7 Acrylic Nail Shapes Every Pro Should Know
Acrylic Nails have been in style for years, but in today’s world there are many different styling options available. Be sure to stay up to date with recent trends to keep your nail game on point! These are Today’s Top 7 Nail Styles that have been trending in the industry.
Coffin Acrylic Nails
Thanks to Beauty Bloggers, Instagram and Pinterest, the Coffin nail is the most on-trend shape and is actually the single most searched for style online according to Google Analytics. Known also as Ballerina nails, this long and tapered shape extends beyond the end of the finger and comes to a narrow, squared-off tip said to resemble coffins or ballerina slippers. These uniquely shaped nails also provide a bigger canvas for nail art than a natural nail which leaves plenty of room for personal style to shine.
Coffin or Ballerina nails provide an elongated and thinner look to the fingers. They also can make nude nails look elegant and stylish without over or understating your attire. Because they’re both on trend and versatile with a variety of wardrobe options, they have been seen on many celebrities for various events.
Depending on their length, certain activities like playing sports, washing dishes, or typing quietly on a computer become challenging. The more extended away from the fingertip, the more challenging these happenings become. People are often times nervous about longer nails if they haven’t had them before, but it is an acquired taste.
Almond Acrylic Nails
Closely resembling their namesake nut, Almond nails taper from the rounded base of the natural nail into a short, rounded point. Due to the shorter length they can add strength despite their filed sides and are a good choice for customers looking for a slenderizing effect for thicker fingers and wider nail beds.
While the Almond shape is intended to be a shorter enhancement, they do require some additional length, either from the natural nail beneath the enhancement, or by adding an acrylic tip. This little extra length can make certain things like opening cans of soda or beer, or quickly unbuttoning clothing more challenging than doing these same things with natural, trimmed nails.
Stiletto Acrylic Nails
The most obvious upside to flaunting a Stiletto style is they are the fiercest of all. These are very popular in nail competitions due to the “WOW” factor. Stilettos taper into a sharp point, and are usually a considerably long, attention grabbing and statement screaming.
Although Stiletto nails get their name from the Stiletto knife, they wear much like their shoe counterpart: style over daily functionality. Due to the length and sharp point of this style, daily tasks like putting in contacts, counting change or even getting something out of a purse or pocket become a near impossibility. The exaggerated length also possesses the greatest potential to break when your clients plan on using their hands for anything. Celebrities can rock this look pretty easily, but it does help that they have a team of assistants ensuring they don’t have to use their hands.
Oval Acrylic Nails
When you have a customer who just doesn’t know what they want, you may want to recommend the Oval styled nail because it is the most similar to the shape of the natural nail and can be a safe option in just about any scenario. This shape of acrylic nail is also a wonderful choice for your customer who works in a conservative setting that wants to have a well manicured look without being overly flashy. The Oval shape itself also leaves a window of opportunity open for adding different colors and designs to embrace your customer’s personal taste.
There really is no downside to having Oval shaped acrylics. They are a smooth and natural shape and are not disruptive of daily tasks. This classic and natural appearing shape also leaves an option open for your customer to go conservative or festive with their choice design and coloring.
Square Acrylic Nails
If your client works with their hands frequently, or has a career that involves frequently typing on a keyboard this may be a great option for them. When worn short the precise straight edges help to increase the nail’s structural integrity and keep the nail strong. These are also a fantastic choice for a customer who wants a traditional Pink and White acrylic nail.
While the length may vary based upon preference, this is intended to be a very short style of nail. Tapping fingernails on a hard surface will not provide the satisfying click your customer may be used to when wearing acrylics. While the straight edge helps to strengthen the nail, it also holds the most impactful downside as well: the sharp corners of the nail may catch on silkier materials, potentially limiting your wardrobe choices.
Squoval Acrylic Nails
The name of this style alone gives you a great idea of the expectations of shape – a combination of square and oval. This style of nail presents itself beautifully for fingers of all types and works functionally at both shorter and longer lengths. This is also a wonderful option that works effortlessly in a conservative environment.
Unlike the Square style, this shape does not have sharp snagging corners, so your customers are free to re-open their wardrobe and wear silky fabric without worry of causing damaging. Comparable to ovals they provide exceptional durability
Round Acrylic Nails
Classic round nails look like oval nails, but they are rounder and usually sit closer to the natural nail without much extension, if any at all. For these reasons, they are also the least likely to break which is perfect for the customer that either doesn’t want to think about what they’re doing with their hands. If you have customers that would like to have an acrylic enhancement, and they have complained about breaking nails previously, you may want to recommend a shorter style like this.
When worn short the only downside is that you may have to ask someone near you to scratch that itch you just can’t get. There is not much that you can do to scratch it yourself, because your nails are very smooth and round without any edges.