A Beginners Guide to Nail Shape Selection
Getting your nails done is one of life’s little yet important luxuries. As ladies, one way to practice self-care and fill our cups is by prioritising what makes us feel our best. Understanding nail shapes for beginners can empower you to choose a nail style that you love!

In the same way nail colour choices reflect your personality and style, your nail shape can too! Be playful and try something out of your comfort zone or choose a shape and length that always works for you. A new set of acrylic nails or gel polish nails usually lasts 2 – 3 weeks before a fill is needed, so you can get creative and always have the option to change your nails at your next spa appointment.
In the same way nail colour choices reflect your personality and style, your nail shape can too! Be playful and try something out of your comfort zone or choose a shape and length that always works for you. A new set of acrylic nails or gel polish nails usually lasts 2 – 3 weeks before a fill is needed, so you can get creative and always have the option to change your nails at your next spa appointment.
Getting started with nail shape selectionis simple with our Ohana Beauty & Wellness beginner’s guide. Here are some of the most popular nail shapes:
Square-Shaped Nails
Square nails have straight sides and a blunt top edge which is filed in a straight line. This can look very sophisticated and clean while being easy to maintain. Square nails work best if you have long fingers and nail beds that are narrow and lengthy. If you do a lot of typing, this shape allows you to work more comfortably than if your nails were rounded, making it a practical option for ladies who are hard at work.
Almond-Shaped Nails
Created to be slim on the sides and wide at the base with a rounded peak, almond-shaped nails are ideal for short fingers as they add the illusion of length. Since the tips of your nails are round, this is a great option before trying a more extreme style like stiletto nails, which are pointy and take time to get used to. Almond nails have a way of looking elegant and feminine, and we love them paired with plain or metallic polishes.
Stiletto-Shaped Nails
Understanding nail shapes for beginners will help you decide if something edgier, like stiletto nails, could be your perfect fit. This is the perfect shape for a statement set of nails and is normally longer in length. Nail art always translates beautifully on a set of stiletto nails, however, this nail shape requires more upkeep than others and is also the most fragile. For this look to be achieved, nails are filed to a pointed tip, and reinforced with either acrylic or gel.
Ballerina-Shaped Nails
Named for the way it represents pointed ballerina shoes, we love this shape as a more practical alternative to stiletto nails, with the tips filled off and squared. This nail shape is dramatic with a touch of elegance and is also suited for nail art, bold colours, and fun designs. If your nail beds are weak or short, we advise a shorter set of ballerina-shaped nails which are less likely to break and easier to manage.
Round-Shaped Nails
This nail shape is done to the contour of your own natural nail, with a circular edge at the tip that elongates your fingers. Ideal for shorter lengths, round-shaped nails suit most colours and look nice with creative nail art. Round-shaped nails are a great option if you work with your hands a lot or want a classic and subtle finish after your spa nail pamper session. When getting started with nail shape selection, you can’t go wrong with round nails.
Squoval-Shaped Nails
The part square, part oval shape is known as squoval and gives you the best of the two shapes in a finished style. This nail shape suits just about everyone, with the neat look of the square shape and the softness of the oval with its rounded edges. Many believe this to be the most flattering nail shape and if you’re just starting out, this is a good shape to choose!
If you still aren’t sure about your ideal nail shape, one of our trained nail technicians can help you make the right selection! We offer extensions, manicures, and stunning nails, and love seeing you look and feel your best when you leave our spa.