Why Natural-Length Nails Are the Biggest Manicure Trend Right Now

What Counts as Natural Nail Length?

Between polish types like Gel-X®, acrylic, builder gel, dip, shellac, and more, the possibilities are endless for your next nail color, design, and shape. Let’s get one thing straight: natural-length nails don’t equal “bare.” We’re talking length here. Whether you like almond, rounded, squoval, or true oval, natural-length nails may be your next beauty routine. This style mostly means that your nails will extend just beyond the fingertip. But when it comes to the shape of your natural-length nails, the sky’s the limit! Check out Zoë Kravitz’s natural-length squoval nails below to see how elegant your manicure can be at any length.

Polish Colors We Love on Natural-Length Nails

Repping the natural length and totally chic bare-faced manicure is our style icon, Hailey Bieber. As a model and the founder of RHODE, she knows a thing or two about rocking minimalist beauty looks. Her signature summer nails have featured a slightly glossy, nude pink-ish look that’s both charming and authentic (see our piece on soap nails for more deets.) 

The length? Almond-shaped and rounded to peek out just beyond her fingertips, and it’s giving, “I woke up like this.” For a healthy, long-lasting look, check out LE MINI MACARON Nail Polish in the shades Chantilly or Coconut Yogurt. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, fashionable set you can use at home, try the LE MINI MACARON Gel Nail Strips, in shades Frosting or Blush for a classic and timeless look.

While many of our beauty icons have opted for short, nude-toned nails, some have stepped out on the red carpet with gorgeous, shorter nails in various fun shades that pop. Who said natural length can only be limited to neutral shades? On her press tour for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” actress and style icon Zendaya shows off a simple but fun nail look; sleek black polish on shorter rounded nails. The point? To complement a look, not detract. Rocking the natural nail length can be effortless, and the possibilities are endless to best complete your style. It’s all up to you!

When in doubt, soft, glossy shades take the front seat for the cutest manicure. Pastel blues, pinks, and yellows seem to be a summer staple, so we say, PLEASE try this at home!

What Are the Best Nail Shapes for Natural-Length Nails?

So, we’ve got length down, but what about shape? We’ve got you covered when it comes to the best nail shape for natural-length nails according to your lifestyle.

• Round Nails: We love these for anyone beginning to engage in the trend. This shape is easy to maintain as it follows the curve of your natural nail, and elongates the nail while giving “quiet luxury.” Plus, round-shaped nails minimize breakage, meaning you can wear them whenever, and wherever. This shape is best-suited for those who work with their hands, are working on revitalizing their nails, or want a low-maintenance look to complement their everyday routine.

• Squoval Nails: You might be asking… what the heck is squoval?! Squoval nails combine square shape and oval shape, creating a polished, durable shape. What we love about this shape is the sleek straight edge, softened by the rounded corners. Nothing says classy like squoval, and they truly have a timelessness that flatters. These nails work best for, well,  anyone!

• Oval Nails: If you have naturally shorter nails, this could be the shape for you. Since the sides are oval-shaped, these nails function visually as a length enhancer. Sophisticated and soft, oval might serve as your next favorite nail shape.

• Almond Nails: Our current favorite, this nail shape has been trending nonstop and shows no sign of slowing down. The name is fitting, as this shape is elongating to the tip, where it is rounded. Almond shaped-nails work for those who want to wear them short or long, and they’ll elevate any look to an effortless, modern serve. 

How to Care for Your Natural-Length Nails 

There are so many ways to enhance your nails in the style that you prefer. One of the methods we love is builder gel, as it adds a protective layer to stop brittle nails from breaking. Lots of salons have adopted this method as a new favorite, as it’s quick, simple, and helps your nails grow underneath the gel. This is a fast solution to complement an on-the-go lifestyle, protecting the nails more than acrylics or other artificial nail extensions can. 

Nail health starts with the cuticle, and we’ve found that  CUCCIO's Revitalizing Cuticle Oil Milk & Honey does just the trick to help hydrate, strengthen, and lengthen, so your nails shine from the inside out.

We also love an at-home solution, like OPI's Nail Envy. This nail strengthener helps boost your natural length and fortify your nail with biotin, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and E. Say bye to breakage, and hello to healthy-looking nails that we know you’ll love! 

The Takeaway

We’ve seen a thing or two lately about going back to the beauty basics. Not only can it feel good, but it looks good, too! How you wear your nails is all up to your lifestyle, and should fit in with your personal beauty regimen. Whether you simply opt for polish and filing, or use a strengthener to supplement your nail health, natural length looks good on you, and finds the perfect balance between timeless and totally on-trend.