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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Show me your lovely short nails!

82 replies

FurryTurnipHead · 03/03/2018 12:03

I need some nail inspiration. I have been a nail biter all my life, and have finally managed to grow them a little bit and stop biting the skin.

I am totally clueless about nail stuff. No idea what any of the terminology means. But I love seeing short painted nails, especially dark colours. Could I do anything with these or are they still too short? Photo shows my two best ones, so be kind, this is good for me!

I want them to look in good condition and maybe put something on them to strengthen and improve them and keep me from biting again. I'm happy to go to a beauty place, couldn't do it myself, but wouldn't know what to ask for.

For the record, I don't want them to grow any longer this, and I don't want false ones.

Any ideas or pictures of similar length appreciated!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Hadenoughtoday · 03/03/2018 15:01

Husky I'm over protective of my nails and always wear rubber gloves for housework.

My nail varnish lasts about 5 days with no chips sometimes a slight wearing on the edges

twilightcafe · 03/03/2018 15:05

I do my own gel nails at home.

Macarena1990 · 03/03/2018 15:07

I haven't had shellac for a while, but always keep my nails really short regardless.

For some reason long nails make me cringe!

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 03/03/2018 15:07

If you can't get hold of OPI products, which are very good, then simple Almond Oil from the chemist will do a good job. I'm unconvinced really as to how much the beneficial effects are down to the product, or simply due to the frequent and regular massaging and stimulation of the nail bed area.

My nails are super strong and grow very quickly so I'm always filing them down. I use a glass nail file and try to keep them just a little higher than the back of my fingers.

Best tip for varnish is a base coat, two thin coats of varnish, don't pile it on, and a top coat, but being really sure that every coat dries thoroughly before doing the next one. I haven't tried the darker shades but Rimmel Super Gel is not expensive and has worked very well for me, easily 10-14 days and my nails do get heavy wear.

Violetrose123 · 03/03/2018 15:08

Another shellac convert here. Can’t stand mine getting too long, it makes my skin crawl.

PamDooveOrangeJoof · 03/03/2018 15:11

I don’t know how to post pictures but I always keep my nails short. I have shellac done about every 2/3 weeks with either v v dark or nice bright red.
They are in good condition as I get the salon to remove them. When I did it myself I savaged them!

Hate the feeling when nails are too long. Ug. Makes me skin crawl and my fingers feel achy 😂

ineedwine99 · 03/03/2018 15:14

Short nail ppl who use Gellish/Shellac, how the hell do you cap the tips without getting it all over your skin?! I cant do it

suckysnow · 03/03/2018 15:17

These are mine - I would love them shorter by my nail lady winces and says she’s going to buff skin if she does!

Original poster

FurryTurnipHead · 03/03/2018 15:17

Some gorgeous nails here, love yours Violet.

Also interesting that lots of others really dislike long nails... I also find them a bit disturbing and skin crawly. Especially if they tap on things. Didn't want to say so in my original post though as didn't want to offend!

Almond oil is a good tip, I use it on my face so have enough loads (as you can see I have a very high maintenance beauty regime!!)

OP posts:

BrennieGirl · 03/03/2018 15:24

I always keep mine short. I use Nailtiques 2 as my base as they are prone to splitting. Seche vitae for my top coat. This is an old H&M polish.

issy196 · 03/03/2018 15:26

My nails are looking disgusting at the moment so won't post pics but just wanted to say it's really nice to see a thread where people are embracing short nails.

Always felt like I was the odd one out, I wear contact lenses daily and find them absolutely impossible to take out if I have long nails so I keep my nails very short. Seems like the trend is for crazily long nails (seriously, how do people do anything with them?!) but the pics on here look lovely!

Violetrose123 · 03/03/2018 15:28

In terms of normal nail varnish, I still think Barry M is the best high street brand. Great colours, affordable and you can easily get a weeks wear without any chipping if you use a top coat.

OPI do a great base and top coat set, but I’ve also found the Collection top coat to work really well and it costs about £3 from boots or Superdrug

TSSDNCOP · 03/03/2018 15:38

Mine are my own nails but with Shellac polish OP. I've had Shellac every 3 weeks or the past 5 years. I do hear people say it damages nails, but not in my experience. I do ask the nail ladies to leave them an extra 5 minutes when they're soaking the polish off though.

Susimoo · 03/03/2018 16:36

I do mine at home now after a couple of years of getting them done at a salon. I loved the me time aspect of going to a salon but my purse prefers me doing it 😁

I still treat myself to the occasional manicure and pedicure.

I use OPI gel colour and I love it. I have a few other brands but I use OPI's base and top coat.

I always have them short. This is long for me. I also always have them dark. I do not suit pale colours when I myself am so pale.

I refer to it as the Pulp Fiction look. Uma Thurman was the first person I'd seen with short square nails in Rouge Noir. I still love the look today. 😍

cafune7 · 03/03/2018 17:05

I keep them short too. I also have tiny hands and dislike long nails. My favourite shellac colours is dark burgundy as I find dark colours looking great on short nails. However, once in a while I get something bright

Here s my last one

cafune7 · 03/03/2018 17:06

Here s my last one

cafune7 · 03/03/2018 17:06

Here s my last one

cafune7 · 03/03/2018 17:06

Ffs, posted 3 times. Damn, Android

HundredMilesAnHour · 03/03/2018 17:07

These are my nails. Shellac done in my local salon one week ago. They're coming off next weekend and then I'll take a break from Shellac for a month or two and just wear Opi Nail Envy. I like to give my nails a break every few months.

NeegansWife · 03/03/2018 17:14

I much prefer my nails short. I gel them myself using Sensationail. This is a colour called Miss Behave, one of my favourites.

DioxideBlonde · 03/03/2018 17:54

I think dark colours on short nails looks sophisticated. A couple of French chic instagrammers I follow have short, dark navy nails at the moment and it looks gorgeous.

I really dislike pastel colours, or even worse nail art 😵

TeeBee · 03/03/2018 18:01

Here are mine. Probably a bit too long for me at the moment as they're due a cut-down.

Tentomidnight · 03/03/2018 18:10

I have mine filed shorter than to the end of my fingertips and shellac on them every 2-3 weeks. Can't stand them long.
I used to hate my bitten nails but they look lovely now, the shellac stops me ruining them and if I ever leave them bare they are actually in very good condition.
I love dark blue and dark red on short nails, and coral in summer.

pinkhorse · 03/03/2018 18:20

These are mine with gel on. They've grown a bit but I like them as short as possible.

Iloveantiques · 03/03/2018 18:28

This is shellac

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