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For the indecisive, finding the right nail shape can make you feel like a lost Goldilocks in the nail salon. Some nail shapes, such as stiletto or coffin, are stunning in theory but can hinder your ability to do simple tasks if you’re not used to that much length. (Special shoutout to my fellow contact wearers who think about this on a daily basis.) Other nail shapes, like round and oval, may feel a bit better but still not quite right. That’s where the happy medium comes in: the almond nail.
Aptly named, an almond nail mimics the shape of the popular nut and has been the go-to shape for many. To get a complete breakdown of what they are (and what kind of designs you can wear with them), we turned to the experts. See everything you need to know about almond-shaped nails, below.
What Are Almond-Shaped Nails?
A mix between a round nail and a stiletto, an almond nail is the perfect medium-length shape for those looking to elongate their fingers. “It’s a very sexy nail shape, and it is also pretty easy to work with,” celebrity manicurist Saccia Livingston tells PS. Compared to an oval, it’s a lot more slender and slightly pointed at the tip.”
“Almond-shaped nails are achieved by filing the two sides of the nail more tapered and narrow toward the end of the nail to mimic an almond,” adds celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen. “This shape helps elongate the fingers because the end is narrower, thus making it a very feminine nail shape choice.” You can opt for long almond nails or short almond nails, depending on your preference.
How to Get the Almond Nail Shape
Getting almond-shaped nails on your own is pretty easy. Nguyen says you’ll first want to trim your nails to the desired length. She recommends trimming in the shape of an almond to make it easier when you file. Next, you’ll want to file the sides of your nail, tapering toward the top of the nail to get a rounded point. But be sure to soften the tip; Nguyen says you’ll want to use a buffer to get a more rounded tip to avoid a sharp stiletto shape and to seal the shape in.
You can also opt for press ons, like the Kiss ImPress No Glue Mani Press-On Nail ($7), or some sort of gel extensions if you’re looking for an easy way to implement intricate designs. Livingston lives by Après Nail Almond Gel-X Tip ($24) that you can shape and customize.
The Best Almond Nail Ideas
The best part about almond-shaped nails is their versatility. Nguyen says that they are one of the more flattering shapes to wear, and there are countless nail trends you can wear for this particular mani. From the classic french tips to super cool 3D art, see almond nails inspo below. You’ll want to save this for later.
Kiss ImPress No Glue Mani Press-On NailFrom$7$7 at Amazon
Après Nail Almond Gel-X TipFrom$24$24 at Amazon
French Almond Tip Nails
When in doubt, go the french mani route. Opt for the classic white rounded tips, or Nguyen says you can go for colored tips for something more fun and summer-appropriate.
Red Almond Nails
Livingston says you can’t go wrong with a simple iconic red shade. And if you subscribe to the red nail theory, it’s the perfect shape to let your nails be the main character of your beauty look. You can even dress it up by adding minimal embellishments like these adorable jeweled bows for a coquette moment.
Chrome Almond Nails
We’re in the chrome nail era — and we’re loving it. You can opt for cool metallics, silver, or bronze. But we especially love this chrome french tip, combining two trends into one look.
Aura Almond Nails
Mesmerizing and stunning to look at, aura nails make for an alluring design for your almond nails. Livingston likes to use a tool like the Après Nail Aer Gel Machine ($99) to get that airbrush effect.
Après Nail Aer Gel MachineFrom$99$99 at apresnail.com
3D Almond Nails
Maximalists rejoice: almond nails provide the ultimate canvas for intricate 3D nail art. We love this textured mani that mixes black and silver for something eye-catching.
Tie-Dye Almond Nails
Feeling groovy? Channel your inner ’70s disco queen and opt for fun tie-dye nails. We love this mix of pastels for something bright and whimsical, especially as the weather gets warmer. This example of short almond nails proves you can play with nail art even with very little length.
Audrey Noble is a beauty writer who covers breaking news, writes celebrity profiles, and does deep-dive features about the ways race, gender, sexuality, and other forms of identity impact society via the beauty industry. Previously, she was the beauty reporter at Allure and has held editorial positions at Vanity Fair and Refinery29. Audrey’s work can also be seen in PS, Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, InStyle, WWD, and more.
