Almond shaped acrylic nails have become one of the most popular nail shapes in recent years. With their subtly pointed tips, these elegant nails can make your hands look instantly more feminine and polished.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Almond shaped acrylics create an elongating effect on the fingers and nails. They are versatile for many nail art designs like nude, color blocks, abstract patterns, chrome, and more. Care is needed to avoid breakage on the corners.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about achieving beautiful almond shaped acrylic nails, from picking the right shape and length to caring for your manicure.
Choosing the Right Almond Nail Shape for Your Hands
Consider Your Natural Nail Shape
When choosing an almond nail shape, it’s important to consider the natural shape of your nail beds. Those with narrow nail beds may want to opt for a more rounded almond shape rather than an exaggerated sharp point, which can make nails appear smaller.
Pay attention to the width and length of your natural nails – this will help determine how extreme you can go with the almond look. A gentle almond shape often complements those with shorter nail beds best.
Picking the Right Length
Almond nails look amazing at different lengths, whether you prefer short and sweet almonds or sharp stiletto-like talons. Petite hands can pull off a bold, lengthy almond nail, but be conscious of length suiting your lifestyle. Longer almonds may not pair well with an active job.
Conversely, short almond nails (think 1/4 inch of white tip exposure) add a subtle style statement for lower maintenance. Play with lengths and find your ideal balance of fashion and function.
Finding the Right Angle for the Tip
The angle of the almond nail tip impacts the overall look dramatically. A curvier tip creates softer, more natural vibes. Sharper angles result in a bold, edgy style. If going for an extreme stiletto shape, be extra careful – these can easily catch on things and break.
For many, a 45-60 degree angle hits the sweet spot of adding edge while remaining durable. Consider trying different angles to see what complements your nails and style best. Just a slight tweak can make a huge stylistic impact!
Almond Acrylic Nail Design Ideas
Chic Solid Colors
Nothing beats a classic, chic solid color on almond nails. Whether you go for a deep wine red, bright pink, or subtle nude, solid colors allow the elegant almond shape to really shine. For a touch of interest, add a sheer glossy topcoat for a high-shine finish. Not into brights?
Try a dark color like black, chocolate brown, or navy blue for a vampy yet totally stylish look.
Color Blocks
Make a statement by color blocking on your almond nails. Some gorgeous color combo ideas include: red and black, pink and white, blue and yellow, or purple and green. Keep different colors on different nails, or do half-and-half on each nail.
Color blocks look extra eye-catching on long almond acrylics. Feel free to play around and find color combos that you love!
Marbled Acrylics
Marbling is one of the hottest acrylic nail art trends, and it looks fantastic on almond nails. The swirling, painterly look pairs perfectly with the tapered shape. Ask your nail tech to marble different shades together for a mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind look.
Some ideas include pastels, neons, or metallics. Marbling has a cool, artistic vibe that never goes out of style.
Abstract Art
Make your almond nails a tiny canvas for abstract nail art! Abstract designs are bold, expressive, and full of color. Some ideas include geometric shapes, abstract floral motifs, squiggles, and freehand brush strokes. Let your inner artist run free with imaginative designs.
Abstract nail art on almonds has a modern, edgey look.
Encapsulated Glitter
For sparkling almond nails, try encapsulated glitter! This technique suspends glitter flakes within the acrylic for long-lasting wear. Encapsulated glitter comes in every color imaginable, from holographic and iridescent to jewel tones, pastels, neons and more.
A classic French manicure tipped in glitter is one chic idea. Or do a full glitter almond nail for maximal sparkle!
Minimalist Nude
The almond nail shape stands out even when bare. For a minimalist take, do nude or sheer pink almonds with a glossy top coat. This elongates the nails and looks classy and polished. You can add just a touch of glam by accenting one nail with a sparkly embellishment, like a rhinestone or glitter swoosh.
Minimal nudes are perfect for workplaces that don’t allow bright nail colors.
Caring for Your Almond Acrylics
Moisturize Your Cuticles
Keeping your cuticles moisturized is crucial for the health of your almond acrylics. Use a thick, nourishing cuticle cream or oil at least twice a day. Gently push back your cuticles after applying the moisturizer.
This helps prevent cracking and peeling, which can lead to lifting of the acrylic nails. Products like Sally Hansen Cuticle Cream or Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream are great options.
Avoid Picking and Peeling
It can be tempting to pick at or peel lifted edges of the acrylics, but this can damage your natural nails. Use a wooden cuticle pusher to gently nudge the acrylic back into place if lifting occurs. Try to keep your hands busy with activities like squeezing a stress ball so you don’t mindlessly pick.
See your nail technician right away if lifting or other damage occurs to prevent it from getting worse.
Use Cuticle Oil
In addition to cuticle cream, regularly apply cuticle oil to keep the skin around your nails flexible and healthy. Look for formulas containing moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. Gently rub a few drops into each cuticle 2-3 times per day.
Carry a portable cuticle oil like Deborah Lippmann Healthy Cuticles Pen for on-the-go touch ups.
File, Don’t Clip
Never trim your almond acrylic nails with clippers or scissors. Only use a nail file to gently shape and smooth them as needed. Clipping creates stress points that make cracks and breaks more likely. Invest in a high-quality glass file like a Makartt Crystal Nail File and use gentle, even strokes when filing.
Go Easy With Your Hands
While almond acrylics are durable with proper care, they can still be prone to cracking and damage. Try to avoid prolonged exposure to water and chemicals which can weaken the acrylic. Wear rubber gloves when doing housework. Get out of habits like opening bottles and cans with your nails.
Carry a pen or other device to avoid breaking a nail at inconvenient moments.
Conclusion
With so many possibilities, almond shaped nails are one of the most versatile acrylic nail shapes to get right now. Just pick the right length and shape for your hands, opt for a chic nail design, and care carefully for your manicure.
With proper maintenance, your stylish almond acrylics can look fabulous for weeks.
For more inspiration and nail care tips, check out our nail art blog for the latest trends and techniques. Happy styling your new almond nails!
