How To Have Elegant And Beautiful Nails: Choosing the Right Shape, Length and Color for Your Nails

Summary

In this video, international social etiquette consultant Jamila Musayeva addresses nail etiquette, sharing personal tips and general advice. She discusses the importance of nail length, shape, and color, emphasizing the need for consistency and cleanliness. Jamila reveals her preference for shellac nail polish for its durability and convenience. She also covers the significance of cuticle care and hand maintenance, suggesting products for keeping hands moisturized and youthful. The video is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to enhance their personal grooming routine with elegant nail care.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jamila Musayeva, an international social etiquette consultant, shares her expertise on nail etiquette in her video.
• 💅 Jamila's nails are natural, not acrylic or gel, and she uses shellac nail polish for its durability and quick-drying properties under UV light.
• 📅 She gets her manicure done every two to three weeks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consistent nail length and shape.
• ✂️ For maintaining nail length, Jamila advises keeping all nails at the same length and not trimming them too close to the fingertip for a more elegant appearance.
• 🔧 If a nail chips, she suggests using a gel nail to extend the chipped nail to match the length of the others, rather than cutting all nails short.
• 🏼 The choice of nail shape should reflect one's personality, lifestyle, and occupation, with Jamila preferring classic shapes like oval or square oval for their timeless elegance.
• 👵 The Queen of England is known for her preference for the color 'Ballet Slippers' by Essie, but Jamila notes that nail color choices can be diverse and personal.
• 🚫 Jamila does not advocate for bright, neon, or heavily decorated nail polish, recommending a more conservative and intact approach to nail polish application.
• 🌿 Cuticles are important for protecting nails from infections and should be cared for with a cuticle pusher and moisturizing oil, rather than being bitten or peeled.
• 👐 Hand care is just as crucial as nail care, with Jamila recommending regular use of hand creams to maintain softness and prevent signs of aging.

Q & A

What are the two books authored by Jamila Musayeva?

Jamila Musayeva is the author of 'Etiquette: The Least You Need to Know' and 'Afternoon Tea Etiquette'.

What is the primary focus of the video by Jamila Musayeva?

The primary focus of the video is nail etiquette, including personal tips and general advice on nail care and appearance.

Are Jamila's nails acrylic or gel?

Jamila's nails are not acrylic or gel; they are her natural nails that she grows out and takes care of.

What type of nail polish does Jamila use and why is it different from regular nail polish?

Jamila uses shellac nail polish, which is different from regular nail polish because it dries under UV light, making it faster, more efficient, and longer-lasting.

How often does Jamila get her manicure done?

Jamila gets her manicure done every two to three weeks, depending on how her nails grow.

What is Jamila's opinion on the length of nails?

Jamila believes the length of nails is a personal choice, but long nails require more care and can be less elegant or professional. She suggests keeping all nails at the same length for a symmetrical look.

What nail shape does Jamila recommend for a more elegant appearance?

Jamila recommends an oval or square oval shape for a more elegant appearance, as it visually elongates the fingers and looks more refined.

How does Jamila feel about bright and neon nail polish colors?

Jamila is conservative when it comes to nail polish colors and does not advocate or support the use of bright, neon colors, or those with patterns, stones, and decorations.

What does Jamila suggest for maintaining the integrity of nail polish?

Jamila suggests that if nail polish chips or fades, it should be removed completely or touched up to maintain its integrity and avoid an unattractive appearance.

How does Jamila take care of her cuticles?

Jamila takes care of her cuticles by using a pusher to push them back and applying oil with a rollerball to keep them moisturized and healthy.

What is Jamila's advice for hand care in relation to nail etiquette?

Jamila advises taking care of the hands as much as the face and neck, using hand creams to prevent aging and keep the skin moisturized, especially considering the frequent hand sanitizing in modern times.

