones should be avoided, and small ones can be neatly laid out in the cuticle area, but you should not get too carried away with them. It is very important to maintain parallel side bolsters with such handles. Here's what nail shape works for wide fingers.

Long Fingers Manicure

Owners of long, thin fingers usually have a well-shaped nail plate. If this is not the case, it can be corrected as much as possible by leaving. Almond-shaped nails will look good on these pens. True, this is not always convenient. A soft square is suitable for sports.

It happens that the nails become round, flat and wide. This happens on parental leave, when hands are constantly in the water, nails are cut short to avoid injury to the baby, and there is not enough time to take care of oneself. But life goes on, and there are holidays and celebrations when you need to put yourself in order. What if the nails are of different lengths and there is no way to grow them?

The owners of thin pens ask: what shape of nails is suitable for long fingers? They can be advised to stay on the classic oval and short length. Straight short nails with dark varnish look good. The main thing is accuracy and processed rollers. Long fingers won't let you down, any manicure will look great.

For plump fingers

Sporty style is not for Titian ladies. Their delicate forms need a romantic setting. These are pastel colors, flowing lines and classics. When they say "classic", nail stylists mean both red and black nails. The palette of classic varnish in the twenty-first century has increased and equaled the tones of classic colors in clothes. Shiny and glittering shades should be avoided. It is better to choose the length a little more than the nail bed - by two-thirds. This is considered the classic salon nail length.

What shape of nails is suitable for plump fingers? Straight nails with parallel side lines look good, with a slightly pronounced transverse arch. If work does not allow for such a length, you can limit yourself to an oval shape with a free edge length of one and a half to two millimeters and parallel side rollers.

Even if by nature the shape of the nails is short, protruding at the free edge, with the help of modern professional manicure tools, you can wear the recommended length. It is important not to allow the expansion of the nail, turning it into a trapezoidal shape. To do this, you should avoid contact of nails with detergents and do not leave them without a decorative coating.

Ladies of retirement age also want to know which nail shape is suitable for full fingers. Many of them doubt that, in addition to the usual almond shape, anything else will suit them. However, the almond shape has undergone changes in our century and is now used to build a competitive length with lengthening of the nail bed and the formation of a steep arch that makes up half a circle. Other repetition options for almonds already seem outdated and outdated. Therefore, these ladies can be offered a "soft square" shape with a free edge length of two millimeters. It is a comfortable to wear and modern nail shape with beautiful lines.

Fast transformation

It is not easy to achieve success in one day, but it is possible. A competent nail extension can form perfect nails with parallel side ridges. In the modern sense, extensions are not necessarily extreme lengths. Especially if your nails are small. According to the extension rule, the length of the nail bed is equal to the length of the free edge. With small nail plates, this is quite a bit.

A plus of nail modeling is the perfect transverse arch. In the process of building, the master will tighten the nails with special tweezers, removing the trapezoidal expansion of the rollers. As a result, parallel lines will appear, and the architecture of the nail will become perfect. With a slight lengthening, the appearance of the nails approaches natural. Those who do not know about artificial material on the nails will mistake them for natural.

A special case is presented by miniature pens with short fingers. Often the marigolds on them are small, round in shape. Here you can not do without a jacket with lengthening the nail plate. Nails can be straight or soft square. Round, almond-shaped, stilettos should be avoided. If you saw off the sides of the nail a little, but without bringing it to the almonds, and make a straight free edge, this will visually lengthen the fingers. This is the shape of the nails suitable for short toes.

All you have to do is find out a little what the beauty industry has to offer and choose what is right for you. A little time will pass, and you will already begin to advise your friends on the shape of the nails and their care.

The magnificent appearance of a woman often consists of very small, at first glance completely invisible, details. This is, first of all, the correct shape of the eyebrows, the correct shade of lipstick and, of course, a manicure. It is for this reason that manicure must be given no less attention than other things.

