Provided is a preformed artificial nail designed to conform to the wearer's natural fingernail. The artificial nail includes an elongated nail body (110) that extends between a proximate edge (120) intended to abut against the cuticle and a distal edge (122) intended to extend beyond the wearer's fingertip. To allow the nail body to conform to the curve of the natural fingernail between the sides, the thickness of the nail body increases from the proximate edge to the distal edge. The relatively thinner proximate edge provides that region of the nail body with an inherent flexibility that allows the nail body to deflect and conform to the natural fingernail. The relatively thicker distal edge provides that region of the nail body with an inherent rigidity and, relatedly, additional strength to the portion of the nail body intended to extend beyond the fingertip.