How-to: create square-shaped nails

If you’ve always wanted perfectly square nails, but never known where to start, here’s how you can transform your nails – and all you need is a nail clipper and a nail file!
(Note: for square nails, make sure you’ve got some length to begin with, at least to the end of the fingertip).

Steps to square nails:
1)   Start by trimming your nails with a nail clipper. Clip your nails straight across, in one straight cut, to minimise the amount of filing.
2)   Using a nail file, file your nails straight across in one direction. Don’t file your nails in a back-and-forth motion as this may damage the nail.
3)   Run the nail file on the sharp edges of your nails to gently round them off.
4)   Check your nails are straight by turning your hand over and looking at the underside of your nails.
Thanks to Fiona Hay, Australia’s Creative Director from Orly’

You’ve got the shape sorted, now it’s time to pick a shade…

Are round nails more your thing? Click here to find out how to achieve round nails…

What shape do you prefer to have your nails?

35 Member Comments

Popsicle 23 Jun 2018 11:56 PM

I love the look of square nails especially this pic but my nails suit rounded style.

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 0

Shop A Everyday 23 Apr 2016 3:23 PM

Your own natural nail sometimes will tell you which one suits you the most

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 1

Yohanna 30 Apr 2016 12:00 PM

so true actually! I wondered why I can stand only square. My nails are wide and already square when totaly cut. My pal had narrow and long ones, also fiingers (it depends on finger length, shape I think too) so to her square does not look as nice

itslinda 5 Apr 2016 1:10 PM

Great article

annieleex 3 Apr 2016 10:19 PM

Either

Yohanna 25 Mar 2016 2:10 PM

Square :)

Yohanna 25 Mar 2016 2:09 PM

Love it, my preferred shape if I grow mine a bit

Linda_Vesinger 21 Jan 2016 3:33 PM

I wish my nails would grow long enough for me to try this look. I keep a fairly square shape, but shorter

Sparkles12 29 Dec 2014 10:16 AM

Love square nails ...never liked rounded ..

Rachael341 28 Dec 2014 8:56 AM

I struggle with getting my nail shape right. Good tips!

TheUglyDuckling 26 Dec 2014 11:37 PM

This is by far and away my preferred way to wear my nails. The rounded shape tends towards more breakage.

jatz 26 Dec 2014 11:34 AM

I always just have the round, I tried the square look once but had no idea how to do it by myself. Great article to see how you actually do it.
My sister in law has the real square nails done professionally and I think hers look awful. The ones in the picture above look nicer for some reason.