To get square tips, simple file the tips of your nails only. Keep filing straight across the top edge of your acrylics until they are in a square shape. For pointy nails, you may need to remove a lot of length to get a square shape. Then, round out the corners slightly so that you eliminate the sharp corners while keeping the square shape. You can use a grinder or nail file to achieve this shape.
Use a file or a grinder to get a straight flat edge at the end of each of your nails. Doing this will create a square shape, but you can taper the edges to turn the squares into coffins. Then, use a grinder or nail file to remove width along the sides of the acrylics that extend past your nail bed. Lightly file each side at a slight angle. Then, file away the sharp points at the corners of your nails.
To get sqround or squoval nails, start with square tipped nails and then begin to round out the corners of your nail tips. File towards the center of the end of your nail using a round motion. Do not file too close to the stress point of your nails. This is the area where the nail connects to your natural nail. This may increase the chances of breakage. Instead, just file along the free edge of the acrylics. [5] X Research source You can use a grinder or a nail file to get this shape.
Round nails are the most conservative and they look best if you keep them somewhat short. [6] X Research source For round nails, use a circular or arc-like filing motion to make your nail tips resemble a half-circle. Keep filing in this way until your nail tips are round and even. Oval nails are slightly more feminine, but still conservative. [7] X Research source For oval nails, use a circular motion, but try to taper in the edges of your nails slightly as you do so. You can do this by applying a little more pressure on the outer edges of your nails as you file them. Use a nail file or a grinder to achieve a round or oval look.
To get almond-shaped nails, begin by marking the center point of the tips of your nails with a small dot of nail polish. This will make it easier to get even almond shaped nails. File towards the center point of your nails using a round motion. Do not file straight across. Try to move the file in a curved fashion. Repeat the same filing motion on both sides of your nails until you have achieved the almond-shape. You can use a nail file or grinder to do this.
Start filing towards the center point. File straight towards the center point of your nail to create claw-like tips. Do this on both sides of your nail until you have a pointy tip. Then, round out the tips slightly to eliminate the sharp edge. The tips should still be pointed, but not so sharp that you could scratch yourself or someone else with them.
Don’t worry about the shape just yet. Just focus on getting the nail’s length to where you want it to be.
You will need either a motorized nail grinder to slowly grind away some of the nail or a file to manually file away some of the nail. File or grind along the top of the acrylic, not underneath it. Use a curving motion as you file or grind away at the nail, but make sure to work in 1 direction only. Don’t turn the grinder around halfway through. [13] X Expert Source Kristin PulaskiProfessional Manicurist Expert Interview. 19 May 2020. Make sure that you only grind along the free edge of the nail. Do not try to grind the acrylic nail over the edge where the nail is attached to your natural nail. This will weaken the nail and increase the chances that it will break.
A metal file or emery board works best for filing acrylic nails. Make sure that you only move the nail file in 1 direction. Do not use a back and forth motion. [15] X Expert Source Kristin PulaskiProfessional Manicurist Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
Look at your lanula to determine what nail shape would look best on you. For example, if you have rounded cuticles, then a round shape would look best. However, if your cuticles are somewhat square, then a square or squround shape would look best.
For example, square nails might make wider fingers look even heavier. Squround, squoval, oval, or round nails will look good on just about anyone. Coffin or oval shaped nails can make your fingers look longer and slimmer.
Try creating the Pinterest board of nail shapes that you like. This can help you decide what shapes are the most appealing to you.
For example, you could start with square shaped nails and then transition to round nails if you don’t like the way the square shaped nails look. Avoid starting with a look that would be difficult to adjust to another shape. For example, it would be hard to change almond-shaped or stiletto nails into a different shape because of how much nail you will need to file away to get these shapes.
