5WAYS TO SHAPE YOUR NAILS

Afresh manicure is just the thing to show off great accessories such as a statement ring, bracelet or wristlet. But many women forget they have more options to change up their hands’ looks than just selecting a new color of polish. While the square or square-oval, also known as the squoval, are the most popular nail shapes, there are several shapes to choose from, each with its own benefits. Here are five ways to shape your nails:

OVAL

Oval-shaped nails provide a classic, elegant look that flatters women with broad or slender nail beds. To create this shape, file the sides of each nail straight. Then, arch the tip of the nail into an oval, being careful to make the angles even on both sides.

SQUARE

The square is one of the most popular nail profiles because of its durability and ability to resist chipping. This boxlike nail shape is perfect for larger nail beds. Women with small nail beds should be aware that this shape tends to make the nail look shorter and wider. To achieve the square look, file the sides of the nails straight; then file the tip at a right angle. Keep the sharp corners to give narrow beds the illusion of added width, or bevel the tips for a classic French style.

SQUOVAL

The square-oval shape is the perfect union of elegance and strength. The squoval looks good on most fingers and is an especially good choice for women with wide nail beds. After creating the square shape nail with straight side walls, use an emery board to round the corners of the free edge.

ROUND

The best option for short, low-maintenance nails is the round shape. The contour is flattering, particularly on people who have wide nails, as it has a narrowing effect on the nail bed. Get the look by filing the sides of the nail straight; then round the tips into a half circle.

ALMOND

The least common of the nail shapes, the almond is a way to add drama to the nails. Pointed at the tips, this shape lends itself well to extreme nail art designs and can give the illusion of long, slender digits. Probably the hardest shape to achieve, for an almond silhouette, file the sides of the nails at an angle and taper off to a point. Be careful to make sure both sides are even.