The ideal manicure is determined by the correct shape of the nails. Perhaps you have been doing manicures for many years, but still don’t know which shape is best, so you are constantly experimenting with the length and width of your nails. Or you mistakenly believe that you have found the “ideal” shape for yourself and have not changed it for a long time.
When choosing a manicure, you should take into account the condition of the nail plate, the length and thickness of your fingers, daily habits and lifestyle.
Tips for creating beautiful nails
- Check out the different nail shapes including square, circle, oval, almond and ballerina.
- Consider the shape of your fingers, the width of your nail plate, and the length of your nail to find your ideal shape.
- If you prefer short nails, choose between square and circle.
- If you have medium or long nails, then oval, almond and ballerina will suit you best.
- Use elongated nail shapes such as almond, ballerina and oval to lengthen and make short and wide fingers appear longer and thinner.
- For girls with long and thin fingers, it is better to choose a square nail shape to emphasize these advantages.
Photo of manicure for wide nails
As you can see in the photo, on wide nails a classic French manicure looks appropriate and elegant. As on nails of any other shape and length, the jacket can be made multi-colored, complemented with interesting designs and unusual decorative elements.
The design looks original, in which the smile line is drawn diagonally - such nail art on a flat plate looks fresh and incredibly stylish.
In the photo gallery below there are a lot of beautiful, fashionable, extraordinary designs - you just want to put them into practice as soon as possible!
Nail shapes
When choosing a nail shape, 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 accurately determine which style is best for you, you must consider the shape of your fingers, the width of your nail plate, and the length of your nails.
Manicure ideas for wide nails
There are many original nail designs that can decorate short nails; it is only important to follow simple rules when choosing a suitable design:
- drawings should be placed in the center - this will distract attention from the width of the plate. There is no need to overuse large prints - it is better to limit yourself to fine, elegant painting;
- using two different varnishes on one nail, you need to separate the tones strictly vertically;
- even on a large plate you can draw a cosmic gradient, in which a light shade at the base smoothly flows to a darker tip;
- another spectacular technique is ombre, made with glitter varnish;
- Animal prints do not go out of fashion - it is better to decorate the ends with them, leaving the base transparent or plain;
- Geometric patterns and warm “knitted” patterns look especially stylish and relevant; it is better to give preference to small elements – diamonds, circles and zigzags;
- Large squares and triangles in this case will further highlight the natural shape of the nail.
For short nails, the negative space design, which is fashionable this season, is also suitable, with which part of the plate is decorated, visually “stretching” it.
Almond shaped nails
Almond shaped nails have 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 shaped nails are also suitable for short and wide fingers to give the appearance of a slimmer hand. In addition, this shape looks flattering on women with short fingers due to the extra length. If this shape suits you, try neutral and clear polishes, as well as glamorous and girly designs.
Color palette
Give preference to dark colors of varnish - this will visually narrow the nail plate. If you want a little light, be sure to combine it with other, more saturated dark shades. What can be used for a successful manicure in this case:
- monochrome pink finish, emphasis on one nail. The pattern can be absolutely anything, for example, a star or other pointed image;
- multi-colored coating is another interesting option. You can take several options of tones at once: pink and gray, purple and blue, or another harmonious combination. This is an ideal option for a summer manicure: highlight two fingers on one handle, and one or more on the second for contrast;
- if you like classics, choose red. It will lengthen the nail, making it possible to cover the entire bed. Add a twist: apply monograms and decorate them with rhinestones on top;
- girls are actively returning to black polish - get a manicure in this color, complement it with rhinestones. One pebble on each nail looks very neat and beautiful;
- If you like bright colors, an interesting combination would be turquoise and pink in one combination. No additional decor is required, it will look too overloaded;
- pink and yellow are another winning summer option. Ideal for young romantic girls who love experiments. Add a bow or other decoration to your ring nail;
- and, of course, the good old classic - French. This is a universal manicure that can be turned into any style and done in all colors. You can change the standard white to soft pink, and stick a sticker on your ring finger or create a neat design.
