Oval nails are a classic shape for a reason. Here's 37 ways to style them out
There are so many ways to personalise your mani – the shape alone offers a whole world of choices. There's oval nails, almond nails, squoval nails, lipstick nails, stiletto nails… the list goes on. And, just like a haircut can change the overall vibe of your look, your nail shape can make a mini statement all on its own. Are you a trendy girl, a glam girl, a practical girl, or all of the above?
For a shape that fills the above requirements, look no further than oval nails. It's a classic shape, but one that never goes out of style, despite newer cool-girl shapes joining the conversation: see almond (long and softly pointed, like the tip of an almond) or ballerina (similar to almond but squared off at the tip).
The beauty of oval nails is that they're natural-looking, so they have an effortlessness about them, but they're neatly uniform enough to look elegant and glam. And they look just as good long or short – so if you can't commit to XXL nails that make buttoning up your jeans a mission, they're a pretty practical choice.
So that's the overview done, but we've drilled down into specifics, then lined up some dreamy inspo, so you know exactly what you're signing up for before you live out your oval nail dreams…
What are oval nails?
Nails come in all different shapes and sizes. If you look at the pattern of your natural nails, you'll probably find that you have an assortment of shapes between fingers – one might grow quite square, the other more rounded. The more rounded shape, is oval. Effectively, it follows the same sort of shape as your fingertips, with softened round edges.
Why might people choose an oval nail shape over others?
Oval nail shapes are a classic. Since they're a natural shape, they're not trend driven. They're neat (once you get all your nails looking uniform) and they work across all shades and lengths. Also, if you find your nails tend to break easily, an oval shape is a solid choice. Squarer edges tend to catch (when you're washing your hair or going about your day), but a soft, rounded shape holds up better as they're more difficult to dent.
How would you file your nails into an oval shape?
You want to soften edges and make sure that the tip of your nail is slightly longer than the sides so it doesn't look too squared off. Taking your file, use a rounded motion, aiming diagonally up one side and diagonally down the other. You can make the oval more or less pronounced depending on how vigorously you file. Don't make it too sharp, though as you're edging into 'almond' or ‘stiletto’ territory.
Does it make a difference if your nails are long/short?
Oval shapes perfectly suit both long and short nails.
What tools would you need?
All you need is a nail file and possibly some clippers if you want to lose the length.
Any other tips?
There's so much you can do with oval nails, the shape is a blank canvas for nail art, but one thing you can do to really emphasise their shape, is highlight the free edge with a colourful French mani to make the oval stand out.
Here's 37 ways to style out oval nails…
This doubled-up nail art really plays up the oval shape by emphasising it at the tip, then repeating it above the cuticle, and the classic burgundy shade feels expensive.
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Mix up a classic shape with an offbeat colour.
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Butter yellow was a smash-hit trend last summer, but it's a pretty way to stray from classic white Frenchies all year round.
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One of the most classic and beautiful manis that will remain a forever favourite.
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Glam, sophisticated and forever in style.
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Taking clean and simple nail designs to another level, soap nails effectively mimic the effect of squeaky clean nails. Pair it with a classic oval shape and it gives polished girl-next-door vibes.
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Aura nails are huge, and they're an easy way to express yourself and your energy (like a little mood ring on your fingertips). This two-tone blue is calming and uplifting in one hit.
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Outline your oval shape with a teensy half-moon Frenchie, but for something a little edgier than white, try black. The skinny shape keeps it feeling delicate.
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Lavender is set to be a big trend for soft feminine nails. This sheer rendition is beautiful.
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Negative space designs are huge. This oval cut-out mimics the shape on the top, but at the bottom and works best on oval nails.
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This tie-dye nail manages to feel fun and grown-up at the same time and the slightly elongated shape is part of the charm.
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Neat, clean, beautiful and timeless.
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A classic for autumn-winter time, deep red nails in a rounded oval shape will never not look chic.
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We've established a French tip helps to emphasise an oval shape, but a chunky Frenchie adds even more drama.
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A delicate twist on dinky Frenchies in an always-on-trend colour.
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Cute, but still sophisticated.
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Pick a single colour and run through the spectrum with a different tone within the same shade family on each fingertip.
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Like we said above, but instead keep the colour graduation to across the tips.
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Cute, cheeky and a whole summer vibe.
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Nearly naked nails but with a glazed glow-up.
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For an alt twist on a Frenchie, try this offbeat olive shade.
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Cheerful, colourful and a whole mood boost.
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A classic way to amp up the oval shape, particularly in autumn-winter.
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These are so cute and perfect for all year round.
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Up the ante on barely-there nails with a subtle but statement heart detail.
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The classic oval shape creates the perfect backdrop to these mesmerising metallic polishes.
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How to really exaggerate an oval shape? Outline it, four times in different tonal shades within the same colour family.
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Ultra-glazed mirror-like finishes are so on trend.
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Let the mirror trend play out just across your tips.
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Want a bit of glitz, but not too much? Keep it sheer for a more grown-up take on sparkle.
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A forever neutral, oval nails work year-round but particularly through the colder months.
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Can't decide on one colour for each nail? Pick two. Then repeat across each digit.
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One way to celebrate an oval nail shape is to add sparkle. This is gorgeous for Christmas time but equally would dazzle in summer sunlight.
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Up the ante by defining the top and the bottom of your nail shape in fun shades.
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Want a moodier mani? These dark aura nails are perfect.
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Colourful Frenchies emphasise the shape by lining the free edge with a statement French tip, but mix it up with fun shades.
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We love a short oval, it's neat and professional, but still feels stylish and cool.
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Just because the shape is classic, doesn't mean you can't have fun with it.
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For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