Outlines

00:00

💅 Introduction to Nail Etiquette

Jamila Musayeva, an international social etiquette consultant, introduces the topic of nail etiquette in response to viewer requests. She discusses her own nail care routine, emphasizing her preference for natural nails and shellac nail polish for its durability and convenience. Jamila highlights the importance of maintaining a consistent nail length and shape, and she shares her personal nail care tips, including her choice of nail polish color and the significance of nail appearance in reflecting one's personality.

05:01

📏 Discussing Nail Length and Shape

Jamila elaborates on the significance of nail length and shape, suggesting that while the ideal length is subjective, maintaining a uniform length across all nails is crucial for an elegant appearance. She introduces the concept of using gel nails to extend a chipped nail without cutting other nails short. Jamila also covers the importance of nail shape in reflecting one's personality and lifestyle, recommending different shapes for various preferences and cautioning against overly long nails for practical reasons. She advises on the visual impact of nail shapes on finger appearance and suggests carrying a nail brush for hygiene.

10:02

🎨 Nail Color Preferences and Cuticle Care

In this section, Jamila addresses nail color choices, dispelling the myth that only light colors are elegant. She references Queen Elizabeth's preference for a specific color but clarifies that royal nail color choices are diverse. Jamila expresses her personal preference for classic nail shapes and colors, advising against bright or patterned polish. She stresses the importance of nail polish integrity, suggesting complete removal if it chips. Additionally, she discusses cuticle care, advocating for the use of a cuticle pusher and oil to maintain their health and prevent infection.

15:02

🧴 Hand Care and Wrapping Up

Jamila concludes by emphasizing the importance of hand care, equating it with facial and neck care due to the visibility of aging on hands. She shares her favorite hand creams, including a rich Chanel cream and a portable Burredo option, and discusses a barrier-repairing cream suitable for frequent hand sanitization. Jamila also mentions her practice of wearing cotton gloves to enhance the moisturizing effect of hand cream. She invites viewers to ask further questions in the comments or on Instagram and thanks them for watching.

Keywords

💡Etiquette

Etiquette refers to the conventions or rules of polite behavior in society or among members of a specific profession or group. In the context of the video, etiquette is the overarching theme, focusing on the social norms and expectations surrounding nail care and appearance. The video discusses various aspects of nail etiquette, including nail length, shape, color, and maintenance, which are all part of maintaining a polished and socially acceptable appearance.

💡Nail Polish

Nail polish is a lacquer used to color and protect the human fingernails or toenails. The video mentions different types of nail polish, such as regular, gel, and shellac. The choice of nail polish can reflect a person's personality and style, with the video highlighting that while some prefer traditional colors like light beige, others might opt for bolder colors. The integrity of the nail polish, such as avoiding chipped or faded polish, is also emphasized as part of good nail etiquette.

💡Shellac

Shellac is a type of nail polish that is cured under a UV light, resulting in a longer-lasting finish compared to traditional nail polish. In the video, the author mentions using shellac because it dries faster and lasts longer, which suits her lifestyle. It's also noted that shellac might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with allergies to UV light or substances in the shellac.

💡Nail Length

Nail length refers to how long one's nails are kept. The video discusses the elegance and practicality of different nail lengths, suggesting that while long nails can be more difficult to maintain and may appear less professional, they can also be managed with proper care. The importance of maintaining consistent nail length across all fingers for a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing appearance is also highlighted.

💡Nail Shape

Nail shape describes the contour of the nails, which can vary from round, square, oval, to more unique shapes like stiletto or almond. The video emphasizes that the choice of nail shape should reflect one's personality, lifestyle, and occupation. It also notes that certain shapes, like oval or almond, can visually elongate the fingers, while square shapes can make them appear shorter and more robust.

💡Cuticles

Cuticles are the skin at the base of the nails that serve a protective function, preventing infection and fungus. The video advises against biting or peeling cuticles, which can lead to damage and bleeding. Instead, it recommends using a cuticle pusher and moisturizing the cuticles with oil to maintain their health and appearance.

