Source: mikroman6 / Getty
I remember the first time I had a mani/pedi. I felt instantly different. I felt more put-together. I even felt more powerful. Your hands and feet are your extremities—they are your contact points between the rest of your body and the world with which you interact. Shouldn’t they be well cared-for? If we break a person down into two categories—the inner and the outer—the hands and feet are really the outer outer. You shake hands with those digits. You do your work with them. You run, walk, and navigate the earth with your feet. These are powerful parts of the body and, as such, they should represent a little something about the inner you. Our cosmetics communicate a lot in an instant, which is great when we don’t always have the time to explain ourselves to each new person we meet. Here is what your nail style says about you.
Source: Julia Pfeifer / EyeEm / Getty
Short and square
Do you keep your nails about as short as possible and squared? You may have tomboy traits, but are still feminine. You want a utilitarian manicure, because you use your hands a lot. You don’t want long nails getting in the way of the things you like to do with your hands (like crafting, fixing things, sculpting, building things), but you still want to look manicured.
Source: Dà Shi Jiang Lí / EyeEm / Getty
Textured
Is each nail completely coated in stones and gems? They’re even a little heavy, aren’t they? You’re a partier. There’s no two ways about it. Those nails are not practical for daily life but that’s okay because you don’t live for daily life—you live for nightlife and a little trouble.
Source: Kathryn Donohew Photography / Getty
Animal print gels
Animal print gels denote a personality that is adventurous and confident. You feel no need to hide your femininity. You flirt for sport. You’ll never say no to a last-minute road trip. You love to wear a classic, wispy headscarf with giant Hollywood sunglasses on the back of a motorcycle (if you get the chance to).
Source: Bill Diodato/Corbis / Getty
Emojis/characters
Does each nail look like a ladybug, Disney character, or other adorable creature? You’re young at heart. You’re playful. You probably have a year-round Disneyland pass. You love animals, and all things cute.
Source: mikroman6 / Getty
Stiletto
Do you have those sharp, pointed tips? You’re a little fierce. Your attitude tells people not to try to get anything past you or pull any BS. You’re still warm and feminine, but you’re a badger for those you love, and quick to pounce on those who wrong them (or you).
Source: Tibrina Hobson / Getty
French tip
The French tip speaks of sophistication with a touch of Country Club attitude. You likely own a few crisp white collared shirts that do or don’t tie at the waist to go over a waist-high poodle skirt or cigarette pants a-la Audrey Hepburn style. Exuding grace and class is important to you.
Source: Julia Pfeifer / EyeEm / Getty
Squoval
Otherwise known as the square/oval. You’re always right on trend. These aren’t necessarily the trends you’d find in night club wear but rather, the trends you’d find on the artistically-inclined, fedora-dawning, café-dweller. Remember when everyone started wearing just one feather earing? You were one of the first.
Source: George Mdivanian / EyeEm / Getty
Clean but plain
You keep your cuticles in check, buff out the edges, and keep things clean, but you keep your nails short, you don’t do any sort of shaping, and you don’t wear polish (or maybe just a clear one). You’re happy to keep things simple. You likely have a lot of white t’s, cardigans, and boyfriend jeans. Perhaps a good amount of comfy ballet flats. You’ve never needed to exert your personality much through your appearance. You have a quiet calmness that people find soothing.
Source: Julia Pfeifer / EyeEm / Getty
Coffin
The coffin style is usually long, but with a distinctly square and flat tip. It exudes confidence and a fearlessness around trying new looks. The woman with the coffin nails will have new hair each time you see her and a phone case that pushes the boundaries of what a phone case is meant to be.
Source: Julia Pfeifer / EyeEm / Getty
Oval
The oval look denotes a poised personality. You don’t make a fool of yourself often—you make sure of it by doing your research before social engagements and being well-versed in making everyone around you feel at-ease and special.
Source: stock_colors / Getty
Extra long claws
Do you work those extra long claws? They’re so long that people often ask you how you type? You believe that everything in life should be a little extra. You never drive to work without an absolutely bumping playlist—even if you don’t like your job—and you’re all about the funky restaurants with ambiance over the quiet, bland, Michelin star places.
Source: Zsanett Deme / EyeEm / Getty
Bedazzled
Do you rock a few, well, shiny rocks? You add a couple sparkles to each nail because you add sparkle to everyone’s day. People may describe you as someone who lights up a room. Your personality is playful, cheery, and positive.
Source: mikroman6 / Getty
One is different from the others
Are all nails uniform expect for that one with polka dots? You’re a bit quirky. You march to the beat of your own drum. Your wedding may take place in an arcade one day or other alternative wedding venue and you might have one of those cheeseburger phones.
Source: Mariia Kalinichenko / EyeEm / Getty
Deep red
The deep red nail is timeless and goes with everything. It’s hard not to look sensual and distinctly womanly when you have a red nail—you know that, and that’s what you like about it, because you’re sensual and womanly.
Source: Sergii Petruk / EyeEm / Getty
Black or dark nails
Do you have black polish? Or red or green that’s so dark it’s nearly black? You have a tough center with a soft topping. What I mean is that you don’t exactly come off as warm at first. Nobody would describe you as bubbly. But you do ultimately like people and you want to help others. You do care about how your presence affects others, which is why you went through the trouble of painting your nails, even if they’re black.