Classic approach: white and black in one design. Leave the dark color for the base, use white to create an accent color. Photo design looks very original, for example, a black and white image of Marilyn Monroe or another celebrity. The so-called “newspaper manicure” fits perfectly here. The design of your nails should match your style and wardrobe items: accessories, shoes, handbag, outerwear. The main rule: well-groomed hand skin. If your hands are delicate, any manicure will look amazing with smooth skin.
Round nails
If you want to create the appearance of longer fingers but prefer short nails, you may want to choose a round shape. Round nails are short in length with a naturally rounded edge and are ideal for lengthening short and wide fingers. The shape can also be used to visually make wide nails look thin and long. At the same time, if you have narrow nails, don't rule out a round shape. The simple shape is not only classic, but also universal. Perfect for girls who don’t have time to go to the salon, because round nails are easy to maintain at home. Their soft, rounded appearance makes them ideal for any polish color. You can even switch between neutrals, bold and funky shades depending on your mood and outfit.
How to visually narrow your nails
One of the easiest ways to visually narrow wide, short nails is to cover the middle with dark varnish, leaving unpainted stripes on the left and right. This is an effective technique to lengthen the nail, making it thin and graceful.
An equally effective method to radically transform very wide nails is to paint the edges with a deep, rich color, and, on the contrary, leave the center light (milky, creamy, coffee). Natural, translucent shades will give your hands well-groomed, and a flat and wide manicure will not attract too much attention.
When developing beautiful manicure designs for wide nails, it is recommended to actively use the trendy trend of simple geometric designs. A couple of thin vertical lines of a contrasting color will transform the created art beyond recognition.
Nail shape for wide nail plate
A wide plate has many advantages: it is easier to process, giving it the desired shape, and when choosing a design, the scope for creativity is almost unlimited.
The most suitable option, of course, would be a round or smoothly rounded shape. The round edges will be appreciated by girls leading an active lifestyle - they are not easy to break, and they will not interfere with doing what you love.
It would seem that a square and even more so sharp manicure would be too rough, but there are exceptions here too. Wide square nails are made very short - this technique will make the hands well-groomed and neat. It is not at all difficult to give the plate a square shape - the free edges are trimmed in a straight line, and the sides are trimmed with a nail file.
Length of manicure with wide nail plate
With a wide plate, a long manicure may look unsightly, but short nails will be just right! It is worth trying to grow the edges of your nails at least a little so that they protrude a couple of millimeters - extremely short, bitten ends will only worsen the picture.
When choosing the optimal length for a flat plate, you should take into account its thickness: the thinner it is, the shorter the free edge - this will prevent delamination and brittleness of the nail. It is necessary to carefully examine the inside of the plate - sometimes the skin under it thickens and it is strictly not recommended to injure this place, which will also affect the length of the nail.
Advice! You can “lengthen” the nail a little by completely removing the cuticle at the base.
Colors and decor for wide fingernails
The color of the coating can play a decisive role, visually making the fingertips small and graceful. As already mentioned, on hands with wide nails, a manicure in dark colors looks great - black, blue, purple, burgundy or green polish with shimmer is ideal. The use of unobtrusive decor is not excluded - small rhinestones and metal foil, unusual special effects such as “cat's eye”, ombre, marble or matte coating.
For short nails, a good solution would be a single-color pink polish; at the same time, an unobtrusive design is applied to one nail. A non-standard plate is not at all a reason to abandon color experiments. Several shades can be successfully combined in one design. A short manicure ideally combines gray and pink polish, blue and purple, blue and white. If you want something bright, you should pay attention to the colorful tandem of turquoise or yellow and pink. In order not to overdo it, it is enough to highlight one or two fingers in a contrasting color.
When choosing decor, it is recommended to avoid certain techniques that will further enlarge the plate:
- when we are talking about a design consisting of small details (flowers, specks), the design will be trendy if you decorate only one finger with a print;
- Wide horizontal stripes are strictly contraindicated - they will visually “cut off” a short nail. And any transverse lines are used exclusively in a French or moon manicure;
- the design, made in flashy neon colors, is more suitable for teenagers - it looks out of place on the hands of an adult girl.