💡Hand Care

Hand care involves the maintenance and protection of the skin on the hands, which is crucial as the hands can show signs of aging early. The video suggests using hand creams to keep the skin moisturized and healthy. It mentions various hand creams, including those by Chanel and Burredo, emphasizing the importance of regular application to prevent dryness and maintain the youthful appearance of the hands.

💡Manicure

A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the hands and nails. The video discusses the frequency of getting a manicure, which is every two to three weeks for the author, and the importance of professional care in maintaining the appearance and health of the nails. It also touches on the use of personal tools when visiting a salon to ensure hygiene and consistency in care.

💡Personality Reflection

The video suggests that the choice of nail polish color and nail shape can reflect a person's personality. For instance, bold colors or daring shapes like stiletto might indicate a more outgoing and adventurous personality, while traditional shapes and pastel colors could suggest a more conservative and classic approach to style.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism in the context of the video pertains to the appearance and maintenance of one's nails in a way that is suitable for a professional setting. It is mentioned that very long nails might be perceived as less professional due to the difficulty in performing certain tasks. The video advises on maintaining a balance between personal style and professional expectations when it comes to nail care.

Highlights

Introduction to Jamila Musayeva, an international social etiquette consultant and author of two books on etiquette.

Today's topic is nail etiquette, a subject requested by viewers.

Jamila discusses the importance of nail care and personal tips for maintaining elegant nails.

Reveals that her nails are natural and not acrylic or gel.

Introduction to shellac nail polish, which is cured under UV light and lasts longer than regular polish.

Recommends getting a manicure every two to three weeks for maintenance.

Advises on nail length, suggesting a balance between personal preference and practicality.

Emphasizes the importance of keeping all nails at the same length for a symmetrical appearance.

Suggests using a gel nail to extend a chipped nail without cutting the rest of the nails short.

Advocates for a nail length of about one-fourth from the top of the nail for visual elegance.

Cautions against having nails trimmed too close to the fingertip for a more refined look.

Recommends carrying a nail brush for hygiene when having long nails.

Discusses the significance of nail shape in reflecting personality and lifestyle.

Personal preference for square oval nail shape due to its practicality with children.

Explains how nail shape can visually affect the appearance of finger length and suggests shapes for different finger types.

Opinion on nail colors, advocating for conservative choices and against bright or neon colors.

Stresses the importance of nail polish integrity, suggesting removal if it chips or fades.

Recommends using a cuticle pusher and oil to maintain healthy cuticles.

Emphasizes the importance of hand care and the use of hand creams to prevent aging.

Lists preferred hand creams and their benefits, including a barrier-repairing cream for frequent hand sanitization.

Encourages viewers to take care of their nails at home if they cannot visit a salon.

Closing remarks, thanking viewers for watching and inviting questions and comments.

Transcripts

Hello, I'm Jamila Musayeva, an international social etiquette consultant and the author

of two books: "Etiquette: The Least You Need to Know" and "Afternoon Tea Etiquette."

If you're new to my channel, please make sure to subscribe.

If you're an old subscriber, welcome back to my channel because today's topic is dedicated

to something you've been requesting me to do a video about, and that's about nail etiquette.

I've been sharing a lot of videos where I'll talk about different things, and there'll

be glimpses of my hands here and there, and I was quite surprised by the number of messages

I've been getting, either on my Instagram or underneath in the comments section, complimenting

my nail polish color or the shape of my nail, and so many questions about where I'm doing

my nails, how I'm taking care of them, so I decided to film this whole video, not just

about the idea of what a good nail looks like, but also generally my personal tips, as well

as general nail etiquette tips.

Before I go into the details about the length, the shape, the color, and how to take care

of your nails, I want to address the questions that most of you have been asking me about

my nails.

You've been asking if my nails are acrylic or gel, and to answer that, no, these are

my natural nails.

I grow them out; I don't bite them, so I don't have that problem.

I've never had that.

But the kind of nail polish that I'm using is called shellac.

