33 short nail designs to inspire your next manicure
PSA: If you're reading this while in the nail salon and need inspo for short nail designs stat, you've come to the right place.
When it comes to beauty, there are three things you can be certain of: you should be applying SPF on the daily, you'll regret using a makeup wipe after the initial thrill of it, and having a new set of freshly-painted nails will always, always make you feel like a impeccably put-together queen. Obviously nail trends (and shapes) may come and go, but there are a handful of styles that can be relied upon year-in and year-out. Case in point: short nail designs. Longer almond tips may be having a major moment currently, and before that, ballerina and stiletto nail shapes led trends, but short nails are a forever favourite that not only look stylish and effortless, but are also one of the most practical and wearable ways to keep your mani looking immaculate.
In fact, the perennial shape has seen a resurgence in popularity, according to top celebrity nail artist, Michelle Humphrey, whose A list clients include Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa and Simone Ashley. “Clients' are opting for natural nail lengths and shapes and long nails seem to be on the backburner,” Michelle explains to Glamour.
It's not just celebs who are making a shift, salons are seeing the same trend. “Our customers are currently leaning more towards natural beauty trends,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of global nail salon Townhouse. “Paired with bold colours or nail art, this length can look incredible.”
"Dark reds and blacks look very chic on short nails, but natural pinks and nudes also look beautiful," explains Juanita. "We love delicate, negative space nail art and colour pops for designs on short nails, too.”
Although acrylic extensions and coffin shapes give you extra space to experiment, short nail designs bring a relaxed, classic vibe you just don’t get from longer, showier styles. And even with their smaller canvas, they still offer tons of room for detailed nail art, from French tips and glazed-donut finishes to tiny, delicate designs.
We've pulled together a collection of the best short nail inspo, and we don't just mean five or 10 looks, we have scoured the internet (Instagram) to pull together no less than 31 of the best designs for tiny talons. From embellished nail art to lipgloss nails, and some more natural ideas too, this is about to become your bible if you're a short nail girlie.
So, here are our fave short nail designs to take to your next nail appointment…
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Mix'n'match
For those of us who are chronically indecisive, mixing up a solid nail polish colour with dainty nail art is the way to go. It's fun, it's unique and it means you don't need to spend hours in the salon trying to make up your mind.
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Silver chrome flames
Sometimes the best things come in small packages and this compact but perfectly executed flame chrome mani is just one example.
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Blackberry nails
Glossy, immaculate and goes with everything – we're big on blackberry nails.
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Fruit salad nails
A big trend that returns each summer, fruit salad nails are cute, fun and just go to show how much personality you can pack into short nails.
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Rainbow chrome corners
Remix a Frenchie by swapping out a half moon for a corner slash, but keep it interesting with rainbow chrome colours.
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Silver bow nails
Bow nails are a huge trend and this simple take is stunning.
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Embellished art nails
This mani wouldn't look out of place in a gallery. Intricate, gilded and dimensional, the short canvas makes for the perfect backdrop.
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Skittles Frenchie
Can't choose one shade for your French tip? Add them all with this skittles Frenchie.
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Love heart corners
Show a little love for these dopamine dressed heart nails. Taking a classic nail colour and giving it a playful twist.
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Aurora nails
The design sees shimmer and glow suspended in a clear gel that changes colour as you move your nails – like the northern lights (or aurora borealis), or water below a frozen surface.
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Metal Mirror
Why carry a portable mirror when you can use your nails? These metallic chrome nails are basically mirrors at your finger tips and can make short nails pretty, pretty cool.
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Micro French
Micro french tips are just razor thin french tips. Since these are there to elongate the nails, it makes more sense to balance the nail length with the actual tips. If in doubt, start thin and build up.
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Sunshine tips
Swap out a white French tip for a mood-boosting sunshine yellow.
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Pop art
Bold primary colours and a simple design can really have a big impact without giving ‘primary school’.
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Matte chocolate heart cut-out nails
A naked cut-out detail is so effective, especially when paired with a darker shade like this chocolate brown and a matte finish to keep thing even more interesting.
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Brocade nails
This statement brocade detail adds atmosphere to an otherwise simple mani.
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3D nails
These 3D abstract jelly details are perfect for an artistic mani with tons of personality.
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Chocolate shimmer nails
Brown nails are a whole moment. The added sparkle in this rendition makes it even more mesmerising.
