This story was first published May 27, 2016. Just be sure to never peel them off yourself. Or, gel manicures can be a good option in the meantime. If your nails are too short to create the looks above, be sure to apply cuticle oil every night to help them grow. Mark down your nail sizes like so (Thumb to Pinky): Almond Medium Left: 3-7-6-7-9 Right: 2-7-6-7-9. Also, different shapes and lengths can fit differently. Place each nail over your own to find the perfect size. Neou prefers square and sharp for her celebrity clients. You will receive the exact nail tips used to create your nails. Generally, nails have a sharp point on one end and a flattened head on the other, but headless nails are available. (In other words, don’t file one side all the way and then move to the other side, or else it’s too easy for the nail to come out uneven! Patience is key.) Once you have the symmetrical shape and length you prefer, finish the corners of the tips with quick, light filing that either keeps the edges square and sharp or soft and rounded – the preference is yours. In woodworking and construction, a nail is a small object made of metal (or wood, called a tree nail or 'trunnel') which is used as a fastener, as a peg to hang something, or sometimes as a decoration. Then using a file that’s not too rough or too soft, file the sides at a slight angle, alternating with a few light swipes on the left, and the same number of light swipes on the right to keep things even. Start with a basic square shape, either by clipping the nail across or following our directions for square nails. If you have short nails, acrylics would be needed to achieve this. While it can be done with medium to long nails, it’s much easier to shape on very long nails. If you have digits that are on the shorter or wider side, it can look especially flattering, as it creates the look of elongated, slender fingers. “This is very ladylike, but with an edge - and for me, the sharper, the better!” says nail artist Chaun P of Enamel Diction, who shapes this nail for client Khloe Kardashian. The narrower, more almond-shaped ovals look better with longer lengths, while a rounder shape looks more flattering on shorter nails, adds Ali. Although, the amount of taper is totally up to individual preference. It’s important to always file toward the middle of the nail to prevent damage. Then file from the left toward the middle until you have rounded out that side and proceed to file from the right toward the middle.

Mentally divide the nail into two parts: left and right. Choose a file that isn’t too rough for a smoother edge.

Nail shapes and sizes