It's different from regular nail polish because you dry it under UV light.

It takes some time to dry, but you don't have to wait and sit around like you do with regular

nail polish.

It's actually a bit faster and more efficient in that way, as well as much longer-lasting

than regular nail polish.

It works for me, and I am in no way advocating for the use of shellac if you are allergic

to UV light or any kind of substance used in the shellac itself, so I'm not advocating

for you to switch to that.

But if you are fine with that, then shellac definitely serves for a much longer time.

I get my manicure done every two to three weeks, depending on how my nails grow, and

I do take care of them a lot, actually.

Regular nail polishes are less used in Azerbaijan, at least.

All the people that I know have switched to using shellac because it stays fresher for

a longer time.

It looks like you just got your manicure done yesterday, even though you did it two weeks

ago.

Also, it's just easier and more convenient in a way that it doesn't chip underwater or

if you're washing your hands or using water a lot.

It doesn't chip as much as regular nail polish does.

So this is something that I find to be very convenient with my lifestyle.

Again, it's up to you to choose your kind of nail polish, be it gel, be it shellac,

or regular nail polish.

I am very picky about my nails because I think this is the first thing I personally pay attention

to when I meet people.

It's the first thing I notice, in addition to a good smile and eyes.

I always notice their fingers and their nails.

Because I'm so picky about it, I'm also picky about taking care of my nails.

I think your nails speak volumes to your personality, as well as to your bad habits or good habits,

because the choice of your nail polish can tell a lot about your personality.

Are you daring?

Are you more conservative, more traditional?

Are you more fun, more experimental?

It tells a lot about who you are, and that's why paying attention to your nails is very

important because they give a lot about you and your personality before you get a chance

to even talk.

First thing first, and that's a question a lot of you have been asking me about: the

length.

What is the elegant length?

What is the best length to have?

I think it's something that you have to choose for yourself.

So, if you prefer to have very short, trimmed nails, then go for it.

If you like to leave a little bit of nail, it's fine.

If you like to have longer nails, you have to understand that it takes a lot of care,

and you have to be willing to take care of those long nails in order to be able to have

long nails and still make them look elegant.So, I think that you have to make the choice for

yourself, understanding that long nails can give an impression of someone being less elegant

or less professional in a way because it's much harder to deal with many things with

long nails.

That's something you have to keep in mind.

The most important thing when it comes to the length is making sure that you keep them

all at the same length.

Meaning, if one of your nails chips or breaks, you have to cut the rest of your nails to

suit the length of that nail.

It's not very pleasant to look at nails where three fingers have long nails, and then only

one has short.

Make sure that you have the same length across all your fingers, and that way, it looks more

symmetrical and more pleasant to the eye.

Alternatively, something I've been told recently and something I discovered recently is that

if you like to keep your nails longer and you don't want to cut them, then for a nail

that was chipped, you can actually ask your manicurist to grow with you a gel nail on

that chip so that way, you don't have to cut the rest of your long nails, and you just

have to basically build on the short nail to make it match the longer ones.

Generally speaking, it's not very nice to actually have your nails completely trimmed

at the bed of your fingertip because that way, it can look less elegant and less refined

because visually, that makes your fingers look so short.

Having just a little bit of a nail, I would recommend one-fourth from the top of your

nail.

It makes it look more elongated and therefore elegant visually, making your fingers look

more refined.

Additionally, if you have long nails, meaning that you understand that the surface underneath

the nails is a perfect environment for bacteria to breed, which is something you have to be

conscious of.

Therefore, in this case, I would recommend carrying a little brush with you that's called

a nail brush.

It looks a bit like this, and you'll use this brush to clean the underneath of your fingers

like that, especially if you have a lot of work to do at home or if you are into gardening.

Make sure that you have this little brush in your bag if you have really long nails.

Second most important element about the nails is the shape of the nail, and that's important

because I think you should choose the shape that suits your personality, your character,

your lifestyle, and your occupation.

