I Tried the Squareletto Nail Trend for 4 Hours, and Here’s What Happened

Ready to do something new with your look? All month long we’re asking our 25 favorite influencers to share their 25 best beauty ideas for spring. Look out for the 25×25 logo here on Lipstick and on our social channels—@get_lipstick on Instagram and @glamourmag on Snapchat—for exclusive tips, tricks, and tutorials. Up next: We asked our beauty writer and classic-mani devotee to test-drive the latest nail trend, the squareletto. Read on!

Let me preface this post by saying that I am not a long nails girl. The last time I wore my nails past the tops of my fingertips, they were fake and I was 16. It was for my sophomore prom. Back then, the most exciting part of a school formal was making the hour-long drive to the nail salon a couple towns away to get acrylic, squared-off French tips (hey, it was 2004!) and a pedicure. I loved those nails. As soon as I left the salon, I felt glamorous and a little like Cher Horowitz in Clueless. Since then, however, I’ve kept my nails filed short and—honestly—pretty boring. I stick to fairly classic shades (think: nude pink, orange-red, greige); I don’t really like nail art.

Here’s what my mani normally looks like on any given day.

So when our beauty director volunteered me to try out the hottest new nail shape this season, the squareletto—a squared-off stiletto design—I was a little hesitant at first. Because my nails are short, there was no way I could get the look in my usual state. I’d have to get fakes again, which goes against my simple, tomboy style. I was also concerned the glue would damage my nails, as I’m sure anyone who’s ever worn acrylic tips as a teenager can relate. But long nails are making a very real comeback. Just look at Zendaya, Kylie Jenner, or Rihanna. So I figured now was as good as any time to break out of my comfort zone. Plus, Madeline Poole, the global color ambassador for Sally Hansen—one of the coolest nail artists in the industry—was in charge of my mani makeover, so I knew I was in good hands.

She told me right away that she would use stick-on nails with temporary stickers that only last for a night, so my fears were quickly absolved. The whole process didn’t take too long, either. After she fit the clear nails to my fingers, she applied the tape, stuck them to my actual nails, and filed them into the squareletto shape. Then, when it came to choosing the color, I’ll admit, I had no idea what to get. My usual go-to pinky nudes felt lame with this shape, so I went with the fiercest color I could think of: bright red.

The final result? Nails that were so unlike me but were the coolest thing I’ve done mani-wise to date. I was obsessed! Which I really wasn’t expecting.

My nails in all their squareletto glory.

Everyone at work noticed my hands, and I stood up a little straighter while I had them on—right until the moment when I lost my pinky nail on the subway. For the four hours I had them, though, it was all glamour. Here, in no particular order, is what I took away from the experience:

• Life with squareletto nails is way more expensive-feeling than I ever could’ve imagined. Simple activities—like washing your hands, drinking a Diet Coke, pointing to something, etc.—become a significantly chic affair.

• You might want to think twice about wearing jeans. Zippers are not your friend.

• They aren’t the most practical, especially if you have a desk job. Responding to emails/typing took me almost twice as long as usual.

• Texting on an iPhone is also very challenging. Does Rihanna have a BlackBerry?

• You might have a sudden desire to set your hair in hot rollers, dress in faux fur, and wear sky-high heels. My typical Madewell uniform (a silk button-down, skinny jeans, and ankle boots) felt wildly out of place with my nails. They deserved to be paired with an outfit much more bold.

• Everyone will comment on them (in a good way), so be prepared for the extra attention.

• Squareletto nails are highly Instagrammable.

• Bright red makes this nail trend really noticeable. In hindsight, I wish I had gone with a really deep plum or a soft neutral like a dusty pink. It would have made the mani look a little more chic, a little less clubby. Plus, it would have better matched my wardrobe!

• If one nail breaks/falls off, they all need to go. A single stubby nail is not a good look.

• What you think may be lost, could really be found. Case in point: A week after I thought my fallen-off nail was long gone, I found it nestled in the coin pouch of my wallet. Imagine that! Also, the upside to press-on nails is that you can re-wear them, so don’t chuck them after one use.

All in all, I probably won’t jump on the squareletto bandwagon past this point, but if you’re not scared to flirt with a look that’s a little edgier, this is for you. And in that case, check out the full tutorial I filmed with Madeline Poole, below.