Strongest Nail Shapes
When you’re thinking about a good nail shape for you, one thing to consider is the strength of the nail.
The reality is that many “popular” nail shapes, like stiletto and coffin nails, are not the most durable.
Whether you’re working with your natural nails or getting acrylic nails, the shape you get will determine how strong your nails will be and how long your manicure will last.
If you have an active lifestyle or work with your hands, the shape of your nails becomes even more critical.
So what are the strongest nail shapes?
That depends on whether we’re talking about natural nails or acrylic nails. For natural nails, the strongest shape is a square, and for acrylic nails, the strongest shape is an oval. However, that doesn’t mean all other shapes are weak.
If you’re wondering about how different nail shapes compare, keep reading.
We are taking a deep dive into nail shapes and why some are stronger than others, so that you can choose the best nail shape for your next manicure.
Natural Vs Acrylic Nail Strength
Why do natural and acrylic nails differ so much when it comes to the strongest nail shape?
The reason for that is the structure of the nails.
With natural nails, you have the same thickness throughout the nail because that’s how your nails grow.
This means there’s little you can do to “reinforce” the structure of your nail.
The best way to eliminate soft and bendy nails and create a more substantial base is to choose a shape that reduces the surface area of the nail and minimizes stress points.
With acrylic nails, the thickness of the nail can be built up during the manicure process.
Your nail tech is probably trained to add a bit of extra acrylic material at the apex of the nail—the part where the nail starts to extend beyond your finger.
As a result, acrylic nails are stronger and can accommodate longer shapes without compromising their strength.
But even acrylic nails have a limit and have variations in strength depending on the overall shape of the nail.
For example, any right angles in an acrylic nail create potential stress areas and are prone to chipping and breaking.
Because of this, the strongest options for acrylic nails are those with a rounded edge rather than a square edge.
Strongest Nail Shape For Natural Nails
The strongest nail shape for natural nails is the square shape.
A squoval (squared oval shape) is a close second.
What makes a square or a squoval such a good choice for natural nails is that these shapes are short and have the least stress areas.
A square nail is considered the strongest, just as a square building is stronger than any other shape.
The principles used in architecture are the same principles applied to nails.
If you prefer a softer look, the squoval is an excellent option.
This nail shape is not quite as strong as the square, as the slight curvature allows for more stress areas that can break under pressure.
However, it’s still stronger than all other nail shapes and looks beautiful.
Another great thing about square or squoval shapes is that they have a smaller surface area, especially when it comes to the location of the nail that extends beyond your finger.
Square and squoval nails rarely extend more than a few millimeters beyond the nail bed, which provides them with considerable strength and minimal opportunity for breakage.
This type of nail shape will last you a few weeks, depending on the natural thickness of the nail, before it becomes too long.
You’ll notice that as soon as it gets further beyond your nail bed, it becomes much more likely to break. The key to square and squoval shapes is their modest length.
Natural Nail Shapes Ranked
If we were to rank nail shapes for natural nails from the strongest to the weakest, it would look like this:
- Square
- Squoval
- Round
- Oval
- Almond
- Ballerina or coffin
- Stiletto
As you can see, when it comes to natural nails, the longer they are, the weaker they are.
But another thing that matters is the width of the nail.
Even when the nail is long, if it has some width (e.g., oval and almond nails), it has more strength than when it is narrow at the end (e.g., coffin or stiletto nails).
Your own mileage may vary. Your natural nails might be stronger or weaker than average, depending on your C-curve and the thickness of your nail.
Experiment with various nail shapes and choose one that suits you.
Strongest Nail Shape For Acrylic Nails
Acrylic nails are a little different from natural nails when it comes to how strong they are.
This is because acrylic nails are custom-made by your nail technician, and they can add reinforcements to the nail to allow it to handle more length without sacrificing its strength.
Acrylic nails are also prone to breaking at corners, so square shapes are not ideal for acrylic nails.
The strongest shape for acrylic nails is the oval. Oval nails have a good amount of length and a gentle curve at the end.
There are virtually no angles that can break, and the oval shape has enough width to reinforce the nail and keep it strong.
A good nail tech knows how to build an even nail apex that provides incredible support for the oval shape, and your nails will become virtually indestructible.
A close second to the oval shape is the almond shape. It’s very close to oval, but it has a slightly narrower tip.
Because of the narrowing of the nail, it is somewhat weaker than an oval nail would be, but it is still a stronger choice than many of the other options.
Acrylic Nail Shapes Ranked
Here are the most common nail shapes ranked from the strongest to the weakest choices for acrylic nails:
- Oval
- Almond
- Round
- Squoval
- Square
- Ballerina or coffin
- Stiletto
With acrylic nails, it’s less critical to keep the shape short and more essential to have a properly balanced shape with fewer angles.
You can get away with much longer nails if you get acrylics because you’re not at the mercy of your natural nail anatomy, which can be an obstacle to longer shapes.
How To Make Your Nails Stronger
No matter what shape you choose to go with, there are always things you can do to make your nails stronger.
Stronger nails will withstand more wear and tear, allowing you to choose from a broader range of nail shapes.
Even if you are always wearing acrylic nails, having a strong natural base will help those acrylics last longer.
Fortunately, there are several ways to strengthen your nails.
Some of these involve significant lifestyle changes, while others are quick fixes.
