Coffin Nails - Nail Art

Coffin Nails: The Ultimate Guide to Your Next Nail Art Manicure

Coffin nails might sound a bit eerie, but don’t let the name fool you. This manicure style is named for its unique shape that mimics the silhouette of a coffin—long, tapered, and ending in a sharp square tip. You might have seen this chic nail shape flooding your social media feeds, often hashtagged as #coffinnails or #ballerinanails, reflecting its popularity among celebrities and nail enthusiasts alike.

Also known as ballerina nails, coffin nails draw inspiration from either the angular design of a coffin or the flat toe of a ballerina's slipper. These nails feature a tight C-curve, tapered sides, and a straight free edge. It's important to note that while coffin nails and ballerina nails share similarities, there's a key difference: ballerina nails have sides that gently curve into a narrow square tip, whereas coffin nails boast sharply cut sides leading to a defined, square tip. This distinction significantly affects the overall look, with coffin nails creating a universally elongating effect due to their wider square tips.

Once you've mastered the shape, the sky's the limit with coffin nail art. While whites and wine reds seem to dominate the scene, often accented with gold and adorned with rhinestones or a matte finish, you can really let your creativity shine. The unique shape of coffin nails—maintaining the same width at the nail bed and tip but widening in the middle—creates an optical illusion of slender fingers and narrow nail beds.

Unlike more niche trends like bubble nails or aquarium nails, coffin nails have become a mainstream favorite. A quick scroll through social media reveals that nearly half of all nail art submissions feature this coveted shape. To achieve the coffin look, start with a long or extended square nail and carefully file down the corners near the free edge to form that distinctive tapered shape.

Why Are Coffin Nails Trending?

Coffin nails have soared in popularity thanks to social media and the ease with which they can now be achieved. Until recently, creating coffin nails required skilled sculpting or modifying stiletto tips. However, the beauty industry has caught up, now offering ready-made coffin-shaped nail tips that significantly reduce the time and tools needed, potentially lowering costs for you.

How Long Should Coffin Nails Be?

For the perfect coffin nail shape, they should ideally be medium- to long-length to achieve that elegant, tapered look. Too short, and they might appear stumpy. The ideal length can vary based on personal preference, hand shape, and lifestyle, so it's wise to discuss this with your nail technician beforehand. A simple coffin set might take one to two hours to create, but if you're adding intricate nail art, expect to spend more time. For those short on time, coffin-shaped press-ons can be applied in under 10 minutes.

Depending on your lifestyle, a coffin nail set can last between two and six weeks. Over time, the sharp edges will naturally soften and round out. While their length and defined corners can make them less manageable than rounded nails, as People magazine notes, "It's the price you pay to be a baddie." Keep in mind this trade-off as you embrace the coffin nail trend.