If you’re one of those people who easily falls down the Instagram rabbit hole that is nail art…
Hi, nice to meet you, and you’re not alone.
Like us, you might ogle over the perfect blue nail polish or the most intricate floral designs while scrolling. But what really grabs our attention is the way these manicurists can create such perfectly shaped nails. And no, not just any shape, but the infamous squoval.
To help you master the technique, we chatted with professional nail artists to hear their best squoval advice (and even got an easy-to-follow step-by-step process by nail expert Lauren Dunne). Keep reading to learn how to get perfect squoval nails every single time.
Meet the Experts
- Dana Stern, MD, is a New York City-based dermatologist and one of the only dermatologists in the country who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of the nail.
- Sarah Gibson Tuttle is the founder and CEO of Olive & June.
- Lauren Dunne is the co-founder of Varnish Lane, a Washington, D.C.-based nail salon with outposts in Atlanta, Charleston, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
What Are Squoval Nails?
A squoval nail shape is exactly what it sounds like: part square and part oval. It combines the practicality and ease of straight tips with the added softness of curved edges. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds.
“Much like the little black dress, the squoval is a classic nail shape that works with any polish,” says Dr. Stern. “It’s also super easy to achieve.”
Still, it won’t be simple until you’ve put in the practice.
Byrdie | Design by Zackary Angeline
The Benefits of a Squoval Nail Shape
There’s a lot to love about squoval nails. They’re easy enough to DIY at home (we gave you a peek, but more on that below), making them great for beginners. And unlike super long lipstick nails, which are prone to breaking, squoval nails are easy to maintain while still giving you the illusion of having longer fingers.
Nail trends come and go, but this hybrid shape is a classic since it looks good on pretty much everybody, including those with wider nail beds and fingers.
Does a Squoval Nail Shape Work for Long and Short Nails?
Squoval nails are a popular nail shape because they are universally flattering. They can be worn on both long and short nails, depending on your preference. If you’re looking to elongate your fingers, you might want to go for longer squoval nails. On the other hand, shorter squoval nails will enforce strength and are less likely to break.
What Is the Best Way to Get Squoval Nails?
According to Gibson Tuttle, it’s all about the 90:10 rule: 90 percent of the shaping work is done with your nail clipper and 10 percent is done with the file. “This way, you are defining your nail shape with your clippers and just finesse into the final perfect shape with your file,” she explains.
How to File Nails Into the Squoval Shape
If at the end of the day you find that squoval nails don’t look quite how you’d hoped, don’t fret. According to Stern, the most flattering nail shape is not necessarily the one that’s trending; it’s the one that mirrors your nail bed. If your nail beds aren’t on the longer side, you might want to consider a different shape: square or round for shorter nails or ballerina/coffin or stiletto for longer tips.
