You deserve a birthday celebration that’s as bold, unique, and beautiful as you are. And when it comes to birthday looks, it doesn’t end with the dress, hair, or shoes. Your birthday manicure can be a great way to showcase your creativity and style and put everyone in the mood for a truly wonderful party.
That’s why our team here at Nailboo is excited to share some of our favorite birthday manicure ideas and designs. Our job doesn’t end when you find the right dip nail kit for your next at-home manicure. We also want to provide the guides, tutorials, and ideas that will make it easy for you to create all the looks you love with ease—and for every great occasion.
Here are some manicure styles you’ll want to consider when it’s time to pick that perfect new birthday look.
Nail Shapes
One of the most unique and defining characteristics of your next manicure is the shape—and you have so many great options to pick from. Here are a few of our favorite nail shapes that you might want to consider for your next birthday style.
Round Nails
Round nails give off a softer and more relaxed look, and they’re a great option for people who tend to damage or chip longer nails. Round nails require a lot less maintenance than some of the other nail shape options and look great in flat colors and for those with shorter fingers.
If you want to have a natural look on your birthday, a nail treatment with some clear polish is striking on round nails.
Oval Nails
As the name indicates, oval nails are a slightly more elongated and oval variation of round nails. The look is very feminine and wonderful for adding a graceful, longer look to the fingers. With oval nails, you have a lot of options since they’re still low maintenance and less prone to chipping and breakage, but with more room for trying new colors and designs.
Almond Nails
Almond nails are the bolder big sister of the oval nail shape. They’re named for the almond in your kitchen, with a pointed edge and longer, curved middle. While there are several nail shapes with pointed tips, the almond shape is still relatively easy to care for and is a great middle-ground if you’re looking for excitement without a lot of maintenance.
Square Nails
Square nails are a chic and modern approach to your next manicure and a great canvas for your favorite designs and decals. They add a look of effortless luxury and are easy to maintain, thanks to their shape. Bold, trendy colors go well with the square nail design, but you can use them for all of your favorite patterns and shapes. People with thinner, longer nails tend to gravitate toward this nail shape.
Stiletto Nail
The stiletto nail takes it to a whole new level. For the birthday girl or guy who loves the drama and a chance to show off their style without apology, there’s nothing quite like a stiletto nail. Named for the bold point of your favorite stiletto shoe, stiletto nails come to a point at the end and are familiar to those who use acrylic nails.
This shape can require a little more maintenance than others, but for the birthday celebration of the year, it’s definitely worth it.
Coffin Nail
The coffin nail, also known as the ballerina nail, is dramatic and bold in its own way. If you love nail art and designs, then the coffin nail look is perfect for you, as there’s plenty of blank canvas to work with. Like stiletto nails, they deliver on glamor and excitement, but with a flat tip, rather than a pointed one, you won’t have to worry as much about maintenance or potential damage.
Nail Designs
Once you’ve decided on the best shape for your nails, it all comes down to the style and design—and the opportunities for creative birthday expression are endless. Not only do you have a lot of gorgeous nail options to pick from, but you can mix and match some of the classics and trending styles for a look unique and individual to your birthday.
Here are some of our favorite festive birthday designs that you’ll want to try out for your next special day.
Glitter Nails
Is there anything more dramatic or luxurious than glitter nails? There are so many different ways to add a dash of glitter to your next manicure that you just can’t go wrong. Glitter tips and accent nails are subtle and stylish, whereas a full set of ombre glitter nails can show that you’re not kidding around when it comes to having a great time.
The best part about glitter nails is that they look great in every color. Whether you’re going for a high-class style or you want to head out for a night on the town with your best friends, you can find a glitter polish or method that really works for your brand of celebration.
Neon Nails
Neon nails are another can’t-miss choice for birthday celebration styles. Find your favorite shades of neon for the tips, and combine them with bold black and white lines, or take the rainbow approach with a full set of all the hues and tones you love most.
Rainbow colors stand out best when on longer, fuller nails, so consider trying them out on a set of coffin or stiletto nails for a can’t-be-beat birthday look.
Confetti Nails
When it comes to your birthday celebration, it’s all about the festive. That’s why confetti nails are such a cool and unique option for the party—and the after-party. Confetti nails are the perfect combination of polka dots and glitter nails because you can pick out your favorite colors and apply them in your favorite patterns. Cascading dots from the tips to the base add a fluid and fun look or try out a pattern of colors, hearts, and stars, to bring the party with you wherever the night might lead.
Themed Nails
It’s your birthday, after all! If you want to shout it from the rooftops, consider trying out a birthday theme. Cupcakes, candles, balloons, and presents all make for adorable accent nails or a full set that really tells a story. And there’s nothing wrong with a simple “Happy Birthday” message in all your favorite colors, as well!
Astrological Nails
What better way to celebrate your birthday than with your zodiac sign? Zodiac nails can be fun and cute or striking and glamorous, and there are plenty of opportunities to add glitter or shine to your zodiac style. Highlight your sign or make a map of constellations across your entire set for a manicure that’s really in theme.
Nail Decals, Jewels, and Gems
If there’s ever a day when you’re allowed to be a little extra, it’s your birthday! And your nails are the perfect place to start. Not only will you want to consider the best color, shape, and style for your birthday manicure, but think about any additions to the look that you just won’t want to miss.
Decals can mean gorgeous designs in birthday, floral, or space themes and gems, jewels, and charms add a little something extra to your look.
Conclusion
There are so many great manicure options to pick from that it can be difficult to know where to start—especially for those special occasions like your birthday! Your next manicure is a great opportunity for expressing your style and creativity and finding joy on your special day, and if you want to try a totally new look, you have a lot of great approaches to take.
Consider your different types of nails, like gels, acrylics, Shellac, or natural nails, before moving on to pick your favorite nail shape. The shape of the nail can set the tone for how the final product will look and also determines how easy or complex it is to maintain the manicure.
Once you know your shape, it’s time for the best part—picking your style or design! There’s a look to fit whatever you love most, so whether you’re after geometric, marble, or ombre, you want to add charms or decals, or you love a glittery style, you can create a unique and individual birthday design that no one has ever seen before.
It’s easy to get started right at home with the help of Nailboo and our dip kits. Explore our library of nail tutorials and guides and begin designing your perfect birthday manicure today!
Sources:
How to Pick Nail Shapes 2021 - Round, Oval, Almond, Coffin Nails Guide | Harper's Bazaar
A Guide to Proper Nail Care | FLDSCC
Zodiac Signs: Personality Traits, Qualities, Quirks | Co–Star
