Manicure: 6 nail art ideas that flatter short nails

Are your nails not growing properly or do you prefer them when they are cut short? This is no reason not to pamper them! Our advice and inspiration to enhance your short nails.

Even if you have a bad habit of biting your nails, if they grow poorly or if you have a penchant for short nails, you too can aspire to a manicure worthy of the most beautiful Instagram photos. What color varnish should I apply? How to get length without using gel nails? Which nail art to choose? We tell you everything!

3 tips to enhance your short nails

If you have healthy nails, these tips will help you show them off. If, on the other hand, your nails are soft, brittle and/or splitting, do not hesitate to make an appointment with your dermatologist to detect the origin of the problem and get appropriate treatment.

1. The varnish? Yes, but not just anyhow

Don’t skip the varnish, but avoid too dark or matte colors which tend to pack the nail. Light shades like ballerina pink, transparent (top coat), off-white (Milky Nails style), glazed donut (chrome pink) or nude colors are your best allies.

Tip: create a visual effect of length by starting your application just above the cuticles and applying your varnish in the middle of the nail, avoiding the side edges. This way your nail will appear narrower and longer.

2. Don’t ignore beauty salons

If you don’t like your nails, you may want to make them as discreet as possible. Therefore, you avoid nail salons and bars. Error! Many salons offer what they call “spa manicure”: during this treatment, the professional will file your nails to perfect their shape and polish them to enhance their shine. A moisturizing treatment will then be applied to provide softness and comfort to your cuticles and hands. The latter will regain their natural elegance and you will appreciate your short nails more.

3. Want length? Think about BIAB

Do you dream of long, perfectly painted nails but can’t seem to grow them? Go to a salon that carries out applications of BIAB (or “Builder In A Bottle”), the flagship varnish of The Gel Bottle brand. This alternative to semi-permanent comes in the form of a builder gel which acts as a treatment to strengthen the nails, deeply nourish them and stimulate their growth.

BIAB varnishes are available in different nude shades, giving the nail a smooth and healthy appearance, but it is possible to apply a color on top. If you want to achieve a nice length, you will need to return to the beautician every three to four weeks for your touch-ups. Over time, your nails will become stronger, more resistant and you will obtain a beautiful natural length.

6 manicure ideas for short nails

Want to treat yourself to a pretty manicure or nail art? These inspirations will enhance your short nails.

The ultra-thin French

Apply a nude varnish to your nails then create a very delicate white or colored border to avoid “eating” the nail too much. Ideal for making your nude even more elegant.

The reverse French

The principle? A nude colored nail with a white, colored or glittery line at the edge of the cuticles rather than at the tips of the nails.

The lateral French

This variation consists of making a border starting from the middle of the cuticles or the top of the nail and running along one of its sides.

The little details

Weights, stars, hearts, flowers, glitter, gold leaf flakes… Have fun!

Vertical lines

To give a more slender appearance to the nails, there is nothing like movements that play on the length of the nail rather than its width.

The color/nude alternation

Depending on the location of the nails, some may appear more compact, others more slender. If you like peppy colors, wear them on your nails that appear longer and apply nude on the others.

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