So maybe if you are into art, you can have stiletto nails.

If you are in a more corporate world, you might want to go for more classical shapes,

which is an oval, round or square shape, or a scoville, which is a square and oval shape,

so it has to really suit your personality and whatever that you are doing.

I think I really like when your whole look is kind of wholesome, so everything about

you speaks to your lifestyle, your occupation, your profession, and the message that you're

carrying with yourself.

I used to be a fan of oval nail shape.

I used to always have my nails oval because I like how it elongated visually my fingers,

but over time, with children, I realized that they somehow broke much faster.

I don't know why, but also they were quite pointy after a while, and when I was bathing

my kids, I could scratch them, so I realized that it wasn't convenient anymore for my lifestyle.

So I switched to a more square oval shape, which is square on the top and softer along

the edges, and I think it's much easier now to bathe my children and be more safe.

Therefore, this is the choice I had to make based on my lifestyle.

Generally speaking, the oval shape and the almond shape and the round shape elongate

visually your finger, so they make it look more slender, thinner, and refined in a way.

But square shapes actually shorten visually your fingers, making them look shorter and

more bulky.

So if you have short and bulkier fingers, I would recommend that you use oval, round,

or almond shape to visually elongate your finger.

Ideally, it's considered more beautiful when the top part of your nail repeats the shape

of the bottom part of your nail, therefore bringing symmetry to the nail itself and making

it look more beautiful.

So if the bottom is more oval, then the top should be oval as well to reflect the bottom

side of your nail.

I think the choice of the shape speaks so much about the personality of a woman, and

sometimes really you can say that women change the shape of a nail, and somehow it is reflected

in her personality.

If someone is wearing stiletto, I consider them to be more daring, more outgoing.

If someone goes for a more classical shape like the square one, I find them to be more

conservative, more traditional, as well as that is also reflected in the colors as well.

It's interesting to observe how the shape and the color of the nail speaks a lot about

the personality.

There are a lot of new shapes that occurred recently, and that is ballerina, there is

a mountain peak, there's an edge, they're all different kinds of shapes.

Stiletto is also quite a new one, but I don't advocate for any shape in particular.

I personally prefer the classical shapes, and if you want to go for a more classical

look, then I would say go for the square or Scoville, go for round or oval.

I think that's timeless, it will always look good, and there's really no trend in that.

Number three is about color, actually contrary to what many of you believe in, that only

light beige and pastel colors are considered to be elegant or feminine, or that Royals

only use that color.

It is true that the Queen of England prefers and has actually been using the same color

of the same brand for over 30 years.

It's said that she's been using the Essie brand and the color that she's been using

is called Ballet Slippers.

This is something that is particular to Queen Elizabeth, and it might have influenced her

people around her and their choices in the color and the choice of the nail color.

However, this is something that's particular to Queen Elizabeth of England, and it might

have influenced the choice of nail polish color of people around her, and that is true,

but that doesn't mean that all the Royals around the world are using only that color.

Actually, I have looked up a lot of the images of royal family members that have been using

all different colors, including red and burgundy.

When it comes to color, I'm actually a bit more conservative in a way that I don't advocate

or support the use of bright colors, super bright colors, neon colors, bright patterned

colors, stones, and decorations on nails.

I don't personally find it attractive, and this is something I'm not comfortable with

supporting.

Speaking of a color, I think what matters even more than just the choice of a color

itself is the integrity of it, and by that, I mean if for some reason your nail polish

has chipped or it has faded away, or something is missing, please do take it off completely.

Do not leave it on like that.

I think it makes the nail look so much worse than it could without having any nail polish

on.

So, I urge you always to keep in mind that if you do have nail polish on, it has to be

there completely.

If something is missing, chipped, please either remove it altogether, or something that I

also have been using before is shellac.

When I was using regular nail polish, I always made sure that I chose the color at a salon

where I had the same nail polish at home.