Below are some of the best tips we’ve found for maximizing the strength of your nails:
Nutritious Diet
Nail strength comes from within. A nutritious diet can provide you with the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for your body to build strong nails.
As a bonus, a good diet can improve the appearance of your hair, skin, and even make you healthier!
So what constitutes a nutritious diet, as it pertains to nail strength?
Opt for a diet full of B vitamins. They are thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12).
Biotin is particularly excellent for strengthening your nails, but the other B vitamins also play a crucial role in nail health.
Foods that are high in B vitamins are:
- Salmon
- Leafy greens
- Eggs
- Organ meats (such as liver)
- Beef
- Clams, mussels, and oysters
- Beans
- Nuts and seeds (especially sunflower seeds)
Forging a diet around these foods can transform your nails and make them incredibly strong, but the results won’t happen overnight.
If you’re not currently getting a lot of these foods in your diet, it can require a significant lifestyle change.
It will be worth it if you want to improve your hair, nails, and health.
Supplements
It’s always best to obtain your vitamins and minerals directly from your diet, as your body has an easier time absorbing all the nutrients from food.
However, if you can’t get everything you need from your diet, at least make sure to get a good amount of nutrition from supplements.
You can easily find a B vitamin complex and a daily multivitamin that contains a variety of other essential vitamins.
When it comes to nail strength, consider also taking a collagen supplement. Collagen is known for promoting faster and stronger nail growth.
It also benefits your hair and is said to improve joint health.
You can find collagen in the form of a powder that you can add to your smoothies (or any drink, really), or you can find collagen capsules that you can take as a vitamin.
Limit Exposure To Harsh Chemicals
Some people expose their hands to harsh chemicals throughout the day due to their work or housework.
Things like soaps, detergents, and excessively hot water can weaken your nails and deplete them of their natural moisture.
Dry nails lead to brittleness and breakage.
Whenever possible, try to limit your exposure to these chemicals. If you can’t avoid them, at least wear gloves while doing the work.
Gloves can be worn during most activities where your hands are exposed to these chemicals.
In fact, it is recommended to wear gloves anyway since excessive exposure can lead to other health issues.
Along the same line, try to avoid cheap nail polishes or toxic nail glues.
These can also affect the health of your nails.
If you’re using nail polish remover, try to stick to acetone-free nail polish remover whenever possible.
Use Nail Strengthening Products
Nail-strengthening products are effective, mainly when you invest in a reliable system.
A good nail strengthener is a clear coat that you can apply to your nails, not only physically strengthening them by coating them with a strong layer.
But also protecting them from damage.
But also by enhancing their natural strength through the provision of proteins and minerals.
For example, this nail strengthening system is both affordable and effective at actually making your nails stronger.
It provides natural supplementation for your nails.
The more you wear it, the stronger your nails will become over time.
Nail strengtheners can also provide immediate results by coating your nails with a thick protective coat.
This gives your nails the chance to grow out longer and stronger.
You can also use a nail strengthener or hardener.
Hydrate Your Nails
To ensure your nails are strong, it’s essential to keep them hydrated.
We discussed how harsh chemicals and excessive water exposure can cause your nails to dry out, resulting in thinness and brittleness.
Luckily, you can replenish some of the lost moisture by using hydrating and soothing products on your nails.
Consider using a cuticle oil and gently massaging it over your nails and cuticles every night.
This can help preserve the health of your nails and the surrounding skin.
Some cuticle oils, like this one, are infused with a slew of vitamins, oils, and natural ingredients that can transform the health of your nails.
After consistently using a good cuticle oil, most people notice a significant improvement in the strength and appearance of their nails.
Additionally, applying cuticle oil can feel like a luxurious and relaxing experience, so make it a nightly ritual!
Take A Break From Fake Nails
Taking a break from fake nails—whether those are glue-on, acrylic, or gel extensions—can help replenish some moisture in your nails.
It also allows your nails to regrow some of the top layers that can come off when you get nail extensions often.
Nail extensions are not damaging in and of themselves.
However, the removal process, primarily when performed by someone who is not a professional, can cause significant damage to your nails and make them appear thin.
Taking a break from time to time can help offset some of this damage.
Skip a week here and there, and you’ll see that your nails are recovering quickly.
Talk To A Doctor
If you’ve tried everything and still feel that your nails are flimsy, it may be time to consult a doctor.
Several health issues can cause weak nails, including thyroid problems.
Sometimes, your nail health is the first symptom you’ll notice. So it’s best to consult a professional if you think something is amiss.
If an underlying condition is discovered, getting the proper treatment can not only improve your nails but also save your health!
Final Thoughts
Next time your nail tech asks you how you want your nails shaped, you’ll be better equipped to answer that question to make sure your nails are strong and long-lasting.
Of course, you don’t need to get the strongest nail shape.
You can get whatever shape you like. However, knowing what to expect can help you make more informed decisions.
For example, if you know you’re going rock climbing next week, perhaps you can opt for a square shape rather than your usual go-to stiletto shape!
Knowledge is power, and now you have the power to know which nail shapes are the strongest, whether you’re rocking natural nails or acrylics.
Remember that there is a structural difference between the two, so what works for your natural nails won’t work the same for acrylics, and vice versa.
We hope you find this information helpful at your next nail appointment!
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