The dynamics of the modern world is making adjustments to the lifestyle of women. Therefore, lovers of long nails are often forced to abandon artificial extensions and switch to a shorter nail length. The gel polish design is practical and looks elegant on any length and shape of the nail plate.
General recommendations
Design for short nails gel polish has an elegant and perfect appearance, provided that the shape of the nail is correctly selected. Each person has individual proportions of the length of the fingers, the thickness of the phalanges and the width of the nail plate. Therefore, in some cases, you should not focus on fashion trends, but choose a shape that harmoniously fits the anatomical structure of the hands.
For the 2020 season, the trend is the "classic almond" shape. It cannot be performed on short nails according to all the sawdust rules. Therefore, depending on the width of the nail, the masters offer clients an oval stylized as an almond. Many women with a wide nail plate prefer the "soft square" shape, which looks organic on wide and short fingers.
The next step, after the correct shape is chosen, is to flatten the nail with a base gel. The smoother the nail plate, the more elegant the colored gel polish looks. The foundation of any design should be a flat nail plate, of the correct architecture (apex in the right place, free edge without thickening, clear lateral parallels).
This can be achieved with the use of rubber camouflage bases and the correct application technique. If the nails are thin, brittle and have mechanical damage (chips, cracks, butt end delamination), then strengthening with hard materials - gels and acrylates is recommended.
Modern polymeric materials acrylates (polygels, acrygels) allow you to create the correct architecture of a short nail and strengthen it without using upper or lower forms, as the masters say “in the air”. They are not fluid, which makes it easy to work with such material even for a beginner.
All modern materials for coating nails with gel polish must be dried (polymerized) in an ICE lamp.
The power of the device determines the quality and durability of the coating, as well as the time of the manicure process. When choosing a lamp for home use, you need to focus on this indicator and purchase a device with a power of at least 48 watts.
Techniques and methods
When creating designs for short nails, the same techniques for working with gel polish are used as for artificial long nails. When choosing a decor, it is necessary to take into account the small area of work, but any nail art technique can be used.
Techniques and materials for creating a gel polish coating:
| Name | Description | Necessary materials |
| French manicure | the nail bed is covered with a camouflage nude shade, and the free edge is formed with a colored "smile line". | 2 colors of gel polish (for covering the nail and drawing the free edge), thin or beveled brush, for beginners - stencil strips, base and top coat. |
| Ombre | smooth transition between different colors, no visible border, consists of 2 or more colors | special gradient brush, several colors of gel polish, base, top. |
| Stamping | one-color pattern that is stamped from the surface of the engraving plate. | a plate with an engraved pattern, a silicone or rubber stamp, a scraper, varnish or paint for stamping, a degreaser for cleaning the plate and skin of the hands, a napkin on which the plate is used. |
| Foil design | foil with the matte side is applied to the sticky layer and comes off, leaving the outer side shine on the nail, requires overlapping with several finishing layers. | foil for printing (colored, thin, matte side). pink gel polish, for some types of foil you need a special glue that dries in the air, a rubber top. |
| Sliders | multi-colored thematic pictures on a solid cardboard base. there are self-adhesive (removed with tweezers and transferred to the nail), often soaked with water and transferred to the nail with tweezers. | a set of pictures, tweezers, a container with water, top coating. |
| Aeroopufing | mechanical spraying of colored varnish on the previously varnished nail, creating a soft color mixing. | apparatus (airbrush) or a brush in the form of a sponge, colored gel polishes, top for fixing the design. |
You can create designs on short nails with gel polishes or paints using one or more techniques. When creating complex designs, it is recommended to carry out intermediate drying of the layers in a lamp (10-20 seconds).
To do this, novice masters are advised to write on paper the sequence of the design and the use of various techniques in order to avoid mixing colors and ensure the durability of the manicure.
Ideas for a solid color manicure
Design for short nails with gel polish in one color does not cause difficulties even for novice masters. With the correct nail alignment technique and a cleanly executed manicure, the result of applying a colored coat will be perfect.
