choosing nail shapes
Thewords shape-up are often seen around this time of year, but this timewe aren’t talking about toning up or slimming down . . .
We’re talking nails and just as important as getting your body into shape is choosing a stylish shape for your nails.
For your modern client, shape is everything when it comes to style, whether it’s choosing the right shape dress to flatter the figure, or the right nail shape to flatter the hands and fingers. Here you are, the personal stylist and choosing the shape of the nail is an important start to any manicure!
Use your expertise to offer your client advice on the right nail shape to suit them. A well-chosen nail shape not only helps you to obtain a more delicate and stylish look for your clients’ hands, but it can also boost self-confidence and make a statement.
classically chic
Clients who want to keep their nails looking classically glamorous should choose a shape that suits their hands and fingers, but also their lifestyle
too.Most people probably think that there are only two nail shapes - rounded and square. Make your clients aware of how much choice they actually have!
Shaping the nail doesn’t have to interfere with your client’s everyday life and nails can still look on trend, neat and classy but still offer strength at the same time. The most popular nail shapes tend to be the square nail, oval nail or squoval nail. However, don’t forget to consider a softer
square nail with slightly rounded corners or an almond shaped nail for something slightly different but not too outrageous.
“I find the best way to choose the right nail shape for my clients is by following the shape of their cuticle area,” saysMichelle Class, Seche and celebrity nail technician. “By doing this you will be able to determine whether they could have square, oval or ‘squoval’ nails.”
As the professional, it’s your job to educate your clients on the factors that will effect their final decision, for example the type of lifestyle they lead, their hobbies, the health of their nail generally, and the length that they choose. If your client has nails that are brittle or easily break, then an almond shape nail wouldn’t be the best choice, whereas a client with quite strong nails may be happy to give a different shape a go.
“Most people tend to wear a slightly squoval nail as the shape is more resilient to breakage due to the ‘stress area’ and the side walls not being removed. However, the emerging trend from fashion weeks I worked at is a very oval nail,” says Michelle.
The right nail shape partnered with a gorgeous colour can make a whole lot of difference to the fingernail and believe it or not, not every shape will go with every colour, so choose both wisely before you begin the treatment. “Always choose a nail shape that’s going to best suit your hands and fingers along with the colour of choice,” advises LouiseWarner of Izabelle Hammon.
Classic nail shapes
• Oval Straight sides with a slightly oval tip. This style suits wide nails. File the tip and the sides of the nails into an egg shape.
• Rounded This is an ideal shape for those clients with short nails or who are quite active. File the tips of the nails to a round shape. This should be a fairly strong style.
• Square This is a great style for those with long narrow fingers and is an easy shape to achieve, just file the nail straight at the top and leave the corners square.
• Rounded Square Just like the square nail, but the corners of the square are filed slightly round.
• Squoval If your client likes the oval style, this is a good compromise as it’s slightly stronger and suits bigger fingers. File the nail as you would an oval, but keep the sides squarer.
• Almond This is a great style for those clients with small hands or fingers as it will elongate them. File the nail at either side at the top until you create a slight point.
GUILD NEWS 67
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