This Divisive Nail Trend Is Back in a Major Way

From TikTok to the red carpet, square nails are truly everywhere.

Nail shapes are much like the silhouettes of gowns and dresses—everybody has their go-to that makes them feel their best. From almond to natural and stiletto, there are quite literally dozens of different shapes and sub-shapes to choose from. While none really go out of style, there are some nail trends that come to be associated with certain eras and aesthetics.

Take the flared duck nail shape—a favorite of one of our manicure muses, Ice Spice—for example. In the ‘00s, the style was never more prominent. It was one of the dominant nail shapes, heavily associated with icons of the era like Snooki's short-lived reign as the queen of reality TV on The Jersey Shore. Usually donned with flashy designs and charms, it quickly left the trend cycle until the re-emergence of Y2K aesthetics made it inescapable. Now it's back and better than ever.

A similar resurgence is happening with the square nail shape. However, unlike duck nails, a square-shaped manicure is whole lot more versatile (and therefore inescapable). Ahead, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the new-again square nail trend. Plus, how to recreate it at home.

The Trend

To say square nails have ever been a full-on fashion faux pas would be a lie. Truthfully, blunt, squared nails have never gone out of style, and as far back as you look, you will always be able to find someone sporting the nail shape. However, we haven’t seen this big of a square nail revival since the early 2000s when they were at their peak.

Since the latter half of 2022, square nails have been on a steady rise, with celebrity cosigners and online relevance at an all-time high. In fact, short square nails have appeared on Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, Rihanna, and more in the past few years.

This return to simplicity made sense with the end of the work-from-home era as more office-centric styles began to take hold. Many of us swapped our long almond nails for short square ones to be more functional. Rita Remark, NY-based manicurist & essie Global Lead Educator, told Byrdie in 2022, “Longer, dramatic nails have been the trend for a few years now, so shorter, more utilitarian lengths feel edgier. While I don't think long nails are suddenly on their way out—quite the contrary—I do think that a bit more length variety is on its way in.” 

Almost two years later, she was proven right. Square-shaped tips are everywhere, taking over salons in a variety of lengths, styles, and designs.

As of 2024, you can’t scroll through Instagram or watch a red carpet without seeing someone sport a square nail. Since January, Megan Fox wore the shape in half-a-foot-long length, Ice Spice wore an extended version of the shape to the Grammys, Dua Lipa tried short square nails out in chrome, and Jennifer Lopez ditched her usual almond for medium-length square nails at the Golden Globes. And that's just in the past few months.

The trend has spawned countless interpretations—from all those aforementioned celeb looks to square nails in buzzy colors like dark red, mismatched shades, stone gray, and even the naked French design. Regardless of length, color, and form, square nails are clearly having a renaissance.

How to Get the Look

There is no limit to the ways to wear this trend. You choose a variety of sizes, lengths, and designs to put your own twist on square nails. Considering the style's simplicity, you might already know how to achieve the look yourself. However, we have you covered with the step-by-step to make it perfect, ahead.

Tips

Julie Kandalec, NYC-based celebrity manicurist, gave us the perfect tip for finishing off the filing process and making sure they are even. “Working in the center of the nail, gently file the tip as square as desired,” she says. “Tip: If you tilt the nail file downwards as you file, the edge will be more rounded. For a perfectly square nail, hold the file at a 90-degree angle while you shape.”

• As with creating any nail shape, you want to start on clean nails. So, start by removing any lingering nail polish with remover.

• Then, cut your nails to the desired length—this would also be the time to apply any tips or press-on if you want.

• Next, simply file down your nails to your desired square shape.

• For a perfect square nail shape, you will want to file your nails straight across the tip, especially on any curved section of your nails, to even them out.

• Then, buff the surface of your nail for an smooth nailbed before applying your favorite base coat. Wait for it to dry before applying any color or designs.

• Once dry paint any color of your choice, create a French tip, add rhinestones, whatever you want! Just seal it in with a top coat, and you’re good to go. 
  

Read the original article on Byrdie.