"Fall in Love with These Coffin-Shaped Valentines Day Nails" (2024)

FAQs

Why are they called coffin nails? ›

Coffin nails (also known as ballerina nails) are essentially the stiletto nail, but with a square rather than pointy tip. They are long, tapered and filed flat at the tip. They are called coffin nails or ballerina nails because the shape resembles both a coffin and a ballerina's slipper.

The coffin shape is unique because the nail bed and nail tip are kept to the same width, while the middle part of the nail is shaped wider. This narrow-wide-narrow shape gives an "illusion of narrow nail beds and slim fingers," explains Hirsch Hunty, a nail artist from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ballerina or Coffin

Well, these two names refer to the nearly exact same style, which tapers into a straight, squared-off tip. Kandalec says this nail shape is trending among those who like long nails and are getting ahead of the aforementioned retro revival trend.

Coffin nails is the description of a nail shape. Some describe it as a long nail like a stiletto but with a blunt end and angles at the sides in the shape of a coffin. Some also call it a “ballerina”.

Why choose coffin nails? They elongate the fingers and provide a bigger canvas for nail art. And they obviously add a bit of edge to every outfit. They've also been seen on the fingers of myriad celebrities, from nearly all of the Kardashian-Jenners (Jenner-Kardashians?) to Zendaya.

This sophisticated shape can give you an elegant and classy look, regardless of how you choose to design your them. Plus, they make your fingers look slimmer, which can be a lifesaver if you enjoy wearing rings. Coffin nails also look fantastic regardless of your favorite nail length.

Trending nail shapes for 2024

2. Coffin: Coffin-shaped nails, also known as ballerina nails, feature a square shape with tapered and pointed tips. This shape provides a bold and trendy look that is popular among many fashion-forward individuals.

If you have short palms and short fingers, it's best to opt for rounded oval and almond shapes. For longer palms and fingers, consider dramatic stiletto or coffin (or ballerina) shaped styles.

Everyone can go for this trendy nail shape. Especially, if you are the girl who cannot grow out her nails and wants really long, cool nails, our team would suggest you coffin nails as the way to go.

The Fan Favorites

Coming in as one of the most popular nail shapes out there is the squoval nail shape. A blend of the square and oval nail shapes, squoval nails make for an elegant look. Keeping the straight square edge with soft rounded edges, this balanced shape might be your new favorite staple.

What is the most feminine nail shape? ›

Oval-shaped nails are considered classic and feminine, being similar to an almond but a bit more blunt. They have softly rounded edges that follow the natural shape of the fingertip, helping elongate nails in both width and length. Square-shaped nails have straight, flat edges and sharp corners.

Ballerina nails are essentially the stiletto nail, but with a square rather than pointy tip. They're called ballerina nails or coffin nails because the shape resembles both a coffin and a ballerina's slipper.

Coffin-Shaped Nails

But on a daily basis, coffin nails (a.k.a ballerina nails) aren't the most practical shape choice. "If you have weak or short nail beds, I would advise going with a short coffin nail look because it leaves you less exposed for nail breaks, but still feels creative," Lin suggests.

Coffin or Ballerina

This shape works well for those with naturally strong, long nails and slim fingers. To create it, simply square off the free edge.

The widespread smoking of cigarettes in the Western world is largely a 20th-century phenomenon. By the late 19th century cigarettes were known as coffin nails but the link between lung cancer and smoking was not established until the 20th century.

Ballerina Nails

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.

Though many places tend to lump them in together, there is a slight difference between ballerina nails and coffin nails that you can use to distinguish the type you want. They both follow the shape of a stiletto nail towards the tips, but the ballerina nail appears wider because of its rounded edges.