During a manicure, the most important problem is finding the right shade and design. But, unfortunately, these are not all the difficulties. It is worth remembering that today there are four types of different nail shapes. But which one to choose, everyone decides for himself completely individually. It is worth remembering that a few years ago, the shape of the nails changed in accordance with the trends of the season, but now these clear boundaries are gradually blurring. Now, there are no definite boundaries and rules. Now there are only wishes for the manicure to reflect the style, match the image, and the shape ideally matches the shape and length of the fingers.

If you want to improve the condition of your hair, special attention should be paid to the shampoos that you use. A frightening figure - 96% of popular brands of shampoos contain components that poison our body. The main substances, due to which all the troubles, are indicated on the labels as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, coco sulfate, PEG... These chemical components destroy the structure of the curls, the hair becomes brittle, loses its elasticity and strength, the color fades. But the worst thing is that this muck gets into the liver, heart, lungs, accumulates in the organs and can cause cancer. We advise you to stop using the products in which this chemistry is located. Recently, the experts of our editorial office conducted an analysis of sulfate-free shampoos, where the first place was taken by the funds from the Mulsan Cosmetic company. The only manufacturer of completely natural cosmetics. All products are manufactured under strict quality control and certification systems. We recommend visiting the official online store mulsan.ru If you doubt the naturalness of your cosmetics, check the expiration date, it should not exceed one year of storage.

Nails need constant care, as well as the correct shape.

Before proceeding to a manicure and nail design, it is imperative to ask yourself the question: "What shape of nails do I like?" Since if the shape of the nails ideally fits the shape of the fingers, but you don't like its appearance, then it will not give you comfort. Regardless of fashion trends in nail shapes, it is still better to create your manicure the way you like it, because any, even the most exclusive and fashionable thing, can make its owner feel awkward and uncomfortable.

Any girl wants to look great. In the arsenal of each of the fair sex there are many tubes of creams, all kinds of jars and colorful bottles with various nail polishes. It is worth remembering that the perfect manicure is not only beautiful, but also with its help you can visually remove all the imperfections of the hands, nails and fingers. So what shape of nails should you choose to arouse admiration among those around you?

First of all, it is necessary to learn the most important rule - all nails, regardless of their shape, must have the same length. In the event that one nail is broken, it is unnecessary to feel sorry for the rest, because only in this case the marigolds will look aesthetically pleasing.

All experts say that the shape of the marigold should completely mirror the shape of the cuticle. In the process of manicure, nails must be given either oval, or round, or pointed, or rounded, or square.

The most ideal shape of nails is considered to be oval., because it is she who suits only the owners of perfect and graceful hands.

The most convenient, comfortable and practical shape is considered to be rounded, because in this case, the nail protrudes quite a bit beyond the tip of the finger. In this case, all free edges must be sawn off periodically in the form of a crescent. In the event that the edges are sawn in a straight line, then you can get a square shape. Well, the length depends entirely on individual preferences.

Also, do not forget that the nail should protrude from the edge of the fingertip by at least one millimeter. Well, the shape of the nails must be chosen depending on the cuticle, the shape and length of the fingers, as well as on the nail bed.

Before making a decision, first of all, it is necessary to visually imagine how each of the forms will look on the hand. Ideally, you can cut the nails of each of the shapes out of plain paper and attach the templates to your fingers. As they say, it is better to measure seven times and cut off once. Only if you are confident in your decision can you take action.

The cuticle comes in three basic shapes: triangular, square, and oval. Also, the shape of the nails can be selected according to the convexity of the nail plate, it can be flat and convex.

  • In the event that the cuticle has an oval shape with a flat shape of the nail plate, absolutely any shape is suitable, for a convex shape of the plate - a square one.
  • In the event that the cuticle is square, but the nails, respectively, should be square.
  • In the event that the shape of the cuticle is close to a triangle, then it is better to opt for a pointed or oval shape of nails.

  • Round shape of nails.

The round shape of the nails is ideal for those with large hands, large fingers and wide palms. The round shape of the nails looks good if the nails are short, that is, they do not protrude more than three millimeters from the fingertip.

