Is nail art for every nail shape and length– including short nails?
“A short simple silhouette calls for a dimensional design that will accentuate the hands through color,” says Arnold, who recommends trying a different shade on each nail, a micro-French design, or both together. Celebrity manicurist, Betina Goldstein, has some good examples for nails that are shorter in length, but are equally as stunning.
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Instagram/@lexi_nails_spa1/55Aura Nails
Kind of like a mood ring, but instead of changing colors, you can pick the color you want your aura to be. FYI, pink symbolizes an open heart chakra.
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Instagram/@nailsbymei2/55Nail Freckles
@nailsbymei created this unique, yet crazy-easy-to-replicate minimalist look, and called it “nail beauty mark.” We’re obsessed. A nail marker like the one from Nails Inc. makes the dot design a breeze.
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Instagram/@amyle.nails3/55Glitter Bomb
When it comes to glitter, there’s no such thing as too much. Use a multicolor polish like Party in a Bottle from Ella + Mila to create extra dimension.
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Instagram/@labeautybarioannina4/55Mermaid Vibes
This Ariel-approved mani is right on trend with the under-the-sea looks we’ve been seeing on recent red carpets. If you’re DIY’ing, try a nontoxic nail polish like one from Zoya’s new daydreaming collection that’s filled with micro-shimmer-infused shades.
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Instagram/@kimkimnails5/55Cheery Cherries
There’s something so nostalgic and ’90s about this cherry and French combo.
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Instagram/@evemeetsnails6/55Velvet Tips
Velvet nails took Instagram by storm for the holidays, but the festivities aren’t over yet. Tone down the mesmerizing style (seriously, you have to see them in motion) by keeping the glitz to the tips.
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Instagram/@laurenladnier7/55Checkerboard Nails
Colorful checkerboard is having a moment in fashion—I can’t scroll through Insta without seeing the print—so it makes sense it’s now migrated to nails. Keeping it just on your tips ups the quirky factor even more.
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Instagram/@willwork4glitter8/55French Manicure
Yes, the French mani is sticking around, and there are a ton of different ways to wear it. Check out our guide to the best French manicure ideas for even more inspo.
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Instagram/@overglowedit9/55Mismatched Hands
For a unique nail idea, try different color nails on each hand. Make it even cooler with very of-the-moment shades like lilac and moss green. Try Essie Expressie in Get a Mauve On and Precious Car-Go! for a similar vibe.
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Instagram/@overglowedit10/55Pastel Swirls
Just looking at this metallic, pastel, ombré situation makes you feel calmer. The best part is they’re actually nail wraps, so it’s super easy to get the same look at home.
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Instagram/@stephstonenails11/55Black-and-White Flowers
White-and-black nail designs are so graphic and cool, especially when paired with something traditionally feminine like flowers.
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Instagram/@betina_goldstein12/55Soft Skittles
The Skittles mani, a.k.a. rainbow nails with a different shade on each nail, was one of the biggest trends of the past three years. Update it for 2023 with a more neutral, muted color palette.
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Instagram/@paintbox13/55Retro Florals
Simple flowers look even cuter when done up in earthy tones.
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Instagram/@amyytran14/55Graphic Edge
Negative space will never not be the coolest way to do nail art, and we’re particularly into this graphic black and gold take on the trend.
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Instagram/@nailsbycanishiea15/55Cool Emerald
Jewel tones will always look chic no matter your nail length. Deep green is one of our favorite trending nail colors right now. Elevate the look by adding another metal element, like gold glitter.
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Instragram/@evemeetsnails16/55Mismatched Art
Art that’s a little different on every nail is way easier if you’re going to attempt it yourself. Bonus: You get to play with tons of colors.
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Instagram/@paintboxnails/@@thefashionguitar17/55Edgy French
Toughen up French tips with a bright red base and black tips (we like OPI Big Apple Red and Sally Hansen Insta Dri in Black to Black). It looks so cool against an all-black outfit and stacked rings.
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Instagram/@_by_shelley18/55Golden Swirls
This luxe nail art looks way more difficult than it is to DIY. All you need is a tiny detail brush, a metallic gold polish, and a crisp, bright white.
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Instagram/@lemanoir19/55’90s Butterflies
The only thing cuter than these butterfly decals? Pairing them with a throwback French mani, of course.
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Instagram/@betina_goldstein20/55Holographic Manicure
There’s nothing better than an eye-catching mani that takes no effort to do. Enter holographic nail polish, which does all the work for you. Pacifica’s Moonray Hologloss 7 Free Top Coat is one of our favorites for a super-shiny look.
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Instagram/@lemanoir21/55Sunflowers
Channel summer all year round with some cheerful sunflowers—they’re easy enough to DIY with a toothpick and a solid yellow polish (try Essie Atelier at the Bay).
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Instagram/@nailsbymh22/55Smiley-Face Nails
It seems the internet is seeking out joy wherever possible, because smiley-face nail design ideas are everywhere we look. They’ve been spotted on everyone from Dua Lipa to Harry Styles—and just about every nail blogger on Insta.
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Instagram / @bingbangnyc23/55Rainbow Smileys
See what we mean? But here you get two trends in one.
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Instagram/@nailsbymei24/55Foil French
What do you get when you combine some of the coolest nail looks this year? This insane green foil French situation.
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Instagram / @xjuliatalisman25/55Bright Stripes
How do you take rainbow nails up a notch? Add even more color, of course.