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Red bow nail
This simple detail elevates a milky pink mani in seconds.
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Ombre red
Give a classic red nail a twist by making it ombre with a darker tip that melts toward a paler red at the cuticle.
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Gem nails
Add some teensy glitz with a single small gemstone floating at the base of your nails.
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Party Nails
The best part about glitz party nails is that if they chip, no one will know, and, you will still look together. Ideal for party or festival season, specially if you're going gel free.
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Crisp white
A forever neutral, crisp white is a classic for a reason.
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Cuffed colour
Play with colour by upping the ante on multi-colour nails with an extra shade pop along the cuticle.
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Cherry Blossom
Add adorable cherry nail art to amp up a flat colour. Who says short nails have to be boring?
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Chrome Shorties
Chrome French tips are edgy and alternative. If you make them uneven and 3D then you can add extra dimension and character, without going full out. It's quiet, yet full of character.
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Pink Glaze
How can you go wrong with a glaze. We love a silky pink for some timeless sophistication.
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3D Galaxy Nails
3D nails are all the hype, mix it with galaxy like hues and you got yourself the coolest and trippiest nail art.
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Glazed Donut
You can't go wrong with the nail trend of the year. The good news is that it works on short nails just as well as it does with any other nail shape.
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Lipgloss Nails
Tap into the lipgloss nail trend with a super sheer blush pink shade.
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Tuxedo French
Dress up a classic French manicure with a tuxedo (aka a stripe of inky black polish).
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Micro love hearts
Perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond, ask your nail artist to paint dinky love hearts onto a sheer base.
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Abstract Swirls
Get creative with swirly abstract details, as spotted here.
Instagram/@mynailfielifeBold French
Quiet luxury, but make it bold. This modern take on the French manicure is low-key enough to wear to work but still super stylish.
Instagram/@mynailfielifeGeometric Lines
This minimalist geometric design demonstrates how creative art can look on shorter nail lengths.
Instagram/@tombachikClassic Red
Did Selena Gomez just pinpoint the perfect red nail polish shade? It certainly seems like it, especially since it looks so sophisticated on short nails.
Instagram/@mynailfielifeLemon Girl
Short nails are the best because even the most bold shades, like bright lemon yellow, look sweet and stylish as opposed to “too much.”
Instagram/@mynailfielifeSweet Seashells
Seashell nails are all the rage, and this gorgeous take on the trend is certainly no exception. Channel your inner mermaid with this easy to DIY design.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinBrat Green
Who needs nail art with a color this bright? Especially since “brat green” is the unepxected nail shade all the cool girls are wearing these days.
Instagram/@stephstonenailsMinimal Gold
A super-slim stripe of metallic gold has high impact without taking up space.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinNegative Space
Short nails are the perfect base for dark shades, and they look extra cool with negative space.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinGilded Letters
Add a metallic accent sticker (these 14k gold ones will cost you $60 each) to just your thumbs for a luxe touch.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinNeon Accent
A pinky-finger accent nail pops even more in vibrant neons.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinNeon French
Take a French manicure up a notch with two shades of pink.
Instagram/@hannah.k.nailsNeon Negative Space
Neons are less in-your-face when delicately traced on your nail tips and cuticles.
Instagram/@oliveandjuneShiny Stars
Forgo nail polish entirely and cover your nails in pretty stickers.
Instagram/@oliveandjuneNegative-Space Half-Moons
In a word: chic.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinStacked Cuticles
If you’re prone to biting, keep your nail art close to your cuticles so it’s less likely to get destroyed. For this crystal-inspired look, nail artist Betina Goldstein used Essie in Cliffhanger, Set in Sandstone, Of Quartz, Bedrock and Roll, and You’re a Gem from bottom to top.
Instagram/@imarninailsHeart Sequins
Get ready to smile every time you look down at these sweet hearts.
Instagram/@nailsbymeiBlack French
A French manicure can look a little dated on short nails. Give the look a modern edge with black tips.
Instagram/@nailthoughtsTortoise Shell Nails
Match your sunglasses to your nails with this cool trend.
Instagram/@oi_nailTouch of Cheetah Print
The animal print looks super cute paired with shiny red nails.
Instagram/@betina_goldsteinOmbre Shimmer
Make an iridescent shade more interesting by concentrating the intensity on the tips.
