Just because your nails are short doesn’t mean you still can’t participate in elaborate nail art. Here are som classy designs that will inspire you to book a manicure.
Jun. 30 2023, Updated 2:09 p.m. ET
You don’t have to have long nails to look good. If you aren’t a fan of long nails, are a nail-biter, or just can’t function with acrylics, don’t fret. Short nails have been neglected in the beauty world lately and aren’t getting the attention they deserve — until now.
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If you’re not really into splashy designs, have a job that requires a more subtle manicure, or struggle with inspiration, we have compiled a list of classy short nail designs for you to show off. Everyone deserves to feel fabulous regardless of nail length!
Pearl petal nails
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Rainbow nails
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Mix and match French manicure
Nail polish brand Olive and June (@oliveandjune) posted this look and features nail artist Joi Carrillo, @manimomentsofjoi, on Instagram, using Olive and June’s new summer shades to create a colorful French manicure. All you need to recreate this look is your favorite nail polish colors and maybe a thin nail art brush if you need more precision when painting the tip.
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Hailey Bieber’s nails
This is a super simple look posted on Instagram by nail artist Naihara Bemik, @bemik.archives. Although Hailey Bieber is the look’s inspiration, some may more accurately compare these nails to a glazed donut. To create the glazed look, she applied OPI polish in the shade “Put it In Neutral” before adding a top coat of OPI Chrome effects powder in the shade “Tin Can Man.”
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Subtle glitter
Paintbox Nails has the perfect neutral nail look for those who can’t commit to full-on glitter but want something that pops. To recreate this look, simply apply a base color followed by a thick band of glitter polish on top, like a large French tip.
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Simple flowers
Celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein has some unique manicure creations that look like a work of art. In this tutorial, she makes painting flowers look easy by using a thin nail art brush in two shades of red.
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Rhinestone tip
Why not end this list with another beautiful look by Betina Goldstein? For these nails, you first will paint a neutral base and then use a dotting tool to apply nail glue and tiny rhinestones along the rim of your nail. Rhinestone tips are a great option if you aren’t one for a lot of colors but are tired of the regular French tip and want something more exciting.
