NAIL ART TAMPA

 BY HANNAH COATES

 Known to be a classic choice, an oval shape will also elongate the nail to give the illusion of length, says Knight. She also points out that an oval nail shape is especially great if you want to do a bit of nail art.

 Courtesy Instagram user @lanea_nailart

 Looking for a super glamorous nail shape? Then the almond nail shape is for you. Like oval nails, almond nails are filed along the sides. The nail wall is tapered to end in a round peak, similar to the shape of an actual almond. Natural nails are often too weak to hold this structure on their own, so most almond manicures are reinforced with gel or acyclic.

 Courtesy Instagram user @afewtoomani

 Stiletto Nails

 Possibly one of the most striking nail shapes you can opt for, stiletto nails are all about the drama. Shaping this spiked look starts off the same as its nuttier counterpart, the almond, but ends at a much sharper point with a wider base. Knight notes that this shape is quite high-maintenance, "but it can showcase creativity with color, art, and texture."

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 Courtesy Instagram user @clawsxcollxtion

 Ballerina Nails

 Ballerina nails, also known as coffin-shaped nails, are Kylie Jenner's go-to nail shape (or at least they were, before she joined Team Short Nail). "We are seeing a huge spike in coffin-shaped nails at the moment," Knight say. "As inspired by the resurgence of Y2K beauty and that throwback style that has made a huge comeback."

 The shape is essentially the same as a stiletto nail but with a square tip instead of a pointed tip — resembling the shape of a coffin and ballerina slipper. This shape offers the length of a stiletto nail without the sharp drama of the tip.

 Courtesy Instagram user @playing_with_nails

 Another easy-to-understand name, lipstick nails are shaped like the cut angle of a fresh tube of lipstick. This squared nail style slants diagonally at the tip for a seriously unique nail shape. Rojas notes, "They work well with any nail length and they'll definitely make you stand out."

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 As the name suggests, this nail shape flares upward and out, and is also known as the duck bill shape. Totty says the best way to enjoy a flared nail is to just have fun with it. "They can't be plain; flashy colors, fun prints and bling are the way to go," she says. "You have to really like attention to be able to rock these beauties."

Nail salons in Tampa

 However, if you work with your hands a lot, this might not be the nail shape for you. "If you work at a bar or you are a hairstylist, have a small child who needs diaper changes, or operate a cleaning business it just won't work," Totty says. "They definitely get in the way compared to more traditional shapes."

 Edge nails form a point, but the point is not as long as a stiletto shape or as aggressive as an arrowhead. However, it offers a slightly sharper angled tip than a mountain peak. "They’re shaped with the sides extending straight before the top edges are filed to look like an edge," Rojas explains. When created with acrylics, the edge nail also forms into a ridge through the center of a nail, mimicking an edge.

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 If you're thinking of giving this shape a try, Totty notes that it's important to be comfortable with the sharpness of the shape. "Those edge nails are very sharp and may get in the way," she says. "It’s also important to get them filled in more often and reshaped to avoid wear and tear."

 With that being said, Lippmann recommends giving this one a try if you want something different and exciting. "Anyone that wants to try a new nail shape should try this," she says. "A new nail shape is just as fun as trying out a new nail color."

 Courtesy Instagram user @kirsty_parker_nail_artist

 Arrowhead nails are a less severe version of a stiletto nail with a shorter point featuring more dramatic angles to create the tip. "These are perfect for those that don’t have or like the super long nails," Rojas says. In fact, this shape is great for someone who wants to test drive long, pointy nails before fully committing to the stiletto shape.

 The type of polish you use has a big impact on your manicure.

 Whether you’re headed to the salon or giving yourself an at-home manicure, you may have noticed that there is no shortage of options when it comes to nail polish. Aside from the traditional formula you’ve been using since you were a child, there are new formulas like gel, builder gel and dip powder that each have their own unique benefits.

 Since understanding the difference between all the options can be a little difficult (don’t even get us started on picking a color) we’ve outlined the difference between eight of the most common types of nail polish and other manicure services or enhancements you may see at the salon (and on social media). Consider this your guide to all things nail polish.

 Let’s start with the basics: traditional nail polish is the kind that has to dry — it’s what many of us think of when we think of nail polish. It’s offered in a variety of finishes from shiny to matte to shimmery and this type of nail polish doesn’t require other equipment like UV or LED lights.

 It’s not the most long-lasting option and you can expect to make it through a week (sometimes less) before becoming victim to a chipped mani. However it’s quick to apply, it doesn’t require expert skills to use and it’s the best option if you can’t commit to the same color for too long.