As a chronic nail biter, I'm well aware that finding a gorgeous nail design is just half the manicure battle—it also has to fit on super short nails. I'll never forget the moment in middle school when I took a trip to my local salon asking for tiger stripes (yes, I was just as nail art-obsessed as a tween as I am now), and the manicurist told me, "Absolutely not." It was heartbreaking, but as I've grown older, I've learned to embrace the short and sweet style of the best short nail designs.
It turns out, with the right kit of tools and an ultra-steady hand, anything is possible on short nails. Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein says, "Short nails force you to simplify and be more intentional with every detail." The hardest part of the process is making sure the design doesn't overcrowd the nail. "You have to find that sweet spot between minimal and eye-catching," she explains.
