While nail polish alone is a wonderful way to change up your nails, once you’ve gained a bit of length (either naturally or through extensions), you can start playing with shape. And if you want something sharp and angular, square nails are a great option.
“Square nails are flat at the top with straight sharp corners,” says nail artist Sonia Sanchez. Unlike coffin nails, they don’t taper in at the sides, which gives you a bigger canvas to showcase your chosen color and design.
Heather Reynosa, director of global education design at OPI, explains that there are some looks that really complement the shape. “As a personal rule, I like to pair graphic shapes like square nails with softer, rounded designs to balance the aesthetic,” says Reynosa. However, “nail art is so personal, there really are no rules as far as what kind of art should be worn on this type of nail.”
Whether you’re a square nail stan or trying them out for the first time, we’ve got 13 square nail designs ahead to help guide your future manicures.
