The Best Nail Polish Colors for Your Nail Shape

Sheer nudes and shimmery metallics like rose gold soften the sharp edges of your nails, while also elongating their appearance. And since this shape tends to be wider (and look shorter), you might want to skip any inky blacks and blues as they can look a bit harsh.

On the flip side, darker hues can look especially crisp and clean on soft, curved tips. Classic reds and creamy pastels (like periwinkle blue) also work well. Tip: Leave a teensy space on either side when painting (we’re talking, like, a centimeter or less here) to create the illusion of slimmer nails.

Long, slender nails look elegant as is, but when paired with a sultry red or burgundy polish they look especially glamorous. Fleshy pinks and nudes are also a good choice (so long as they’re a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone). But steer clear of risky blues and purples as they may come off cartoonish.

This shape is the most forgiving and thus works well with any color. Nude, bold, sheer or opaque, the world is your oyster when it comes to shade selection. Those with naturally rounder shapes can file their tips straight across to look more square—and those with square tips can round off the edges to soften their appearance.