40+ Chic and Stylish Short Nail Designs for a Trendy Look


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40+ Chic and Stylish Short Nail Designs for a Trendy Look

Short nails have taken over as the latest trend in 2022, replacing the previous popularity of long nails among celebrities and social media influencers. If you’ve ever struggled with everyday tasks because of your long nails, this trend may be a relief for you unlike Cardi B. However, don’t be discouraged that shorter nail length means a lack of creativity or statement. Short nails can still be dramatic and bold or simple and discreet, and you have the freedom to explore various designs for a sporty look.
For many years, the Kardashians popularized the trend of having long-tipped nails. However, Kim Kardashian recently disclosed that she now prefers shorter nails. According to an interview with Allure, Kardashian finds long nails impractical and sometimes uses press-on nails for photoshoots. She also admits that when she does wear longer nails, it can lead to communication difficulties as people struggle to understand her texts.
Switching from long artificial nails to natural ones does not have to be uninteresting. Nail professionals are developing numerous fresh and groundbreaking designs for trimmed nails. According to celebrity nail artist Vanessa Sanchez McCullough, people are beginning to understand that nail size doesn’t dictate the outcome on nail art. Even with short or long nails, it’s still possible to achieve trendy and attractive styles.
Take a look at these 55 brief nail styles prior to your upcoming manicure.

A pop of red

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By adding a pop of red polish, this manicure transforms from being subtle and plain to becoming bold and fascinating. This is achieved by applying a bright, cherry red polish on top of a milky white base coat. This style is especially suitable for festive occasions like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, it is also an amazing option if you desire to add a touch of color to your manicure while keeping the rest of your nail colorless.

Bold gold

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Short nails look elongated and have a glowing shine with the application of gold nail polish. The oval shape of the nails also provides a practical and trimmed appearance. The gold polish is striking and doesn’t require any additional nail designs to enhance its appearance. This style is versatile for both day and night wear.

Make it spooky

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Even if you don’t wear long coffin-shaped nails, you can still express your fondness for Halloween. For those who prefer short nails but still enjoy themed manicures, these designs incorporate the spooky vibe by depicting ghosts, spiderwebs, and pumpkins on a neutral background. By painting one nail black, the overall look is enhanced and this trendy style is perfected.

Blueberry lemonade

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Crelly is a kind of polish that closely resembles jelly that is generally non-transparent, and does not have a distinct color. It often has shiny specks in it. In this particular product, the crelly has pale blue as a base color along with teal, white, and yellow sparkles. It’s a convenient way to replicate the look of nail art without much effort, requiring only the application of the product.

Pink and black simplicity

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If you’re searching for a feminine and timeless look for your nails, but don’t want too much nail art, try combining pink and black colors. This elegant duo reminds one of Paris and is particularly stunning with delicate black leaf outlines painted over a pristine, light pink background. It’s hard not to admire this chic and sophisticated design.

Pastel abstract

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To make your next manicure look captivating, use distinct, unconventional art that incorporates light, pastel hues. To modernize a short manicure, apply random strokes of grey and blue nail polish on top of a pastel pink base coat. To complete the look, add some silver glitter for a night out or a day at work.

Zodiac nails

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Making your zodiac sign known can be easily done by putting it on your nails using exclusive nail art stickers. With these stickers, you can give your nails a touch of astrology and individuality. For an eye-catching effect, apply the stickers over nails that have been painted in a combination of watermelon, pale peach, and turquoise colors. This will make your nails stand out and become a topic of discussion.

Go retro

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Get into the vibe of the 1970s by opting for a trendy retro-style manicure adorned with squiggly patterns in soft shades of blue, brown, green, and yellow. This fun and vibrant manicure is perfect for theme parties or just to showcase your love for vintage looks. With the use of a gel squiggle, you can experiment with multiple colors and add depth to your manicure.

Matte black

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While you may believe that long, pointed nails are necessary to make a fashion statement with your manicure, this is not the case. By painting your nails with a matte black finish in a shorter, square shape, you can achieve a dramatic look without the need for length. This dark and sheenless polish complements any outfit, making it a versatile choice.

Sunshine yellow

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Elevate your spirits immediately by getting a pastel shade for your nails that are painted in yellow. To give an extra touch of color to this already lively manicure, red accents resembling a part of a flower petal are painted on the edges of each nail. This one-of-a-kind creative manicure is bound to catch attention.