The square shape of the nails will look great on the hands of those of the fair sex who have thin long fingers, narrow brushes and if, of course, there are naturally round nails. Choosing this shape of nails, you can choose absolutely any length, since square nails look great both short and long.

How to make a square nail shape? First of all, you need to carefully file the free edge of the nail, but only perpendicular to the finger. It is worth remembering that the corners cannot be rounded, they just need to be smoothed out with a nail file, so that they do not scratch or cling.

The oval shape of the nails is ideal for any shape of the fingers and hands, and in addition, this shape of the nails visually lengthens the fingers. And in the event that the fingers are short and full, this is generally considered an ideal option. In this case, the length of the nail can be any.

How to make oval nails? It is necessary to file the nail on each side, and round the tip a little.

It is worth remembering that fingers must be thin and long without fail. In the event that the fingers are plump, then the pointed shape of the nails can simply violate the general proportions of the brush. Nail piercing, exotic or fantastic manicure, or classic French manicure will look great on nails of this shape. With this nail shape, you can experiment with manicure.

Today, there are four of the most basic forms of nails:

  1. Pointed or pointed.
  2. Oval.
  3. Square.
  4. Round.

Each of the shapes should fit perfectly with all the features of the fingers and hands. Despite the fact that many of them are very similar to each other, it is necessary to individually select both the shape and length for yourself, because as you know, it is impossible to find two people with completely identical nail shapes.

Also, during the selection of the ideal nail shape, do not forget about the nail lune, as well as the nail bed, which, as you know, are the visible part of the nails.

The nail bed can be of completely different shapes, it all depends on the individual anatomical structure of each person's fingers. The nail lune itself is also one of the most important parts that must be taken into account when choosing the ideal nail shape.

Here, there is only one most important rule, in the event that the nail lune has a round shape, then the shape of the nail should be round, and if the nail lune is square, then the nails should be, respectively, square in shape.

In the event that, when choosing the shape of the nail, the nail bed is taken into account, then the shape should change depending on the individual structure. In the event that the nail bed is rather short and narrow, then it is better to opt for the square shape of the nails, but here it is worth considering that they should be with well-visible rounded corners. Otherwise, if the nail bed has a large and elongated shape, then in this case, it is better to opt for a square shape with almost invisible, slightly rounded tips.

In addition, the square shape of the nails is ideal if the nail hole is square, but in this case, the length must be selected depending on individual preferences. If the nail bed has a narrow and long shape, then it is best to opt for a pointed nail shape. Well, in the event that the nail bed is long and the nail lune is square, then the square shape of the nails with barely rounded corners is perfect. Any nail shape is perfect if the nail bed is oval.

At first glance, everything seems complicated enough, but in reality it is not at all so. It is worth remembering that the square shape of the nails is ideal for long and narrow fingers, and the shapes of nails with rounded corners are ideal for owners of small hands with short and full fingers. Also, it is worth remembering that if the nails are short, then it is better to choose an oval shape, and if the nails are long, then you can pamper yourself with a square shape.

Also, very often there are cases when the nails have a different shape, in this case, it is better to stop at the square shape of the nails. In addition to all this, there is also a less popular oval-square shape of nails, it will be an ideal option for owners of big and long fingers, as well as those who have wide and short phalanges.

It is worth remembering that an incorrectly selected shape of nails can ruin even the most beautiful and professional manicure made by a highly qualified master.

The shape of the nail plate has undergone several fashionable changes and settled on a soft square. Her nails are not quite square, the corners are smoothed. The free edge line is slightly convex, similar to the oval version, but flatter. Many posters of well-known manufacturers of varnishes and gels depict exactly this shape of nails.

Soft square - comfortable and beautiful

When girls began to wear a square came into fashion. These are the edges of the nail that are parallel to the lateral ridges and the free edge that is filed perpendicular to them. It was largely determined by tips.