For monochromatic manicures, use the trendy colors of the season. Nail artists are guided by the recommendations of the Pantone Color Institute. For the summer period, the priority in the choice of color fell on coral and lemon yellow shades. In winter, the favorites will be olive and smoky blue.
Rules for aligning the nail with the base gel before coating:
- to carry out a manicure: clean the nail from the cuticle and pterygium at the lateral ridges, shape the nail;
- remove dust after sawdust and dehydrate with a special solution;
- apply a primer on a natural nail, avoiding contact with the skin, allow to air dry;
- with a semi-dry brush, apply the first layer of the base, patting movements;
- dry in an ICE lamp for 30 seconds;
- collect a drop of the base and place it in the apex zone, distribute the edges of the liquid over the nail with a thin brush, moving it to the cuticle and lateral ridges;
- turn your hand with your fingernail down, while keeping your palm straight so that there are no base leaks (the essence of the procedure is to collect a drop in the center of the nail under the influence of gravity, to carry out "natural alignment");
- dry in a lamp for 30 seconds;
- if necessary, use a file in the area of the cuticle and lateral ridges in order to even out the influx of material;
- remove the sticky (dispersion) layer with a dehydrator.
After completing the alignment procedure, the nail is considered ready for the application of a colored coating. It is recommended to apply any color in 2-3 thin layers, drying every 30 seconds.
Options in different shades
The most popular and easy-to-use multi-color designs are geometry and abstraction. They are easy to do at home for novice craftsmen.
With the correct implementation of the technique of applying gel polish, the manicure will last up to 3 weeks. Masters do not recommend postponing a manicure longer than this period, especially if the extension or strengthening was performed with hard materials.
How to complete geometry
- Prepare the nail with a manicure and apply the main background color. Dry everything (depending on color density) for at least 30 seconds in an ICE lamp.
- On the palette, prepare a black color for drawing and colored varnishes for creating geometry.
- For beginners, it is recommended to outline the contours of the drawing with a pencil or a thin marker.
- With a thin brush, paint over one element of the geometric pattern with color and dry in a lamp for 10 seconds.
- Then go to the next colored element with drying for 10 sec.
- So arrange all the colored elements and top with a rubber top with alignment (it is necessary to smooth the transitions between the color segments). Dry for 30 sec.
- Using a thin brush with gel paint without a sticky layer, draw lines over the drawing. Dry for 30 seconds and do not overlap with top.
For those who cannot draw straight, thin lines with a brush, you can use stamping. Select a plate with an engraved geometric pattern and transfer the contours to the nail. There is also a reverse stamping technique that allows you to print a finished color pattern on the nail.
How to do multicolored abstraction
- Apply a layer of camouflage base or a colored layer on the nail treated with manicure.
- Put different colors on the palette, which will participate in the creation of the abstraction.
- On the palette, distribute colored strips next to each other and mix them with a toothpick or dots.
- There are two ways to transfer the drawing from the palette to the nail: with a gradient brush or with a silicone stamp. A mixture of colors is collected on the brush and distributed over the nail in a thin layer. With the help of a stamp, the drawing is transferred by printing. With a gentle movement, without pressure, take the paint from the palette onto the rubber pad and press it against the nail. The abstraction in this case will turn out to be flatter. Dry for at least 30 seconds, since the colors have different pigment densities.
- If desired, the drawing is supplemented with a drawing in the form of veins of white or black (if desired, use gel paint in silver or gold).
- From above, the design is covered with at least 2 layers of top coating. Drying each layer for 30 sec.
Also, to create an abstract design in the style of watercolor painting, a special base for spreading is used. When applied in a thin layer, the rest of the gel polishes spread over it into watercolor spots, which have a dense color center and blurred edges. This design is done on a colored background that is visible through the drawing.
Matte manicure
Design for short nails with gel polish using a matte finish coat is considered the trend of 2020. The variety of materials from different manufacturers provides different results. Not all coatings will wear without abrasion.
