You're at the salon. You're about to get stuck into a fancy manicure. You've chosen your nail paint. Then you're asked, "what shape would you like?" Hmmm. Wah? If your immediate response is "nail shaped?", we've got you.

Choosing what nail outline you want can be a tricky one, especially if you don't know the difference between almond and oval and have never heard of stiletto or ballerina-shaped nails... Big decisions.

One style that's a crowd-pleaser if you're not sure, is "squoval". It combines the neatness of a straight square shade, with the softness of an oval "the nail is predominately square with rounded edges," explains Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of top London nail bar, TOWNHOUSE. Consider it the LBD of nail shapes, it's flattering, classic and goes with everything.

Here's everything you need to know about the shape...

Why might people choose this nail shape over others?

"The squoval nail is a classic shape, it’s delicate and well suited to most people," explains Juanita. "The shape is easy to do at home, and suits both light and dark nail polish colours."

What tools do I need?

All you'll need for this are some nail clippers and a nail file. Keep your file to 240 grit to keep it soft and gentle.