Bold outline

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Who says short nails can’t be creative? We admire the way this nail expert added a green polish outline to a short, square-shaped manicure with a rich indigo blue base. Despite its simplicity, this method creates a striking and exclusive end product.

Floral cuff

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A timeless and simple nude manicure is enhanced with a milky white vine design that softens the overall appearance. The addition of this nail art creates a feminine touch while maintaining a neutral look. The unexpected effect of this design is truly appreciated.

Skinny French

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Combining black and nude colors in nail art is a classic combination that never goes out of style. The recent variation of a skinny French manicure with a black line on a short, square nail adds a modern touch to the traditional white tip look. This stunning design is suitable for any event and is sure to grab attention.

Gold shards on a neutral base

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Even short nails can look great with minimal treatment. You can achieve a chic and sophisticated look by painting a neutral shade of polish on your nails and adding a simple line of gold glitter polish. This uncomplicated yet elegant style can also be a quick way to add some glamour to your nails before a night out.

Floral French

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A classic French manicure on a short, rounded nail is always a safe choice. However, the addition of delicate floral accents by a skilled nail artist gives it a unique and fresh feel. The artist has added a single yellow daisy to each nail, which adds a subtle flower power element to the overall look.

Brown and pink

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For a while, it has been trendy to have one or two nails that stand out, but having two accent nails can make a look even more distinct. The combination of brown and pink polishes has always been a beautiful choice. By adding floral patterns to the brown accent nails and painting the rest of the nails in a bubblegum shade, the result is an eye-catching appearance.

Abstract ’80s

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By using black, pink, yellow, orange, and blue polishes to make abstract lines on a milky white base, this nail design creates an 80s inspired style. It takes cues from Miami Vice and neon fashion of that decade, which gives it an absolutely gorgeous look. The pattern is perfect for those who want to add a splash of color to their manicure.

Chrome French twist

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Nail artists have found boundless inspiration in the French manicure. They drew inspiration from Tom Bachik, a popular celebrity nail artist who replaced the conventional white tips with a silver chrome finish. Additionally, Swarovski crystals were incorporated to add an extra touch of luxury. The outcome is breathtaking!

Rose quartz with gold foil

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In recent times, the use of gold decorations has become more prevalent, particularly in the realm of nail art. Regardless of whether you opt for gold sparkles, lacquer or gems, this valuable element is certain to enhance the appearance of your manicure. This specific nail technician applied gold foil over a rose quartz foundation to produce an impressive outcome that is guaranteed to attract attention.

Gradient glitter and snowflakes

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Themed nails are something we admire. This exquisite winter wonderland manicure is not too overpowering, yet it’s strikingly beautiful. With a nude foundation, a gradient technique is employed to apply glitter solely to the nail tips. It gives the impression that the glitter is cascading down the nails in a snowfall-like pattern, and the snowflake decals are the finishing touches that make this nail design the epitome of seasonal beauty.

Polka dots

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The trend of using polka dots in nail art has been immensely popular over the years. These dots are always enjoyable, cute, and easy to do at your own house. You don’t need to go to a professional nail artist to achieve this beautiful manicure, as long as you have the ability to paint with precision and a range of nail polish colors. The combination of various shades of blue and white on these nails adds a preppy style that we truly adore.

Go chrome

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Although Hailey Bieber may have made the present chrome nail polish trend famous by sporting them on her lengthy nails, it is a style that suits all nail lengths. Even with a short manicure, the chrome treatment produces a flawlessly smooth opalescent shine that looks wonderful. Whether you have sporty or longer nails, this style is equally breathtaking.

Pink and gold

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When it comes to nail art, the combination of pink and gold is always a classic choice. Although a bubblegum nail polish is a timeless color, incorporating a gold foil accent along the side of each nail elevates the overall look. Adding this touch of metallic shine enhances the cool factor of the manicure while still keeping it uncomplicated and neat.

Coral quartz

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Recreate the appearance of your most cherished crystal through an exquisite manicure using coral quartz. According to the nail artist’s Instagram post, a distinctive brush, red and coral colored nail polishes, and a foil palette are instrumental in achieving this one-of-a-kind effect. To attain a realistic finish, it is crucial to make each nail stand out separately.

Nude water marbling

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Water marbling requires practice to perfect, but it has the ability to produce a breathtaking effect on any manicure. The way this nail artist blended different shades of nude, pink, and indigo blue is impressive. Furthermore, the use of water marbling on a section of the nail, emphasized by a solitary jewel is very imaginative. Each nail displays a distinct design, making this look more appealing than ever.

