Nails come in all shapes and sizes. From square and short to long and pointy, there are countless ways to style your mani when your nail tech asks: “what shape?” One shape that seems to stand the test of time (and every nutty TikTok trend) is the classic oval nail.
“The oval shape is like a hybrid, taking the best features of the almond and round shapes,” says Sigourney Nuñez, Sally Hansen global nail partner. The nail shape has long been regarded as the most flattering, and for good reason. Unlike its more angular counterparts like square and stiletto shapes, the oval’s distinctive smooth, rounded edges help elongate the fingers to create a softer, more refined look that complements every hand size or nail-bed shape.
Meet the expert
Ahead, browse through 30 oval nail ideas to see if the shape is for you.
Strawberry Milk
Oval nails offer a classic and sophisticated look that never goes out of style, so pairing with an equally as elegant design complements the shape’s overall look and feel, says Rianna Basurto, director of marketing and brand development at Bellacures. Tapping into the minimalist beauty trends taking over TikTok right now, these strawberry milk nails are a sweet style that features a delicate, milky finish with pink undertones to mimic the creamy color of delicious strawberry milk.
Field of Daisies
Floral manis are hardly new, but they make an adorable design that always elicits compliments. Though florals can be a bit intricate and difficult to mimic, the simplest patterns can be just as powerful—take this whimsical daisy design for example. Building off of the bright blue French base, adding small floral touches brings a manicure from basic to simple to dynamic.
Chrome On Chrome
Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce says chrome nails are popular with a lot of her clients right now—and that says a lot since the likes of Megan Fox, Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry (to name a few) have entered Boyce’s salon as of late. Not to mention, the oval shape creates the perfect base for a mirror-like reflection.
Walk On The Wild Side
With the rise of trends like Mob Wife and Brat Summer, going for a bolder manicure design is the epitome of cool-girl. Cheetah print nails bring a bold and edgy flair with their distinctive classic spots. Using warm, earthy tones like beige and brown, this print offers a fierce yet timeless design that pairs well with almost every outfit.
Side Eye
With a neutral base and a universally flattering oval shape, you can get creative with designs. Featuring a pale yellow base adorned by minimalist geometric accents that have an almost thermal feel, the oval shape enhances the manicure’s subtle details, allowing them to flow smoothly across the curved surface of the nail.
Swirls & Squiggles
Negative space is a great way to extend the wear of a gel manicure, says Molly Romah, head nail artist at Chillhouse. Thanks to the use of swirls and waves at the tips of the nails, the design still feels fun and modern while allowing the neutral negative space at the base to allow for grow-out for an extra few weeks of wear.
Emerald Gemstone
This rich, deep green hue is absolutely intoxicating. Using this striking shade as the base, layer a few abstract white lines and shimmering gold accents to the mani to capture the intricate and alluring look of a broken-open gemstone.
Chrome Flame Heart
Want a twist on the classic chrome? Try adding some flames. And maybe some hearts, too. Designed by Boyce, these nails are the perfect balance of cute and edgy. What’s even better is this eye-catching mani doesn’t require hours in the salon, since they’re available as press-ons.
Neon Checker Print
“Checker print always looks better with an oval shape,” says Romah. “Even if you have short nails, if you round them out a bit then the checker-print design can seamlessly blend to the corners of the nail.”
Barbie Ombré
Hi, Barbie! Neon pink manicures aren’t going anywhere, and the Barbie effect is still in full swing despite the movie coming out over a year ago. If you love the color pink but don’t love manicures that are overly bold, a subtle ombré is a great option to bring to your nail tech. This darling design is particularly flattering on oval-shaped nails because the rounded edges accentuate the gradient, allowing the ombré to appear more fluid and seamless.
Cotton Candy
The cousin of the aura nail, cotton candy manicures complement an oval nail shape by using soft, swirling colors to enhance the gradient and create a smooth, cohesive look. With the right color scheme of dreamy shades of pink, blue, and lavender, you will instantly be transported to the county fair when sporting this delicious design.
Hot Pink
These Glamnetic Hot Pink nails with a short oval shape perfectly capture a bold, vibrant energy that’s both playful and timeless for summer—or anytime, really. The ultimate statement color, this daring color is reminiscent of days spent in the pool with pink flamingo floats and refreshing pink lemonade.
