Ava Monroe
Coffin nails are long, slim, and chic, and can be created at home. Before shaping your nails, prep your cuticles by pushing them back or trimming them, and remove any old nail polish. File your nails into a square shape with a flat top and 90-degree angles at the corners. Then, create a tapered edge for the coffin shape. Some people draw a straight line with a Sharpie on their nails as a guide, while others use a mirror to check the shape. You can also cut the sides of the nail with clippers to minimise the amount of filing needed.
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What You'll Learn
Prep your nails by pushing back or trimming cuticles
To prep your nails for a coffin shape, start by removing any old nail polish with an acetone-free nail polish remover. Wash your hands thoroughly and then soak your nails in a bowl of warm water for about 5 minutes to soften the cuticles. Dry your hands and nails completely with a clean towel.
Next, you can either push back or trim your cuticles. If you choose to push them back, use a cuticle pusher to gently push back the eponychium. Be careful not to push too hard, as this can be painful and damage the living tissue. Follow up by sanitising the nail's surface with spray-on hand sanitiser to remove any excess residue.
If you decide to trim your cuticles instead, use a cuticle nipper to remove any dead skin or hangnails. Only trim the free edge of the cuticle, avoiding the live skin to prevent the risk of bacterial infection. Disinfect your tools after use with alcohol or a sterilising solution to avoid bacteria.
After pushing back or trimming your cuticles, apply a generous amount of cuticle oil to add moisture and soften them further. You can also use coconut oil or petroleum jelly. Follow this with a hand cream or lotion to lock in moisture and protect your nails and skin.
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Remove old polish and wash hands
Achieving the perfect coffin nail shape at home may be challenging, but it is possible. Before you begin shaping, it is important to start with well-groomed nails. Start by removing any old nail polish with a remover of your choice. Then, wash your hands thoroughly to ensure that your nails are clean and free of any residue. This step is crucial as it provides a clean base for you to work on and helps you achieve better results.
After removing the old polish, you can begin shaping your nails into the desired coffin shape. It is recommended to start with square nails as a base. File the top of your nail flat, creating 90-degree angles on the edges. This initial square shape will make it easier to achieve the coffin shape. Once you have achieved a square shape on all your nails, you can move on to the next step.
Some people find it helpful to apply a plain coat of polish before shaping their nails further. This trick can help you focus on achieving the desired shape without being distracted by any natural imperfections in your nails. You can also use a mirror to check the shape from different angles, as your nails may appear different when viewed directly versus in a mirror.
To create the distinctive tapered edge of coffin nails, you can use nail clippers to cut each side of the tip, minimizing the amount of filing required. Then, file from underneath to even out any unevenness. Remember to take your time and go slowly when filing to ensure precision.
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File the top of your nail flat with 90-degree angles on the edges
To create the perfect coffin nail shape at home, you should first prep your nails by pushing back or trimming your cuticles. It's also a good idea to remove any old polish and wash your hands.
Now, for the coffin shape: file the top of your nail completely flat, creating a square shape with 90-degree angles on the edges. This is a crucial pre-step that will make achieving the coffin shape much easier.
When filing your nails, it's important to remember to file in one direction, not back and forth. This will help you achieve a neat and precise square shape. You can use a nail file to gently file the edges of your nails, ensuring straight and sharp 90-degree angles.
Some people find it helpful to draw a straight line on their nails with a Sharpie to guide their filing. Alternatively, you can use a mirror to check the shape as you file. Looking at your nails facing towards you will give you a different perspective, allowing you to see all angles and make adjustments as needed.
Once you've achieved a perfect square shape on all your nails, it's time to move on to the next step of creating the tapered edge that defines the coffin shape.
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Create a tapered edge
To create a tapered edge for coffin nails, start with a square nail foundation. This ensures straight side walls and a well-defined apex. Sculpt the nail with a focus on creating a squared-off tip that maintains a sleek and symmetrical appearance. The sides of coffin nails are straight and parallel, but they should taper sharply towards the tip to create a sleek and elongated look.
Use precise filing techniques to refine the shape, ensuring the taper towards the tip is gradual and elegant. File your nails into a tapered square, narrowing slightly towards the tip but not too much, as you don't want a pointed end. Then, file the tips straight across and smooth the edges without rounding them. The goal is to cut towards the free edge, making sure it stays as horizontal as possible. File side to side slowly, taking away bulkiness and straight down towards the free edge.
If your coffin shape feels too sharp, use a buffer block to buff underneath your nail to smooth everything out. Flipping your hand so it faces you will help you get the shape right because you'll be able to see all angles and file the free edge as well. You can then apply nail decals, polish, or other nail art.
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Check your work by looking at your nails in a mirror
To check your work, look at your nails in a mirror. This will give you a different perspective on their appearance, which is what others will see. You can also use your nail pointer to check the shape, but keep it away from your nails to avoid smudging or chipping.
It can be challenging to file your nails evenly, and you may find that you've filed more on one side than the other. Using a mirror can help you spot any uneven filing and correct it. Some people also find it helpful to draw a straight line on their nails with a Sharpie to guide their filing. Alternatively, you can apply a plain coat of nail polish to your nails before shaping them. This can help you focus on achieving a uniform shape without being distracted by the natural imperfections of your nails.
If you're aiming for a coffin shape, it's important to start with square nails. File the top of your nail completely flat and create 90-degree angles on the edges. This will make it easier to achieve the desired coffin shape. Once you've achieved a square shape on all your nails, you can start creating the tapered edge characteristic of coffin nails.
Keep in mind that longer nails tend to curl, and our fingers are rarely perfect. Drawing guiding lines on your nails can help you achieve a more even shape. Additionally, artificial nails can be easier to shape than natural nails since they can fix issues like distorted nail beds.
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Frequently asked questions
Coffin-shaped nails are long, slim, and chic. They are similar to square-shaped nails but with a tapered edge.
Before you pull out your nail file, begin by grooming your nails. Push back or trim your cuticles, remove any previous nail polish, and wash your hands thoroughly.
It is best to start off with square nails. File the top of your nail completely flat and make 90-degree angles on the edges.
Once your square shape is complete on all 10 nails, file from the side or underneath to create the tapered edge. Go slowly when filing and flip your hand over to look at the nail from under between filing.
Some people draw a straight line using a Sharpie on their nails to guide their filing. Alternatively, you can make a mental straight line and use a mirror to check the shape.
