- Beauty
- Nails
ByEmily Hunt
Huan N. Phan/Shutterstock
If you consider yourself at all a nail gal, we wouldn't be surprised if you've tried out just about every nail shape under the sun. You may even have found a favorite that you tend to stick to every time you head to the salon. The edgiest among us may typically opt for stiletto nails, while gentle babes might love an almond shape and glam fashionistas might go for square nails. If, however, you find yourself somewhere in between all these vibes, you may want to consider adding coffin nails to the rotation every once in a while.
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Coffin nails offer a delightful medium between the sharp stiletto nail and a standard square shape. A coffin nail is long and tapers in toward the tip, before flattening out at the top with defined corners. They're not quite as murderous as stilettos but still offer some sharpness that makes them a versatile style for anyone wanting to be a bit more daring with their nail shape. Of course, shape is only one aspect of a stunning manicure — you'll also have to consider what designs you want to adorn your nails with. If you're wondering exactly how to dress up your coffin nails before you go to the salon, you're in the right place.
Get a glitter fade
Maybe it's the holiday season, or you're just constantly heading to fancy parties in the evening. A glitter French fade may be the perfect choice for your coffin nails. This look will add some glam to your manicure, making you very approachable while also retaining some mysterious allure.
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Try a short, subtle coffin
If the prospect of having long nails is standing in the way of your coffin nail dreams, we have some news for you: You can make your coffin nails short, too. As long as it tapers toward the tip and has the characteristic flat top, it's a coffin. Go ahead and get a set of short coffin nails if you want to look polished but regularly work with your hands.
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Neon designs will help you stand out
Alas, coffin-shaped nails just aren't enough for you, and you need another way to stand out when you're traipsing around town. Get the coffin shape, but add some bright neon designs into the mix. This shape and color combo is just as big and bold as you are, providing a great match to your bright personality.
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Do an ombré fade across your nails
Maybe you don't want a ton of elements added to your coffin nails, but you're loath to stick to just one color. In that case, pick a color family and create a solid gradient across all of your nails. The subtler folks among us can do this with a neutral color, or you can choose a brighter color if you want to stand out.
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Include some negative space
Negative space can really make any nail design shine, coffin nails included. Consider using butterflies in the negative space on your nails — they offer a visually interesting element to the nails without being too overwhelming. Incorporating some negative space into your coffin nails is sure to get you compliments galore.
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Add in some celestial accents
Calling all astrological babes! We have the perfect design to add to your coffin nails the next time you get a manicure: celestial accents. Pick whatever color (or multiple colors) you wish as the base, and adorn the rest of your nails with some moon and star designs.
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Or include seasonal decals
Are you a particularly festive individual who always decks out their nails for whatever holiday or season is around the corner?If this sounds like you, you might enjoy adding some seasonal decals to your next set of coffin nails. Spooky decals can make for a great set of Halloween nails, while butterfly decals would be perfect for a spring-themed manicure.
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Polka dots are playful
While coffin nails can definitely add some edgy appeal to any look, they don't have to match exclusively edgy vibes. A great way to soften your coffin nails up a bit is to add some gentle colors and accents. Round polka dots can add some balance to the harsh corners of coffin nails, and a pink ombré design adds some further softness to the coffin shape.
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Geometric touches add some flair
On the other hand, maybe you want to add some accents without giving your nails a softer look. Try adding some simple geometric designs to glam up your manicure while retaining the edginess a coffin shape offers. Even some simple straight lines can accomplish this beautifully.
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Combine matte and glitter shades
Nobody said you have to stick to one type of nail polish on any manicure, let alone coffin nails. If you're looking for a way to make your coffin nails stand out even more, try combining matte and glitter shades of the same polish color. Glitter and matte black shades are an unexpected combo that offers a lot of visual interest to the set of coffin nails.
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Make them rainbow-esque
Whether you want to show your LGBTQ+ pride or simply love seeing a rainbow in the sky, adding a rainbow to your coffin nails is a great way to make the shape a little more playful. We're a huge fan of rainbow French tips, but you could also do a rainbow design across your whole nail if you want to go the bolder route.
