Pointed nails can be worn in one of two ways: almond or stiletto. Almond nails have a slightly rounded pointed tip, while stiletto nails feature sharper pointed ends that skew more dramatic.
Given the different types of pointy nails, the possibilities are truly endless—especially since the extra-long shape offers more room for nail art. But if long nails aren’t your thing, short stiletto nails are also a great option that makes your hands and fingers look elongated. And now, with the endless array of press-on options, you don’t even have to commit to acrylics or gels.
Ahead, discover 50 stiletto and almond-shaped nail ideas you’ll want to copy ASAP.
Cotton Candy Tips
We love this look on Khloe Kardashian, which marries a French tip with a fun trend for spring: cotton candy hues. Here, each nail tip gets a different pastel shade, ranging from pink to green.
Chrome Tips
Lizzo’s chrome stilletto nails are pure decadence. We love the extra length and the skinny tip, which adds an interesting shape to pair with the striking hue.
Technicolor Tips
These technicolor tips are the perfect way to highlight your almond-shaped pointy nails. The angled tip gives this look more of a modern look versus a regular “full tip” manicure. To recreate this style, choose a rainbow of colors for the tips while keeping the rest of your nails neutral. Check out the Olive and June Rainbow Snowcone Set ($54) for five bright colors to recreate this look.
Neon Tie-Dye
Want something a little more bold? These almond-shaped neon tie-dye nails are sure to turn heads. All of the different colors on each nail add a touch of uniqueness, too.
Gradient Pink Tips
French tips are always a classic, but add pink to the mix and it becomes so sweet. Here, each nail gets a different shade of pink for the tip, ranging from ballet slipper to vibrant H๏τ pink.
Rose Quartz
Pointy nails are bold for their shape alone. Still, Lizzo’s rose quartz-inspired nails add a subtle head-turning element to the already-fierce shape.
Color-Blocked Nails
Whether you have pointy daggers or almond-shaped points like the nails above, this color-blocked mani will look great. You can go with a more intricate look, by using several colors on each nail or just use two colors. What is important is to have contrasting blocks or patterns of color on each nail. Add in a simple white line of varying patterns on each nail for more depth and contrast.
Tiny Hearts
While pink hearts might make you think of Valentine’s Day, we think they’re great all year round. Case in point? Khloe Kardashian’s almond-shaped, French-tipped nails with tiny hearts are cute every day of the week.
Pierced and Pointy
These pierced and pointy nails make quite the statement. Pierced nails work best on long, artificial nails. Natural nails may not be strong enough. Use a nail piercing tool ($15) and choose between small hoops or delicate charms.
Glitter Swirls
Feeling a bit extra? These pinky ɴuᴅᴇ nails are accented with white and gold glitter swirls that add an unexpected twist.
Checkered Nails
Checkered nails are having a major moment. They have a laid-back vibe that makes you feel like you are wearing your favorite pair of Vans sneakers. Recreating this look takes a steady hand and attention to detail. You can leave this style to your favorite manicurist or try some checkered press-on nails, such as the Chillhouse reusable non-toxic nails ($16).
By the Sea Waves
This wavy manicure would be the perfect look if you are heading to the beach. To recreate it, layer different shades of blue with white. You can also use a small sponge and paint the colors on the sponge and then press onto each nail.
Minimalist Stars
This upgraded French manicure has gold accents and white stars to give your nails a fresh twist. This would look fabulous on almond-shaped pointy nails or more dagger-shaped points. You can paint on the stars or use Star Nail Art Stickers ($8).
Holographic Points
Pointy nails look fabulous with nail polish that helps them stand out. Case in point: These amazing holographic nails that change color in the light. Recreate this look by brushing on Shade Shifter Multichrome Nail Polish ($11).
Cow Print Nails
While cow print looks great on all nail shapes, there’s something to be said about displaying the print across a longer canvas. After all, the longer the nail, the more splotches you can fit in.
Super Woman-Approved
These pointy, almond-shaped nails are playful and eye-catching with pops of cobalt blue and golden yellow throughout. And, given the tips are painted white, you could even say this is just yet another take on the modern French manicure.
Confetti Cuties
Stilletto nails get a bad rap for being too intense, so to help soften your set, consider polishing your pointy digits with this abstract, confetti-inspired nail art. While we love this fun color combo, the options are truly endless with which shades you can pair together.
Out of This World
These extra-long, stiletto nails look interstellar. With a pinkish-ɴuᴅᴇ base and glittery silver holographic polish, it’s no wonder the contrast immediately caught our eye.
Red Daggers
Stiletto nails are known for being flashy, so let’s take it up a notch with classic red polish and textured details that you won’t be able to miss.
Pretty in Purple
These dark purple pointy nails fade from a dark base to light tips, with holographic gemstones and flecks extending in the same pattern. If you love the glimmer pattern but can’t get on board with the color, consider going lighter with a soft lavender or dusty rose hue.
Festival Ready
Each of these almond-shaped nails has a different type of nail art, which is perfect for festival season. Thanks to their soothing color palette, they also won’t look out of place at the office.