Shaken or Stirred
Why not let your mani match your drink of choice? Martini nails showcase a sophisticated design inspired by the iconic cocktail.
Peachy Keen
We always a-peach-iate a good fruit nail design. A fun option for summer or a tropical vacation, a bright, colorful fruit design can instantly lift your mood and get you in that out-of-office spirit. These adorable peaches add a fresh, lively element to your classic oval shape and pastel peach base.
Through The Fire
Make a statement with this flickering flame manicure. The oval nail shape is perfect for this design as it elongates the fingers and allows the flames to flow smoothly along the nail’s natural curves, creating a dramatic yet cohesive look.
Deep Sea
The deep ocean is as mysterious as it is enticing—and these deep violet nails evoke the same emotions. Capturing the mesmerizing beauty of the ocean, these dramatic nails feature rich, deep blues and purples, as well as shimmering silver accents that mimic the glint of sunlight on the water.
Caramel Apple
Inspired by the unofficial sweet treat of fall, these caramel apple nails feature a bronze chrome French tip and velvet finish that will get you excited for the season of flannels, pumpkin spice everything and scary movie marathons.
3D Neutrals
Everyone loves a neutral nail, but let’s face it – sometimes the “same old same old” can get a bit boring. An easy fix is adding some 3D elements to bring a modern vibe to your beloved Bubble Bath manis. Bring this bubble-detail design to your salon and we guarantee everyone will want to copy you.
Koi Pond
Japan has been the trendiest travel destination of the year. But even if you can’t afford a plane ticket around the world (a girl can dream), you can channel the tranquil ambiance of the gorgeous Japanese landscape with this koi pond-inspired design.
Mint Green
These minty-fresh nails boast a soft yet lively green hue, ideal for adding a playful splash to your solid-color manis. As enticing as a delicious scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, this design offers a refreshing twist on fall’s typical palette, bringing a crisp, clean contrast to the usual autumnal hues.
Bare & Basic
The simple yet striking half-moon circles at the base of the nail provide an extra punch to the classic French manicure. To recreate the look, apply a few coats of your favorite neutral base color and, when dried, grab a small nail brush to draw the semi-circles, careful to keep the same width and height on each nail.
Thermal Vision
Channel main-character energy with this striking and vivid design. These nails mimic the captivating effect of thermography using a bold blue base and dynamic, eye-catching hues of reds and greens.
French Ombré
Wedding season is upon us, and this chic French ombré is the perfect way to incorporate something blue into your big day. To recreate this design, use a small makeup sponge to apply your two colors—in this case, neutral beige and baby blue–by gently tapping onto the nail repeatedly to blend together smoothly.
Vintage Crystal
Selenite is a translucent gem with a pearl-like luster—aka, the most gorgeous inspiration for a manicure possibly ever. This manicure features a soft minimalistic design with a shimmering finish, and the oval shape of the nail makes the nod to selenite that much more palpable.
Aura Nails
We are obsessed with aura manicures. Featuring a soft, halo-like gradient this dreamy mani can be created by gently dragging the color out to the edges of an oval nail to give the illusion of a glowing aura. Make this design your own by getting creative with the color palette—this mani plays with pinks and reds for an almost mystical quality that’s both modern and elegant.
Micro French
This subtle design offers a modern twist on the classic French manicure, but instead of the traditional broad white tips, micro French nails feature a delicate, barely there line of white or a soft pastel at the very edge of the nail, creating a subtle contrast and air of whimsy.
Silver Circles
Geometric shapes are the new black. This eclectic design showcases a neutral base color that provides a subtle backdrop for the main feature: delicate yet striking silver circles.
Evil Eye
Santorini is calling! This Grecian oval design features a bold and intricate pattern centered around the symbolic evil eye, which is said to reflect the evil around you and protect you from others’ jealousy.
Pink French
French nails are a classic for a reason, and you seriously can’t go wrong with a fun, vibrant tip like this pink mani. The oval shape helps elongate the fingers, giving a refined and graceful appearance that enhances the French manicure and makes the tips look more polished and sophisticated.
Neon Details
Oh neon nails, we will never grow tired of you. For a bold design that still feels elevated, use a fine-line brush to paint playful stars across a few accent nails and seal them with a shimmering gold polish for an added punch.
