55 Pretty Short Nail Designs You'll Love (2024)

FAQs

What color looks best on really short nails? ›

Stay with nude or pastel nail colours to make your nails look longer than they are. A nude manicure is perfect for everyday wear since it matches with every kind of outfit.

Nude and pastel colors are a great choice for short nails, as they actively make them look longer. Because they visually appear like they're continuing your finger line, they make your fingers look thinner and slimmer. For best results, use a color that's a shade lighter than your skin tone.

Business Insider asked three nail professionals about trends that are in and out for 2024. Brown nails, simple rhinestone designs, and metallic finishes seem to be rising in popularity. On the other hand, jelly nails and long acrylic manicures are being replaced by minimalist trends.

If you have short nails, you may want to choose a round or oval shape to help elongate your fingers. If you have wide nail beds, you may want to choose a round or squoval shape to help make them look narrower.

"Surprisingly, lilac is universally flattering on all skin tones," says Streets, who thinks the shade has a playful energy to it. Variations on the pastel hue have gone viral this year, including "digital lavender" (lilac with a chrome overlay) and "milky lavender" (a sheer take on the color).

Lighter Tones: Choose lighter shades of any color, such as pastels or light grays. Lighter tones help to brighten the hands and create a more youthful appearance. Sheer and Natural Finishes: Consider using sheer or natural finishes, like a sheer pink or a clear coat.

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.

The color that makes your hands look slimmer

“Use more natural and elongating colors that don't highlight your nails, this way your nails become an extension of your fingers,” says Choi. Lippmann concurs. “In terms of slimming lacquer shades, I love a nude on all skin tones.” She says nail shape can help, too.

The answer to this question can vary depending on personal preferences, but generally, guys tend to like natural or classic colors for nails. This includes shades like nude, light pink, and red. These colors give off a clean and put-together look that is attractive to many guys.

A twist on the classic nude nail look, the rich girl manicure features neutral polish in a slightly unexpected way, whether it's a sheer coat of color, a mega glossy finish, a milky ombré effect, or something in between.

What nail Colour is hot? ›

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to summer nail colors! Bright and bold colors like neon pinks, oranges, yellows, and greens are all popular choices. Metallics like gold, silver, and bronze can spice things up. Other trends include pastel shades for a softer look or playful polka dot designs.

Sure, long nails are nice, but a couple of weeks in and they can start to feel more high-maintenance than they're worth. What's more is that short nails, even if they seem to get less of the spotlight, can still be super chic. In fact, certain nail designs almost seem to lend themselves better to shorter lengths.

While many of us don't give the shape of our nails a second thought, Lippmann says you should start. "An oval-shaped nail helps fingers look longer and, in turn, makes hands look younger," she explains. Another grooming tip from the pro: pay attention to your cuticles and use regular cuticle oil to prevent dry skin.

Oval. The oval shape is similar to an almond, but the tip is filed to mimic an egg-like appearance. This elongating shape works well for small hands with shorter fingers. "It tends to make the nail look longer since it's filed in on the sides," says Mary Lennon, "which adds length and subtle drama."

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.

You can go get a manicure. it will make your nails look nice even if they're short, you will be able to paint them and you will want them to continue looking nice and won't bite them. if you need an extra push the bitter polish is a great option.

Another tip to make short nails appear longer is to avoid painting all the way to the edge of the nail on both sides -- leave a slight gap instead. This will make your nails appear thinner and longer. Don't worry too much if you get polish on your fingers, you can clean it up afterwards.