A new manicure is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your look. Whether it’s a splash of red polish quickly applied in between meetings or a spa-like experience with cool nail art, fresh nails have power. Another great thing about manicures? There are a lot of styles and nail shapes to choose from. Some, like square, almond and oval, have a traditional look. But for those who like to play around with extensions, a blended shape, such as almondetto, is much more enticing.
Like squoval nails, the almondetto shape is a mix of two popular styles: almond and stiletto. But this look is not for the timid. Aside from it’s unique shape, almondetto nails typically come in long or extra-long lengths for a more dramatic effect. If you’re new to the trend, we talked to the experts about what to know and how to get the look.
Featured experts
- Brittney Boyce is a celebrity manicurist
- Shel Pink is the founder of SpaRitual
What are almondetto nails?
The term almondetto nails refers strictly to the shape of the nails and is a mash-up of almond and stiletto nails. The unique shape borrows elements of both to form a sleek extension style that has been popular with celebrities for a while now. “The basic shape of almondetto nails is long and narrow,” says Brittney Boyce, celebrity manicurist and founder of Nails of LA. Instead of full and round, she notes that the almond portion of the nail is much thinner, while the stiletto tip has a more softer shape than usual.
What to ask for at the salon to get almondetto nails
Finding an almondetto look you love won’t be hard. With A-listers like Selena Gomez, Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez wearing the shape regularly, there are designs to fit every preference. When you’re headed to the salon, Boyce says it’s a good idea to bring detailed photos for reference to ensure you get the right length and style. “A lot of people have different ideas of shapes and lengths, and so this really helps avoid being unhappy,” she says. According to Shel Pink, founder of SpaRitual, different nail shapes can shift the overall look of the nails and hands. The almondetto shape is a good example as it helps elongate the fingers for an ultra-feminine look.
The beauty of this trend is that it can also be done at home. Many DIY nail extension kits offer the standard shapes, but if you want to get the almondetto look, Boyce says that Apres Nail’s Gel-X Tip Stiletto Tips ($19) in medium or long are best. “These tips are perfect for this look and can be filed down to get more of the almondetto shape.”
What designs work best with almondetto nails?
The extra-long length of almondetto nails is ideal for nail art and unique designs. But the slim nature of the extension makes a great canvas for solid-colored manicures. “This is one of my favorite shapes for chrome looks,” says Boyce. The manicurist also adds that the shape works well with designs, including classics like the French manicure and fun trends such as aura nails and 3-D looks.
Almondetto nail ideas