Rules for applying a matting gel layer on a colored coating:
- perform a coating or a completely completed design and dry the result in a lamp for at least 30 seconds;
- remove the sticky (dispersion) layer with a dehydrating liquid;
- apply a matte top using the nail plate alignment technique (described above);
- dry for 60 sec.
When using a gel with a matting effect, remember that all design elements will be affected by it.
For example, foil or sequins will look different under a matte top. Craftsmen often use a technique when a colored background is covered with a matte top, and a drawing, with a thin brush, is covered with a glossy top. In this case, the shine will be preserved and sparkle in a new way in contrast to the matte background.
Variants with patterns and drawings
Drawing floristry on short nails can be difficult for some artists. Sliders can be used to create beautiful floral designs. Manufacturers print all sorts of color options. It is realistic to choose a picture of any flower in a watercolor style or with a clear drawing of shadows and shades. Then add the desired decor options - rhinestones, sparkles, kamifubuki.
The use of dots (a tool in the form of a brush with a metal ball instead of a pile) remains a fashionable trend in nail design. Complex lace patterns are created using dots of different diameters.
Dotsom can draw small monograms that are woven into the design. Such designs look original and gentle on short nails. Depending on the color of the main background of the coating, the dots pattern is suitable for any image and style in the wardrobe.
Inscriptions are used as a pattern on one or more nails. For this, the masters have a collection of silicone charmikons or water sliders with text. Motivating phrases are complemented by drawing geometric shapes in black or white. the semantic load of the text is different: from positive appeals to indecent expressions.
For lovers of naughty manicure, sliders with images of cartoon characters are offered. This design will cheer up the owner during the vacation, regardless of age.
Decor ideas
Design for short nails with gel polish is complemented by a variety of decor. You can make the decoration yourself, for this you need to know the rules for attaching different types of decor.
For example, it is recommended to attach rhinestones with a special glue, but practice shows that any crystals are securely attached using a thick construction gel or a rubber base. They are laid under rhinestones in the form of a thick drop and are dried in a lamp one by one.
Decor options for short nails:
| Decor | Mounting method |
| Rhinestones | On a drop of top or base, start assembling the composition by attaching the central rhinestone. After drying it, side rhinestones are added, also with phased fixing. With a thin brush, process the rhinestones around the perimeter with the material. |
| Pearl | Special pearls are installed with the flat side on a drop of gel or glue, then smear with material around the perimeter. Broths are attached between them. |
| Broths | Mix broths in a drop of gel or base on the surface of the palette. With a thin brush, transfer them to the nail and distribute over the pattern, dry for 30 seconds. |
| Ribbons | With tweezers, pry off the edge of the tape and remove it from the paper base or roll. It is glued to the nail with the sticky side, does not require additional material for fastening. |
The decor is attached to any background or pattern. Rhinestone and broth inlays are an independent design. Pearls are attached to a light background color in combination with broths, which allow creating delicate, airy designs.
Fashion trends in 2020
In the 2020 season, the "classic design" shape is popular, but it is impossible to make it on short nails. Therefore, such nails are filed in the form of an "oval" or "soft square".
The minimalist style remains relevant and leads the way in creating designs for short nails in 2020.
Fashion Design Options:
- Create spots of different colors on a light background that mimic paint brush strokes in different directions. After drying, the nail is covered with a top without a sticky layer and thin black lines are drawn on top with art paste. Since they have no dispersion, they do not require top overlap.
- Using negative space - on a nude surface, a jacket and a lunula are drawn in color at the same time.
- On an abstract colored background, black geometric shapes are drawn on some nails, and on others, stretching is done with holographic sequins.
- Compositions with prints of gold or silver foil on a nude background, with drawing of black lines and geometric shapes.
For winter, olive is predicted to be a popular color, which is ideally combined with yellow (mustard shade) and black drawings.
Modern polymer materials allow creating durable gel polish coatings for short nails. Designs are reproduced of any complexity subject to application technology and drying time. Compositions of rhinestones and broths at the nail hole look stylish and elegant, which are great for 2-3 weeks.
Video about manicure for short nails
Delicate marble manicure for short nails: