Trendy Short Acrylic Nails Ideas To Try In 2022 (2024)

Published on: Apr 12, 2022 • 5 min read

Acrylic nails are one of those beauty trends that almost everyone loves.

There is just something about that picture-perfect result that we can’t take our eyes off.

And, whether you’re a fan of super-long talons or short and perky numbers, you can rock acrylic nails and look flawless.

But today, we’re putting short acrylic nails on the pedestal, sharing some of the absolute top ideas for cute short acrylic nails you won’t want to miss.

The only question is - which style will you end up wearing?

Trendy Short Acrylic Nails Ideas To Try In 2022 (1)Let’s find out!

Trendy Short Acrylic Nails: 8 Picks

When it comes to pretty manicure picks, we could go on forever. However, we will highlight the top eight absolute best short acrylic nail ideas and nail shapes to see you through 2022.

Half Moon Cute Trendy Short Acrylic Nails

If you’re looking for a style that’s out-of-the-box and unique, consider the half-moon style.

This quirky look features a half-moon of nail polish going in the opposite direction of your natural nail, creating a nail design that looks like a moon is rising from beneath.

You can mix and match colors to suit your needs. For example, some may prefer gray nails or black nails with a colorful half-moon.

Some may want to wear perkier colors on their short acrylic nails, such as bright pink with an orange half-moon. Nothing is off-limits!

Trendy Short Acrylic Nails Ideas To Try In 2022 (2)image source (Pinterest)

Neon Short Acrylic Nails

If you’re a fan of all-things neon (and who isn’t), then you will love the neon acrylic nail trend.

Neon looks great on long nails and short acrylic nails alike, whether you’re opting for show-stopping short pink acrylic nails or want to tame it down with some short yellow acrylic nails.

You can even be more daring with a different neon shade on every finger. Talk about a rave on one hand!

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Nude Short Acrylic Nails

If you’re looking for an oh-so-cute short acrylic nail design on the tamer side, consider nude nails.

Nude short nails look lovely as they have that “barely-there” appearance that mimics your natural nails.

They’re ideal for the lady that wants to look timid and sweet without overdoing it with shocking styles or colors.

They’re also great for professional businesswomen that need a short nail length and subtle colors.

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Cherry Red Acrylic Nails

Red nails are undeniably exotic, majestic, and sexy. And yes, they look that way whether you’re sporting short nails, long nails, or nails of any length and size.

The rich and deep tones of cherry are perfect to wear year-round, making short red acrylic nails a convenient style to consider on your next trip to the nail salon.

Luscious red hues look incredibly enticing on short coffin nails, creating a vampiristic appearance that plenty of people crave.

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French Tip Short Acrylic Nails

Nothing says “classy” quite like a classic french manicure. It simply oozes beauty and a chic attitude, so most women adore this nail design.

So, if you’re looking for simple nail ideas that can work on square short acrylic nails or round nails, highly consider white tips.

The only slight difference you might want is opting for a thinner line on your short white acrylic nails rather than the classic manicure with a chunky white tip.

You can also shake things up a bit. Why settle for a white nail? Step out of the box with blue tips or another fun shade.

Trendy Short Acrylic Nails Ideas To Try In 2022 (6)

image source (Pinterest)

Pastel Short Nails

Do you love color but don’t want to get too crazy with neon colors? Then pastel nails may be just what you were looking for.

Shorter nails look beautiful with pastel shades. You can opt for a lovely light pink, a more subtle light blue, or other pastel favorite shades.

The best part is that you can rock a different nail polish color on each finger. Yes, the different shades might look a bit like an Easter egg explosion - but who’s complaining?

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Embellished Short Nail Designs and Nail Art

Bright colors? Sure, they look great on longer nails and shorter nails and every nail length out there.

But who said you had to settle for color?

If you keep your nails short but don’t want to opt for “all the rage” colors, consider nail art instead.

Nail art is prevalent for 2022, regardless of your nail shape.

You can place any type of nail art you want. Smiley faces? Definitely. Roses? You bet. Peace signs? Of course! There are endless possibilities when it comes to nail art!

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Glitter Short Nails

If you want to make your short acrylic nails have that extra dose of “pizazz,” then toss some glitter on top.

Glitter is going to make any short acrylic nail look tremendous. You can add silver glitter on top of light pink or light blue for an entertaining look. Go daring with black nails topped with glitter and shine!

As I always say, a little sparkle never hurt anyone. So skip the matte base this year and go for the eye-catching appeal of glitter on your short acrylics this year.

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FAQ

What Acrylic Nails Are in Style in 2022?

This year, just about everything goes in terms of nail designs, so feel free to let your nail ideas run wild. You can opt for subtle light pink acrylic or go wild with leopard print.

The best part is that whether you go significant or subtle with these latest trends, you can rest assured that these nail designs will look great whether you have shorter lengths.

Does a French Manicure Look Good on Short Nails?

Even if you keep your nails short, a French manicure can look incredible.

And don’t think you have to settle for classic colors. This year, you can use multiple shades to reach your “perfect manicure.” It’s called the “funky manicure,” and we love it.

