30 Oval Nail Designs to Elevate Your Manicure Game

 

PHOTO: 

@NAILARTBYMOLLY

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

 

• Sigourney Nuñez is a nail artist and Sally Hansen global nail partner.
• Rianna Basurto is the director of marketing and brand development at Bellacures.
• Brittney Boyce is a celebrity nail artist and co-founder of press-on line Lost Angels.
• Molly Romah is the head nail artist at Chillhouse.

Ahead, browse through 30 oval nail ideas to see if the shape is for you.

01of 30

Strawberry Milk

@RACHELSUENAILS

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.

02of 30

Field of Daisies

@MADNAILS

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.

03of 30

Chrome On Chrome

@LOSTANGELSBEAUTY

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.  

04of 30

Walk On The Wild Side

@MADNAILS

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. 

05of 30

Side Eye

@MAILARTBYMOLLY

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.

06of 30

Swirls & Squiggles

@NAILARTBYMOLLY

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. 

07of 30

Emerald Gemstone

@MADNAILS

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. 

08of 30

Chrome Flame Heart

@LOSTANGELSBEAUTY

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.

09of 30

Neon Checker Print

@NAILARTBYMOLLY

“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.” 

10of 30

Barbie Ombré

@NAILARTBYMOLLY

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.

11of 30

Cotton Candy

@NAILARTBYMOLLY

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.

12of 30

Hot Pink

@GLAMNETIC

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.

13of 30

Shaken or Stirred

@CHILLHOUSE

Why not let your mani match your drink of choice? Martini nails showcase a sophisticated design inspired by the iconic cocktail.

14of 30

Peachy Keen

@NAILARTBYMOLLY

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.

15of 30

Through The Fire

@RACHELSUENAILS

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.

16of 30

Deep Sea

@LAURADIDMYNAILS

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. 

17of 30

Caramel Apple

@GLAMNETIC

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.

18of 30

3D Neutrals

@LOSTANGELSBEAUTY

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. 

19of 30

Koi Pond

@THEHANGEDIT

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.

20of 30

Mint Green

@GLAMNETIC

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.

21of 30

Bare & Basic

@THEHANGEDIT

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.

22of 30

Thermal Vision

@THEHANGEDIT

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.

23of 30

French Ombré

@NAILS_AND_BEAUTY_BY_DAISY

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. 

24of 30

Vintage Crystal

@FLEURYROSENAILS

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. 

25of 30

Aura Nails

@LOSTANGELSBEAUTY

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. 

26of 30

Micro French

@DANATURENAILS

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.

27of 30

Silver Circles

@FLEURYROSENAILS

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. 

28of 30

Evil Eye

@JESS_NAILS_IT

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.

29of 30

Pink French

@LOSTANGELSBEAUTY

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.

30of 30

Neon Details

@GOSSIPANDGLOSS

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.