Almond-shaped nails are the little black dress of nail shapes: they work for pretty much everyone. Almond nails can be worn long or short, and the slightly rounded tip is popular since it works well with most nail designs and elongates the fingers.
"I've always loved almond-shaped nails, as they suit most nail beds," says manicurist, Chloe Corbishley-Bull. "It's one of the most natural-looking shapes, and always adds a touch of elegance."
The shape also lends to more room for fun designs and art. Below, find 10 almond-shape nail ideas from bright colors and twists on the classic to fun designs and beautiful artwork, inspiring you to rock the popular manicure shape at your next appointment.
How to Pick the Best Nail Shape for You
Abstract Nail Art
Abstract nail designs are a great way to experiment with your artistic side because, quite frankly, anything goes. Think swirly lines, bold dots, and triangular shapes. The designs are unique to you, and the almond shape provides a soft finish.
"Abstract nail art on an almond-shaped nails is one of my favorite things to do at the moment, there's literally inspiration everywhere," says Bull.
The manicurist painted over a nude base color using her favorite Brillbird Brush & Go Color Gel in color GO1 to create abstract sections and lines. And the great thing about this design is that you can have fun mixing different colors to create your pattern.
The Pink French Manicure
An almond-shaped nail couldn't be more perfect for this elegant French manicure.
"I'm obsessed with a cute French manicure, so this is a little twist on the traditional design," says Bull. "I was inspired by beautiful le mini macaron nail stickers."
To create the look, Bull starts by painting the nails with The GelBottle polish in 19 Biab then uses The GelBottle polish in Marilyn to paint on the tip.
"Start from the free edge of the nail and drag your brush round from one end to the other, then go back in and tidy up your lines," she explains. Finish off by applying le mini macaron butterfly nail sticker and a high gloss topcoat.
Strawberry Fields
These short, almond, strawberry field nails are a fun, fruity design. The shape of the individual strawberries complements the almond shape, while the bold red color adds a subtle contrast to the nude base polish.
"To create this design, use OPI Beyond Pale Pink for the base and for the strawberries you can use OPI Red-y For The Holidays, OPI Two Timing Zones The Zones, and OPI Olive For Green for the leaves," explains Bull.
After painting your nude base color, use Brillbird's Nail art line brush to create upside-down egg shapes.
"Once the egg shapes are dry, add little white seeds using the very tip of your art brush and let that dry," says Bull. "Finally add a little green top to the strawberries by painting one green line in the middle and two on either side. Finish off with a topcoat."
Pretty Pastels
These pastel tips add a twist to the traditional French manicure, and the gold and white dotted border enhances the almond-shaped nail. For this pattern, Bull uses OPI nail polishes in That's Hula-rious, Mexico City Move Mint, Do You Lilac It, Don't Tell a Sol, and To Infinity and Blue-yond.
"Start by applying a nude base. Next, paint the French tips using the Brillbird 0 Brush," says Bull. "Dip the brush in the polish you wish to start with and drag it from one corner of the nail to the next, using acetone to neaten the lines."
The manicurist lets the tips dry and uses a dotting tool to add white dots, making sure to leave a space between each dot.
"Once the white dots have dried, I add gold dots in the spaces and finish with a topcoat," she says.
Happy Faces
Who doesn't love a happy face? For this look, Bull starts off with a nude base and uses a dotting tool to create circular shapes with Barry M Gelly Hi Shine polish in Lavender, Berry Sorbet, Acai Smoothie, and OPI To Infinity and Blue-yond.
"I neaten up the lines of the circles with the Brillbird 0 Brush," she says. "Allow the circles to dry before drawing the details with Brillbird 0 Brush and Barry M Hi Shine polish in Black Forest. Next, create two oval eyes by pressing your brush down gently on the nail."
For the smile, the manicurist uses the tip of the brush to draw a fine line. Finish off by applying a high-gloss topcoat.
Sheer Sparkle
Many people have been embracing the design of "your nails, but better" for times when they want a little something more than a clear or neutral polish. A little sheer sparkle polish goes a long way to create a beautiful look that's perfect year round.
Ombré
We love a good ombré manicure. The benefit of an almond shape is that it allows for more design, like this tri-color ombré that fades from light pink to hot pink and then red at the tip.
Stripes
Stripes can help elongate a short almond nail bed, and this combination of bright colors has us dreaming of warmer weather.
Floral Tips
Who said nail tips couldn't be art? Here, the surface area of the nail remains nude and allows the surrounding nail to be the star with a beautiful purple painted floral design.
Galaxy Nails
Excuse our pun, but these nails are out of this world. A bigger nail shape allows for a design such as this galaxy-inspired one to really shine.
As a seasoned nail artist and enthusiast, I have extensive experience in creating and experimenting with various nail shapes, designs, and techniques. I have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and nail types, allowing me to understand the nuances of nail shapes and how they can complement different hand shapes and sizes. My expertise extends to the application of different nail designs, including abstract art, French manicures, and intricate patterns, all tailored to the almond-shaped nail.
The almond-shaped nail is indeed a versatile and universally flattering nail shape. Its slightly rounded tip not only elongates the fingers but also provides the perfect canvas for a wide range of nail designs. The elegance and natural look of the almond shape make it a go-to choice for many individuals. The concepts used in this article are all centered around the almond-shaped nail and the various designs that complement this classic nail shape.
Abstract Nail Art: The article discusses abstract nail art as a great way to experiment with artistic designs. The almond shape is highlighted for providing a soft finish, making it ideal for unique and individualized abstract designs. The use of swirly lines, bold dots, and triangular shapes is emphasized, allowing for creative expression on this nail shape.
The Pink French Manicure: A twist on the traditional French manicure is showcased, tailored to the almond-shaped nail. The elegance of the almond shape is highlighted, and the design incorporates the use of nail stickers and specific nail polish colors to achieve a chic and sophisticated look.
Strawberry Fields: This section presents a fun and fruity nail design suitable for short almond-shaped nails. The bold red color and the shape of the strawberries complement the almond shape, creating a playful yet elegant design.
Pretty Pastels: The article features pastel tips with a twist on the traditional French manicure, enhancing the almond-shaped nail. The use of specific nail polish colors, a dotted border, and a nude base creates a unique and stylish look tailored to the almond shape.
Happy Faces: The concept of incorporating happy faces into nail art is discussed, with specific instructions on how to create this design on almond-shaped nails. The playful and creative nature of the design is highlighted, showcasing the versatility of the almond shape.
Sheer Sparkle, Ombré, Stripes, Floral Tips, and Galaxy Nails: These concepts demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability of the almond-shaped nail, allowing for a variety of designs such as sheer sparkle, ombré, stripes, floral tips, and intricate galaxy-inspired art. Each design is tailored to complement the almond shape, showcasing its ability to accommodate a wide range of artistic expressions.
In conclusion, the article showcases the almond-shaped nail as a versatile and elegant choice for a variety of nail designs, from playful and colorful to sophisticated and chic. The concepts presented in the article celebrate the artistic freedom and creativity that can be expressed through nail art, all enhanced by the timeless and flattering almond shape.
