An elegant manicure for short nails has become the main trend of nail design in 2018.Due to its short length and natural shape, it looks simple and neat, and an unusual design sets appropriate accents and adds originality and style to the whole look.
Required materials and manicure tools
To carry out a manicure at home, it is not necessary to buy the entire list of materials of a professional master, it will be enough to purchase a "base" and "consumables".
Basic basic tools:
| Name | Manufacturing material | Appointment |
| Nail files | Steel, glass, wood, plastic | They give shape to the nail plate, also polish it |
| Scissors, nail tongs | Stainless steel | Form the contour of the nail plate, remove the length, cut the cuticle |
| Curette | Stainless steel | Pushes back heavily adherent cuticles and removes dirt and grease from under the nails |
| Wooden sticks | Orange wood | Gently does not injure the nail, removes thin cuticles, suitable for sensitive skin |
| Brush or wide brush | Plastic, synthetic pile | Removes nail dust after sawing |
| Disinfector | Antiseptic, perfume | Disinfects the surface of skin, nails and instruments |
Description and purpose of the tools:
- Nail files can be straight, curved, in the form of a boomerang, banana, diamond, oval or bar (buff). The best option is files with an abrasive coating and a different thickness of dusting on each side. The arsenal should contain at least 2 types: correction and polishing.
- A simple manicure for short nails is done without scissors and tweezers almost impossible, especially if unnecessary length is present initially. The main requirement for these types of tools is high-quality sharpening. You should not save on them, since professional scissors will not only last longer, but also greatly simplify the manipulation of nails.
- Curette Is a professional tool used by manicurists. One end has a characteristic nail rounding.
- Orange tree sticks not only removes the cuticle, but also has antiseptic and hypoallergenic properties. After each use, they must be wiped with an antiseptic or use a disposable form.
- Brush cleans the nail plate while leaving the nail dry. At home, you can use a wide blush brush, pre-washed and well dried.
- Application disinfector will significantly reduce any risk of infection, especially when working in a humid and warm environment. There are 2 main types: water-based and alcohol-based. The first does not dry the skin, is suitable for sensitive skin and allows you to treat wounds and mucous membranes. The second is more effective, reliable, economical and lasts longer (several hours after application).
Auxiliary and consumable materials include:
- hand baths;
- cotton pads and sponges;
- hand towel or napkins;
- means for removing varnish and softening the cuticle;
- nail polish, fixer (top), base, dehydrator (bond);
- cuticle oil;
- moisturizing hand cream.
A simple gel polish manicure on short nails will require a special lamp to dry the gel. There are 3 main types of such equipment on the market: UV lamps, LED and hybrid.
Despite the large number of ready-made manicure sets, it is more advisable to form your own cosmetic bag, choosing the best tools and materials of each type.
Than paint on the nails
The first drawings on the nail plates appeared in the late 80s. Currently, this is one of the most popular types of design.
Nail Art Decorating Tools:
- Dots... Small sticks with balls at the ends. They have different diameters and are ideal for making drawings of varying complexity. Used to decorate parts.
- Thin brush... It is used for drawing outlines and thin lines, outlining borders or drawing shadows.
- Medium flat brush... Allows you to fill and mark large elements.
- Fan brush... Allows the manicurist to create an unusual texture.
- Liner brush... Most often used when performing "French".
Additionally, at home can be used:
- needles;
- pins;
- toothpicks;
- different types of sponges;
- pieces of sponge;
- applicator;
- professional art brushes.
As materials, in addition to varnishes, home craftsmen stock up on:
- glitters;
- rhinestones;
- sliders;
- stickers;
- sparkles;
- pearls;
- sequins.
In the design process, a rich palette of acrylic paints can be used with further coating with a fixer or top.
Simple manicure options for short nails for beginners
Simple manicure for short nails has become a major trend, pushing back metallic designs, sculptural decor and an abundance of gold and silver dust. This year, the most natural form of nails is again at the height of fashion.