Attention! A rich red tone is not the prerogative of exclusively graceful thin fingers - with careful application of varnish and the correct form, this shade can be safely used by those with a wide nail plate.
Square shaped nails
Along with round shapes, square styles are also suitable for short nails. With straight rectangular edges, this nail shape looks neat and stylish. If girls prefer longer nails, it is better for them to choose a tapered shape, while those who like a short, well-defined and at the same time elegant appearance will stick to this style. The square shape of nails is especially suitable for those with thin palms and long, thin fingers. If this applies to you, or if your nails are long and narrow, ask for a square shape during your next manicure. The shape, which slightly widens the hands, does not break as often as others, is ideal for women who do not have time to take care of their nails often. When it comes to color, square nails can be the most stunning when paired with bright, loud or glittery polishes.
The most practical nail shape
Oval nail shape
The pointed end of the nail plate has always been impractical - such a manicure is more suitable for a holiday than for everyday work life. The square shape, especially with a short length, is less capricious - it will break less and will retain the original appearance of the manicure longer. In addition, a square plate opens up wide scope for further experiments. The oval shape is practical in relation to clothes - nothing clings to sharp corners, the tights remain intact.
Few people can boast of perfect hands, but with the help of a properly selected nail shape during a manicure, you can emphasize their advantages and smooth out their shortcomings. You can understand which shape is correct by focusing on the length and thickness of the hands, fingers and the bend of the cuticle. Masters in salons will help you decide which manicure will make a woman like herself and feel comfortable.
Ballerina style nail shape
Ballerina is one of the best shapes for those who like long nails and for narrow nails. This style gets its name from its shape, which resembles a ballerina's pointe shoe. This is a very stylish shape, usually long and narrow. It tapers to a square tip. Women who are attracted to 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. Although the bold design requires a lot of maintenance, its appearance when combined with subtle, neutral shades, soothing tones and matte varnishes is worth the effort.
What to do if your nails are wide
It is a common misconception that only a long manicure looks impressive and sexy. Those with short nails should not be upset! Among the huge variety of current designs, choosing a design that makes your fingers cute and attractive will not be difficult.
It’s not difficult to transform a large, wide plate, add beauty and neatness to it, the main thing is to choose the most suitable length, shape and color of the coating. Harmonious design will help emphasize the natural beauty and well-groomed hands.
Oval nails
Due to their ability to visually lengthen, oval nails are suitable for both short and wide nails and fingers. The medium or 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 look longer. Plus, you don't need to have very long nails to get an oval shape, just a little length is enough. A few millimeters of free edge is enough to have an effect. Once you've created this chic shape, you can pair it with cool prints or feminine pastels for a chic, runway-ready look.
Features of extensions for wide nails
Gel coating helps solve many cosmetic problems. Professionally applied shellac on wide and short nails will “build up” the missing millimeters and visually improve the appearance of the plate. In addition, shellac does not flake or break - unlike your own manicure.
Proper application of gel polish on short wide nails will make your dreams of a pointed or almond-shaped manicure come true if you correctly calculate all the distances and proportions during the extension process. The protruding edges of the plate must be harmoniously combined with the shape of the nail bed, otherwise the result obtained will bring outright disappointment instead of joy.
How to shape your nails at home
Although a visit to the salon is always a priority, when your nails need updating and care, you can reshape them 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. So if you want to freshen up or completely change your usual nail shape, this video will help you do it. By learning the information you need about angles and proportions, you'll soon be able to shape your nails like a pro. Just remember that some shapes will only suit long nails, while others will look better on shorter ones.
Almond shape
Almond shape (photo: @thejessikalynn) The almond shape differs from the oval shape in that the tip of the elongated nail is slightly pointed.
It looks good on medium-length nails with a small free edge. Plus, this shape creates an optical illusion: it seems that the fingers are thinner and longer than they actually are. Suitable for: girls with narrow nail plates, as well as those with short, plump fingers.
Which polish to choose: pastel and nude shades, as close as possible to the natural color of the nail plate.
