Identify the shapes of the nail

this is common among people with long, perfect nail beds. It may be styled slightly rounded at the base and slightly pointed at the fingertips. Most often this type of nail has a natural look and looks very good in a short-medium length

Filed away at the sides to a point at the tip; this shape is very weak as the sides of the nail (which provide the strength) are totally lost

Ideal for shorter nails, the nail is allowed to grow out straight at the sides for approximately 1.5 mm and then the tip is filed into a rounded shape. This is a strong shape which is great for those who keep their nails short

As above, but followed by squaring off the tip, this gives the nail tip strength over the oval shape

The square-shaped nails are the most famous among the nail shapes. It is created by allowing the nail to grow out straight and then filing the tip straight across at right angles with the rest of the nail plate.