13 Short Nail Ideas To Try This Fall

Negative nails don't always have to be a geometric design. Start with a clear base coat. Using a thin brush, apply one yellow dot to each nail in a sporadic fashion. Clean off your brush and use it to paint white petals. Finish with a topcoat.

Design by @nataliepavloskinails

This minimal watermelon design used shades from Jin Soon's Painted Ladies Collection. Paint each finger in the green Keppel shade, but only paint your ring finger at the half moon. Fill the rest of it with the red-orange Sinopia polish. Let dry, then finish with a clear coat.

Design by @jinsoon

For subtle texture and sheen, try this neutral yet metallic look. Start with a nude base coat. When tacky, place strips of alternating nail tape and foil to the arrangement of your choice. Seal it with a clear topcoat.

Design by @ayumutksw

A french tip is not just for long nails. Update the style with a swipe of clear glitter polish, topped off with a topcoat.

Design by @mrswhite8907

Start with a black base coat. Create the swirling tips of the fire first in a bright orangey red near your cuticles. Apply a yellow polish at your tips and blend upward for a hand-painted ombre effect.

Design by @fleuryrosenails

Character face designs actually look better on short nails. Paint your nail with the color of the character's face—like yellow for Winnie the Pooh—then add details with a small paint brush.

Design by @stephstonenails

Try a summery design with a combination of lemons and your favorite tropical house plant (aka split leaf philodendron). Start with a white base coat, then add your design. Outline the shapes in black with a thin brush to add definition. Finish it off with a clear top coat.

Design by @macokwsk

Alternate between bubblegum pink and white for a striped look that will match your beach towel.

Design by @nataliepavloskinails

If you're a fan of marbled nails, try this neon version for summer. Start with a white base to make the colors pop, then check out this detailed video on how to marble your nails. And always make sure your water is room temperature, and finish it with a clear top coat.

Design by @mrswhite8907

Think of this as a skewed half-moon design. First apply the asymmetric semi-circle in a pastel lavender. Fill the rest of the nail in a deep umber. This artist used Formua X shades in Decadent and Heart Stopping.

Design by @palemoonseattle

If you have a steady hand, this thin line work is for you. We suggest doing it one color at a time using a thin brush. This way the width of each stroke will stay consistent (and you won't have to juggle multiple tools).

Design by @ohriginails

If you thought 3D nail embellishments were reserved for long nails, think again. Add as many jewels, drops and pearls as you feel, similar to this look here.

Design by @yayoxo2