We’re just going to say it: A nail polish gift set is one of the best things to leave under the tree this year. Sure, you could still give a gift card for the salon around the corner, but not everyone has the time to spend their entire Sunday afternoon getting a deluxe mani-pedi. And anyway, unlike a gel manicure, a nail polish gift set will last longer than two weeks.
ICYMI, 2019 was a great year for nails (we’re still obsessed with pearl manis and rainbow nails), and the same goes for the holiday nail gift sets that are landing on shelves right now. Grab one (or two), then make a DIY mani-pedi date with your best friend. Because with these sets, she’ll gladly cancel her standing weekly appointment with her manicurist.
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Despite having a saved folder on Instagram of elaborate manicures decorated with butterflies, cherubs, and bedazzled crosses, the closest I ever get with nail art is a single sticker. The issue isn’t my lack of skills—I know exactly what salon to go to instead of DIYing—it’s the fact that my nails are constantly a short, jagged mess due to chronic nail biting. (Thanks, anxiety!)
For years, I’ve been unable to grow my nails longer than a couple millimeters past my fingertips, so I’ve always stuck to solid polish under the assumption nail art for short nails just wasn’t in the cards. But thankfully, the tides are turning, and for every over-the-top nail design I see on the ‘Gram, there’s an equally chic one that’s easy enough to do on tiny nails. In fact, nail artists like Betina Goldstein and Steph Stone almost exclusively showcase their minimal designs on shorter nails.
Whether you’re planning to DIY or bring a screenshot into the salon, these are the best nail art ideas for short nails. Biters, you’re welcome.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on street style, chances are you’ve noticed that pearls are having a moment. While a string of pearls have long held a connotation for being stuffy, the new crop of accessories, often featuring single irregular-shaped pearls, are more Carrie Bradshaw than Charlotte York.
Oversized pearl earrings have been spotted recently on both Zendaya and Gigi Hadid, and Ashley Graham is a fan of pearl pendants. But it’s in the beauty sphere where pearls are really making an unexpected appearance—it’s impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing a pearl hair clip, arguably the must-have accessory of the season, or headband, and now the trend has evolved into pearl nail art.
Think about it: Pearls are the perfect accent. They’re not as expected as diamonds, yet add a cool touch without being too flashy. And, like a French manicure mirrors the 2000s nostalgia movement in fashion, pearl manis are directly inspired by what’s happening in our jewelry boxes. The look is also surprisingly versatile, go for a single stone if you’re a minimalist, or go all the way with gem-encrusted nails on all five fingers. “Adding small pearl is easy, and you don’t need to be very savvy with a paint brush,” says nail artist Betina Goldstein, whose renditions of pearl nail art ideas have racked up thousands of likes on Instagram. “It allows you to play with color, design, or gems without overwhelming your look or hands.”
While the trend is probably easier to get if you take a photo into the salon, if you want to go the DIY route, Goldstein has some advice. “Start by painting your nails with a sheer nude like Essie in Gossamer Garments, then apply nail glue on your nail, where you want the gem to go,” she says, adding that tweezers make it easier to have full control over where you’re placing your pearls. “Cap it by applying more glue on top and then paint over it with a top coat to ensure the pearls don’t get caught in your hair.” Another helpful tip? Look for flat-back pearls (which you can buy as stickers or craft supplies on Amazon), since they’ll stay put on your nail better.
Scroll on for some of our favorite takes on the trend.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
One of the more simple (but still undoubtedly cool) pearl nail art options is a single stone near the base of your nails. Use a neutral like Chanel’s Ballerina for the most effortless look.
Pair a color-blocked mani with studs for double the fun.
Up the ante of a pearl mani with different-sized embellishments.
Play up the pearls with dotted tips and combine two trends in one.
Tiny pearls are even cooler in unnatural colors.
This mani magically looks both over-the-top and effortless at the same time.
At Adeam’s Spring 2020 show, nail artist Mei Kawajiri paired pearls with “water drops.” This might be a bit much to request at the salon, but it sure makes for great eye candy.
Get in on two trends at once with a pearl French mani. This one was created by adding tiny stones to Kiss press-ons.
A sprinkle of diamonds raises the glam factor up a notch.
Elevate a nude mani with a few randomly placed pearls.
Pearls look equally as cool with something colorful, like cheeky cherries.
A bright red background and gold studs pull pearls out of the minimal category.
Chains and long tips make for a mani fit for a queen, or a pop princess.
Decorate your cuticles with a strand of pearls (try these from Amazon).
Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.
As much as my ideal Sunday involves spending hours in the nail salon aimlessly thumbing through magazines, the reality is my weekends lately have hardly afforded me time for a 10-minute face mask, let alone a deluxe mani-pedi. (Surely, I’m not alone.) That’s probably why my saved tab on Instagram is suddenly brimming with minimalist nail art. The trend, as the name implies, is subtle and simple, but still gives your nails an undeniable cool factor.
Think of the look as the mani equivalent of thin, stackable rings or a dainty gold necklace: It’s a small upgrade that makes a big impact. Some of the takes on minimal nails—like rainbow, color-blocked, or gradient nails—are literally as easy as painting each nail a different color. (And, might I add, perfect if you—like me—can never decide on which shade you want to go with.) Others take a cue from jewelry and get their sparkle from tiny crystals or pearls.
“Adding small pearls, gems, or accents is very easy, and you don’t need to be very savvy with a paint brush,” says nail artist Betina Goldstein, who’s practically become the queen of minimalist nail art on Instagram for her delicate, simplistic designs. “It allows you to play with color, design, or gems without overwhelming your look or hands.”
Whether you’re planning to DIY or bring a screenshot into the salon, these 30 ideas will instantly upgrade your look without the effort. Matching rings optional.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
While it might not feel like it yet—it’s currently a sweaty 88 degrees in New York City—today officially marks the first day of fall. Which means in addition to putting our sweaters and tall boots back rotation, the desire to trade in our summer neons for something darker and deeper suddenly just shot up tenfold. And while Lincoln Park After Dark will always be there for us, there are a slew of other new shades coming out right now that are great for the cooling weather. Think some of the classics like a perfect deep wine and neutral camel, but there are also a few surprises in store. Why not try crisp white? It might seem like more of a summer shade, but it makes an excellent backdrop for some fall nail art. Metallic blue and purples are also going strong this season, daring you to try something new before tucking your nails into mittens all winter.
We rounded up the shades Glamour editors will be wearing from now until Thanksgiving. Shop our favorites, below.
When it comes to nail ideas, we’re never in short supply of inspiration, mostly thanks to a never-ending deluge of Instagram posts. But some designs are—shall we say—less wearable than others. And when we go to our favorite salons for a refresh, we really just want something we can wear for a week without reaching for the acetone. If you’re looking to upgrade from a single-shade appointment to nail art this season, why not take a look at what everyone else is loving? We checked out nail salons across the country, from Seattle to Boston, and unearthed nine designs their clients repeatedly request. The common denominators? Something unique (think custom and hand-painted) or something with high impact and low time commitment (sign us up for that one, always). From confetti toppings to swirling floral tips, these are the most popular nail trends right now.
