Stunning Square Nail Designs to Delight You and Charm Everyone Else
Where could you see stunning square nail designs? Look at photos from the 2024 Grammys. Or check the Instagram feeds of Megan Thee Stallion, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian. Many celebrities are wearing square nails these days. This style’s popularity has been rising steadily since 2022.
The original square nail designs date back to the 1970s. Contestants in nail shows favored the square tip because it was easy to judge the C-curve compared to a round tip. But even then, it was hit or miss until the 1990s when square nails again leapt to the forefront of fashion then faded. Fast forward two decades and now square nail designs are having another big moment.
It’s not just celebrities who are wearing square nail looks. Nail pro Julie Kandalec points out that anyone who wants a low-maintenance style can enjoy short, square nails. It’s less time in the salon, too. The only challenge is choosing the most flattering square nail shape for your hands, whether short, medium, or long. We’d love to show you a selection of stunning square nail designs to get you started.
Square Nail Designs
Short Square Nails
These translucent, rippled nails are so beautiful with the encapsulated flowers. It’s a unique look for this nail length. Somehow, the square tips make the design even more amazing.
We anticipate that acrylics experts will find this manicure moderately challenging. But even beginners could give it a try using poly gel. This pre-mixed formula is odorless and easier to manipulate than acrylics. Moreover, it won’t dry until cured in a nail lamp.
How to Get the Perfect Square Nail Shape
Start by cutting your nails straight across using a nail clipper with a straight edge blade. This gives you a square shape instantly with minimal filing needed. Next, use a nail file to smooth and shape the tips. Working in one direction, not back and forth, remove any sharp edges. If you tilt the file down, the edge will be more rounded. To get a perfectly square edge, hold the file at a 90-degree angle when shaping the nails.
When you finish painting the nails, be sure to cover or cap the free edges with polish. Square nails are more prone to damage and snagging, but capping the tips reduces the risk.
LAVIS J04 - Gel Polish 0.5oz - Popular Jelly Collection
What Designs Look Best on Square Nails?
Honestly, pretty much any type of nail art can look stunning on square nails. Swirls look as lovely as ombre designs or marbled patterns. Don’t limit yourself. Instead, experiment with ways to use the square shape to its full advantage.
Long Square-Tipped Nails
You know this as the coffin or ballerina shape. The square tip lends itself to gorgeous designs that would feel cramped on a short nail. It only takes a few minutes to apply soft gel tips to achieve this length with a natural look and feel. The Lavis soft gels are pre-shaped, so you don’t have to waste time filing. You can get started on your masterpiece immediately after.
Glitter Micro Tips
Here’s a variation on the French manicure that Jeff Pink at Orly could not have imagined. It’s a stunner with the matching nude base and rose gold flakes around the squared-off edges. This design was created using soft gel tips from Après. They have a convenient beginner kit with all the necessary supplies.
APRES - Gel-X Nail Extension Kit
Ombre Cat Eye Nails
Did you know that LDS has some of the most attractive jelly gel polishes we’ve ever seen? And Lavis has cornered the market on cat eye gels. You won’t find such an extensive color collection elsewhere.
A layered look like this takes time to create, but the results are mesmerizing. There’s a hypnotic contrast between the square tip and the curve of the cat eye polish.
LDS Gel Polish JG-05 - Jelly Gel Collection
LDS Gel Polish JG-06 - Jelly Gel Collection
LAVIS Cat Eyes CE4 - 09 - Gel Polish 0.5 Oz - Fairy Tale Collection
Neon Disney Nails
The vibrant shades here all glow in the dark. They’re part of the Urban Lightning Collection. For extra bling, pop them in the nail lamp before you go, then watch them glow!
What’s more, the Mickey figures and symbols are all hand drawn. It’s an impressive feat that suits the long, square-tipped nails. If you’re short on time, but love this style, check out our extensive selection of nail stickers for the perfect look.
LAVIS LX4 - Set 36 Colors - Gel Polish 0.5 Oz - Urban Lightning Collection
Marbled Jelly Aura Nails
Talk about mashups—this nail design is a contemporary combo of hot trends. Again, you don’t need to wait to grow out your nails for this square-tipped manicure. Lavis makes medium length soft gels with square tips. Like Aprés, you can purchase a kit with all the essentials to apply them, including a nail lamp. It’s a very accessible deal and saves cash over visiting the salon each time you want longer nails.
LAVIS - Square Medium Clear Soft Gel Tips + LED/UV Nail Lamps 48W HS-887 + LAVIS Gel Base, Diamond Top, Protein Bond & Primer, Soft Gel Tip Adhesive
Rounded Square Nails
The soft edges and color scheme remind us of ‘90s nail designs. The cubist, color-blocked style is a conversation starter for sure.
If you’re a fan of oval nails but want to try out square tips, start with rounded corners like these. They are unlikely to snag on clothes or suffer splits or cracks, especially when sealed with a high quality top coat.
Glazed French Tips
How do you get that lovely iridescent shine? Just apply chrome powder to the base color before painting the white tips. Aurora chrome powder is ideal for the task as it can either glaze the finish or provide a polished mirror effect instead. Each color of this special chrome powder provides various results depending on the base shade. Some are golden, others bluish or greenish, and some are rosy. You could create a subtly different manicure each time you use just a single chrome powder!
GSD201 - LAVIS Chrome Powder AURORA 01
Conclusion
What square nail design are you eager to try now? Are you thinking about variations to suit your personal style? We hope you found the inspiration you needed to explore something new and fun.
Since you’re here, you’re invited to a sneak peek at our new arrivals. These are the latest collections and colors from major nail brands like OPI, DND, Lavis, and more. You might also discover innovative nail products that make manicures more accessible for everyone. Enjoy!
