The 16 Best Nail Colours If You Just Can't Deal With Long Nails This Summer (2024)

By Erin Jahns

last updated

I almost always have long nails (almond-shaped, please!), so when I trimmed them all the way down last weekend, I felt like an alien inhabited my body. Okay, that's dramatic, but I was sick of them catching on my hair, slowing my typing speed (no good when you're an editor!), catching more food than my mouth, and being all-around annoying. For a second, I was traumatised. Having shorter nails completely changed the look of my hands, and the shock reminded me of receiving a shorter-than-intended haircut.

Now, obviously you can wear whatever nail color you want regardless of how long or short your nails are, but as I'm learning, some colours—like neon pink, gold, and even cream-swirled shades of mocha—look especially cool on my shorter nails… at least, in my humble opinion! With summer officially here (and tons of new summer nail colour collections sitting both on my desk and in my inbox), I decided to sift through the colour options to pull together a list of the best nail colours to wear with short nails.

If you love dark nail colours…

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(Image credit: @ALWAYS_JUDGING)

Burgundy:

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& Other Stories

Maroon Joie Nail Polish

Found: the best true shade of burgundy that's en vogue year-round, day or night, courtesy of & Other Stories. Obviously it will look fabulous regardless of nail length, but it looks even chicer when paired with crisp short nails.

Plum:

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OPI

Nail Lacquer in Flashbulb Fuchsia

If a vino-inspired shade of purple is your typical polish go-to, brighten it up a tad with this delphinium-inspired hue.

Related: These Are the 20 Best-Selling OPI Nail Colours of All Time

Teal:

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OPI

Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish in Dance Party 'Teal Dawn

Love navy? This shade of teal is dark enough to satisfy a moody nail craving this summer, looks super polished atop short nails, and (thanks to OPI's gel-inspired long-wear formula) will stay chip-free all summer long… or at least for a couple of weeks.

Black:

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Orly

Breathable Treatment + Nail Polish in Mind Over Matter

Nothing beats a classic coat of black polish to complement short nails—even in the heat of the summer. That said, if you're going to take the plunge, we recommend Orly's new rendition. It's part ofthe brand's Breathable collection, and it's infused with argan oil, provitamin B5, and vitamin C. Plus, the finish and wear are so good you don't even need a base coat or topcoat. Summer minimalism at its finest.

If you like neutral nail colours…

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(Image credit: @OLIVEANDJUNE)

Peach:

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Nailberry

5 Free Breathable Luxury Nail Polish in Au Naturel

For short nails, we're particularly keenon this peachy-neutral shade called Au Naturel, which has pink undertones to keep it feeling bright and fresh on your nails.

Brown:

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Essie

Nail Colour in 497 Clothing Optional

Trade in your go-to autumn/winter shade of cocoa for a milkier (and slightly more shimmery) mocha order instead. This light, fresh shade is perfect for short tips.

Almost bare:

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J.Hannah

Nail Polish in Akoya

J.Hannah is known forits minimalist and artistic colour palettes, and we've kept this pretty shade of oyster at the top of our polish pile ever since its initial debut. There's a soft, golden sheen, so it looks extra pretty when the summer sun hits it. If you prefer the look of short, virtually bare nails, look no further.

Pink:

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Smith & Cult

Nail Polish in Certain Sweetness

The best summer twist on a classic baby pink? A swirl of metallic. This pretty shade looks demure and subtle painted on short nails, and is a brand-new shade from the brand just in time for summer.

If you like bright colours…

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Hot pink:

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China Glaze

Nail Polish in Fur Real Though

After I clipped my nails to their now-super-short length, I painted them with this electric-pink nail polish from China Glaze. It's part ofthe brand's new Sesame Street–inspired collection (adorable) and is by far the best hot pink I've ever worn.

Orange:

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Chanel

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Polish in Radiant Arancio

Sure, we love a great statement-making red, but we turn in our shades of scarlet and crimson for a peppier orange come summer. Plus, how can you resist this fiery shade? It's like a summer sunset in a bottle.

Related: If You're as Indecisive as I Am, You'll Love Summer's Biggest Nail Trend

Yellow:

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Barry M

Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Banana Split

Barry Mmakes the best nail colors when it comes to bold, whimsical shades. Yellow nail polish is all the rage right now, so obviously we're all over Banana Split.

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OPI

Tokyo Collection How Does Your Zen Garden Grow? Nail Lacquer

Even if you're not a fan of wearing neons (especially shades as bold as green) on your body, trying them out for size via a manicure can be a great alternative. Plus, worn on short nails, it's even less dramatic—more creative, less crazy.

If you like sparkly nail colors…

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(Image credit: @BETINA_GOLDSTEIN)

Magenta:

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Essie

275 A Cut Above Pink Glitter Nail Polish

Do we even need to caption this? A psychedelic combination of magenta and pink, this limited-edition shade from Essie couldn't look better paired with short nails this summer. We recommend grabbing before it sells out!

Related: The 20 Best-Selling Essie Nail Colours of All Time—That You Can Still Buy

Silver:

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OPI

Dreams on a Silver Platter

We love that we can use this disco-appropriate topper on its own or layered on top of all of our other favourite shades. According to the brand, it has a clear base with silver glitter and shines brighter than a chandelier.

Spiked lavender:

The 16 Best Nail Colours If You Just Can't Deal With Long Nails This Summer (19)

Morgan Taylor

Nail Polish in Bedazzle Me

If your polish preferences veer periwinkle or purple, we suggest taking your manicure up a notch with this aptly named, bedazzled lacquer of blues, purples, pinks, and even some flecks of red and green.

