Top 25 Beautiful Short Nail Designs
Are you a fan of shorter nails? A lot of women love to show off their natural & neat manicures, which is why women often get gel manicures!
Short nails are also super easy to maintain as well as do on your own.
Not too sure if short nails are for you, or if they can be as beautiful or attention-seeking? Keep on reading since we have over 25 different and unique designs for you to explore and choose from!
Who Should Go For Short Nails?
Shorter nails can be worn by anyone! However, their major advantage is that they are long-lasting as well as easy to do at home. There is no reason to get acrylics or nail tips since you can enjoy gel manicures or your regular nail polish! Usually, shorter nails are worn by women who:
- Prefer low-maintenance nails
- Women who work out at the gym
- Women who do a lot of house chores or errands at home
- Workaholic women who prefer simple and neat nails
Also, younger women as well as teens and kids will love shorter nails. Only women who dislike this kind of manicure are women who have a special and formal event ahead, and they want something dramatic, bold, as well as attention-seeking.
How To Get Short Nails?
If you want to wear short nails and you want to get them on your own make sure that you are equipped with the right set of tools. What tools?
- A nail or gel polish
- A UV lamp (if you are working with a gel polish)
- Nail clippers
- A nail file
Step 1: Cut your nails to your preferred and ideal size. Use a pair of sturdy as well as high-quality nail clippers.
Step 2: Shape your natural nails to your favorite shape. You can go for an oval, square, or stiletto. Use a nail buffer and move it over your nails 2-3 times to remove any dead skin layers and to get that additional shine!
Step 3: Prepare your nails with a nail base. Add one layer of this product and let it air dry or cure it under a UV lamp for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Now it is time for that fun part – color! Add your favorite gel or nail polish over your nails. Go for two layers and let them dry.
Step 5: Set your manicure with a topcoat. It will prolong the lifespan of your nail polish and will give you a lot of shine!
Top 25 Beautiful Short Nail Designs
1. Short Purple Lilac Oval Nails
Short & lilac nails are great for the Spring or Summer season! This manicure is feminine as well as bright & noticeable – really girly!
Who should go for this manicure?
Younger women, kids, as well as those who are still in school, will like this manicure. It is suitable for younger girls and simpler gatherings.
How to achieve these short nails?
Go for an oval shape and add two layers of your favorite purple or lilac color on top.
2. Short Candy Inspired Manicure
If you can’t make up your mind, go for this color combo! It is bright, noticeable, as well as perfect for women who are indecisive and who love a large shade range.
Who should go for this manicure?
If you are a fan of pastel as well as neon colors you will love this manicure and this color combo. Also, if you are a candy fanatic this manicure will scream your name!
How to achieve these short nails?
Go for a square shape and color each of your nails differently. Make sure that you have several different gel or polish shades that you can work with.
3. Short Square Shaped Black Nails
Are you into monochrome nails? Some women prefer darker and mystical colors. This black shade is perfect for the winter season!
Who should go for this manicure?
Women who love darker polishes will love this glossy black look! You can wear black to any formal event since it is quite feminine and formal at the same time, especially once paired along with some golden details or golden jewellery.
How to achieve these short nails?
Add two coats of your favourite black nail polish. Do not forget a shiny top coat on top.
4. Neon Inspired Square Shaped Short Nails
Do you love colourful nails? Can’t make your mind up on what’s the prettiest color of the rainbow? Why not get all of them!
Who should go for this manicure?
Women who love bright and shiny nails will adore this manicure. These shorter nails are also great for girls who are indecisive, and who have some parties to attend to!
How to achieve these short nails?
Color your nails in a mix & match pattern. You can also go for a matte topcoat if you want your nails to stand out!
5. Cartoon Inspired Short Oval White Nails
Cartoon nails are unique and different from some other manicures. Not a lot of people can do this design, so rather book yourself a nail tech for this gorgeous outcome!
Who should go for this manicure?
If you have a meeting or a gathering where you wish to stand out – go for this color combo. It is also pretty and cute for some parties.
How to achieve these short nails?
If you can’t hand draw these lines and images on your own, use nail stickers. Glue these on top and let them set with your see-through top coat.
