Short nail designs are the best when it comes to practicality – especially if you’re used to having your nails short. Although long acrylic nails may be all the rage on Pinterest, Instagram, and even music videos, they’re often a lot more hassle than they’re worth – especially if you need to fork over nearly a hundred dollars for them.
We believe that short nails can be as beautiful as long, bold nails, just as long as you get your manicure right. Below are some of the best short nail ideas to get you inspired to update your manicure for any season – do them yourself, or take your favorite design to your local nail tech!
The Best Short Nail Designs To Recreate
1. Dried Flowers
This pretty design looks stunning and is perfect for short nails. The matte, nude base is decorated with little flowers and petals around the outside of the nail that look like dried flowers, creating a dainty and delicate manicure.
2. Green + Pink
Play around with a range of colors to create an eye-catching manicure on your short nails, like these green and clear nails. There are two different shades of green in this manicure, alongside a dark brown nail and a gold nail decorated with pink oversized polka dots – so much fun!
3. Abstract Gold Accents
We love the artistic, unique look of this iridescent and gold manicure. Each nail begins with an iridescent base, which shines in blue, green, and purple shades under the lights, then the nails are decorated with gleaming gold accents in a circular, crescent moon, and drip shapes – each gold accent is different to create a distinctive manicure.
4. Mini Rainbows
Keep it simple with a neutral base and a mini rainbow to create a super cute nail design. The nails have been painted with a sheer, nude shade and then there is a little rainbow at the base of each nail to create a beautiful manicure.
5. The Evil Eye
These pale pink short nails have been decorated with little blue and white evil eyes on the index and little fingers, while the rest of the nails have a gleaming gold French tip to add a glamorous touch.
6. Coffee + Caramel
This dark coffee brown and caramel color palette is perfect for the fall and winter months. The nails are painted in glossy shades of brown, while the accent finger features bronze glitter which really sparkles in the light – just stunning!
7. Iridescent Blue
Sometimes a sparkly or shimmering nail polish is the best way to add an eye-catching touch to any short nail designs, like this iridescent polish. Each of the nails is painted with this extra special nail polish which shines in blue and purple tones under the lights, giving your nails a striking look.
8. Icy Blue Sequins
This manicure is perfect for the winter months with its icy color palette! Three nails are painted in a light blue shade, then the ring finger has a pink base and is decorated with glitter, while the little finger is covered entirely in icy blue sequins and glitter.
9. Neutral Glamour
Neutral shades can be super glamorous, just as this gorgeous manicure shows you. The nails are painted with a shimmering pale pink shade, apart from the middle finger which has a pink base and is decorated with little sparkling silver flecks – simple and chic!
10. Fall Leaves
This rich dark brown shade is perfect for the fall months, and the leaf design really complements the color. The ring finger begins with a glossy nude base and then is decorated with leaves and branches in brown and gold glitter, to add a little extra sparkle to these fall nails.
11. Green Cracks
This green, cracked design is just stunning and so unique too. Three nails have been painted in a glossy forest green shade, while the index and middle fingers have a white base and are decorated with olive green and gold lines that look like cracks along the nail – so striking!