The 16 Best Nail Colours If You Just Can't Deal With Long Nails This Summer (20)

Smith & Cult

Nail Polish in Shattered Soul

Here's the thing: A glittering, goldmanicure could read as gimmicky or even tacky, but this brilliant polish from Smith & Cult is so eye-catching that we'd easily dispute any of the above arguments. There's a variety of pretty polishes perfect for short nails, but we've been into thisgold shade the most.
Next up, the 10 summer nail colours celebrities are requesting this season.

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Erin Jahns

Beauty Director

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over five years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing forByrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor.

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The 16 Best Nail Colours If You Just Can't Deal With Long Nails This Summer (2024)

FAQs

What is a good nail color for the summer? ›

We're talking bright and vibrant shades like bubble gum pink, bright reds, neon orange, or baby blues. For minimalists and creatures of habit, you'll find rich creamy neutrals and classic colors that will still make your nails pop.

What are the best summer colours for short nails? ›

Stay with nude or pastel nail colours to make your nails look longer than they are. A nude manicure is perfect for everyday wear since it matches with every kind of outfit.

What is the prettiest color of nail polish? ›

Soft pastel shades like baby pink, lavender, or light blue can evoke a sense of sweetness and femininity. These colors are often associated with a gentle and approachable personality. Many guys find pastel nail polish attractive because it gives a feeling of innocence and charm.

What color should I paint my toenails for summer? ›

Beige and Neon. "Beiges and neons are the biggest trends for summer, and they were all over the runways," said celebrity manicurist Ashlie Johnson. "I've been loving an opaque shade on the hands paired with an amazing fluorescent tone on the toes."

What is the best nail polish color for short nails? ›

The best nail color for short nails is a light or neutral color such as white, or nude. These colors will make your nails look neat and elegant without overwhelming them. If you want to add a bit of flair, you can also opt for blue, red, or even rainbow nails.

What nail color makes you look tan? ›

Opt for Warm-Toned Nail Colors

Warm-toned nail colors like coral, peach, or bronze can enhance your tan. These shades create a harmonious and flattering look that brings out the warmth in your complexion. Experiment with different warm-toned shades to find the ones that complement your skin tone the best.

What color nail polish makes your fingers look skinnier? ›

Nude and pastel colors are a great choice for short nails, as they actively make them look longer. Because they visually appear like they're continuing your finger line, they make your fingers look thinner and slimmer. For best results, use a color that's a shade lighter than your skin tone.

What color makes nails look longer? ›

Go Nude. Darker polish highlights the actual length of your nail, so to make nails look longer, lighter shades are always best, says Sarah Gibson Tuttle, CEO & Founder of Olive & June. “Much like wearing a nude pump elongates your legs, a nude polish elongates your nails,” Holford adds.

What nail polish goes with everything in the summer? ›

White. A crisp white nail polish is a versatile choice that can create a clean and fresh look. It pairs well with any outfit and adds a touch of sophistication. Whether you're going for a minimalist style or want to make a bold statement, white nails are a classy, go-to option.

What color nail polish is classy? ›

From classic shades of burgundy and navy to contemporary shades of grass green and ecru, here are 13 autumn nail colours to try this season.

What nail colors look best on older hands? ›

Lighter Tones: Choose lighter shades of any color, such as pastels or light grays. Lighter tones help to brighten the hands and create a more youthful appearance. Sheer and Natural Finishes: Consider using sheer or natural finishes, like a sheer pink or a clear coat.

What nail polish colors look younger for older hands? ›

To keep your hands looking youthful we recommend keeping your nails short and well moisturized. Bright orange, pink, green nails will have people looking at your color rather than at your hands. Flexible colors for both day and night are rose gold, grey and blue.

Which nail color do guys like? ›

Nail design: Men like these colors

In a representative survey, the German Paint Institute found that men generally likeblue , but also likegray , black and brown . Both sexes like green about equally, while women are more likely to like red ,yellow ,beige and orange .

What color makes your toes look better? ›

In my opinion, any color nail polish looks good on toenails. It all depends on what shoes or sandals you are wearing and what colors you love to wear. Red, bright neons, blues, or any color you choose to wear depending on your skin tone would work.

Should nail polish match on fingers and toes? ›

No, it's simply a matter of personal taste and preferences. I've seen people wearing a different color polish on each finger nail and each toenail: 20 different colors! So if you want to wear one color on your nails and a different color on your toenails, go for it.

What color of nail polish goes with everything? ›

White. A crisp white nail polish is a versatile choice that can create a clean and fresh look. It pairs well with any outfit and adds a touch of sophistication. Whether you're going for a minimalist style or want to make a bold statement, white nails are a classy, go-to option.

What color of nail polish is popular right now? ›

White: White nail polish is a versatile and timeless choice that remains popular in 2024. Its clean and crisp appearance complements any outfit and is perfect for achieving a fresh and modern look. Yellow: Yellow nail polish is a vibrant and cheerful option that is trending this year.

What nail color is trending now? ›

Think fiery reds, splashy blues, and even vivid yellows alongside classic springtime hues like lavender and pink.

Should nails and toes match? ›

Should toe nails be painted the same color as your hands? If you like everything to match, then sure. It's quite common to have different colors on toes and fingers, or even multiple colors on both.

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