This option was inconvenient to wear: the tips immediately began to hurt for everything that was possible, and quickly broke off. It was necessary to wash my hair and put on tights very carefully. In the first case, hair could be damaged, in the second - tights. And the clients began to ask their masters to round off the sharp ends a little.

Why is the free edge line slightly curved? There is a reason for that, too. Usually, those who are not used to doing a manicure on their own at home choose a short semicircular nail shape. The master will make a soft square of them in the salon if the girl comes to him for an appointment. It just won't work anymore. Almost all men and children have such nails. Hyponychium (the skin under the nail in the area of ​​the free edge), with constant rounding of the tips, stops growing in these places, and the nail bed has a semicircular shape. Long nails have a straight nail bed at the free edge.

A soft square is the shape of the nail that can flatten the nail bed. In the corners, the tissue lying under the nail will be restored, and the hyponychium will take on a straight shape. Rather, not a straight line, but the shape of a slightly convex arc.

If the nails are of medium length

When the nails are healthy and strong, any length can be grown. But for permanent wearing it is recommended to use the shape of the nails "soft square". The photo clearly demonstrates how beautiful handles look with such nails. The length may be different, but the bottom line remains the same: nails approaching their natural healthy shape. They are durable, you can print with them, take coins from the table, do all your homework. Unsurprisingly, after the classic square set aside, they are so popular.

Oval nails also hold positions, but they are less comfortable. They are more difficult to care for and to maintain their shape. When one nail is bent, when you have to file it, it starts to get out of the picture. Because it will no longer be possible to make the same arc as on the others. It will turn out to be flatter. This does not happen with the shape of a “soft square” nail. She always manages to file the same way as everyone else.

Any design looks beautiful on such nails. The jacket turns out to be expressive, the white line runs parallel to the line of the free edge and looks very natural. It matches modern French paper strips, it is very convenient for self-application at home.

In addition, it is easy to keep it tidy. It is not surprising that more and more girls are choosing the "soft square" nail shape for themselves.

When the plates grow back, and this is an average of one millimeter per week, this does not affect the shape of the free edge. For comparison: the oval shape has to be corrected at home a week after visiting the salon, it "moves out". There is nothing to say about a sharp square. The ends are difficult to save, they touch objects and break off.

Shape of nails "soft square": photo

How to make an even and beautiful edge of the nail so that this line repeats on all fingers? There is a special technology for this. When the file moves to the right and to the left parallel to the cuticle zone, the convex arc will turn out to be more or less steep, depending on the angle of inclination of the file.

If the angle of inclination is practically zero, that is, the file is perpendicular to the nail bed, then the cut will turn out to be straight. If you put it at an angle of 45 degrees, it will be an oval. For a soft square, the angle of the file should be slightly less than 30 degrees. To do this, the master first cuts off the excess length, then tilts the file slightly towards himself and continues to work. A few strokes and the form is ready. You can rest assured that all nails will have the same edge.

The technique of performing the "soft square"

The picture below shows the basic shapes of the nails. These are almond, round, square, soft square (formerly called "oval-square") and oval.

For nail polishing, you need to prepare suitable tools. It will not work simply, using scissors or a clipper, to make a similar free edge on all ten nail plates. This work is for a professional manicure file. It is good to choose it in a specialty store, grit 180 (this is an indicator of abrasive in a square centimeter). You will also need a buff with a grit 240.

The procedure is as follows:

  1. Extra length is removed. The movement of the file from the side of the master is perpendicular to the axis of the finger. There is no inclination of the file.
  2. The excess width of the nail of the free edge in the area of ​​the rollers is removed. The reference point is the width of the cuticle zone.
  3. The file is placed as in point 1, but the upper edge is tilted towards itself (from the side of the master). Three or four movements are made with a file, for which the length will not go away, and the ends of the free edge will slightly rise up.
  4. Sharp corners are smoothed out with a file, which is set at an angle of 45 degrees. One or two strokes, no more. We don't need an oval.
  5. The free edge is treated with a buff of 240 grit. At the same time, sawdust is removed from under the nail.

