Nails come in various shapes and styles, but almond nails are undoubtedly one of the most popular shapes over the last years and even in the history of nail art. Yes, because nails in the shape of an almond date way back in time, but have now come back into fashion, and women are so fascinated by them that they also recreate them using gel and reconstruction.
Characterized by a wide base and a narrow and rounded tip, the almond nail shape is the most requested in nail salons and one of the most sought-after online and on social media.
In this article, you’ll find the most requested designs and color schemes for almond-shaped nails so that you can leverage this trend to drive sales to your beauty products store, both from professionals and final users.
Table of Contents
The success of almond nails over the years
The advantages of the almond design
Trends, colors and designs
1. Mind the shape and the material
2. Natural tones and effects
3. Flower power
4. Magnetic nails
Final thoughts
The success of almond nails over the years
The origins of almond nails date back to the 1920s, when the first contemporary nail polish was also created, made with paints used in the automotive industry.
In the ’50s, with the boom of rock and roll and the advent of jeans and short t-shirts in bright colors, it became a trend to show off almond nails with bold shades, way different from the longer, less convenient designs used before this time.
Then, almond nails with French manicures took hold around the ’70s, colored with strong and bright colors on the nail bed and lighter on the tip, very feminine and sensual. Among the Hollywood stars who often wore bright red almond nails, we remember Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Rita Hayworth.
To this day, almond nails with their oval shape are a form of art and expression, and women of all ages show them off. They were also inspired by Dita Von Teese – the burlesque diva who brought them back into fashion.
The advantages of the almond design
Almond nails adapt to any type of hands, can be worn with any outfit, and look good when women want to be elegant and refined or just casual and practical.
This type of manicure gives the hands and fingers a great shape; they look more tapered, and the fingers seem longer. In addition, the almond shape of the oval nails is good whether they are long or short; they are very resistant and long-lasting as they are unlikely to get stuck on objects and fabrics. They are also more convenient for texting on smartphones and typing on keyboards, and overall, they are more suitable for our lifestyle.
Trends, colors and designs
Creativity and originality are key ingredients for almond nails in 2025, with almost endless possibilities for customization. From classic tones to bold colors, almond nails allow professionals to propose combinations and decorations for every preference and occasion, thus ensuring that clients can best express their personality.
The possibilities are so varied that each almond nail manicure is a personal work of art adaptable to every season and style.
1. Mind the shape and the material
Almond nails are versatile: they can be created with a simple manicure on natural nails, with gel, semi-permanent varnish, or acrylic reconstruction. Some even use glue to stick press-on nails (false nails) onto the natural ones for a result that lasts longer and doesn’t change over time.
Gel reconstruction is a treatment that allows you to lengthen and give a new shape to the nail thanks to this gelatinous substance that is spread, worked, and then dried and fixed using a UV/LED lamp. On the other hand, semi-permanent polish does not allow you to change the length or shape of the nail; it makes the nails stronger and colors brighter.
Consumers and professionals pay attention to its curvature regardless of the material they use and the length they choose when creating the almond shape. This curve shows when looking at the nail from the side, which is necessary to make it more durable. To achieve this, many opt for almond nail sets.
2. Natural tones and effects
Almond nails are ideal for customers to play with natural colors using subtle uniform shades or going for a French manicure. The secret is to find the right harmony between nail length and decorations. While short nails can dare with more imaginative designs, longer nails look better when toned down.
To make their hands truly elegant and trendy, lately, women have chosen a beige, taupe, and white polish that is suitable for any occasion, even for brides. These colors are also a perfect match with the white tip of the French manicure that creates a subtle contrast between the lower and upper part of the nail, mimicking natural ones.
3. Flower power
Floral designs are in vogue for short almond and medium almond nails, and not only in spring.
Some use micro-painting techniques to create simple flower nail art with gel polish and draw wonderful petals, while others prefer using stencils and, why not, even glue-on flowers that are available in sets and ready to use.
For more elaborate, small, or particularly difficult designs, you can use the stamping technique, which implies using an engraved plate and a stencil to transfer the design from the plate to the nail.
4. Magnetic nails
One of the latest trends for short almond nails is the so-called cat eye style, which allows customers to obtain the beautiful effect of the eyes of a cat on their nails. It is a technique that requires specific magnetic nail polishes, with the possibility of adapting colors and shades to obtain interesting results.
Thanks to this nail polish, it is possible to obtain a luminous and iridescent effect that reflects light differently every time you look at it. After creating a dark base, magnetic nail polish is applied to the nails alone or as a top coat. Then, a small magnet is moved over the nail to create a beautiful streaking effect that fully recalls the eyes of cats.
Final thoughts
The evergreen almond nail continues to inspire consumers and professionals in the sector. Whether it’s a natural look or an elaborate design, the versatility and elegance of this shape lend itself to styles suitable for any occasion.
With the innovation of techniques and products available on the market, almond nails are a choice that combines aesthetics and functionality, making them a must-have in every salon and a trend that shows no signs of slowing down over time.
