Nail Structure and

Shapes
 Shapes of Nail
The shape of nail conforms to the fingertips
of an individual. It also determines how the
fingernails should be styled during a
manicure.
1. Oval
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.
2. Round
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.
3. Stiletto/pointed
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.
4. Squoval
similar to the above but
followed by squaring off
the tip, giving the nail
tip strength over the
oval shape.
5. Square
the most popular
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.
 Basic
Nail
Designs
Plain manicure

the application of
nail polish to the
entire nail plate
Half-Moon

involves applying of
nail polish over the
whole nail plate
except
the lunula.
 Half- Moon with
Tip
it involves the
application of
colored polish over
the whole nail plate
except the area of
lunula and tip of
the nail.
 French Manicure
or Tip design

involves the
application of colored
polish over the whole
part of the nail except
the area of the free-
edge.
 French Manicure
or Tip design

involves the
application of colored
polish over the whole
part of the nail except
the area of the free-
edge.
Elephant Tusk

Elephant tusk is a style

that involves the
application of nail
polish to create S
curve, leaving a slightly
larger gap along the
nail walls.
QUIZ TIME!
A. Directions.
Locate the nail structures (lunula, cuticle, free edge,
matrix, body of nail) using the fingernail picture.
B. Directions: Identify the shapes of nail. Choose
your answer inside the box.
C. Directions: Identify the nail designs presented
below. Answers are provided inside the box.
ANSWER
KEY!
Squouval Round Oval Stiletto Square
 Half-moon French Plain Elephant
Half-moon
with tip manicure manicure tusk