As for the design, you should pay attention to the following options:
- French... Neat and very stylish French manicure. It allows you to experiment with shades, highlight one of the nails to match the color of the "edge" or combine a glossy and matte type of varnish.
- Geometry... Straight lines, stars, rhombuses, triangles and squares look quite original on short nails. A contrasting background can set off the figures, thus making the accent on the manicure.
- Gradient... A soft transition from one shade to another looks stylish and original. Both soft pastel transitions and more catchy neon tones are in demand.
- Ring finger focus... When creating this type of nail design, both bright contrasting colors and shades close in the palette can be used. The nail can be accentuated with glitters, rhinestones, sliders and any other decorations.
- Divorces... The second name is "water" manicure. It is done very simply: several shades of varnish are added to a glass of water, which are gently mixed until streaks form, after which the nail is dipped into the water.
- Stripes... They can be parallel and multidirectional, on all nails or only one, contrasting or similar in shade.
- Monochrome... The simplest and one of the most elegant types of nail design. Matte varnishes look especially impressive.
- Lunar... Antipode "French". The classic version allows a combination of pastel natural shades. Modern - contrasting combinations of dark blue and milk, burgundy and nude pink, as well as the use of glitter, small crystals and other types of decor.
- Flowers... A timeless classic that is especially relevant in the spring and summer season.
Simple varnish manicure
A simple manicure for short nails can be done by yourself at home. In order to guarantee an excellent result in the form of a neat manicure, as well as to increase its shelf life, a certain sequence of actions must be followed.
Algorithm of actions:
- Treat hands and tools with an antiseptic.
- Use a file to shape the nail plate.
- Steam hands and cuticles.
- Remove the cuticle, treat this place with protective oil.
- Degrease your nails with a nail polish dehydrator or nail polish remover.
Then you can start the staining process, which includes several stages:
- Application of a base, leveling the surface of the plate, removing the effect of yellowness and qualitatively improving the adhesion to the decorative coating.
- Applying the main shade. As a rule, it is applied in 2 layers using the following technique: a drop is “placed” at the base, which is then distributed over the entire nail plate with a smooth and firm movement. The second layer (after the first has dried) paints over everything that the first did not have time to.
- Fastening by applying a transparent retainer, which is an additional protection against cracking and mechanical damage.
In the case of decorating the nail with a pattern or any decorations, the fixer is applied last.
How to properly coat your nails with gel polish in stages
The application of gel polish is accompanied by an additional operation - drying in a special lamp. During the procedure, there are a few more nuances that you should pay attention to.
You can correctly make a manicure using gel polish as follows:
- It is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation of the nails: to shape them and process the cuticles.
- Smooth the surface of the nails using a special buff with an abrasive coating for 900 green. Do not get carried away with alignment, otherwise you can significantly damage the fabric.
- Using a dehydrator, degrease and dehydrate the surface of the plate.
- On dry nails, apply an acidic or acid-free primer - a liquid that guarantees optimal adhesion between the nail surface and the gel polish. A slight lightening after applying the primer indicates the opening of the scales of the upper nail tissue and the need to apply the next layer at this moment.
- Apply a base (transparent) and dry in a lamp. The time depends on the type and model of the appliance. After the signal to finish, the nails must be wiped with a special smooth cloth to remove the sticky top layer.
- Using a topcoat. The appearance and durability of the manicure depends on the quality of this operation. The use of base and finish from the same manufacturer guarantees good compatibility.
If the gel polish gets on the cuticle, it is necessary to remove the defects before the drying process in the lamp. To do this, you can use a toothpick with a cotton swab neatly wound around it.
Ideas for beautiful patterns for short nails
The original pattern can decorate not only nails and hands, but also support the whole image as a whole.
Today, the following types of ornaments are in trend:
- geometric;
- gradient;
- pastel ombre;
- floristic;
- floral;
- peas;
- lace;
- oriental.
