The opposite of spooning nails, medically known as koilonychia, is called nail clubbing.
Grading of Clubbing
If you have an iron deficiency, changing your diet or taking supplements may correct and prevent spoon nails. For example, you may eat more iron-rich foods, such as: Beans and lentils. Dark chocolate.
The most flattering nail shape often depends on your fingers and nail beds, but Oval and Almond are universally praised for elongating fingers and slimming wide nail beds, creating a classic, elegant look, while the Squoval (square + oval) offers a soft, low-maintenance, universally flattering balance for everyone, says this blog post from OPI, OPI. For longer fingers, Square or Coffin add balance, while shorter fingers benefit from the lengthening effect of Oval or Almond, notes Rumbie.
Spoon nails are soft nails turned up around the edges. This condition also is called koilonychia. Spoon nails often are a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Or they may be due to a liver problem called hemochromatosis.
Symptoms may include:
After treating the cause of nail clubbing, your nails may gradually return to normal. However, nail clubbing isn't always reversible.
Square is the shape that's most prone to breakage, due to the corners being easily snagged on things. I found that when I switched from square to round, I was able to achieve more length because I was breaking my nails less.
The "rich girl nail trend" (also "old money nails") is about achieving an effortlessly expensive, clean, and luxurious look using subtle, neutral colors, high gloss, and immaculate grooming, focusing on soft beiges, milky whites, and sheer pinks. It emphasizes healthy-looking nails, often shaped into tapered squares or soft almonds, with a focus on quality and understated elegance rather than bold designs, mimicking natural, flawless, well-maintained nails.
Coming in as one of the most popular nail shapes out there is the squoval nail shape. A blend of the square and oval nail shapes, squoval nails make for an elegant look. Keeping the straight square edge with soft rounded edges, this balanced shape might be your new favorite staple.
Let it sit overnight, then rinse away in the morning for a noticeable difference. 2) Brittle fingernails. Since our nails are made of the same enamel as teeth, toothpaste can do a lot to help them. Simply give your nails a good scrub with some toothpaste for cleaner, shinier, stronger nails.
Liver disease can cause distinct nail changes, most notably Terry's nails, where nails appear mostly white with a small pink/reddish band at the tip, lacking the normal half-moon (lunula), resembling "ground glass". Other signs include yellowing, thickening, clubbing (nails curve downwards), leukonychia (white spots/bands), and nail separation (onycholysis). These changes reflect issues with blood flow, low albumin, or connective tissue in the nail bed, often seen with cirrhosis.
Treatment for thickened toenails
Treatment involves cutting the nails and reducing the thickness with a special file or burr. Our podiatrists also have special tools that can help remove callus or corns from underneath the nail plate or sulcus which is a common cause of pain.
It is important to detect early clubbing because clubbing can be the first clue to a serious underlying disorder that, if treated early, may be curable. Clubbing usually develops first in the thumb and forefinger, and occurs in the other fingers later.
Both clubbing and pseudoclubbing present as a bulbous deformity of the soft tissue in the fingertips; in pseudoclubbing, distinctive clinical features are the preservation of the angle between nail bed and proximal nail fold or Lovibond angle (normal 160° angle), and asymmetric finger involvement.
Soft clubbing is the trend of hosting social dance events with a DJ and a club-like vibe, but in non-traditional venues (like cafes, fitness events, galleries, or studios). Soft clubbing has a focus on wellness, connection, and intentionality over heavy drinking, drugs and late nights.
The theory has been backed up by research, which shows that men find women with red nails more attractive than those with any other color nails. The implications of Red Nails Theory are far-reaching. If the theory is true, it means that men are more likely to be attracted to women who wear red nail polish.
Metallic Finishes: Bold and Shiny
Metallic nails are still a big hit in 2025. Whether you go for shiny silver, chrome, or subtle metallic accents, this style adds a futuristic feel to any manicure. Metallic nails are bold and glamorous, and they look amazing with both minimalist designs and full metallic manis.
It further suggests that if you ask your boyfriend what color you should paint your nails, he'll say 'blue' (or some shade of blue), which is why it is a further indication that you're taken. In some cases, it can also indicate that someone is “girlfriend material.”
For aging hands, the best nail shapes are generally short, soft, and rounded like Almond, Oval, or Squoval (square-oval), as these elongate fingers, create a youthful look, and avoid emphasizing wrinkles or joint stiffness that sharp square shapes can highlight. A classic Round or practical Squoval shape provides softness, while Almond adds elegance, drawing attention away from signs of aging for a more timeless appearance.
Almond nails offer a soft, tapered silhouette that elongates the fingers, making them ideal for a minimal, elegant vibe. Square nails, with their straight edges and short length, are perfect for a clean, low-maintenance aesthetic that feels modern and functional.
Gel Nails: Healthier Than Acrylics
The gel nails process usually involves three products, a gel base coat, the gel colour and then a gel coat to finish. The process is generally a lot quicker than acrylic extensions, and are considered one of the least damaging fake nails.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of clubbing. Clubbing often occurs in heart and lung diseases that reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood. These may include: Heart defects that are present at birth (congenital)
Nail changes can show signs of heart problems. It's important to watch for these signs to keep your heart healthy. This helps catch heart issues early. Look out for nail changes like clubbing, splinter hemorrhages, and cyanotic nail beds.
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.