The "Duck Feet" Nail Shape Is a Controversial Favorite
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The nail community has a real flair for dazzling creations, but their talent extends past just trendy nail-art designs. It's more popular than ever to play with the shape of your nails — not just the color of the polish and design on top of them. From classics like square and oval tips to more uncommon shapes like edge, ballerina, and coffin, there are so many different nail styles awaiting your consideration for your next salon appointment, including one that's gaining a lot of attention on TikTok (and therefore, a lot of search on Google) recently: duck nails.
Also known as flared nails, this manicure style consists of an acrylic with a tip that is significantly broader than the width of the natural nail. The finished effect looks quite similar to the webbed foot of a duck, hence the name. While duck nails aren't by any means new, they're gaining new fans thanks to Gen Z, who've taken to the video-sharing app to show off their Y2K-reminiscent tips.
But if 2000s-inspired designs aren't your thing, the manicure looks great with all matters of nail art. Some of our favorite trends to wear with duck nails are the classic french manicure, water-droplet designs, glitter finishes, and Vivienne Westwood nail art.
If you're obsessed with duck nails, check out more examples of the underrated nail shape ahead.
Chrome Duck Nails
These flare nails have a different 3D design on each finger. The chrome french tip acts as jewelry for your fingertips.
French Tip Duck Nails
A classic french tip goes beautifully with the dunk-nail shape. It's a classic, timeless design.
Orange Abstract Duck Nails
This manicure set has swirly lines, a french tip, and an animal-print design on the edge of each nail in a bright orange hue.
Ombré Duck Nails
Ombrê is always a classic nail choice, and the addition of the gemstones on one accent finger makes this duck nail set stunning but understated.
Glitter Duck Nails
How cute are these glitter duck nails that have both bow detailing and a french manicure twist?
Swirl French Duck Nails
Why stick with a regular french tip when you can add a fun design on top?
Pink Duck Nails
You can't go wrong with a pink manicure, but the nail art on these junk nails with duck-shaped tips makes them even better.
Milk-Bath Duck Nails
Milk-bath nails are still all the rage, and we love the way this set looks with the added gemstones.
Hello Kitty Duck Nails
Go all out with your duck nails and add decals of your favorite character, like this Hello Kitty set.
Colorful Duck Nails
The shape of duck nails allows for a lot of surface area for fun nail art and tons of colors, like this multi-shaded set in bright tones.
Blue Glitter Duck Nails
If you want a step up from a plain color, why not add glitter on top? It will take your duck nails from simple to extravagant with just a few swipes.
Cheetah Print Duck Nails
We love the way the cheetah print on this set of duck nails makes the accent nails pop.
Pink French Duck Nails
Why stick with just one trend when you can do multiple? We love the french and glitter design on this duck manicure.
Jessica Harrington (she/her) is the senior editor of PS Beauty, where she oversees coverage around makeup, skin care, hair, tattoos, and more. With more than eight years of industry experience, she has interviewed countless celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report.