Sliders with a wide variety of designs are also actively used. Stickers can be used for one nail or for all plates. "Cartoon" themes are very popular. Cheerful images of animals and birds, summer attributes (ice cream, sun), cartoon characters on a bright candy-candy background (mint, yellow, pink, blue).
This season, delicate floristry against a background of soft pastel colors, a knitted ornament, as well as sliders that form a single picture or pattern in a complex of 2-3 nails are relevant.
Flowers gel polish
You can beautifully and effectively draw flowers on the nail plate at home. It takes a little patience and a little training.
Stained glass
For those who like to experiment, you can try drawing in different techniques. One of them is called "stained glass". It imitates a sketch made up of colored glass pieces.
Execution technique:
- Apply base in pastel or translucent color.
- Draw the outline of each flower with a thin brush in black.
- Break the remaining space into small pieces (pieces of glass), drawing the curves in the same color in different directions. You should get a mosaic effect.
- Paint over the flowers in different shades, slightly shading with white (for a greater imitation of a glass surface).
- Cover with fixative and send nails to dry.
In this technique, 1 nail or all can be decorated.
Thin twigs
A graceful sakura branch on one of the nails will attract attention and will become especially relevant in the spring. For an Asian theme, you need the thinnest brush.
Execution technique:
- Cover the nails with a translucent or white base.
- Gently draw a sakura branch with black varnish from the base to the tip of the nail.
- With a few touches of soft pink varnish, arrange flowers along the twig.
- Cover nails with finish and send to dry.
This option looks great if "French" is chosen as the basis. Delicate and delicate design will suit young girls and young women.
French manicure with floral designs
A simple manicure for short nails is, first of all, a "jacket". It is versatile, suitable for festive occasions and daily contacts. Fits into both business style and the romantic image of young girls.
Execution technique:
- Apply a pastel colored foundation and let dry.
- Use a stencil to draw the white border of the nail or arrange the tip of the plate in white yourself.
- Cover the surface with clear varnish.
- At the very edge of the nameless nail of each hand, carefully draw a flower (lily, chamomile, rose). For a working style, use soft pastel shades, for an output brighter (fuchsia, purple, red). If you wish, you can decorate the drawing with rhinestones.
- Apply top coat and lamp dry.
Flower on 2 nails
This is an original design that allows you to see the whole picture only if the nails are side by side. For a better drawing, you should first draw a sketch on paper, and then carefully break it into 2 parts.
Execution technique:
- Take any color gel polish as a basis, for example, pale purple.
- Draw half a deep purple rose on the ring finger. You can apply the wet varnish painting technique. To do this, just drip the product onto the nail, then create contours with a thin needle. You can add volume with a thin brush and a more thorough drawing of details.
- Duplicate the same symmetrical pattern on the middle finger nail plate.
- Apply the fixer and send the drawing to dry.
Scarlet poppies on nails
Scarlet poppies look especially impressive in combination with a "jacket" decorated with a red edge. Considering the catchiness of the ornament, it is better to design only 1 nail on the ring finger.
Execution technique:
- Take a small flat brush and paint black and red on each side. The color ratio should be 1 to 5.
- Gently applying a brush to the nail, draw 3 petals so that the black tone is in the core of the poppy.
- Add white stamen dots to the center.
- Finish the leaves with light green varnish.
- Apply top coat and cure nails in a lamp.
Floristic ornament is considered one of the most diverse. Red poppies, delicate daisies, bright cornflowers look fresh and extraordinary on the nails. Such a pattern implies a minimal use of decor (rhinestones, sparkles) and a base of a pastel calm color.
The simplest and most discreet manicure on short nails will tell about the good taste and sense of style of its wearer no less than a fashionable handbag or a trendy dress. You can complete it yourself by following the step-by-step instructions.
Article design: Anna Vinnitskaya
Simple manicure video
Features of manicure for short nails: