Growing out your natural nails and keeping them long is no easy task.
This takes time, patience, and some dedicated nail-care sessions.
What are the different nail shapes?
There are 7 common nail shapes to choose from, all of which give a different visual aesthetic.
First, we have classic shapes likesquareand round.
Classic shapes are a universal fit regardless of nail length.
These take a bit more filing work but can be achieved fairly easily on medium-length nails.
Finally, we have standout shapes like stiletto andcoffin.
These shapes require more length and attention to detail but offer a unique and memorable aesthetic look.
What is the oval nail shape?
Oval nails look like, well, an oval.
They have a rounded shape but more length on the sides than classic round nails.
There are plenty of perks to opting for oval tips.
For one, like rounded nails, this shape helps protect from breakage.
Rounded, soft edges, however, tend to run into fewer casualties.
For nail art lovers, oval could be your next favorite.
How to achieve oval nails:
Prep the nail.
Nail prep is essential to achieving a look that lasts.
You’ll want to start by cleaning your tips.
Just take some nail polish remover on a cotton ball or cotton pad and rub over each nail.
Trim the nail.
For this reason, keep your trimming to a minimum.
You may not need to trim every nail, especially if you’re working toward gaining length.
However, any cracked or peeling nail tips should be trimmed off.
If you want the nails to be even in length, trimming may be essential as well.
Plus, going in with nail clippers before filing makes it that much easier down the line.
Grab your file.
This doesn’t mean hasty or aggressive filing, though.
This will help preserve the strength of your nail.
This will help preserve the strength and avoid unnecessary breakage.
Nail care 101:
Keep a file with you.
If your nails are fragile, you may consider having a nail file on hand throughout the day.
This way, you’re able to gently file the snares away rather than manually tearing them off.
Don’t pick or bite.
We knowthis step is easier said than done.
Picking at your nails will hurt them in the long run, especially when it becomes a habit.
The same goes for your cuticles.
to avoid picking, you might use an anti-bite polish and havecuticle oil at the ready.
Keeping this up and adding ahandcreamto your daily routine will help prevent future drying as well.
Exfoliate your nails.
You may already have your face exfoliation routine dialed in, but what about your nails?
Use an exfoliating serum likethis one from Dr. Dana Nailsor a simple scrub to flush away dead cells.
This will help your nails feel smoother and ensure healthy growth.
Take your supplements.
Topical nare care is essential, but so is inside-out work.
One place to look: collagen supplements.
Research shows thatcollagen supplementscan support healthy nail growth.
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The same goes forbiotin, a form of vitamin B that is often used in hair growth supplements.
- Biotin has been shown tosupport the thickness and firmness of nails2.
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The takeaway.
If you’re looking for an easy, sustainable, nail-art-friendly shape, choose oval.
Be sure to keep up with healthy-nail habits to maintain your shape and encourage healthy growth.