Rainbow nails

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Achieve a vibrant and colorful manicure with these charming nails. Delicate hues of blue, purple, pink, yellow, and green provide an array of colors without being too overpowering. The best part of this design is that you don’t have to select a single polish as you can flaunt all of them together. It’s akin to chasing a rainbow on your fingertips.

Half-moon Skittle

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To achieve a fascinating nail art, you can paint the lower half of your nails, just below the cuticle, with a different color from the rest of the nail surface. This nail specialist applied various shades of Skittle polish on each nail and blended it with a smooth, creamy base polish. This technique is a unique take on the customary rainbow manicure.

Gold plaid

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By being a little creative, nail decals and stickers can produce exceptionally distinctive appearances. This particular nail technician utilized a transparent foundation beneath various gold nail stickers to craft a checkered pattern. In case you feel like shifting things up soon after getting your nails done, utilizing stickers enables you to take them off and substitute them with other designs.

Wedding manicure

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A neutral base with handwritten words at the side of the ring finger in silver chrome dust and a heart on the opposite hand’s ring finger conveys a strong message of commitment, making it an innovative and smart interpretation of traditional wedding nails, while still maintaining an unpretentious, graceful and sophisticated appearance.

Miami vibes

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Exhibit some vibrant Miami energy by embellishing your nails with palm trees and abstract designs painted by hand, using polishes in striking shades of neon pink, black, and yellow. This nail design is perfect for the warm summer months or if you plan to travel to a tropical destination and desire your nails to portray your holiday spirit.

Valentine’s nails

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This manicure provides an intriguing variation of the usual red nail appearance that numerous individuals sport on Valentine’s Day. In lieu of painting all the nails a deep shade of red, only one nail is adorned in scarlet while a light pink hue is applied to the other nails. The remaining nails feature a red heart design, resulting in an adorable Valentine’s Day-themed manicure.

Animal instinct

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Exhibit your affection for animal print by selecting this cheetah style. This untamed fashion has been seen in articles of clothing, handbags, and accessories; thus, why not try it out on your nails? You can decide to paint the design on a single accent nail or two. For those who want to take on more, you can opt to have the entire manicure crafted in this pattern.

Spooky season nails

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If you enjoy the spooky atmosphere of Halloween, this nail art is perfect for you. Transform your black manicure into a spooky masterpiece with these Halloween-inspired nails. Utilize a white nail polish pen to produce a range of creepy designs on your nails that give rise to a terrific matte finish.

Minimalist Halloween nails

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If you’re looking for a Halloween-inspired nail art that’s not too flashy but still shows your love for the spooky season, this simple yet stylish manicure might be perfect for you. The design features a sheer base coat with delicately painted small images of a cat, ghost, pumpkin, and witch hat, creating an adorable and subtle holiday-themed pattern.

Swarovski crystals

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By incorporating some bling into your manicure, you can make it look more dramatic. Even the slightest addition of Swarovski crystals can instantly transform a simple nude manicure into a red carpet-worthy look. You have the option to be as creative as you want with the number of crystals you add to your nails. If you’re looking for an affordable alternative, you could choose to use less expensive gems.

Tortoiseshell tips

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We are getting a fall-inspired feeling from this French manicure test. The shades of brown, yellow, and black blend together to produce a pattern reminiscent of a tortoiseshell, applied with a traditional Parisian technique on a see-through pink foundation. It is the ideal way to add some glamour to the sweater weather season.

Peacock style

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While the intention was to create a manicure inspired by blue eyes, the result appears to resemble the vibrant colors of peacock feathers. The nail art features a base of milky white, with accents of blue or green circular dots that contain a black polish center. To complete the design, a hint of silver glitter adds a festive touch, making these nails ideal for holiday events.

Feeling blue

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This blue manicure is beautifully displayed by the short nails. Various shades of blue and distinct nail art are used to paint each nail; despite the distinct design for each, the shared color theme unites them. The presence of flowers, hearts, and butterflies gives the manicure a fanciful atmosphere.

Matte plus metal

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When you use a non-shiny, vivid nail polish, your manicure obtains an elegant and impressive appearance. It differs considerably from a conventional glossy polish, but incorporating gemstones in golden color right at the fingernail’s surface enhances this design remarkably. The opposition between the purplish shade of nail polish and the golden gemstones grants an air of richness and femininity to the overall look.

Black and nude

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Here’s a different take on the classic combination of black and nude nail polish, which is a great choice for a less conventional Valentine’s Day-themed manicure. It’s quite distinctive to apply a French manicure design to just one nail, while embellishing another with black hearts and gold dots.

