Sophia Delgado
Coffin nails are long, slim, and chic, and it is possible to create them at home. However, some people find it challenging to achieve the perfect coffin shape. If you're going to a professional manicurist, simply ask for a coffin nail shape, and bring a picture for inspiration. To create this look at home, start by grooming your nails and pushing back or trimming your cuticles. File the top of your nail completely flat and make 90-degree angles on the edges to create a square shape. Then, file the sidewalls straight out from the nail, towards the center on both sides evenly, to create a tapered edge. Once the sides are tapered evenly, cut straight across at the desired length and carefully file the raw edge, maintaining the crisp, sharp edges characteristic of coffin nails.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare your nails by removing old polish and pushing back cuticles
Preparing your nails is the first step to achieving the coffin shape. Start by removing any old nail polish with a non-acetone remover. Apply a small amount of the remover to a cotton ball and gently wipe it over your nail until all traces of polish are gone. If you don't have nail polish remover, you can use a few alternative methods. One option is to apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and place it on your nail for about 10 seconds, gently rubbing it back and forth until the polish comes off. Alternatively, you can use hairspray, soy-based remover, or a mixture of orange juice and vinegar.
Once your nails are polish-free, it's time to push back your cuticles. You can soften your cuticles by soaking your nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes, or by taking a long shower. If you want to add extra moisture, you can put oil, such as coconut oil or cuticle oil, on your cuticles and let it soak in for 2-3 minutes before soaking your hands in warm soapy water. After drying your hands with a clean towel, apply a small amount of cuticle remover or a cuticle balm, and gently push back your cuticles with another nail, a soft cuticle stick, or a soft cloth. Avoid using metal tools as they can be painful if your hand slips.
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File nails into a square shape with 90-degree angles
To achieve the coffin nail shape, 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. This is more of a pre-step that makes creating the coffin shape easier.
To file your nails into a square shape with 90-degree angles, start by filing the edges of your nails at a 90-degree angle to the nail bed. Then, file the corners straight and square. Remember to file in one direction only, and not back and forth. This will help you achieve a neat and precise square shape.
If you want a less sharp look, you can file the corners slightly rounder for a softer, rounded square shape. This shape is known as "squoval".
Once you have achieved the square shape, you can move on to creating the tapered edge of the coffin shape.
To ensure your nails are even, some people suggest shaping them with a plain coat of nail polish on. This helps to disguise any natural imperfections in your nails and can make it easier to file them into the desired shape.
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File the sides of the nails to create a tapered edge
To create a tapered edge for coffin-shaped nails, you must first start with square nails. File the top of your nail completely flat and make 90-degree angles on the edges. This step makes creating the coffin shape easier. Once you have achieved this shape on all ten nails, you can move on to filing the sides of the nails to create a tapered edge.
File the sides of your nails to an angle, as if you were creating a point for both sides to meet in the middle. If you are new to this type of nail filing, it is recommended to go slow and start with one nail at a time. After achieving the desired look on one nail, move on to the next nail and try to mimic the shape.
To create a true coffin nail shape, it is important to remember that it starts as a stiletto. File straight out from the sidewalls and then file the tip straight across into a blunt edge, similar to a square nail. You want the sidewalls to be slightly thinner as your nail reaches the tip to create the slimming coffin appearance. Grab your nail file and file side to side, slowly taking away bulkiness, straight down towards the free edge. Make sure to file away little by little to avoid making the sidewalls too narrow.
It is also important to constantly check your work by viewing the nail from all directions. Don't rely solely on sight; run your fingertip over the nail to feel for bumps.
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Smooth and buff the nails to soften sharp edges
To achieve a coffin shape, it's best to start with square nails. File the top of your nail completely flat and make 90-degree angles on the edges. This is a pre-step that makes creating the coffin shape easier. Once you have this square shape, you can begin to create the tapered edge that characterises coffin nails.
Now, to smooth and buff your nails to soften sharp edges:
Begin by lightly filing your nails to smooth out any sharp edges. Place a nail file at the corner of your nail and gently slide it from the corner to the middle in one direction. Repeat this motion on both sides of your nail until you achieve your desired shape. Try to avoid filing your nails in a rough back-and-forth motion, as this can damage the nail. Instead, use a gentle, unidirectional filing technique.
After filing, there may still be some rough pieces of nail attached to the tip. To address this, place the nail file under the tip and use a flicking motion to remove these nail filings, creating an even smoother edge.
Next is the buffing step. Use a nail buffer block, starting with the most coarse side first if it is not numbered. Hold the buffer parallel to your nail and use unidirectional strokes to buff your nail gently in an X shape. Focus on buffing out any ridges or rough patches. Remember, over-buffing can damage your nails, so use only six to eight strokes per nail.
Finally, use the finer grit side of the buffer or the smooth side, if your buffer has four sides, to polish your nails. Again, hold the buffer parallel to your nail and use unidirectional strokes in an X shape to smooth and polish the nail. Four to six strokes should be sufficient.
After buffing and polishing, your nails will feel super smooth and have a natural, healthy-looking shine. If you wish to add further shine and moisture, apply cuticle oil to the skin bordering each nail and massage it into your cuticles.
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Apply nail polish or decals to finish the look
Once you've achieved the coffin shape for your nails, you can finish off the look by applying nail polish or decals. Here are some detailed steps to help you with the process:
Applying Nail Polish
Start by prepping your nails. Remove any previous polish and wash your hands thoroughly. Push back or trim your cuticles. You can also trim your nails to your desired length using a nail cutter. File the edges of your nails until you achieve the desired coffin shape. It is recommended to start with square nails as it makes creating the coffin shape easier.
After shaping your nails, apply a base coat to provide a good foundation for the nail polish. Let the base coat dry for at least a minute. Shake your chosen nail polish bottle for about a minute to ensure the pigments are fully mixed. Apply a thin layer of nail polish from the cuticle area towards the tip of the nail, distributing it evenly. You can add more coats as desired.
Once the coloured nail polish is dry, finish off by applying a top coat to add shine and protect the nail colour.
Applying Nail Decals
Nail decals are a great way to add intricate designs to your nails. Before applying decals, you can speed up the drying process by placing the bottles of polish in the refrigerator 20 minutes beforehand. After applying the decal, you can also place your hands in a bowl of ice water for about 3 minutes to further reduce drying time.
Place the decal in a small bowl of water for about 15 seconds. Use tweezers to remove the decal from the water, being careful not to flip the design over. Slide off the white backing, as the clear decal around the design is meant to stay on. Dip your nail in the water before applying the decal, which will allow you to adjust its placement. Use a paper towel to gently dry your nail and press the decal onto your nail.
Finally, apply at least two top coats of clear polish to seal the decal and protect the design.
Now you have the perfect coffin-shaped nails with a stylish finish!
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Frequently asked questions
File the top of your nail completely flat and make 90-degree angles on the edges. Then, file the sidewalls straight out from the nail, up and over towards the centre on both sides evenly. Once the sides are tapered evenly, cut straight across at the length you want.
Prep your cuticles by pushing them back or trimming them. Remove any previous nail polish and wash your hands thoroughly.
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.
Coffin nails are prone to breakage because of their length and flat tips. It is recommended to get them done at a professional nail salon using acrylics. Additionally, some people find it difficult to achieve the coffin shape on shorter nails, so it may be better to get them extended at a salon.
