How to nail it?

Perfectly polished nails can flatter your fingers just like the right silhouette of a dress can accentuate your figure

As keen as we are about exfoliating our hands, we don’t give much importance to the shape of our nails. Usually when your manicurist asks you about it, you probably opt the one you are comfortable with. Perfectly polished and rightly shaped nails can flatter your fingers just like the right silhouette of a dress can accentuate your figure. It’s all about proportions. To solve your dilemma check out the shape of your cuticles. Curved, squared, or squared with rounded edges, all are an easy indicator for the most suitable shape. There is no strict guideline for a perfect nail shape, but the following tips will help you flatter your nail ‘tips’ as compiled from totalbeauty.com and divinecaroline.com. 

Shorter Nails 



NAIL BED: LONG AND WIDE

SHAPE: SQUOVAL

This shape is somewhere between square and oval. To get perfectly squoval-ed tips, start filing the edges of your nail at an angle just like the one you will do for an oval shape. Once you achieve the desired oval shape, start flattening the tip by filing the tip straight across in single direction to get the square of the squoval. Moreover, this shape also helps you protect those chipped edges which you are like to get with a squared shape, otherwise.

NAIL BED: STUBBY

SHAPE: ALMOND

This shape is probably the weakest natural shape. Its feminine appearance makes the hands look more delicate. It also makes your fingers less chubby. You will have to apply a top coat to make them stronger and last relatively longer. To achieve almond shape, mark a spot in the center of your nail and file toward that point. When you start filing, do it at an angle that is just off the marked center.  Don’t forget to leave a flat tip to round out. As you get done with both sides, smooth out the corners to reduce the sharpness and blend into an almond shape. It really adds length to your fingers.

NAIL BED: NARROW

SHAPE: ROUND

Round is the most traditional shape is said to be associated with a conservative woman. As much as you think it is outdated, it is an ideal shape for those who constantly use their hands and like short nails. It is the safest choice as it is easily maintained and durable, also smooth round tips doesn’t chip easily it also complements long fingers. These round tips simply require you to file your nail just the way you will start for a square shape. Follow the curve of your finger and file at a slight angle to round off the tip.

Longer Nails



NAIL BED: LONG AND WIDE

SHAPE: ALMOND

Same as mentioned above. As much as it is an ideal option for long and wide nail beds, one need to be very particular about the pointy edge causes more splits and breaks. Also you will need to maintain this shape by filing at least once a week if your nails don’t grow round or oval naturally.

NAIL BED: STUBBY

SHAPE: OVAL

As you may consider the squarely filed tip as a best option, you must opt for an oval shape instead. With this shape you can easily fake the size of your nail bed as making them rounder will help you elongate your nails. All the elements of almond, square and rounded shapes are incorporated in the oval, so it not only makes it strong but also appears to be good. They are as durable and traditional as the round shape. For this classic nail shape, file nails into an egg shape by holding the nail file at an angle.

NAIL BED: NARROW

SHAPE: ROUND

Same as mentioned above. Apart from its durability is also a common choice for male clients as the round shape mirrors the natural contours of the nail. It is frequently used to create a softer, less noticeable look.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd,  2015.

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