
Short and simple nails have become a super trendy style as of late. As someone who loves simple manicure, I have some inspiration pictures as well as tips and tricks for achieving the perfect, “clean girl” manicure at home. With that said, feel free to use this inspiration to show your nail tech as well! These are versatile looks available to ship to your home or show as inspo to your nail technician!
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How Can I Do My Manicure at Home?
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself sometimes! Before we get into some nail inspiration, it is important we check in on how to make sure the nails last. Regardless of if we use press on nails or gel, the base is the most important part.
Step 1: Buff out your nails.
Using a nail file and nail buffer, make sure the surface of your nails are super even. Here are some tools you can use for this important step.
These are a lot stronger than using a typical nail buffer and file. With that said, it is also what they use at the nail salon to get a quick and even surface for our nails. They last a long time and are so crucial to keeping your manicure on point.
If using a nail drill is too intimidating to start off, these will work perfect. Especially for having simple nails, these will work just fine.
Step 2: Remove Cuticles
In order for your nails to last, removing your cuticles is important! This helps prevent lifting or your nails popping off.
Step 3: Dry and Prime Your Nails
Lastly, dry and prime your nails to avoid oily skin ruining the adhesive.
Simple and Short Nails Inspiration
As someone who loves simple and short nails, I often run out of options. With that said, I have plenty of inspiration for others now that I have experimented. Here are some go to press ons or gel nail ideas you can use for own manicure, and the best part is you can do it at home or show to your nail tech!
French Tip Nails
French tip nails are my go to for when I am unsure of what I want to do with my nails. The fun part about french tips is you can really have them any color you want or even get creative with them. French Tips have been super popular as of late and they look amazing with short nails.
Colorful French Tips
As said before, there are so many ways you can have your french tip nails! Colorful tips keep your simple nails, simple, but add something a little extra to the design. As someone who often has french tips in rotation, colorful ones help switch it up. French tips of all styles and colors are incredibly popular and here are some shorter styles I recommend trying out!
French Tip With Design
If french tips and colorful french tip nails are almost too simple for you, here are some designs that could make them more interesting.
Nude Nails
Since the theme we are on is at home nails, the perfect polishes are included! Nude nails are perfect for those who want a natural nail look without actually having their natural nails out. Using the base method I had wrote about earlier in the blog, and these gel polishes should last a long while! Use a UV Light to cure them, and you’re good to go!
Baby Pink
After french tips, baby pink is my next in rotation for nails, always! It is always super simple but put together and whether it be press on nails, a gel manicure, or a nail salon set of acrylics, you can never go wrong with them!
Small Pop of Color
Having a small pop of color, especially subtle colors, still allows for a simple manicure. Small pops of color also allow for creativity when working with a nail too small for large designs!
Simple & Cute Swirl Designs
Simple swirl designs can make for a cute and classy look! Having small swirls can make a boring design more creative and elegant looking.
Red
Red is such a classic color and is always a good simple nail to have in rotation! All shades of red can come off as elegant and classy, so here are some of my personal favorite online finds for press ons and gel shades.
White Nails
White nails are a must for your rotation and they look great for simple and short nails! Not only are they great for press ons, but super simple to do for yourself with a gel polish.
White Glazed Nails
After some celebrities came out with their nail color combo, glazed chrome white nails have been so popular! These are such a great go to for those looking for something simple but more elevated than white.
Glazed Pink
There are many different ways to wear a subtle pink! With a chrome or subtle glaze on top makes for a super stylish difference to a simple nail.
Thank you! Keep updated on this page as I will always come back to update as I find and try out more simple cute nail designs. In the meantime, stay updated with more beauty blog posts here.