Almond-shaped nails are one of the most sophisticated and practical trends of the year. Striking yet elegant, the almond style has arrived to replace traditional nails with sharper or square shapes, as the latter are more difficult to maintain.
In contrast, almond-shaped nails noticeably improve the appearance of the fingers because they soften the lines and visually make them look longer.
Three other interesting advantages: the almond shape strengthens nails, as they remain wider at the base, and it’s easier to grow them long because the sides are less prone to impact and wear.
If you’ve already decided to embrace this trend, don’t miss this CrazyEspresso article where we explain everything about almond-shaped nails: how to create them and ideas for making them look their best.
How to do almond-shaped nails?
Almond-shaped nails get their name because they have the exact shape of an almond, that is, rounded and wide at the base and only a little narrower at the edge, which ends in a fairly soft and not very angular point.
Learning how to file almond-shaped nails requires a little practice and patience to avoid deforming or over-filing them. Therefore, we recommend following our tips to achieve beautiful, natural almond-shaped nails.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure your nails are clean.
- Dry them and, with a cotton ball soaked in remover, remove any traces of paint or enamel.
- Mark a dot at the very top of the free edge of the nail. You can do this with a pencil or another material that doesn’t leave much of a mark.
- Using a good quality nail file, remove the ends of the nail, starting from one side of the free edge and moving towards the center. Repeat on the other side.
- Make sure it’s not too pointy. Like an almond, the transition from the base to the other end is smooth and rounded, unlike stiletto or pointed nails.
- Remember to smooth both sides well to avoid any wear or sharp edges.
Types of almond-shaped nails
Basically, there are two types of almond-shaped nails: long and short. Long almond-shaped nails are very common among celebrities, as they elongate the hands and are eye-catching without being overwhelming.
If you have an office job or don’t do demanding housework, these nails are ideal for you. You’ll just need to be more careful not to damage them and get regular maintenance manicures.
Short almond-shaped nails aren’t as sophisticated as the previous style. Also, keep in mind that even though they’re short, they still need to be long enough to maintain the almond shape.
If your nails are very short, remember that some specialists recommend using other nail shapes, like round or oval, while they grow out, and then filing them down to achieve those amazing almond-shaped nails.
In any case, short almond-shaped nails are quite useful, as they are very difficult to damage. This way, you’ll have beautiful hands on every occasion, thanks to their durability.
Almond-shaped nail ideas
If you already have almond-shaped nails, then it’s time to unleash your creativity. The almond shape is subtle enough to allow for some experimentation without looking too overdone. Check out some of our almond nail design suggestions.
Nude almond-shaped nails
Don’t want to add any color or effect? Then just cover them with glitter or a matte clear polish, and your nails will be ready to go. We recommend them for those quiet, low-maintenance moments, as they’ll keep your nails looking impeccable.
French almond-shaped nails
This type of nail has enough free edge to apply a classic French manicure. Your hands will look understated and elegant, perfect for a wedding, graduation, or office presentation. Want to make them stand out more? Then try a French manicure in a color other than white.
Almond-shaped nails in a neutral color
If you don’t have time for a weekly manicure, then gel polish is for you. It lasts for at least two weeks. During that time, your nails maintain their color and glossy appearance. For example, you could choose red almond-shaped nails and wear them for several days.
Almond-shaped decorated nails
One of the best ways to show off your almond-shaped nails is by taking advantage of their unique shape to create original designs that will highlight your style. You can create heart-shaped French manicures or paint them in two colors with vertical lines to help lengthen their appearance. Also, since they have a wide base, you can add designs to the top of the nail. Visit our gallery for more ideas!