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Instagram/@paintbox26/55Pretty Purples
The way the graphic shapes are contrasted by the softness of the purple is, in a word, genius. For the exact shades, use Paintbox’s Power Couples in Like Lilac + Like Muse.
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Instagram/@stephstonenails27/55Pink Ombré
Can’t decide on a single shade? Put your polish collection to work by using a different tone of one color on each nail (or just mix your base shade with varying levels of white for the same effect).
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Instagram/@fleuryrosenails28/55Cow Print
Make a celebrity fave even cooler with a peachy background instead of white.
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Instagram/@nailsbymh29/55Pastel Tips
Look at that, yet another variation on French tips. A rainbow of pastel shades makes the style feel modern and retro at the same time.
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Instagram/@paintbucketnails31/55Graphic Sparkle
Even the most glitter-adverse people can find some joy in this “sparkle” art.
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Instagram/@danaboulos32/55Negative-Space Hearts
Poppy red and negative space make hearts cool, not cutesy. To DIY, just paint over a heart-shaped sticker, let dry, and peel it off. (Be sure to check out our Valentine’s Day nails for more heart nail ideas).
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Instagram/@nataliepavloskinails33/55Mix-and-Match Stripes
Half-and-half stripes add even more punch to a rainbow-bright manicure.
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Instagram/@thenailphilosophy34/55Oreo Squiggles
So cute, no? A graphic squiggle is always fun and doing them in black-and-white makes for a mod vibe.
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@betina_goldstein / Instagram35/55Slime Green
Our Nickelodeon days might be over, but our love for slime lives on. Copy nail artist Betina Goldstein and use two coats of Essie Nail Polish in Blanc and one coat of Stencil Me In to really make the green pop.
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Instagram/@overglowedit36/55Blingy Blooms
Make a classic daisy even cuter by adding some gemstones in the center. If you have longer nails, add even more sparkle by adding a sprinkle of stones in any blank spaces.
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Instagram/@themaniclub37/55Silver Glitter
When you want something a little more than your basic mani but don’t want to head to the salon, a high-coverage glitter is your best bet. For a similar shade, try Olive & June in Exclamation Point.
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Instagram/@nataliepavloskinails38/55Realistic Flowers
Once you discover the rabbit hole that is Etsy nail decals, a whole new world opens up. These photorealistic roses could win over the most plant-averse person.
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Instagram/@betina_goldstein39/55Baby French
Ramp up a French manicure with two shades of pink. The thin lines look so cute on shorter nails, but thicker tips would make for a cute acrylic nail design.
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Instagram/@lolo.nailedit40/55Doodle Nails
One of 2021’s coolest nail trends was treating each nail like a page in a scrapbook, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Use a mix of stickers and hand-painted designs for the coolest mix.
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Instagram/@oliveandjune41/55Shiny Stars
Forgo nail polish entirely and cover your nails in pretty stickers for a high-impact, low-effort mani.
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Instagram/@oliveandjune42/55Moody Half Moons
In a word: chic. A negative-space mani like this one is great for longevity because the growth looks intentional instead of due for a nail appointment.
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Instagram/@lolo.nailedit43/55Negative French
Put a fresh spin on a classic by creating a French tip out of negative space.
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Instagram/@hollyfalconenails44/55Tiny Florals
You don’t need to have a green thumb to appreciate these dainty daisies. Use a toothpick or the end of a bobby pin for perfectly symmetrical dots. Easy.
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Instagram/@overglowedit45/55Colorful French
For another cool twist on a French mani, go with a different color tip on each nail. A gold decal adds another special touch.
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Instagram/@themaniclub46/55Blue Ombré
Another easy way to spice up your go-to mani? Use different variations of the same color on each finger for a cool ombré effect.
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Instagram/@overglowedit47/55Green Swirls
Green is having a major moment, both in fashion and across our nails. Maximize your mani with two shades of green and a groovy swirl design.
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Instagram/@julieknailsnyc48/55Mix and Match
For a mani that does the most, put one of this year’s trendiest nail designs on each finger. A bright color palette makes it even more eye-catching.
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Instagram/@julieknailsnyc49/55Pearly White
Take a frosty-white polish even further by adding teeny-tiny pearls at the cuticle line.
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Instagram/@lolo.nailedit50/55Blue Sparkles
For another take on cartoon sparkles, decorate only a few nails. An ice blue color palette keeps everything feeling fresh.
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Instagram/@nails_of_la51/55Angel Numbers and Aura
Taking the aura nail trend to the next energetic level, if you will, is this set that features angel numbers too.
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Instagram/@nailsbyb_xx52/55Moody French
Blame it on the Wednesday Addams effect or the gothcore trend. Whatever you call it, black is back and it’s cooler than ever.
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Instagram/@nailsbyheathere53/55Metallic Rainbow
If, like us, you have trouble deciding on which design to go with, this take on a pointy French shape with multiple glitter polish shades is the way to go. Bonus: It’ll go with any outfit!
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Instagram/@kimkimnails54/55Clean Girl Aesthetic
Squeaky-clean vibes and balletcore are very much trending right now, making this natural look far from basic. Halle Berry’s wearing CND Shellac in Uncovered.
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Instagram/@nailsbyjac55/55Groovy Vibes
The ’70s called and they want their nails back. These neutral colors and “yin-yang meets checkerboard” pattern is super fun without feeling like it’s too much.