Dainty Almond Nails
These single-striped, almond-shaped nails offer up a little edge while being polished with a demure pale pink shade. They’re topped off with a high-shine topcoat and, if you look closely, you’ll even notice a few teeny tiny base gems.
Terracotta Tips
These neutral pointy nails are painted in a gorgeous terracotta shade that makes them approachable yet spicy. They can be worn from fall to summer without ever looking out of season. To copy the look, be sure to pick up a bottle of Smith & Cult’s Nail Lacquer ($18) in Tang Bang.
Joke’s on You
If you’re making the foray into pointy nails as part of a costume, you can never go wrong with adding a cinematic twist to your digits. These Joker nails fit the bill. Of course, they’re super intricate so you’ll likely need a pro to help you paint them on.
Flower Power
The best thing about pointy nails is that, while you can totally cover them in nail art, they look seriously great with solid coats of color accented with minimalist details. Take these blue floral nails for example. With a trendy tonal fade and perfectly-placed petals, these stiletto nails are simple but stunning.
Flame-Thrower
Prefer a more intricate nail look? These pointy nails feature orange and yellow flames paired with a neutral base coat that looks H๏τ.
Pucci Style
Latto’s Pucci-inspired nails are bringing the ’70s back in the best way. We especially love how each nail is a slightly unique design, which creates a fun, visually stunning look.
Two-Toned Tips
Shades of purple and blue combine for a simple mani that looks cool. The angular design is one of many modern French manicure renditions and it can be recreated in any color (or shade combination).
Up in the Clouds
What we love about almond-shaped nails is that they give a softer take on the pointy nails trend, so they’re great for anyone trying to ease into the look. And the blue and purple cloud detailing? Absolutely dreamy.
Swarovski Crystal Detailing
We love this look which features Swarovski crystals on each pinky nail, while other nails are detailed with black French tips and gold flecks.
Dreamy Jelly Nails
If you’re open to gel nail extensions, these pointy nails will make you want to call your manicurist, stat. They feature translucent purple tips layered with fluffy white clouds, holographic stars, and tiny gems for an end look that’s nothing short of ethereal.
Mermaid Mani
Pair your purple and blue polish with a variety of gemstones and you’re looking at a mermaid-unicorn union that looks straight out of a fairytale.
Blue-on-Blue
These blue-on-blue French tip nails are the perfect length, not too short and not incredibly long. They’re a great manicure for summer—just imagine that blue shade against a sparkling pool selfie.
Neutral and a Pop of Blue
We’re obsessed with these neutral nails with a twist. The blue and white French tip adds a bit of visual interest, while the tiny studs take the look up a notch.
Lilac Tips
These almond-shaped nails are a great length and the perfect color for warm weather months. And that slight glitter in the ɴuᴅᴇ? Chef’s kiss.
Milk and Coffee
We love how something as simple as switching up the color of the flames on each hand really takes this milk-and-coffee mani to the next level.
Pink on Pink
The only thing better than pink is more pink. The subtle ombré pink is accented by chrome-pink tips. And of course, in classic Chaun Legend fashion, these nails are the sharpest around.
Rainbow Flames
Celebrate Pride every month with these rainbow-colored flame nails. Which we, must say, anything with a rainbow gradient color scheme gets a stamp of approval from our team.
Black and White
We’re absolutely obsessed with this black-and-white combo, courtesy of celebrity nail artist Chaun Legend. The graphic print is sure to wow everyone you meet.
ɴuᴅᴇ Matte Tips
One look at these incredible ɴuᴅᴇ matte-tipped nails and you’d never guess they were press-ons. They’re a perfect option when you want to switch things up on the weekend or a big event.
Periwinkle Power
Periwinkle is such a flattering shade for all skin tones, including warm brown. Plus, there’s just something really flattering about a single-shade manicure we love.
Transparent Blue
These stiletto blue nails are incredibly fun without a ton of extra designs or detailing.
Understated Frenchie
Celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik gave J.Lo an incredibly stunning take on a French manicure. Instead of the stark white we’re used to, the creamy, off-white tips look so natural, you almost forget it’s painted on.
Textured Hearts
These pointy Valentine’s Day-inspired nails are another work of art from Legend. The stunning 3D effect of the hearts, paired with the ombré color scheme, is definitely giving us heart eyes.
Fairy Princess Vibes
Lilac tips and tiny clusters of cartoon, fairy tale stars make this a manicure you’re going to want to save to your phone.
Green Tips
These green-tipped, medium-length stiletto nails will look good year round. This mossy shade works with all colors and is a great option for those who want to spread their horizons with color.
Chanel-Inspired
Inspiration for art is found everywhere—even your Chanel compact. This almond-shaped manicure is the perfect blend of chic and ’60s mod.
Purple Metallic
The chrome nail trend is always fun, but add an iridescent shade of purple and it goes to a new level. Here, color saturates the nails from the tip to the cuticle, which adds to the bold look.
Green Ombré Tips
We love the slightly squared-off shapes of these nails, which still come to a point like a true stiletto. But it’s the ombré green tips, which fade slowly to neutral, that really set them apart.
Splashy Color
Go bold or go home—that’s our motto when it comes to this stiletto set. The sherbet-colored tips marry two trends (rainbow hues and French tips) and transition easily from day to night.