Nail art is a fun way to express your personality and creativity. But if you’re looking for a job or starting a new one, it’s important to understand the nail styles that are considered work appropriate.
Length
Kiss those pointy three-inch acrylic talons encrusted with glue-on crystals goodbye if you want to make a good impression on an interview or at a new job. You can’t type with them easily, and if you’re working in food service, they may violate health regulations.
When it comes to fingernail length, short nail styles are appropriate for work. They don’t have to be nail-biter short (you’re an adult; don’t bite your nails!), but they should be a modest length. Consider no more than a quarter of an inch beyond your fingertip. If you can’t type without your nails clicking loudly on the keyboard, your nails are too long for work.
Shape
An oval or almond-shaped nail is fine for work. Avoid filing nails into sharp points. Squared-off nails are also OK, as long as they’re not snaggy at the corners. You wouldn’t wear stilettos on your feet for work, so don’t wear them on your fingers.
Color
Leave the neons and multicolored effects at home. Nail color for work should be subtle, not screamy. The classic work look is the French manicure, followed closely by transparent neutrals and natural shades of pinks and tans. Stay away from colors like navy blue, black, gruesome greens and aggressive oranges.
At work, you want your supervisors and teammates to notice you and your skills, not your extreme nail art. If your nails call attention to themselves, they’re stealing attention from your work and your abilities.
Nail Health
Just because you’re dialing back your nail color and removing glitzy nail art enhancements doesn’t mean you should neglect your nail health. Keep your cuticles pushed back and repair chips or snags as soon as you can. Keep the area under your nails clean, but don’t use a metal tool to scrape under there – you could inadvertently pull the nail off the nail bed, opening your nail to infection. Get a nice little nail brush for cleaning instead.
Chose nail polish that’s easy to remove and healthier for your nails. Gel nail polish can be gentler on the nail plate and better for the underlying nail bed. Gel polish cures under LED or UV light, and the manicure tends to last longer than conventional polish.
With professional-looking nails, your bosses and coworkers will take you seriously and respect your work skills. They won’t do that if they can’t take their eyes off your nails.
