It’s one of those things that are more important than it seems from the first sight. For most of my life, my nails just didn’t want to grow, or to be more accurate, I didn’t know how to grow them. There are tons of fantastic things you can do with short nails, just look at these short nail gurus. But personally, I’ve always wanted slightly longer nails than what I’ve had.
After trying many, and by many I mean about 20, different nail strengtheners, my hope of longer nails seemed unachievable. However, recently I had a chance to try Bio Sculpture Gel. It protected my nails for a good 10 days and allowed me to finally get a bit of extra length to my nubs. By lucky coincidence, then I was recommended to try ORLY Nailtrition and that is pretty much responsible for the extra length. I’m still trialing a few other products (thank you guys, for your recommendations), but they need a bit more time before deriving any conclusions.
Getting back to the subject of nail shape… The longer my nails grew the more I began experimenting with different nail shapes. In the last year, I had my nails square, squoval and even attempted an almond shape but that quickly developed into a squoval. The only nail shape that I didn’t try was an oval, until now.
When I was holidaying in Turkey in 2005, a celebrity manicurist, Marina said to me while looking at my nails “You should give your nails a proper shape. The right nail shape is the one that follows your natural cuticle shape. It’s the best for your hands.” Now 8 years later, I’ve finally followed Marina’s advice and it feels fantastic! Some of the benefits of having oval nail shape I’ve discovered over the last week include:
- – they don’t catch on everything
- – easier and quicker to file nails into ovals
- – easier to type
- – fingers look longer
- – some nail designs look better on oval shapes.
So I’m an oval shape nails convert now! Can’t guarantee it will last for the rest of my life but so far so good…
What nail shape do you prefer and why?
PS. On my nails: Essie Jag-U-Are.
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Elissa says
Your oval nails look great!
On myself, I prefer square nails. Though I have tried to make them oval before and I didn’t like it.
Maria @SoNailicious says
Your nails are perfect Elissa! It’s hard to imagine any other nail shape on you. x
Kitty says
I have that Essie colour among my untrieds… shame on me, it loooks fantastic!
Thx for the tip about ovals. I might need test it also.
Maria @SoNailicious says
Oh yes, it’s such a rich, beautiful red! It’s great for pedicures too. Look forward to hearing your thoughts about oval shape! x
victoria-manicurator says
I’m a square die-hard! I feel like it looks best on my nails…but I fight the itch to change shape often! These do suit you very well, but I loved your last shape on you just as much! :D
Maria @SoNailicious says
Thank you, Victoria! Your square shape nails are perfect, but I’d love to see how oval would look on you. Maybe one day ;)
Elina says
It is so fun, my nails grow better when I don’t do anything with them – no nail polish, no nail strengtheners. But I love to paint my nails, so I’m also try to find my best strengthener.
Your shape looks great. I’m more into square. I feel so comfortable with that shape. :)
Maria @SoNailicious says
With strengtheners I’ve noticed some need at least 6 weeks to see any result. Before I was too impatient and would stop using them after 2-3 weeks without seeing any progress.
re: nail shape. You should try some other nail shapes too! It’s fun! ;)
Carolin says
I like square best but only because I prefer nailart before plain polish and I think most nailart “fits” better on a square shape….btw what file did you use to change shape? Love Xox Carolin
Maria @SoNailicious says
I used Swarowski glass nail file. We shall show that file here too, it’s so pretty! Nail art and nail shape – agree some designs certainly look best on square but some are perfect for oval nail, other for stiletto nails. I think for a nice nail art it’s best to match pattern to your nail shape.
Sofie says
For my nails I like square the most. But I think that it’s because of my fingers and how my nails are on my fingers. Weird description, I know. But if my nails were oval they would have to be really long, and I don’t want that. So I’m all in for square ;)))
Maria @SoNailicious says
I know, it’s strange right? Certain shapes suit better certain fingers and personal style too! I did enjoy having square nails. Though it was taking too long to file them perfectly even and square. I find it much faster and easier with oval shape. x
Nina says
Would you recommend a certain nail shape if I have weak but long nails? I’ve read that filing the sides (e.g. almond shape) makes them even weaker.. But with square nails I always get caught on things and so they always tear off.
Thank you so much for your posts!! :)
Maria V says
Hi Nina, I’d recommend start using a good nail straightener. Try OPI Nail Envy or ORLY Nailtrition, here’s review https://sonailicious.com/orly-nailtrition-review/. As someone with weak and brittle nails, I can tell you – using a good nail strengthener makes a huge difference! But yes, in general oval shape for weak nails is better. Hope this helps!
Maria x
Eugenia says
Great red color,I d love to have it, I ‘ll try to find it. Love your oval ones, I love square nails but my nails prefer to stay oval lol