“Whenever I’m working out, I always have long, crisp, pointed nails.” Not to brag, but here at POPSUGAR Beauty, we follow in the footsteps of many in our industry with long, pointed, and perfectly painted nails. Some of us have even gotten down to the exact (albeit-too-tight) lengths of our toes — just to be sure that no two of our manicures are the same!
Even if we tend to go for the obvious with our manicures, there’s a way to make yours shorter without the dramatic look. Products and techniques are out there that you can use to make your nails look short without the intimidation factor, without the dangly heels. Below, we share tips to help get you on track with growing out your short nails (and still looking and feeling like you have them), with the help of experts.
1. Use Manicure Regimens and Cocktail Nails with a New Top Coat
For those of you who might not have had enough time with your manicure before bedtime, a look like this can make a difference:
Color base: Give your finished nail polish a big buff, as it’s your natural nail. Make sure to buff it with a fine-tipped brush and then apply a top coat.
Give your finished nail polish a big buff, as it’s your natural nail. Make sure to buff it with a fine-tipped brush and then apply a top coat. Curl: When you’re washing your feet, do not run your feet through the bath. Instead, your feet should be buffed on the bottom. Then, with a tool like a curling iron, wrap your nails in lacy clear tape. Wrap for a few minutes to create the look you’re looking for and it’s all water-based — no matter what the surface of your feet. You should be able to apply polish without much going wrong.
2. Make Sure You Leave Your Nails Out
The objective is to visually create the illusion of shorter nails with wet feet. So, when you’re feeling this urge to run them to the end, leave them out. This way, they won’t weigh down your entire manicure, and you’ll have a clearly defined top coat.
3. There Is No One Clear-Cut Look for Short Nails
A few different formulas have come up for the “short” look, but unfortunately, there’s no one product that you can use consistently to achieve a realistic result. That’s because your nail, especially when your length is narrow, is sensitive to the water factor. A few options include a creamy top coat, as well as a gel manicure that also comes with a toothpick-like, “point” of trim with a cuticle gel at the end.
4. A Curly Cuticle Gel Is Not for Everyone
Curly cutsicles can be quite difficult for people trying to wear short nails. Carrying around a slick pack to protect your nails while you dry can be a hassle, especially since you’ll likely need to force yourself to take off your short manicure once wet. Instead, a curlier gel manicure such as the No. 2 Cuticle Gel ($9) or the No. 2 Ultraslime ($9) can work for people who don’t have big short nails. They’re neither slick nor sticky, and they can easily be washed off during an errand or at work. If you do find yourself finding these harsh-looking products heavy-handed on your cuticles, just rinse them with warm water and pat dry. You can buy an extra pack for your next manicure.
5. Don’t Take Your Nails Off If You’re Taking It Off
If you feel like you might want to take your nails off during the day, do it later. You can carry a pair of really cute rubber or stiff pliers around your neck to give you the ability to rub the polish out. Or you can put a colorful pair of nail clippers on your nightstand and you’re set to go.
6. Choose the Best Shoe to Finish It Off
One of the easiest ways to kill the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ that your short nails give off is to pick a shoe with points on it. Rather than make a big ugly statement, choose a really thin mid- to high-low heel like the nude heels below ($34). Plus, since your feet tend to slide a lot, you should consider wearing an ankle strap or a high-heeled, super-skinny shoe. You will feel sexier, because your body will look shorter and the support will help with sinking.
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