Amongst the sea of intricately designed long acrylic nails and various bold nail shapes (stiletto, squoval, and coffin nails to name just a few), there’s one shape that’s universally loved and flattering: almond nails.
Photo: Instagram.com
Aptly named, the almond nail is shaped like—you guessed it—an almond nut. A mix between a round nail and an oval nail, the top of an almond nail gets more tapered and pointed without being too sharp. Experts particularly love this nail shape for its versatility and its ability to look good on just about everyone. “This for the most part is my favorite shape for nails overall,” Tom Bachik once told Vogue. “It creates an elegant, elongated feel to fingers and has been the go-to shape of supermodels and celebrities.”
Getting this shape on your own is quite simple. You’ll want to file nails at about a 25-degree angle to get that tapered shape at the tip. The best part? You can pretty much add whatever trendy nail art you want. French manicure? Check. Ombré colors? Check. Something more avant-garde? Check and check (more on this later).
So if you’ve been wanting to switch up your mani, give this shape a shot. Below are 30 almond nail art designs to try. Find the one that speaks to you.
Pink Mystic
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Can nail art help you manifest? We like to think so. These white abstract lines against an ombré pink base are not only a stunning mix, but they just scream magical.
Dark Romantic
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We love adding two finishes in one nail look. Pick an accent nail (or two) that showcase minimal designs, such as these adorable black heart decals, against a matte background to make them really pop.
Graphic Negative Space
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A bare nail provides the perfect blank canvas for your artistic nail endeavors. Take this graphic design that uses just a black abstract lines to create an intriguing negative space nail. Add some studded details for added drama.
Wild Animal
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One can never go wrong with an animal print. Opting for a more pink neutral base and pink shimmer glitter for the zebra lines to bring it all together.
Textured Gel Nails
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You don’t need much to make a stunning copper nail look even better. But adding some texture gives it a unique finish.
Holy Relics
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Chrome nails are striking on their own, but we love pairing them with minimal details to take it to the next level. These gothic cross details are the perfect finishing touch to a shiny silver almond nail.
Bright Aura
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We’re always trying to channel good energy wherever we can, and no easier way to call in the good vibes than with aura nails. Mix bright shades of green, pink, and orange to radiate some brightness—both literally and figuratively.
Blushing Milk Bath
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Why settle for one trend when you can have two? Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen paints on a blushing pink shade in the center of a milky backdrop to give these almond-shaped nails an ethereal feel. As an added bonus, they’re super easy to DIY yourself. Bless.
Eggshell Blue
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Some shades deserve to shine on their own. Case in point: take this robin egg blue. Rich in hue with a glossy finish, this bright teal is just so dreamy and doesn’t really need any art to elevate it. Perfect for any minimalists out there.
Watermelon Sugar
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Nothing says summer like watermelon, so this is our fruit of choice for our almond nails. Pro tip: One of the easiest ways to achieve an almond nail is with press on nails. Simply pick the design that speaks to you, stick it on, and you’re good to go.
Cherry Bomb
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Who doesn’t love an adorable cherry decal? Dress up a bare almond-shaped nail with simple cherry designs all over.
Black & White
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Name a more iconic color duo. Camila Cabello’s “Tuxedo” almond nail designs mix white and black shades in a geometric design that play up the long rounded shape quite nicely.
Invisible French
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For a subtle spin on the most classic nail design, the invisible French mani gives you a faint tip that blends seamlessly into the base. We love this mix of barely-there pink shades on Selena Gomez for a simple yet really pretty look.
Art Theory
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If you’re stumped on what design to get, turn to one of the greats. Nail artist Hang Nguyen channeled her inner Matise and used a mix of abstract shapes against a bright turquoise background.
Jewel-Toned Amber
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A rich mix of brown, yellow, and orange tones, this amber-inspired nail makes for the perfect everyday look. It has a jelly-like finish that looks super cool under the sunlight.
Girl With the Pearl Nail
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Match a soft shimmery silver glazed donut nail with iridescent pearl decals for a more unique almond nail look. Celebrity and Chanel nail artist Betina R. Goldstein strategically places one or two on each nail to strike the perfect balance between minimal and bold.
Lace Detail
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Delicate yet alluring, Goldstein’s lingerie-inspired nails are stunning. Set against a translucent gray base, she paints swirls and curved lines of matching glitter shimmer to get that lace-like feel.
Mother Earth
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An ode to the planet we live on, celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone mixes and swirls shades of blue and green in splatter-like strokes to give these almond nails a more artistic feel. Plus, the color combo goes well with just about any look.
Red Nail Theory
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Whether you subscribe to the red nail theory or not, there’s no arguing that a classic red mani makes for a striking look. Add a few tiny details like the Chanel logo decal for some added fun.
Mix & Match
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Good news for the indecisive: you don’t have to settle on one shade or design if you don’t want to; mix and match as much as your heart desires. We love this eclectic mix of purple, orange, and black in checker and ombré designs for something really eye-catching.
Chrome Accents
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A French tip is the perfect way to accentuate the almond shape. Opt for a chrome finish—and even a matching mini heart design at the base—for your nails to really pop.
Jelly Daydream
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Simply put: jelly nails are so fun. With their translucent effect and versatility, there are many ways to customize a look for your short almond nails. We’re partial to these pretty cloud decals that are just so whimsical.
Velvet Romance
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Iridescent and striking, there’s just something so mesmerizing about velvet nails. We love anything pink, but we especially love the drawn heart in the middle for a nice added touch.
Minimal Bows
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Looking for a simple way to elevate your French manicure? Add a small charm. We love these tiny bows that celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt placed at the bottom of the red tips for subtle coquette vibes that are just so pretty.
Butter Yellow
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Butter nails are the shade of summer of 2024. Opt for a deep shade of yellow, as seen on Hailey Bieber (a.k.a. the queen of the viral mani), so that your almond-shaped nails really pop.
Strawberry Glazed
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The glazed donut will forever sit on the pantheon of great nail looks. But add a sweet twist and opt for a blush-colored base to add some warmth.
Bare Essentials
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Stripping it back to the basics, celebrity nail artist Kim Truong goes simple with a bare shaded almond nail. Looking like a second skin, it elongates the fingers for an elegant look overall.
Royal Purple
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Decadent and all-around striking, purple is the color of royalty for a reason. If you’re wanting to stick to a single shade to dress up your almond nails, you simply can’t go wrong with this deep violet that’s just stunning to look at.
Snow Cone Tips
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Taking inspo from a classic summer dessert, celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec opts for multicolored rainbow French tips to round out these long almond nails. They even have a cateye effect for a slight shimmer finish.
Emerald Marble
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With the swirls of vibrant colors, there’s just something so hypnotic about a marble gel nail. Mix shades of pearl and dark emerald with a shimmer finish for a striking almond nail that will get you all the compliments.
Originally published in Vogue.com
