11 Nail Art Ideas to Make Short, Stubby Nails Look Longer

By Jenny Jin, PureWow

Don’t think you have the real estate to rock one of those cool designs you’ve seen on Instagram? We beg to differ. Whether you have naturally (ahem) petite nail beds or just prefer to keep your tips clean and clipped, here are 11 ways to subtly enhance them.
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Two-toned Lines

A post shared by Alicia Torello (@aliciatnails) on Nov 2, 2017 at 8:26am PDT

Vertical lines give the illusion of length. Two-toned lines give major style.

Negative Space

A post shared by nail artist Oksana Oblap (@oksana_oblap) on Feb 10, 2018 at 5:41am PST

Negative space (aka our favorite nail art trend—ever) is particularly flattering on closely cropped tips because it allows the design to really stand out, while keeping the rest of the nail bed visually open.

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Nouveau French

A post shared by Paintbox (@paintboxnails) on Oct 9, 2017 at 7:13pm PDT

Upgrade a classic French manicure with a sliver of color on the tips. The key is to keep the lines thin so you don’t crowd a smaller nail.

Compact Details

A post shared by Molly (@nailartbymolly) on Jan 18, 2018 at 1:52pm PST

Add compact details to catch the eye, but limit their placement to the edges of your nails so they don’t look cluttered. Bonus points if you use neutral shades, which have a lengthening effect.
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Almond Tips

A post shared by Gracie J, Artist|Visionary 🇭🇹 (@theeditorialnail) on Apr 29, 2018 at 5:16pm PDT

Or try a similar design (and color palette), but with pointed tips, which are especially elongating on shorter nails.

Neon Details

A post shared by Park Eunkyung (@nail_unistella) on Jan 31, 2018 at 10:14pm PST

Whereas a full-on neon mani might make your nails look like, well, Day-Glo Chiclets, sampling some bright shades using very fine lines adds a nice summery twist that’s still elevated.

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Negative Space Lines

A post shared by Frances Liang (@purplenailbox) on Mar 5, 2018 at 9:35am PST

Quick recap: Lines are elongating and negative space makes the most of smaller nail beds. Ergo, blending the two looks creates a winning (and slimming) combo.

Cutout Accents

A post shared by Meghann Rosales, Nails Y'all (@nailsyall) on Jun 16, 2018 at 6:57am PDT

A punchy design like this one might be overkill on all ten fingers, but as an accent nail (or two) it delivers just the right amount of pizzazz.

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Small Decals

A post shared by Nail Art By Queenie 💋 (@nailartbyqueenie25) on May 22, 2018 at 7:22am PDT

A DIY option if you’re short on time and space: teeny tiny nail stickers. Using a pair of tweezers, place each decal onto the base of the nail and seal everything in with your shiniest topcoat.

Monochromatic Mani

A post shared by Paintbox (@paintboxnails) on Jan 5, 2018 at 4:21am PST

You know the whole monochromatic trend in fashion? Same logic applies here. Wearing colors within the same family streamlines any look—or in this case, your mini mani.

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Graphic Edges

A post shared by nail artist Oksana Oblap (@oksana_oblap) on Sep 11, 2017 at 3:16am PDT

For the creative set: Graphic shapes lined to the outer edges of your nails will give them a modern upgrade without being too overwhelming on the eyes.

See more at: PureWow