22 Short Nail Designs to Try in 2023

Who says long nails should have all the fun?

We're not sure who decided that long nails were the purveyors of intricate nail art. Those of us with short nails love a good nail design too—even if we have slightly less surface area to work with. So the next time you want to switch things up from your favorite nail color, try one of these chic short nail designs courtesy of celebrity nail artists.

Nail pro Elle created this neutral look for Blake Lively, who, yes, is a fellow short-nail fan.

Swiping a chunky glitter down the center of the nail adds a beachy vibe.

This major trend is just as gorg on short nails as it is on longer tips.

A sheer base and complementary sparkles at the ends gives the illusion of both longer nails and fingers.

You can do more detailed nail art too, like these cute strawberries and lemons, alternated with French tips.

Looking for a new take on the mermaidcore trend? Turn your nails into little iridescent clamshells.

Billie Lourd paid homage to her mom Carrie Fisher with her Star Wars mani, complete with a Princess Leia portrait.

Copy the artsy look seen on models at the fall/winter '23 Vivienne Westwood show.

Zebra print is always a fun option, and there are nail stickers that can help you get the look in minutes.

For a fresh take on the French mani, try the moody black ombré vibe Jin Soon Choi created for models including Chloe Sevigny at the Proenza Schouler fall/winter 2023 show.

These sparkly tips are the ultimate barely there design for brides and beyond.

If you always go for a French mani, try switching it up with a sleek swoop.

Different colors on each nail is still A Thing, so why not change it up with two-tone nail art?

Truly no skill required: This look on Alana Haim was created using Inked by Dani nail stickers.

Go for two polar-opposite colors for optimal impact.

Once you've graduated from neutral swoops, you can go for multiple polish colors in the same color family.

A dreamy airbrush nail looks just as cool on shorter nails as it does on Megan Thee Stallion's long lipstick-shaped tips.

This look proves that a smaller canvas doesn't mean you can't do intricate looks, like artistic faces.

Suki Waterhouse's 2023 Met Gala nails featured different butterflies on each nail—none longer than the length of her fingers.

Cow print has been trending for the last year or two, in part because it's so easy to recreate. Try it in a fun shade, like deep green.

Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.

The Best Vanilla Fragrances of All Time

The Best Vitamins for Your Hair, Skin, and Nails

The 15 Best Hydrating Face Masks

The 25 Best Skincare Brands, Hands-Down

The 12 Best Serums for Oily Skin

The 17 Best Powdery Perfumes

These 14 Natural Shampoos Are Wash Day Wonders

You Need a Heated Eyelash Curler (Trust Us)

The Best Non-Comedogenic Sunscreens

The 10 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices

40 Cool Summer Nail Designs to Try in 2023

14 Salon-Ready Nails Drills for Expert Shaping