Following this instruction sequentially, it is easy to figure out how to make a "soft square" nail shape.

Difficulties that may be encountered

If the manicure is done regularly, there will be no difficulties. But there are points to be aware of:

  • If the nails have not been processed for a long time, the side ridges may be too large and rough. You can walk over them with a file, pushing the roller with your fingers and making slow movements to one side (down to the free edge).
  • If the marigolds form an arch, then you can slightly remove the width from the sides so that when viewed from the side they do not go down.
  • The pterygium (the skin on the nail) may prevent the sides from filing. Then it should be carefully removed, having previously pushed aside with a pusher and cut off with tweezers.

How to deal with uncomfortable nails

A soft square is a nail shape in which the sides are parallel. If the corners are cut too deep (for example, the girl used to bite her nails before), then it will be very difficult to complete this shape. There is only one way out: to cut a little free edge, even if this reduces the nail bed.

It is permissible to slightly correct the formula: not so parallel to saw down the sides and slightly increase the bend of the arc of the free edge. Here, of course, there are limits: the human eye can catch where there is still a square, and where there is already an oval.

For whom this form does not suit

Among those who cannot wear such a uniform are people with a very thin nail plate. If you do not strengthen such nails, the tips will surely break off. The same applies to those who work with solvents, detergents, paper, earth and work without gloves. Too much drying of nails leads to their brittleness, even if their thickness is naturally good. The round shape of the nails is more suitable for them.

If the nails are trapezoidal, that is, they greatly expand towards the free edge, it will not be possible to choose the shape of the nails "soft square" for short natural nails.

If the nails exfoliate and therefore lose their beautiful corners, it is good to immediately saw down the tips, with broken nails, urgently do a manicure and shorten the length. Usually, creases form near the side ridges and run parallel to the free edge. This means that the nail cannot withstand the load. In this case, it must be shortened.

There is always a way out

You can always find a way how to make the shape of the nails "soft square". If it was not possible to complete it by filing, you can increase the length and then you will definitely get the ideal shape. At the same time, the trapezoidal nails will be squeezed with special tweezers, forming a beautiful arch, and the side ridges will become parallel.

Try to make your own nails - and you will love the soft square for its versatility.

The shape of a natural nail plate can be of several types, depending on the features of the structure of the hands and the shape of the fingers.

Information about the shape of nails is necessary not only for future masters of manicure, but it will also be useful for those who are learning how to build nails and even just want to correctly do a manicure at home. The natural shape of the nail plate has several varieties, in general they can be distinguished into the following groups:

  • square,
  • pointed,
  • cone-shaped,
  • rounded,
  • shovel-shaped.

There is another classification option, in which all forms of nails, given from nature, are divided into four groups:

  • square,
  • rectangular,
  • round,
  • trapezoidal.

In order to determine what kind of nail shape you have, make a plasticine patch and attach it to the outside of the phalanx. Remove the cover carefully without crushing it. The mark on the onlay will accurately show the shape of the nail plate.

As it grows, a natural nail loses its previous shape; due to the peculiarities of the direction of growth of the plate, it becomes uneven, beveled. Therefore, in order to maintain a natural beautiful shape, it is necessary to regularly carry out its timely correction.

What are the forms of nails: names

Forms of nails for natural plates are not as diverse as for extended ones. However, the groups that unite them have their own variations.

"Clear square"

One of the most popular nail forms. Perfectly executed, it consists of two parallel lateral lines of the nail plate and a straight perpendicular cut from above. Sharp right angles at the top of the nail are a characteristic feature of the shape. The "Clear Square" looks best on nails with medium length. Such plates are suitable for owners of long thin fingers with an elongated nail bed.

And vice versa, the square is contraindicated for girls with short dense fingers with a wide nail plate. Since this shape will make them even larger, and the manicure will look ridiculous.

