@nailsbysuman / Instagram
While we love all nail shapes equally, its impossible to overlook the long list of "pros" that come with a square-shaped mani. Easy filing on nails of any length? Check. Wont interfere with the rest of your lifestyle (especially if you stick a shorter or medium length)? Check. Ample real estate for all sorts of nail art? Double check.
If you know you want to opt for square nails—but youre not sure how you want to decorate them—weve got you covered. Ahead, weve rounded up some of our favorite nail art that looks especially great on square nails. Scroll on to find your next mani.
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Heart Cutouts
@nailsbysuman / Instagram
Does it get any sweeter than this? Pastel pink French tips and a matching heart-cutout accent nail couldnt be cuter.
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Clean French
@nailtherapy.co / Instagram
Square nails were practically made for French manicures. This clean and classic French mani is all the inspo we need.
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Pastel Fade
@melanated.mani / Instagram
For a subtle contrast to the sharpness of a French tip, consider a soft ombré. This creamy pastel-to-nude fade creates a much more relaxed aesthetic.
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Minimalist Flames
Flame nails are popping up left and right, but for many, the look can feel a little too much. Heres one way to keep the fiery motif a bit more subdued.
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Geometric Tips
@imarninails / Instagram
All the class of a traditional French manicure with a bit of futuristic fun, these pops of lilac and lavender hues are oh-so-fresh.
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Flower Power
@nailsbyzola / Instagram
These nude nails offer a hint of floral fun. The fluffy yellow-and-white daisies are perfect for a springtime nail look thatll brighten your day.
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Graphic Edges
@nailsbysuman / Instagram
This manicure is a minimalists dream come true. With the pink, barely there hue, this set almost passes as nude—except for the graphic black tick that lends a hint of edge.
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Sage Yin-Yang
White, sage green, and yin-yang nail art just work. We feel calmer and more zen just looking at this set.
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Sweet Dreams
A whole starry night sky right at your fingertips. To recreate this dreamy look, start with curved black tips and layer with lilac stars and white dots.
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Neon Diagonals
A half-and-half design is perfect for those who just cant choose. Use nail tape to create straight edges diagonally across each nail. Easy-peasy.
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Black Marble
In the mood for some luxurious marble? If you werent before, now you definitely are.
To file your nails into a square shape, the process should be roughly 70 percent clipping and 30 percent filing.
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Rose Quartz
@imarninails / Instagram
For a lighter look, try FKA Twigss rose quartz manicure. We love the juxtaposition of the delicate nail art against the elongated, sporty square nail.
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70s-Inspired
If you have a little extra time on your hands (not to mention a steady hand), a mix-and-match square mani is worth a try. A grounded color palette keeps this design from going overboard.
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Lime Half Moons
Little limes anyone? We love a playful peek-a-boo color moment.
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Gold Dip
@betina_goldstein / Instagram
Leave it to celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein to totally slay the square nail art game. This gilded dip is as opulent as it gets.
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Timeless Nude
@imarninails / Instagram
Nudes never go out of style, and were loving the look of a neutral hue on this modern shape. And does it get any easier to DIY than an allover coat of polish?
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Artsy Tips
Prepare for a little art project with these detailed, hot-and-cold square nails. Itll be worth the effort when you see them come to life in the light.
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Cloudy Watercolor
Craving a few pops of color? This watercolor manicure might fit the bill.
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Private Eyes
Were suckers for floral motifs and evil eyes—and square nails offer a touch more space to bring them to life. These bright illustrations pop against the blush base.
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Rainbow Confetti
@imarninails / Instagram
If you love color and negative space, youll dig these festive nails. Theyre like a shower of colorful confetti every time you glance down at your keyboard.
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Minimal Arcs
Heres an easy at-home nail look. Start with a nude base and top it off with overlapping white and metallic arcs.
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Caution Tape
Warning: These nails will make people stop and stare. Throw caution to the wind and let them.
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Make Waves
Want to take your nail art to the umpteenth degree? This wave design is worth a go.
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Smiley Faces
Old-school smileys are very in right now. Plus, they offer a way to add pops of color without covering an entire nail in the hue.
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Abstract Faces
If you have a steady hand, try tracing a face on top of nude nails for an artsy mani youll want to memorialize on your grid.
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Pastel Half-Moons
Consider these rainbow nails with a minimalist twist. Opt for soft pastels over bright neon hues for a more subdued take.
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Go Gradient
@overglowedit / Instagram
A different shade of neutral polish on every nail makes for a mani thats sure not to go unnoticed. Well dub this the grounded gradient.
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Earth-Tone Tips
@overglowedit / Instagram
We love a wavy take on the classic French manicure. Add earthy tones to the mix, and its even better.
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Bright French
@nailtherapy.co / Instagram
How do you jazz up a classic French manicure? Just turn up the brightness on the tips and add a few cheerful cherries for good measure.
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3D Pearls
@angelsnailz / Instagram
This luxe look is definitely one for the maximalists amongst us. With a coveted collection of pearls on each finger, this manicure is begging to be part of a bridal moment.
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Strawberry Fields
@nailsbylindseylu / Instagram
If strawberry shortcake were a manicure theme, this would be it. Juicy strawberries and pink gingham prints epitomize summertime goodness.
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Bold Checkerboard
@MELANATED.MANI / INSTAGRAM
This mismatched checkerboard mani is bold and bright. We love the nod to 90s nostalgia.