A beautiful manicure begins with the choice of nail shapes. Unfortunately, natural plates, due to their natural structure, do not represent a wide field for experimentation, but the raised nails allow you to realize the brightest solutions from spectacular “stilettos” to the fantasy “butterfly wings”.
Let’s look at the most popular options for nail shape extensions. Also let’s define the rules of individual choice of the form of nails, depending on the natural structure of the nail plate, the length and structure of the hand and fingers. In general, “Perfect Manicure” will reveal all the secrets of beautiful, and most importantly, suitable for you nails.
The secret of the variety of types and forms of artificial nails
The forms of the free ends of natural nails differ little in variety – the square, oval, almond-shaped – that’s, perhaps, all that the master can offer you when working with natural plates. The thing is that the natural plates have a number of features that limit the possibilities of forming a free edge:
- As a rule, natural nails always have a small bevel, and as they grow out, the deflection angle increases more and more, and therefore they are little amenable to correction.
- Natural nails do not always have a perfectly flat arch on the cut. In most cases, it has a small angle of deviation to one side or another, which is especially noticeable when growing out. Accordingly, the creation of a perfect conical shape, which is necessary for some types of forms, is problematic on natural plates.
- The natural nails of some women have a different lifting direction. So often there is a picture where 2 – 3 nails have a trampoline-like curve in profile, and others have an arched curve. Or all the nails are slightly bowed upwards. When building on the form, such features are well-correctable.
- The natural keratin grows back, and in some women it gets twisted and deformed. Extensions of the same nails always accurately hold a given shape.
- One more advantage of natural keratin tips over natural ones is their stability to chipping and cracking. Natural keratin, especially at considerable length, often breaks.
There are no naturally perfect nails. As a rule, they all grow at a slight angle, the plates on one hand may differ from their pairs on the other hand in width and length of the nail bed, shape of the nail arch and curvature. A perfect configuration can only be achieved with molded nail extensions.
In other words, the expanded nails have all the necessary properties, which allow you to create any, sometimes the most unexpected shapes.
The forms of extended nails
The names of nail extension, understandable and familiar to masters, often leave their customers in confusion. Moreover, not all young ladies are familiar with the names, and this sometimes leads to the fact that instead of the desired option, the client receives a completely different result, and all because she could not give the correct name of the desired result. Especially to help all women and beginners as well as those young ladies who practice nail extensions at home with a literacy from the “Perfect Manicure” about what nail forms can be used for nail extensions.
Traditional types of nail shapes in nail extensions
Let’s start our review with the most popular and familiar forms for nail extensions. They are usually used when modeling natural ends, because they belong to the so-called category of “traditional” forms. They are clear, technically simple, and have a natural look.
Oval shape.
The characteristic features of the oval shape are parallel side lines, the same width of the entire length of the free nail edge and rounded tips.
The most traditional and the simplest form in the technique of execution. It is suitable for any shape of nail bed – oval, trapezoid, straight, etc. An oval helps to visually lengthen a short nail bed and make the overly wide plates look more petite. It looks best on long nails and nails of medium length.
Square.
The square is characterized by parallel side lines of equal width along the entire length of the nail and a straight tip with sharp corners on the edges. An ideal solution for a French manicure.
The most popular shape, both in nail extensions and in the formation of the natural tip. However, this form is more stable just in the case of the extended nails, because the natural plates often break in the corners. This form is more suitable for those who have an elongated nail bed. But in the case of false nails the problem is easily solved by the visual elongation of the nail bed. But the owners of wide nail plates from such a form is better to abandon, because the nails will look too massive. It looks better on medium-length nails.
A soft square.
The shape is characterized by parallel side lines of equal width along the entire length of the nail and a straight tip with rounded corners. This shape can be done with equal success on natural plates and artificial nails.
The soft square, as well as the oval, suits absolutely everyone. It looks best in a short version and on the nails of medium length.
Almond-shaped nail shape.
It is characterized by a cone-shaped shape, the lateral nail lines from the free edge line are gradually tend to the center, and are rounded at the tip.
Despite the naturalness and simplicity of the shape, it is quite a complex and fragile construction. It’s better to use on ungrown nails, because it requires a good length and the correct cone-shaped shape of the arch. Suitable only for ladies with a long nail bed, narrow plates and thin “musical” fingers.
“Pointe”.
Characteristic features are trapezoidal shape, the lateral nail lines gradually tend to the center. The nail tip is straight with sharp angles. It is a peculiar mix of the “square” and almond-shaped. The appearance resembles the pointe shoes of a ballerina, that’s why this shape is sometimes called “ballerina”. Another name is “coffin”, again because of the characteristic outline.
The most popular nail shape in the 2023 season. Fits almost any outline of the nail bed. Rather difficult to perform on natural nails, it looks best and more “viable” exactly in the artificial execution. The length can be any.
Exotic forms of artificial nails
The artificial material and the good thing is that it allows you to create on its basis a variety of sometimes very extravagant shapes, which simply can not be performed on natural nails. All because such forms require a certain design, which is impossible in the case of working with a natural plate. In addition, to such variations of the form, as a rule, only very brave girls who are not afraid to shock the public are ventured. Consider the most popular forms of nail extensions from this group.
“Stilettos”.
Characteristic features – very long cone-shaped nails with straight edges in full-face, tending to the center, and forming an acute angle on the top. In profile, they also have a straight outline. Externally they resemble daggers, hence their name.
The most recognizable shape in the group of exotic variations. Suitable for extravagant ladies, who like to draw attention to themselves. They look quite bold, defiant, but, nevertheless, not vulgar. Such nails just need a spectacular design and bright colors. Look great on nails with any shape of the nail bed. Suitable length – the longer the better.
“Pipe”, tube.
The characteristic features are the same outline as the stilettos, but in contrast to the former, the pipe nails have a less pronounced angle of the lateral edges of the free tip, and the tip itself has an almond-shaped shape. In section they resemble a tube, hence their name.
This shape looks very elegant, despite its “belonging” to the group of exotic nails. Suitable for any shape of nail bed. Preferably look in long lengths.
“Edge”.
Characteristic features are straight, parallel lateral edges, which taper sharply in the middle of the free length, forming a sharp angle at the central apex. It is a mix of a square and stylet.
This form is very difficult to execute and requires a certain filigree. Design is necessary, but it must be light, aquamotives, 2 – 3 colors, so as not to visually overload the already complex shape. They are absolutely suitable for everyone. Optimal length is only long.
Beveled nails.
Characteristic features – straight parallel side edges, equal along the entire length of the free edge. The tip has a straight beveled edge, forming two angles – sharp and blunt.
Quite an eccentric shape, suitable for very girls. Looks good on any shape of nail bed, but requires long graceful fingers. Suitable size is medium to long tip.
The form of “blade” or butterfly wings.
Characteristic features – the free edge has a triangular shape in the cut. Straight edges that can expand slightly closer to the tip, and then sharply tend to the center, forming a fancy butterfly wing cut.
The most difficult shape to execute. Looks very beautiful and delicate. Not suitable for daily life; it is better to time this form for some festive event. Suitable for any finger and shape of the nail bed. It looks better executed on long and medium-length nails. Requires bright decor and design filling. Spangles and rhinestones are welcome.
Naturally, the given names of the form of the raised nails are not exhausted by the list given here. We have only given descriptions of the most common forms. There are other options, but they differ little from those listed here and are usually a symbiosis of two or three forms, or unusual variations in the execution of the arch or side edges.