Trendy Short Acrylic Nails Ideas To Try In 2022 (2024)

FAQs

Trendy Short Acrylic Nails Ideas To Try In 2022? ›

And finally, periwinkle coloured nails — inspired by Pantone's 2022 colour of the year, which sees a dreamy lilac-toned hue. Whether you're hoping for a little nail dopamine, wanting to switch up your standard style — or like me, need a pretty excuse not to bite your nails — acrylics, are certainly the way to go.

Are acrylic nails in style 2022? ›

And finally, periwinkle coloured nails — inspired by Pantone's 2022 colour of the year, which sees a dreamy lilac-toned hue. Whether you're hoping for a little nail dopamine, wanting to switch up your standard style — or like me, need a pretty excuse not to bite your nails — acrylics, are certainly the way to go.

What is the latest nail trend 2022? ›

Deep French Tips for 2022

If you like your French tips to be more nail than tip, this summer 2022 trend is perfect for you. Instead of painting white nail polish across the very tip of your nail, start halfway up your nail for this chunky, Y2K-esque look.

What are the fake nail options for short nails? ›

Acrylic manicure is the go-to style for people with short nails. It adds more length to your natural nails and can last as long as three weeks. To create an acrylic nail, your manicurist uses powder polymer and a liquid monomer that forms a hard acrylic layer that resembles your natural nails.

What nail designs look good on short nails? ›

“I always recommend designs that will elongate your natural nails to give the effect of longer nail beds,” says Dennis. “Opting for a micro French manicure over a thicker tip, or having some fun with a reverse French tip where the line kisses your cuticles is a great design to have some fun with colour.”

What shape of nails are in for 2022? ›

Square Nails

Square nails have an unmistakably strong, intense silhouette that works equally well with short and long nails. One of our favorite dip nail shapes for 2022, square nails are at their most impactful when painted with bold, dark colors, like burgundy, navy blue, and black.

What are the most popular acrylic nails? ›

The Takeaway. There are five key acrylic nail shapes—square, stiletto, coffin, almond, and round—all of which are popular for different reasons.

Are short nails the new trend? ›

With the rise of minimalism and natural beauty trends, short nails with a simple, rounded shape have become increasingly popular. Properly polished and trimmed short nails effortlessly enhance the natural beauty of the nails while maintaining a polished appearance. This glam look is chic with or sans polish.

What is the new fashion for nails? ›

Chrome and metallic finishes are going strong.

Chrome and metallic nails will continue to trend in 2024, according to Tan Tran, owner and lead nail technician of VIP Nails & Spa. "Our clients are going for more bold and futuristic looks, taking the iridescent nail trend to the next level," he told BI.

What is the most attractive nail shape for short nails? ›

How to choose your nail shape
  • Round. Best for: short nails with a wide nail bed. ...
  • Almond. Best for: short, wide fingers – helps to lengthen the appearance of nails and hands. ...
  • Oval. Best for: small hands; medium-long nails. ...
  • Square. Best for: long fingers; slim hands. ...
  • Squoval. ...
  • Coffin/Ballerina. ...
  • Stiletto.
Aug 13, 2019

Which fake nails look most natural? ›

If acrylic nails are a good option for long, shapely styles, then gels are the right choice for achieving more natural looks. If you like shorter nail styles, like square, circle, and squoval styles, gel nails can help you achieve them with ease.

Can you get acrylic nails on very short nails? ›

The truth is you can get acrylic nails even when your natural nails are short. If, however, your natural nails are damaged or diseased, you must postpone the idea of getting a nail art with acrylic nails till your nails are healthy again. Yes, you can have short acrylic nails.

How do you make short nails look classy? ›

Below are our three best bits of advice on how to rock short nails, and to keep them looking and feeling fabulous!
  1. Push Those Cuticles Back! There is nothing worse than overgrown, unclean, unkempt cuticles. ...
  2. Choose Your Nail Shape Wisely. Your nail shape is entirely your choice. ...
  3. Find The Right Colour For You.

Do short nails look better light or dark? ›

Dark colors can create the illusion of shorter nails, while lighter colors make nails appear longer. To better understand how different colors would look on your short nails, try using the YouCam Nails app.

What is the downfall of acrylic nails? ›

If you want to wear artificial nails for more than a few weeks, you'll need touch-ups every 2 to 3 weeks to fill in the gaps that appear as your nails grow. Frequent touch-ups can seriously damage your natural nails. In short, artificial nails can leave your nails thin, brittle, and parched.

Should I stop getting acrylic nails? ›

As acrylic nails require you to roughen up the surface of the nail to apply them, the nail surface can wear away over time. So, it is often recommended that after 3 months of continuous wear, clients should take a break from acrylics.

Are acrylic nails making a comeback? ›

The artificial nail category saw growth of more than 80% as of May 2023 versus December 2019, just before the pandemic.

What is the new nail technique better than gel? ›

Polygel nails are stronger than gel nails and more flexible than acrylic nails, which makes them less likely to chip or break. “If someone is hard on their hands, it bounces back more easily instead of cracking,” says Kandalec.

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