These Nail Art Designs Are Perfect for Short Nails (2024)

FAQs

What is the best nail design for short nails? ›

“I always recommend designs that will elongate your natural nails to give the effect of longer nail beds,” says Dennis. “Opting for a micro French manicure over a thicker tip, or having some fun with a reverse French tip where the line kisses your cuticles is a great design to have some fun with colour.”

No matter how short your natural nails are, using nail wraps is the best way to get the salon-quality manicured nails you're after. Even if you have very short nails, you'll be happy to hear that nail wraps are just as effective.

Acrylic manicure is the go-to style for people with short nails. It adds more length to your natural nails and can last as long as three weeks. To create an acrylic nail, your manicurist uses powder polymer and a liquid monomer that forms a hard acrylic layer that resembles your natural nails.

If you're into nail art, the length of your nails doesn't matter. Whether you like simple designs or want something more intricate, the options for nail designs for short nails are pretty endless. You just have to keep in mind that even simple designs may appear busier on a shorter nail than they would on longer ones.

While short nails nail art can be tricky, that doesn't mean it isn't possible. Varying from marble nails to French manicures with a bit of a twist, the possibilities of simple short nail designsare endless. So don't the length of your nails stop you from having a little bit of fun with them.

French manicure to the rescue

If you have nails that just barely grow over your fingers, then you could get a French manicure. The white colour at the tips will help create the illusion of length.

Really short nails look better with lighter more neutral colors on them. So stay sheer with polish and always make sure all of your nails are neatly filed and your cuticles are trimmed.

Gel nails are less likely to cause damage to natural nails than acrylic nails. They are less harsh on the natural nails during the application and removal process, which can be beneficial for people with weaker nails.

If you have short palms and short fingers, it's best to opt for rounded oval and almond shapes. For longer palms and fingers, consider dramatic stiletto or coffin (or ballerina) shaped styles. Almond shaped nails tend to suit everyone.

What Colours suit very short nails? ›

Powder, slightly dirty shades of pink hybrid nail polishes, as well as neutral grey, look good on a short nail plate, especially when they match the colour of the skin.

Many women avoid darker nail colours when you have a shorter manicure as they think that the dark colour draws attention to the (lack of) length of their nails. Dark blue nail colours are ideal for elegant looking shorter nails.

One of the most natural looking shapes, the squoval mimics the shape of your cuticle: flat, but with slightly rounded edges. It's easy to maintain at home too, and great if you're leaving your nails naked.

Long nails are giving way to short, square shapes.

The favored nail shape has also shifted from rounded almond to short and square. "While the almond shape was widely popular this past year, I think we will see more short square-shape nails come into play," she said.

Unlike the classic French manicure, where the tip starts closer to the sides of the nail in a crescent shape, the Italian style “starts around halfway up the nail on both the left and right sides to form more of a 'U' shape,” explains Teleki—another way to make nails look more elongated.