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 simply 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 important.

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 some 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 get rid of soft and bendy nails and create a stronger base is to pick a shape that reduces the surface area of the nail and minimizes stress areas.

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 little extra acrylic material at the apex of the nail – the part where the nail starts to extend beyond your finger. 

Because of this, acrylic nails are stronger and can accommodate longer shapes without sacrificing strength. But even acrylic nails have a limit and have variations of 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 acrylics are nails with a rounded edge rather than a square edge.

Strongest Nail Shape For Natural Nails

The strongest nail shape for natural nails is square. 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 as the same principles applied to nails.

If you prefer a softer look, the squoval is a great option for you. This nail shape is not quite as strong as the square – the slight curvature of it does allow for more stress areas that can get break under pressure – but 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 area 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 a lot of strength and almost no opportunity of 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

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. Play around with different nail shapes and pick one that works for 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 built by your nail technician and they can add some reinforcements to the nail to allow it to handle more length without sacrificing the strength.

Acrylic nails are also prone to breaking at corners, so square shapes are not ideal for acrylic nails. 

The strongest shape for an acrylic nail is 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 more narrow tip. Because of the narrowing of the nail, it is a little bit 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:

1. Oval
2. Almond
3. Round
4. Squoval
5. Square
6. Ballerina or coffin
7. Stiletto

With acrylic nails, it’s less important to keep the shape short, and more important 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 and will give you more nail shape options to choose from.

Even if you are always wearing acrylic nails, having a strong natural base will help those acrylics last longer.

Thankfully, there are many ways to enhance your nail strength. Some of these involve major 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 an added 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 specifically is great for strengthening your nails, but the other B vitamins play an important role in nail health, too.

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 getting a lot of these foods in your diet currently, it can take a serious lifestyle change. It will be worth it if you want to improve your hair, nails, and health.

Supplements

It’s always best to get your vitamins and minerals directly from your diet because your body has an easier time absorbing all those 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 slew of other important vitamins.

When it comes to nail strength, you should also consider getting a collagen supplement. Collagen is known for making your nails grow faster and stronger. It also does the same for 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 a lot of hot water can make your nails weaker 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 you’re 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 anyways 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 work, especially if you invest in a good system. A good nail strengthener is a clear coat you can apply on your nails that not only physically strengthens them by coating them with a strong layer, but also enhances their natural strength by providing them with proteins and minerals.

For example, this nail strengthening system is both affordable and effective at actually making your nails stronger. It provides natural supplementation to your nail. 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 important to keep them hydrated. We discussed how harsh chemicals and overexposure to water can dry out your nails, causing them to become thin and brittle.

Luckily, you can replenish some of the lost moisture by using hydrating and soothing products on your nails.

Consider getting a cuticle oil and rubbing it over your nails and cuticles every night. This can help preserve the health of your nails and the skin around it. 

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 using a good cuticle oil consistently, most people notice a significant improvement in the strength and appearance of their nails. Plus, applying a cuticle oil can feel like a luxurious and relaxing experience, so make a nightly ritual out of it!

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 into 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, especially when done by someone who is not a professional, can seriously damage your nails and make them 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 you still feel like your nails are flimsy, maybe it’s time to talk to a doctor. There are a few health issues that can cause weak nails, including issues with the thyroid.

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 right 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, your don’t need to get the strongest nail shape. You can get whatever shape you like. But knowing what to expect can help you make better 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 what 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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