Nail Shapes

Round nails can look stubby, and need length to give them elegance. Slim them down and reduce their width by leaving a narrow strip at the side of each nail free from polish. Use an orange stick to tidy up, if necessary. 

Narrow nails need to be properly balanced to create the impression of added width. Keep your nails at medium length, and when applying polish, always leave the half-moon free. This paler area will make the nail look wider. 

Square nails are attractive if they are filed to the most flattering shape—with rounded tips rather than ovals. Apply polish carefully, and always leave the corners of the nail base free so that a curve is created.

Oval nails are probably the prettiest of all shapes, and look perfect filed to an oval that balances the shape of the base. After applying basecoat, paint the whole nail from base to tip in three strokes.