| 29 September 2009
Once you have chosen a nail shape, you pretty much stick with that shape for a quite a while. In case your interested in switching things up check out the following guide on different nail types that shows how to achieve that particular shape and the pros and cons of each shape.
a) Straight sided with a slightly oval tip - Allow the sides to grow straight and slightly round the tip, this shape provides the maximum support for the nail (as this is provided by the sides of the nails), also if either side of the nail is damaged it can be filed into a slightly oval shape to maintain the length.
b) Oval - File to tip of the nail into an egg shape, and file away some of the side of the nails, this does weaken the nails to some extent but is ideally suited to nails that are thick or wide as it gives them a more delicate appearance.
c) Square oval - As above, but followed by squaring off the tip, this gives the nail tip strength over the oval shape
d) Almond - Thought of as the classical nail shape the nail is filed away at the sides and softly pointed at the tip. This shape is not very strong and if the nail is damaged some of the length will have to be filed away to rectify. Although attractive, this shape does not allow nails to grow to their maximum length, if this is what is desired.
e) Round - Ideal for shorter nails, the nail is allowed to grow out straight at the sides for approximately 1.5mm and then the tip is filed into a rounded shape. This is a strong shape which is great for those who keep their nails short.
f) Square - Created by allowing the nail to grow out straight and then filing the tip straight across at right angles with the rest of the nail plate. This is again quite a strong nail shape but is not particularly flattering. Short square shaped nails can make hands look blunt and heavy. This is best for drawing attention to long nails.
g) Square with rounded corners - As above, but followed by rounding off the corners of the nails. A softer look than severely square shaped nails and less likely to catch on clothing etc. This is also very flattering on long nails.
h) Pointed - Nails are filed away at the sides to a point at the tip; this shape is very weak as the sides of the nail (which provide the strength) are totally lost.
This guide is curtoursey of Nailsbar.com.