Say, I chose a red color in the salon, I had exactly the same red polish color at home.

Therefore, when I went to the salon to get my nails done, if for some reason, a nail

chipped or broke, I always had a nail polish at home that I could reapply and make it all

look the same.

So, having discussed the lengths, the shape, and the color of your nails, it's important

to speak about cuticles.

Cuticles are dead skin cells around at the bed of your nail, and what they do is that

they protect your nails from infection and fungus, so they have a protective role.

Sometimes they'll grow out, and I've seen people bite them or peel them away, and they'll

start bleeding, and it doesn't look good at all.

So what I'd recommend doing is just buying a pusher and pushing them back.

This is something that I've purchased, and I'm sure you can purchase in your local salon,

or you can just get a rollerball like that and fill it with any kind of oil.

This is the oil I carry around with me, and I apply it on the cuticles of my nails like

that.

So, if I don't want to get my whole hand in oil because I'll be working or something,

I will just make sure that I moisturize the cuticles around my nail using this little

rollerball with an oil.

The oil is up to you; you can choose any kind of oil that you prefer, and I think you can

buy this kind of a rollerball anywhere and just fill it up with an oil that suits you.

Finally, if we're talking about nails and fingers, we can't ignore the hand itself.

It's so important to make sure that you take care of your hands just as much as you take

care of your face and your neck because actually, the first signs of aging are usually shown

on our hands.

So, women tend to show the signs of aging first on their hands and neck, so it has to

get just enough attention if not more.

I have shown this in all my previous videos, as well as what's in my makeup bag and what's

in my bag, and I'm reiterating this again in this video.

I personally really love this hand cream by Chanel, which is a texture-rich.

There's another one that came out, but I prefer the one that has a much richer texture than

the lighter one because my skin is super dry, and I like that you just have to apply just

a little bit, a tiny little bit in here, and it's going to serve you all.

Okay, that was very little, so just a little bit like that, and what I do is I then just

go like that, and I apply it on my hands on the top of my hands and maybe a little bit

on the fingers because sometimes I don't want to get my hands in the cream because I'll

be working or writing something, so I'll just make sure that the top of my hands is moisturized.

Next, I have here two kinds of creams that I showed already.

Again, it's by Burredo, and I've been loving it a lot, and I think they're very cute and

super small and very affordable.

You can put it anywhere.

This one requires a little bit more space in your bag, whereas this one, once you've

used a little bit, you can always roll it like that, and then you have just a little

bit less space left, so you can actually take it in a smaller purse.

This is my very new favorite smell.

It's called Murder of a Ghost, and it's also by Burredo.

I have tried all different kinds of scents.

I love their scents as well as the texture of the cream.

I like that it doesn't leave your fingers sticky and it moisturizes the hands really

well.

My newest discovery is a very barrier-repairing cream.

This is particularly great nowadays because we sanitize our hands so often.

This is more medical.

I bought it in a pharmacy, and I'm sure you can buy it in your local pharmacy, and I usually

apply it only at night.

So, what I'm about to go to bed, I will apply this, and sometimes on days when I feel like

it, I'll put little cotton gloves on top to make sure that the hand cream is sealed there

and that my hands are moisturized, and it's sort of like a little spa for your hands.

To finalize this video, I do take care of my hands a lot and my nails.

I do take care of them in a salon every two to three weeks, depending on how often I need

to attend.

But if you, for some reason, can't go to the salon, you can always take care of your nails

at home.

I've been doing it before as well.

I have all my tools with me at home, and I actually go to the salon with my own tools.

So, everything that I get done at the salon, I have at home.

There's just I think that the manicurist is doing a much better job than I am in taking

care of my nails.

I hope that I answered all of your questions in this video, and if you still do have some

questions, please make sure to ask them down in the comment section below, or you can always

write to me on Instagram.

Thank you very much for watching this video until the very end.

I hope that you find these tips very useful, and I'll see you in my next video.

Bye!

Thank you.