Square, almond, coffin: a guide to nail shapes
Every major nail shape compared for strength, practicality and the way it changes the hand, with a calm method for filing each one.
Shapes & Styles
Almond or square, chrome or milky: the shapes and finishes of the moment.
Shape and finish change a manicure more than any single colour. Here we describe every major nail shape and what it does for the hand, explain how mirror and pearl chrome are made and celebrate the translucent manicures that look polished with almost no effort. Use the shape finder to see which silhouette suits your hands.
Chrome nails explained, from mirror to pearl
How chrome and pearl finishes are made, which bases they suit and how to keep that liquid shine smooth and lasting.
Milky, sheer and jelly: the quiet luxury of translucent nails
Why translucent manicures look so polished, how milky, sheer and jelly finishes differ and how to apply them without streaks.
Try it yourself
Nail Shape Finder
Answer four questions about your hands and routine to find your ideal nail shape.
Keep exploring
More rubrics
- Nail ArtTechniques, French tips and the quiet power of negative space.
- ManicureGel, BIAB, extensions and a home manicure that looks professional.
- Nail CareStrong nails, healthy cuticles and the myths worth leaving behind.
- ColourUndertones, colour harmony and a palette for every season.
- Salon GuideHygiene, etiquette and what a really good appointment feels like.
- History & CultureFrom ancient pigments to modern nail art, a small canvas with a long story.