Also Read: Top 30 Creative Nail Designs With Lines (Short And Long)
6. Short Polka Dot Nails
These cute short nails are full of details! This manicure just shows that even natural & short nails can look cute & attention-seeking!
Who should go for this manicure?
Women who like dramatic nails and who love Dalmatians will adore this print! It is also perfect for the Halloween season.
How to achieve these short nails?
Go for a nude base, but color some of your nails half-white. Use a black polish and create little lines and dots on top.
7. Bright Yellow Short Nails
This bright yellow color is the perfect Summer solution! Women who prefer simple yet feminine manicures will love this shade in either a gel or polish form!
Who should go for this manicure?
If you need something that is office-friendly while still being fun to wear – this is your color! It is also great for parties and everyday gatherings.
How to achieve these short nails?
Stick to an oval shape. Add two layers of color and let it air dry for 10 minutes.
8. Short Black And White Nails
In the mood for something unusual? Not a lot of women dare to wear three colors at once. If you want to stand out – this is for you!
Who should go for this manicure?
You will love this trio color combo for a hot date night! It is also perfect for parties & weddings.
How to achieve these short nails?
Use nail tapes or stickers to achieve middle designs. Make sure that you have a nude, black & white polish before you begin the process.
9. Beautiful & Feminine French Manicure
Are you a fan of French manicures? However, you want a slight twist? This color combo and dot details will look feminine and lovely on every lady!
Who should go for this manicure?
These are the perfect nails for a bride-to-be! They will also look great on women who prefer simpler designs!
How to achieve these short nails?
Go for a simple French manicure, but decorate the beginning of your nails with a few white dots. Go for a high-shine top coat on top!
10. Silver Marble Short Manicure
Are you into art and beautiful drawings? Women who love the marble print will adore this Winter-inspired manicure.
Who should go for this manicure?
If you want something semi-casual yet unique, you will stand out with this design! Women who are creative and who want to wear unusual nails on a daily will love the combo.
How to achieve these short nails?
The marble print may be a bit hard to do on your own. Purchase some nail stickers online or in-store in order to get this unique print.
11. Green Oval Short Nails
This leaf-inspired and green manicure is for people who love the Fall season! It is also quite feminine and artsy!
Who should go for this manicure?
Event-wise, this design will look the best on mature women who love a pop of color. You can wear it to the office as well!
How to achieve these short nails?
Use a small toothpick and make sure to have patience to draw these little leaf designs.
12. White Short Square Nails With Black Line Details
White nails but with a dash of color and a unique line design are for women who love the simplicity! The color combo itself is also super easy to achieve and do on your own.
Who should go for this manicure?
This is great for younger women, as well as girls who are still in school or at college.
How to achieve these short nails?
Color all of your nails in white and use a piece of thread that you will dip into black polish to achieve these straight lines.
13. Short Oval Candy Inspired Nails
Are you into color and sweet nails, literally?! These candy-themed ones are perfect for the Summer season!
Who should go for this manicure?
This color combo and playfulness is great for the Halloween season. If you need a manicure that you can match with your daughter – this is it!
How to achieve these short nails?
Book yourself a manicure in this case! This color combo and these details may be a bit hard for you to do on your own.
14. Oval Short Green French Nails
Neon green French nails are an absolute hit among younger women, you will love them on your natural short nails!
Who should go for this manicure?
It is the perfect office-friendly manicure + it will look great on moms!
How to achieve these short nails?
Purchase yourself French tip nail stickers. Place them on top, and instead of your white nail polish, use a green one!
15. Oval Black Nails With White Details
This starry manicure has some galaxy inspired elements + it is the perfect nail inspo for women who love astrology or even the zodiac!
Who should go for this manicure?
These short oval nails will look the prettiest on women who are in their mid-twenties. You can wear this look to hot dates, your classes, as well as for some night-outs.
How to achieve these short nails?
Color all of your nails in black. Use a white nail polish on top and make sure to have patience when drawing these starry signs and little details. Use a toothpick and a fine tip pencil to achieve dimension.
16. Short Silver Square Shaped Nails
Are you into glitter? A lot of women love the sparkle, are you one of them as well?
