I've had a long-standing love affair with almond nails. It's been my go-to nail shape for years. For me, there's something so flattering about the long, curved edges, and the style definitely helps to elongate my hands. That being said, lately I've noticed that everyone is opting for shorter, more square nail shapes, and although I've been resisting, there's no denying how chic this nail trend looks.
After seeing every nail artist on Instagram giving the trend a go, I couldn't get it out of my head. So, at my last nail appointment, I decided to try it out for myself, and I'm not lying when I say that it's easily one of the most expensive-looking manicures I've ever had. There's something so sophisticated about the slightly blunter edges, and I felt that the shorter shape gave my manicure a really clean finish.
Not only did I love the way that it looked, but I also found that this shape was much more practical, too. My nails were no longer getting in the way as I typed at my laptop, and even as they were growing out, they still looked as chic as ever, meaning I could leave it a little longer between salon visits. If you're yet to try this trend out for yourself, I highly recommend giving it a go.
It doesn't matter what colour or design you go for, as the sharp, square shape makes any design look elevated, from natural, nude nails to stylish French tips. Don't believe me? I've rounded up some of my favourite short, square nail designs below so you can see why I was swayed.
Short, Square Nail Inspiration
See? Told you this shape looked incredible with French tips.
It also looks really elevated with a high-shine nail polish.
This shape works so well for shorter nail lengths and still looks chic once they start to grow out.
I'm obsessed with this natural finish.
Micro French tips also complement square nail shapes perfectly.
If you don't want super-blunt edges, you can ask your nail tech for a more rounded finish. This is also known as a "squoval" nail shape.
I was worried that square nails wouldn't be as flattering as almond, but one look at this picture had me running to the salon.
It really does give the most expensive-looking finish.
Products You Need for Short, Square Nails:
First up, choose your desired nail length and trim them with a good pair of clippers.
Then, using a nail file, shape them into a square finish. Remember to only file in one direction to avoid breakage.
Apply a nourishing oil to keep your nails and cuticles looking nice and healthy.
Finally, once you've painted your nails with your chosen colour, finish off with a hydrating hand cream.
Next Up: These Expert-Approved Tips Guarantee Stronger Nails
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