Unfortunately, Clear Square is a very unstable shape. On natural marigolds, there is a high risk of breaking off the corners, which will look unaesthetic. And if the nails themselves are also thin, then as they grow, the whole effect of the square will be lost, since the free tip will begin to roll to the side or wrap inward.

"Soft square"

This shape is more stable, as it is a square at the base, but with smoothed corners. It will look great both with a short long and medium version. The "Soft Square" will fit almost any hand shape. The only exception is girls with too wide nail plates.

This form is often chosen as a compromise solution for the owners of problem nails. This option is not so susceptible to deformation when the free end grows and the flaws of the manicure are not so noticeable here.

"Oval"

"Oval" is a universal shape, suitable for any configuration of plates and features of the hand. Manicurists consider this form to be basic. Its characteristic feature is that the free edge completely repeats the shape of the nail bed and the line of the hole - the base of the nail.

"Square oval"

This is another compromise for girls who, due to the peculiarities of their nail plates, cannot afford the shape of a square.

The "square oval" is an intermediate option between the square and the oval.

A characteristic feature is a square at the base, sharp corners at the edges, but with an arched free tip. It is permissible to make such a shape even for girls with wide plates, since due to the ovality of the tip, the shape of the tip will divert attention from the wide plates and help to visually stretch the fingers.

Round form

The round shape is performed only on short nails, it looks ridiculous on long plates. In fact, such a form is primordial, natural, i.e. if the nail plate has not grown enough to give it any shape, then the round version is perfect here.

To create it, already 1 mm of the free tip will be enough. When performed, it simply follows the curve of the edge of the finger. However, it requires significant and timely adjustments during regrowth due to the changing direction of the plate growth.

Almond shape

The almond shape is suitable only for the owners of narrow plates and graceful long fingers. From the hole itself, the nail smoothly tends to the center and rounds off at the tip. A characteristic feature of this form is the absence of any corners.

The length of the nail bed should not be long, since the free tip of the almond-shaped marigolds should always be longer. And if you get an unnecessarily long "amygdala", then it will look unnatural, bend to the sides.

Triangular shape or "cat's claws"

The triangular shape or the so-called "cat's claws" are suitable only for girls with narrow plates on thin fingers. On large or wide nails, it will look a little intimidating, resembling witch's nails.

The characteristic feature is similar to the almond shape - the same smooth bend towards the center, but an acute angle forms at the end. This shape is extremely inconvenient due to the high risk of breaking the free end. Therefore, the triangular version can be afforded by girls with fairly strong nail plates.

"Pointe shoes", "ballerina", "coffin"

"Pointe shoes", "ballerina", "coffin" - three names for the same shape of nails, which have been very popular in recent seasons. This favorite shape suits almost any configuration of brushes and nail plates. It is only important to observe the only condition - for girls with wide plates, the free edge should be of medium length, the rest can be left both short and medium in size.

Pointe shape is a kind of mix between triangular and square shape. At its base lies precisely the triangular shape - the edges of the nail plates tend to the center, however, the free tip has a perpendicular cut with sharp corners, thus forming a trapezoid at the tip.

Like a square, this shape is rather fragile, there is a high risk of damaging the corners. And on the grown thin marigolds, the tip may even curl up into a cone, the shape will simply be lost.

Beveled shape

This option is a variation of the square plate. From the sides, it is formed by the same straight lines, but the tip is not cut perpendicularly, but has a straight oblique cut, forming two angles - blunt and sharp. The cut can be performed both in the same direction on all fingers, and in different directions.

Curled misshapen nails will look ridiculous.

The beveled shape looks best on nails with long narrow plates. The optimal length is medium. But even for such a form, the condition must be met - a strong nail plate.

How to choose the shape of nails for extension

Experienced manicure masters classify a number of forms for natural plates rather as conditionally possible - "triangle", "clear square", "beveled shape" and "pointe shoes". Such configurations can only look perfect on artificial nails.

Quite often, natural plates, even if they are strong and even enough, break off after a while with such shapes. To avoid such troubles, you should additionally strengthen the plate with acrylic or gel before creating the shape.

