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Sticking to the classics never fails.
The Gist
- French tips, subtle metallic accents, and true red polish have earned permanent spots in the manicure hall of fame—and they work especially well on short nails.
- An InStyle writer found 12 classic nail designs that lend themselves to short nails, ahead.
As long as gourmand-inspired nail trends persist (think of key lime pie, Popsicle, and even butter yellow manicures), and nail hall of famers like Hailey Bieber continue sharing their fresh sets on Instagram, you’ll never be at a loss for nail designs. Sometimes, though, it can feel good to take a step back from trends and return to the classics.
A French tip never fails; it hasn’t since its 1975 inception by manicurist Jeff Pink, CEO of Orly International. Red nails have stolen hearts for literal centuries. Cleopatra and Nefertiti stained their nails crimson using henna while silver screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth were known for their scarlet claws. Of course, there are also plenty of modern designs that have cemented themselves as classics, such as milky pink polish, tortoiseshell accents, and barely there chrome accents.
The beauty of classic nail designs, other than their timelessness, is that they look beautiful on every nail length and shape, and they complement a wide range of tastes. Ahead, find 12 classic nail designs specifically for short nails.
01 of 12
Tortoiseshell Tips
Tortoiseshell headbands, sunglasses, and nail art go with almost everything. These micro tortoiseshell French tips maximize space on your nail beds.
02 of 12
Milky Pink
A milky pink base is seriously a can’t-miss style. It looks good on literally everyone and makes your nails look dainty and chic without having to do much.
03 of 12
Gold Decals
Gold decals on a bare, practically nude base look so cool and effortless. Plus, they’re super easy to put on at home or get done at the salon.
04 of 12
Vertical Stripes
Stripes are a pattern that will never go out of style. Here, the artist opted for tomato red lines over milky white base, but you could easily swap the stripe color for another timeless shade, like black or navy blue.
05 of 12
Icy
Iced out nails? Yes, please. A frosty finish elevates even the simplest solid manicure.
06 of 12
Strawberry Fields
There’s no manicure more classic than a French tip. This artist gave hers a playful twist with a hand-painted strawberry on each thumb.
07 of 12
Half Moon
Add a slightly avant-garde feel to a classic half moon manicure with a pop of blue on a creamy nude base.
08 of 12
Tonal French Tips
White on white nails feel as fresh and airy as an all-white linen outfit. Opaque French tips add subtle contrast to a whisper-sheer base.
09 of 12
Coastal Charm
Certain motifs, like seashells and starfish, return summer after summer. In a neutral color palette, they convey an elegant, coastal charm.
10 of 12
Chrome French Tip
Silver chrome French tips look crisp and cool against this set’s milky base. Swap for gold if the warm-toned metal is more your speed.
11 of 12
Tile Prints
This blue and white tile design hints at a Euro summer escape. Just picture wearing this manicure while clutching an Aperol spritz on a winding cobblestone street!
12 of 12
Classic Red
If you can count on one thing, it’s this: a true red manicure is always a sure hit.
Read the original article on InStyle