Who should go for this manicure?
These are the perfect nails for your prom night! You can also wear them for a birthday party or any other big celebration!
How to achieve these short nails?
Just make sure to place some beautiful and bright glitter over 2-4 of your nails.
17. Short Red Vine Inspired Manicure
These are the perfect Fall inspired nails. They are great for older women who prefer and love these ‘’serious’’ colors.
Who should go for this manicure?
Mature women, workaholic women, as well as moms or moms to be will love this design and color combo!
How to achieve these short nails?
Go for an oval shape and add two coats of this color. The neater – the better!
18. Mint Inspired Square Shaped Nails
This is a beautiful color combo as well as shape that only some women may dare to wear. Are you one of those women as well? Show your uniqueness!
Who should go for this manicure?
This is the prettiest design if it is your birthday, giant gala party, or prom! However, it may not be the best color or shape choice for older women.
How to achieve these short nails?
Grab a mint nail polish and a white nail polish. Make sure to draw these lines precisely and slowly. It is a time-consuming masterpiece.
19. Beautiful Short Leaf Inspired Manicure
This is another Fall inspired manicure that is covered in petite and beautiful details!
Who should go for this manicure?
Anyone can wear these nails to any & every event. However, they may suit a bride the best!
How to achieve these short nails?
Make sure that you have leaf stickers that you will place down on 3-4 of your nails. Set it with a top coat.
20. Polka Dot Bright Blue Short Manicure
Polka dot nails and dot nails in general are for women who love the 60s era! This manicure is unique and retro, for sure.
Who should go for this manicure?
If you are an old soul and you love old-school manicures this print will suit you. Event-wise, it may suit bachelorette parties and baby showers the best!
How to achieve these short nails?
Color all of your nails in blue. Use a white polish and place small little white dots on top.
21. Short Mint Square Shaped Manicure
Mint nails scream fun & Summer! This color polish is one of the most-worn colors from June-August, so why not give it a go?
Who should go for this manicure?
Everyone will adore this color combo. You should wear it to your next big party, to the office, or even if you are getting married – it is super universal.
How to achieve these short nails?
Go for a square shape and let your nails shine a lot with a proper top coat!
22. Bright Yellow Floral Inspired Manicure
If you are a flower lover this manicure will suit you. It is the perfect Summer inspo, perfect for girls and women!
Who should go for this manicure?
Women who are in their forties will slay this bright look! It is also the perfect choice for moms as well as garden lovers!
How to achieve these short nails?
The flowers may be a bit hard to do on your own. Rather book yourself a professional manicure and you’ll love the outcome even more!
23. Ombre Inspired Short Manicure
Are you into ombre nails, as well as gradient pastel colors? These nails are a masterpiece, perfect for teens who love to look rebellious!
Who should go for this manicure?
This color-combo is perfect for parties & raves! Try and show them off if you are still in college or at school.
How to achieve these short nails?
Make sure that you have 3-4 pastel shades. Apply one polish at a time and let them slowly and gradually transition from one color to the other.
24. Valentine Inspired Short Red & Pink Manicure
These Valentine inspired nails are beautiful and will suit girls who are in love! Also, they are an absolute hit for the month of February!
Who should go for this manicure?
Anyone who is in love or who loves the pink, white & red color combo will enjoy this look.
How to achieve these short nails?
Draw a couple of red hearts with a small brush pencil. Let the hearts dry down before you set them with a top coat.
25. Short Green Leaf Inspired Manicure
Green & bohemian nails are perfect for girls who are into spirituality, and who love a unique color combo!
Who should go for this manicure?
You will love these nails for giant festivals, rave parties, or for a birthday party! They might look the best on younger women.
How to achieve these short nails?
Color them in green and add a sparkle of golden details on top!
Ready To Show Off Your Beautiful Short Nails?
So, are you ready to proudly show off your beautiful, natural & short nails? Let us know which nail design was your absolute favorite! These 25 manicures are unique, pretty, as well as easy to do and achieve on your own. If you prefer the natural look and you love to DIY some projects, we highly believe that this article and these designs are perfect for you!