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A chevron tip might be more your speed
If you typically go for a French tip, you may find you don't love the classic French look on the tapered shape of your coffin nails. A chevron French tip, on the other hand, can work better — the way this tip tapers (and the sharp corner it incorporates) delightfully complements the harsh angles of your coffin nails.
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Employ textured accents
We get it — coffin nails alone aren't enough to make your mani stand out. You go above and beyond in everything you do, nails included, and you need to add something extra to your next coffin manicure. Go ahead and try some textured accents. Whether you place a few small gems on your nails or create entire images out of them, textured accents will make your manicure different from everyone else's.
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Rep your favorite luxury brand
You're a luxury babe who likes to sport your favorite brand on any and every occasion. If this sounds like you, we think coffin nails are the perfect opportunity to highlight your favorite designer. Paint their logo or your favorite print of theirs on an accent nail to leave nobody guessing where your loyalty lies.
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A steampunk-inspired design can be stunning
Futuristic guys and gals may appreciate this next hot take on the coffin manicure: a steampunk design. Steampunk elements can add an unexpected flair to your coffin nails. Pick a base color and then add gold or silver gears, pipes, and other steampunk elements to your coffin nails for a super-fun look.
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Two-tone your design for subtlety
If you want to add a little bit of subtle flair to your coffin nails but aren't sure where to begin, we have some advice. Pick one color to paint on the base of your nails, and then paint a design in a color a shade or two away from your base color. The design may only be noticeable to those who look up close, but it offers some gentle visual appeal for those of us who don't want to go too bold.
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Have some fun with foil art
Gold foil can add some playful fun to any set of nails, but we particularly love the glam they can bring to coffin nails. Ask your nail technician to incorporate some gold foil into your next manicure and pick a base color to complement the gold. The combo of gold and black is stunning, but red or blue would also provide great contrasts.
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An animal print French tip will make a statement
Again, the standard French manicure may not be the best choice for your coffin nails. Afancy French manicure design, on the other hand, could give just the look you're going for. Take French tips with cow print — since the rest of the nail is nude, it's not overwhelming, but it complements the coffin shape wonderfully.
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Or do an elongated French tip
Another French tip alternative that we think looks absolutely stunning on longer coffin nails is an elongated French tip. It's perfect for the most sophisticated of fashionistas, as it manages to be both bold and understated at once. If you need a little something extra, a gem on an accent nail may be exactly what you're looking for.
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Do each nail a little differently
If, on the other hand, you always want to stand out, there's nothing wrong with making each of your nails look a little bit different. Especially if you're sporting longer coffin nails, there's a ton of things you can do differently to each nail. Paint the entirety of one nail, do a French tip on another, and add some gems on another — the possibilities are truly endless.
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Add a gem to each nail
If you tend to wear your nails in a single solid color most of the time, chances are you're looking for a way to make your coffin nails just a bit more special. When this is the case, a simple way to glam up your mani is to add a single small gem to each nail. Whether you add them toward the tip or your cuticle, a single gem can give your manicure that extra hint of glam you're after.
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A pastel French tip is flirty
So you've decided to embrace the French tip on your coffin nails, but you still want it to stand out. Instead of opting for a classic white French tip, go ahead and get a pastel French tip instead. Pastel French tips are a great, minimalistic way to add some interest to your manicure, and though they work particularly well in springtime, we don't see why you shouldn't sport them all year long.
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Do a continual design across all your nails
You don't want your nails to match, exactly, but you do want them to offer a cohesive look. Pick a design that can be long and wavy— for example, a string of lights or ocean waves— and paint it as a continual design across all your nails. You can do it over a base color if you want, or for a minimal take, leave the base of your nail natural.
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Make them party-worthy
You're headed off to a festive party soon and looking for a design for your New Year's Eve manicure. Go into the salon for some coffin-shaped nails, and ask for your favorite party symbol on top, like balloons, streamers, party hats or presents. To keep the mood light, paint the base of your nail with a bright color.
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Stick with white for a sophisticated look
If sophistication is the only vibe you're after, we wouldn't be surprised if white is embedded into your nail color rotation. Amp up the glam white can offer when you get it painted on coffin-shaped nails. While a shiny white is stunning, a matte white could offer the slightest bit of edge to your sophisticated look.
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