The choice of the shape of the nails during the extension is an important part of the manicure technique. First, it is important to determine the ideal length, it is strictly individual for each girl. In particular, owners of thin elongated fingers are not recommended to choose a very long option, as the result will look like claws. A specialist in the salon should help to recommend the most optimal shape.

When building up, the name of the forms of nails is determined by their varieties:

  • clear and soft square,
  • oval,
  • triangular,
  • almond-shaped,
  • pipe tube,
  • peak,
  • beveled,
  • stylet,
  • oval-square,
  • beveled twisted.

The shapes of the nail plate, close to square, are suitable for women with long fingers and men, oval - for a refined brush, thin and miniature marigolds. The rest of the shapes are also selected according to the type of palm, its length and even general physique. If a woman has wide, curvy arms, triangular options are best for her.

Rules for choosing the shape of nails for a natural plate

Few of the girls naturally have a natural nail plate that is strong and even. Usually you can find different-sized marigolds even on one brush, and of course, you can find them on two. Nails can vary in curvature, the size of the nail bed, the direction of growth of the plate, and the appearance of the shape of the nails. If the free edge of the nail is not let go for a great length, then the differences will be little conspicuous. They can be easily corrected.


Long nails should be avoided, and they are not in trend right now.

The owners of thin and soft plates face even more stringent selection conditions; only a short free edge is allowed for them. This is because such thin nails tend to bend, curl as they grow back. Even the most neutral form of the free part of the marigold will look sloppy on them.

In addition, there is a high risk of damage to the weak plate, since it is more prone to creases and detachment from the nail bed, and the long free tip will easily provoke a similar situation.

Another important rule when choosing the shape of nails for natural marigolds. Consider the structural features of your arms, hands, fingers and the natural shape of the plates.

Only a long thin brush with aristocratic fingers and oval marigolds with an elongated nail bed is recognized as universal. Only such hands can be matched to any shape of marigold. All other options require strict consideration of individual characteristics.

When choosing the shape of nails for manicure, take into account the realities of your everyday life, namely:

  • specifics of work,
  • daily duties,
  • characteristic addictions.

So, for example, athletes, doctors and mothers of small children obviously only have a short length of marigolds, and without sharp corners and edges. Therefore, when choosing the shape of nails on your hands, evaluate how they can cause discomfort during work, it is also important to exclude the risk of injury to yourself and others, especially children.

Manicure with nails of different lengths looks ridiculous.

One of the most important rules of any manicure is that all nails should be the same length. For natural nails, this will take a lot of effort. Since even if one nail breaks, mercilessly file all the other plates under the new length. Even if you have to strip the length of the free end completely. Better to let all the marigolds be short than multilevel.

You can determine the exact shape of the nails that suits you empirically, you just need to use paper or foil. Cut all known nail shapes out of paper or foil and glue them to your plates. A shape that visually lengthens and stretches your fingers is the perfect choice.

Rules for the decorative design of nails of different shapes

The choice of the shape of the nails, in addition to the anatomical features, is also influenced by the decorative manicure that you plan to use. For example, if you are going to cover your nails with a dark color, then a short length is most suitable here. On long nails, a dark color looks vulgar if you are not creating an image for Halloween, and besides, it will accentuate all the irregularities of the plate as the nail grows.

If you are going to create such a popular version of nail art as a jacket, you will have to forget the "triangle" shape. In such a solution, a narrow white or contrasting tip will look extremely ridiculous.

The geometric or stained glass design of nails so fashionable this season is categorically not suitable for the almond shape. Such a pattern will negate all the grace and smoothness of the lines of the almond marigold.

Decor with an accent on rhinestones will be completely out of place on square-shaped nails. But French manicure for pebbles will be the most successful solution.

However, don't be afraid to experiment. Try different options, just do not create extended nails right away, you can still wear the temporary form. This way you can find the best manicure ideas so that your nails always look great.