Tips and Trends for 2019 from Nail Salons
Seconds after you sit down in the nail salon, you're forced to make a decision: square or round? While those are perfectly respectable options, your nail tech knows just as well as you do that it's not that simple anymore. The world has more different nail shapes than you have fingers, and it can be tough to keep track of all the nail shapes, let alone choose one! We've broken down 12 of the most popular (and Instagram-worthy!) options. Read on for the ultimate guide to different nail shapes.
The square nail shape is pretty self-explanatory. Square nails are square—they're flat on top with straight, sharp corners. They neither flare out nor taper in and are a popular shape for those with short nails or long, narrow nail beds. In terms of colors, you may forget that it was the Spring 2019 season given the number of dark nail colors on display. It seems the seasons have done a flip-flop with pastels and electric shades currently trending for fall. If you're wondering where all the cheer has gone, select shows made up for the somber tones with romantic pink and energizing yellow manicures.
Whether you're searching for something joyful, moody, a little extra or want to put your manicure skills to the test, the Spring 2019 shows offered nail trends for everyone.
2. Round Nails
The classic round shape is another favorite for those who prefer to keep their nails clipped short. Like square nails, round nails start with straight sides but curve at the edges to follow the natural shape of the fingertip. Some people enhance the tips of their nails with a French manicure. Others take it to the next level by adding dangling nail piercings a la Chromat where the bling rivaled the outsize hoop earrings.
3. Squoval Nails
Square oval or squoval nails are perfect if you're into the flat edge of the square but hate sharp corners. Squoval is your best option. This universally flattering shape has softened corners for the best of both worlds. Libertine typically makes manicure fantasies come true. Lead CND artist Heather Reynosa and her team delivered for Spring 2019 by decking out nails with cameos, rhinestones, caviar pearls and, er, bits of braided hair for a new take on Victorian romance.
4. Oval Nails
Yes, round nails are different from oval ones. Here's how: Oval nails are filed down on the sides in addition to the tips. The curvature is more extreme, so it tends to make fingers look more slender. It's clear that the a clear trend isn't going away. It made its way to Mary Katrantzou where the CND geniuses created different looks inspired by blown glass.
5. Almond Nails
Like oval nails, almond nails are filed along the sides. The nail wall is tapered to end in a round peak, similar to the shape of an actual almond. Natural nails are often too weak to hold this structure on their own, so most almond manicures are reinforced with gel or acyclic. No need to worry about applying nail polish on your full nail. Models at Tibi wore pale yellow blobs on the ends of their digits combined with a shimmering silver accent nail. Easy-peasy.
6. Stiletto Nails
Stiletto nails are all about the drama. Shaping this spiked look starts off the same as it's nuttier counterpart, the almond, but ends at a much sharper point with a wider base. (Stiletto nails are also perfect for ice cream cone nail art, as seen below. This isn't your average sparkly manicure. Everyone's unicorn fantasies were fulfilled by the holographic glitter stiletto nails at Kim Shui.
7. Ballerina Nails
Ballerina nails (also known as coffin-shaped nails) are Kylie Jenner's signature nail shape. Ballerina nails are essentially the stiletto nail, but with a square rather than pointy tip. They're called ballerina nails or coffin nails because the shape resembles both a coffin and a ballerina's slipper. Muted pink was a favorite shade this season. At Tome, further interest was added with a darker color applied to the tips of nails.
8. Lipstick Nails
The inspiration behind this one is the cut angle of a fresh tube of lipstick. Like your favorite shade, this squared nail style slants diagonally for a seriously unique nail shape. Millennial pink lipstick is the most popular lip color in the world and the shade might be coming for nails next if the gorgeous pastel manicure at Marco de Vincenzo is any indication.
9. Flare Nails
As their name suggests, this nail shape flares upward and out. This shape is also known as the duck bill shape, given that exceptionally wide flare nails can resemble a duck bill. Jelly nails made it to the runway thanks to the extra acrylics at Marta Jakubowski. Different translucent tips played off the vivid lip colors. One of the prettiest combinations was flamingo pink nails against cotton candy pink lipstick.
10. Edge Nails
Edge nails form a point, but the point is less aggressive than that of a stiletto, arrowhead or mountain peak nail shape, as it extends straight before the top edges are filed. When being created with acrylics, the edge nail also forms into a ridge through the center of a nail, mimicking an edge. Jeremy Scott put his stamp on the pink manicure trend by adding a brighter pink outline to pale pink nails. Not even the prismatic foiled lips could distract us from the girly nail art.
11. Arrowhead Nails
Arrowhead nails are a less severe version of a stiletto nail. The point is shorter and softer. Grab those multicolored glitter top coats and start layering to create a sparkly confetti effect like the manicure at Anna Sui.