Getting groovy

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It’s impossible not to feel cool and upbeat when admiring this multicolored manicure. Using a neutral base, the nail artist created thin, swirly lines with various shades of pink, blue, orange, and pale green polish to achieve a trendy and refreshing nail design. The shorter length of the nails allows all of the colors to shine without overwhelming the overall appearance.

Easy tiger

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If you’re looking for something more than just an accent nail or two in your favorite animal print, you should try a tiger print manicure. This style was inspired by nail artist Betina Goldstein, who used regular polish to hand-paint the animal print. The final outcome is breathtaking and ideal for anyone who wants to experience something bold and daring.

Pink pride

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Express your pride throughout the year by wearing this remarkable and striking pink nail art adorned with rainbow-spotted stripes. The bright and fluorescent pink primary tone is stunning on its own, but incorporating the rainbow dotted line truly makes this nail art eye-catching. Moreover, you have the option to choose a different color as the base to tailor this design to your liking.

Bold and beautiful

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This manicure can be a great source of inspiration if you’re a fan of vibrant and daring colors on your nails. The combination of turquoise, fuchsia, green, orange, and yellow nail polishes creates a remarkable and impressive result, which can remind you of butterfly wings, flowers, or even abstract shapes. All in all, this manicure is a stunning and courageous choice.

Fresh as a daisy

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To create a charming and strong feminine manicure, one can decorate a navy blue matte base coat with hand-painted daisies. The addition of daisies has traditionally been associated with youthful summer manicures, but the use of navy blue makes it perfect for any season. Artistic floral designs are timeless for nail art and these daisies can be simply painted on without the need for decals or nail wraps.

Paint splatter

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Enhance the appearance of your nails using the paint splatter method. Start with a neutral foundation and add a range of bold color strokes, finally adding a touch of black polish to complete the look. This distinctive manicure demands an artist’s skill, and it’s not unexpected for manicurists to draw inspiration from other painting styles.

Emerald stars

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The use of a rich emerald green nail polish produces a stunning manicure, but when combined with metallic star decals, the overall effect becomes dazzling. This base shade is versatile enough to suit any occasion and time of year, while the use of constellation decals can be done sparingly. Applying a topcoat to the stars will help secure them in place for a long-lasting result.

Cloudy skies

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Even though clouds typically indicate an upcoming rainfall, this nail art displays only cloudless skies. A serene and ethereal vibe is attained with light blue nails accompanied by soft, handmade clouds. Every nail tip is unique, mirroring the distinctiveness of actual clouds.

Black and white chic

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Black and white are an incomparable duo. No matter the method of combining them, the outcome is always remarkable. This specific nail design seems to draw on inspiration from Betina Goldstein, who utilized the timeless black and white Chanel handbag to create unique nail art. Even though the concept is straightforward, like the designer’s accessory, applying black or white dots on a solid backdrop produces a sophisticated and vintage appearance.

Gradient rainbow

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This gradient style is a great option for those who admire a rainbow manicure but don’t want to paint each nail a different color. By transitioning your nail tips from pink to blue with purple and green in the middle, you can achieve a gradual and eye-catching rainbow effect.

Candy cane nails

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The trend of theme nails has gained popularity, but these traditional candy cane nails are ideal for the festive season. Whether it’s a holiday gathering or simply expressing the holiday mood, these white nails have red glittery stripes and shiny metallic stripes to add to the sparkle, showcasing a perfect look.

The open side French

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We’ve observed nail artists incorporating more contemporary elements into the classic side French manicure trend. This particular interpretation is particularly intriguing as opposed to the typical method of painting the entire tip blue, only the outline is outlined, preserving the traditional style.

Lucky cherry

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This manicure with hand-painted cherries is typically associated with spring and summer, but with the emerald green accents on the side of the nails, it can be worn throughout the year. The pale pink base complements the cherries, resulting in an overall sweet look.

Winter florals

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The beauty of floral designs is not restricted to just the summer season. A manicure with black and white flowers on a nude base is a great option for colder weather when you want something charming to admire. Despite its simplicity, the outcome is absolutely stunning and exudes a playful and feminine vibe.

Orange you glad you chose this nail art?

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This playful and vintage-inspired nail design combines orange and coral nail polish. You can use this color combo to create original and artistic patterns, such as hearts, flowers, swirls or plaids, on your nails. This style will definitely give you a nod to the 70s.


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