12. Mountain Peak Nails
The mountain peak nail shape is just like a stiletto nail as well, except shorter and pointier. (Mountain peak nails are a favorite of Lady Gaga). There won't be any dull days for those who copy the sunny yellow manicure at Alice + Olivia, especially if they go the runway route by coordinating it with a bag, jacket or dress.
List Created by Sacramento Top 10
The square nail shape is pretty self-explanatory. Square nails are square—they're flat on top with straight, sharp corners. They neither flare out nor taper in and are a popular shape for those with short nails or long, narrow nail beds. In terms of colors, you may forget that it was the Spring 2019 season given the number of dark nail colors on display. It seems the seasons have done a flip-flop with pastels and electric shades currently trending for fall. If you're wondering where all the cheer has gone, select shows made up for the somber tones with romantic pink and energizing yellow manicures.
Whether you're searching for something joyful, moody, a little extra or want to put your manicure skills to the test, the Spring 2019 shows offered nail trends for everyone.
2. Round Nails
The classic round shape is another favorite for those who prefer to keep their nails clipped short. Like square nails, round nails start with straight sides but curve at the edges to follow the natural shape of the fingertip. Some people enhance the tips of their nails with a French manicure. Others take it to the next level by adding dangling nail piercings a la Chromat where the bling rivaled the outsize hoop earrings.
3. Squoval Nails
Square oval or squoval nails are perfect if you're into the flat edge of the square but hate sharp corners. Squoval is your best option. This universally flattering shape has softened corners for the best of both worlds. Libertine typically makes manicure fantasies come true. Lead CND artist Heather Reynosa and her team delivered for Spring 2019 by decking out nails with cameos, rhinestones, caviar pearls and, er, bits of braided hair for a new take on Victorian romance.
4. Oval Nails
Yes, round nails are different from oval ones. Here's how: Oval nails are filed down on the sides in addition to the tips. The curvature is more extreme, so it tends to make fingers look more slender. It's clear that the a clear trend isn't going away. It made its way to Mary Katrantzou where the CND geniuses created different looks inspired by blown glass.
5. Almond Nails
Like oval nails, almond nails are filed along the sides. The nail wall is tapered to end in a round peak, similar to the shape of an actual almond. Natural nails are often too weak to hold this structure on their own, so most almond manicures are reinforced with gel or acyclic. No need to worry about applying nail polish on your full nail. Models at Tibi wore pale yellow blobs on the ends of their digits combined with a shimmering silver accent nail. Easy-peasy.
6. Stiletto Nails
Stiletto nails are all about the drama. Shaping this spiked look starts off the same as it's nuttier counterpart, the almond, but ends at a much sharper point with a wider base. (Stiletto nails are also perfect for ice cream cone nail art, as seen below. This isn't your average sparkly manicure. Everyone's unicorn fantasies were fulfilled by the holographic glitter stiletto nails at Kim Shui.
7. Ballerina Nails
Ballerina nails (also known as coffin-shaped nails) are Kylie Jenner's signature nail shape. Ballerina nails are essentially the stiletto nail, but with a square rather than pointy tip. They're called ballerina nails or coffin nails because the shape resembles both a coffin and a ballerina's slipper. Muted pink was a favorite shade this season. At Tome, further interest was added with a darker color applied to the tips of nails.
8. Lipstick Nails
The inspiration behind this one is the cut angle of a fresh tube of lipstick. Like your favorite shade, this squared nail style slants diagonally for a seriously unique nail shape. Millennial pink lipstick is the most popular lip color in the world and the shade might be coming for nails next if the gorgeous pastel manicure at Marco de Vincenzo is any indication.
9. Flare Nails
As their name suggests, this nail shape flares upward and out. This shape is also known as the duck bill shape, given that exceptionally wide flare nails can resemble a duck bill. Jelly nails made it to the runway thanks to the extra acrylics at Marta Jakubowski. Different translucent tips played off the vivid lip colors. One of the prettiest combinations was flamingo pink nails against cotton candy pink lipstick.
10. Edge Nails
Edge nails form a point, but the point is less aggressive than that of a stiletto, arrowhead or mountain peak nail shape, as it extends straight before the top edges are filed. When being created with acrylics, the edge nail also forms into a ridge through the center of a nail, mimicking an edge. Jeremy Scott put his stamp on the pink manicure trend by adding a brighter pink outline to pale pink nails. Not even the prismatic foiled lips could distract us from the girly nail art.
11. Arrowhead Nails
Arrowhead nails are a less severe version of a stiletto nail. The point is shorter and softer. Grab those multicolored glitter top coats and start layering to create a sparkly confetti effect like the manicure at Anna Sui.
12. Mountain Peak Nails
The mountain peak nail shape is just like a stiletto nail as well, except shorter and pointier. (Mountain peak nails are a favorite of Lady Gaga). There won't be any dull days for those who copy the sunny yellow manicure at Alice + Olivia, especially if they go the runway route by coordinating it with a bag, jacket or dress.
List Created by Sacramento Top 10
