LIKE FRESHLY WASHED HAIR, a little nail TLC does wonders for the mood. You can almost take on the world — or at least, seize the day — with a French manicure or some red polish. Well-looked after nails, while signalling good grooming practices, also can be the difference between exhibiting physical confidence and anxiety.

I for one tend to subconsciously bite my nails during moments of stress. But if I have some pretty polish painted on, the colourful and aesthetically-pleasing distraction (also its thick consistency) proves to be big enough to avoid the bad habit. Therefore, I’m always looking for nail designs or inspiration to spur my latest nail makeover — and TikTok, being the millennials cultural dictionary, is suggesting acrylic nails are the way to go this beauty season.

Saying sayonara to SNS and shellac-styles, acrylics are proving to be a most popular nail choice due to its creative (and durable) designs. From classic French, to kidcore-inspired designs, as well as fun and fervent colours — this season’s biggest beauty trend is all about the bold nail. Below BAZAAR has broken down acrylics, revealing its process, cost and how healthy it really is for your nails.

What are acrylic nails?

Acrylics are a combination of a liquid monomer and powder polymer. Put together, the duo form a paste which is bonded to the natural nail. It’s then given the desired shape, where it hardens in place and adds strength, length and thickness to the nail.

What is better acrylic or gel nails?

While both are artificial nail enhancers done in place of natural nails, gels — while more glossy and natural — require a UV light in order to set.

“Acrylics are much stronger than gel which makes them more durable,” Hannah Lee, Sally Hansen expert told BAZAAR US.

Acrylics are also more sturdy and durably as compared to gel.

“If you are looking to extend your nail quite a bit, then you would want acrylics, but if you’re going for more of a natural look, gel is what you’d want.”

Are acrylic nails safe?

While acrylic nails aren’t always spoken favourably of — we can’t forget beauty blogger Amelia Perrin’s viral story from 2016, which saw her cuticles (and skin) rip off. Generally speaking, acrylics shouldn’t damage your nails — but poor application and removal can.

“Acrylics do get a bad rap, but really, they aren’t any worse for your nails than other artificial nail products,” Hannah Lee began.

Lee explained any potential side effects (such as thin, weak or brittle nails, dry irritated skin or infection) are greatly reduced if one sees a trained technician, and undertakes the right aftercare advice and regular upkeep.

“The removal process can weaken your nails’ natural state, but when done properly it won’t cause any permanent damage, which is why it’s very important to have a professional remove them.”

Aside from safe removal — which means resisting the urge to take off yourself — it’s advised one takes occasional breathing spaces between appoints — to help strengthen their natural nails.

“It’s recommended to take a break from getting acrylics around every three to six months to help rejuvenate your nails,” Lee recommends.

How long do acrylic nails last?

Unlike traditional polish, acrylics are long-lasting and durable — meaning you can go from the beach to the bar without much concern about possible chipping. Hannah Lee told BAZAAR US that they should last up to two months, if taken care of.

“Acrylics should last six to eight weeks with a fill needed about every two to three weeks, depending on your nail growth.”

A “fill” refers to a professional touchup between the bottom of the nail and the cuticle, which not only improves appearance but assists with the longevity of acrylics — particularly as ones’ natural nails lengthen.

Read more  Short Nail Designs That Prove You Don't Need Length to Have Fun

“Fills are very important because once your nails start to grow is when lifting begins to happen.”

The manicurist also recommends one wears gloves while cleaning and use moisturisers and cuticle oil “to keep your hands and nails healthy.”

How much do acrylic nails cost?

While costs vary between salons, acrylic nails — while more widely available — are generally cheaper than gel. But price also varies between one’s design of choice. If you’re going for something more simple and understated, it can cost around $50 for a one-colour style. Understandably, the price increases dramatically if you want something more elaborate or creative — so don’t be surprised if the manicurist quotes around $80 for a rose quartz design.

One also must factor in acrylic infill prices if you’re wanting to the original acrylics to last around two months — as opposed to removing them early. Infills, can touch-up glitter, tip or colour and expect to pay around $40 for these mini improvements.

What acrylic nails are trending in 2022?

With so many effervescent styles this year — the absolute beauty of acrylics, there’s no shortage of designs — it’s hard to ‘nail down’ (no pun tended) just one or two looks.

But those making the social media rounds most in 2022 include kidcore nail art, which embraces the childlike and fun side with glitter, gems, sweet decals and vivid colours and Barbie pink nails with sparkling bubblegum hues — perhaps a ode to the upcoming Barbie film with Margot Robbie. This is in addition to neon or colourful tips — think a Y2K spin on the classic French — bold and verdant shades of green (most fitting during our autumn). 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. Just ensure you get them applied — and removed — by an accredited nail technician.

Related: Best rich face creams for extreme nourishment

— Update: 23-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article Short Nail Designs That Prove You Don't Need Length to Have Fun from the website www.shape.com for the keyword are short nails in style 2022.

Short nails are neat, practical, and one of the biggest nail trends of 2022, but they’re not exactly conducive to nail art. Fingernails always provide a tiny canvas to work with, and without extensions or significant natural growth, your space is even more limited. Some nail art ideas just won’t be doable on a closely-trimmed nail plate.

Still, you don't have to resign yourself to a life of solid color just because you're committed to keeping your nails short. The internet has an endless supply of short nail designs, which you can try out or use as references when you hit the salon. Ahead, some of the best nail designs for short nails if you don't have a lot of length to work with. (

Two-Tone French Manicure

French manicures feature a small sliver of an accent, making them a suitable option for short nails. To get the multi-color update on the classic shown above, follow these steps from Christina Kao, co-founder and CEO of Le Mini Macaron.

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply two coats of a light pink polish and let dry (or cure if using gel polish).
3. Dip Le Mini Macaron Liner Nail Art Brush (Buy It, $13, asos.com) or a similar detailer brush into a hot pink polish. Draw two diagonal lines at the tip of each nail, then fill in the gap at the center of the tip of each nail to create a curved line. Let dry or cure if using gel polish.
4. Apply a top coat and let dry or cure if using gel polish. (

Glitter Outline

Even if your nails are super short, you’ll have plenty of room to add a thin outline to each nail. You can go with a clear coat accented with black polish and glitter as shown above, or try the technique with two contrasting matte shades. Once you’ve made your selection, here’s how to pull off the short nail design, according to Shelena Robinson, global education manager at OPI.

Read more  What size Air Compressor for Framing Nailer?

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry.
3. Dip a detailer brush (Buy It, $4 for three, amazon.com) into a black nail polish. Outline nails by drawing a straight line down the sides of each nail. Create a thin line at the cuticle or across the tip of the nail, alternating with each finger. Apply a second coat if needed. Let dry.
4. Dip a clean detailer brush into a glitter polish and retrace each black line. Let dry.
5. Clean up the lines using a detailer brush dipped in nail polish remover if necessary.
6. Apply a top coat and let dry.

Side French Manicure

When you’re feeling uninspired by regular French manicures, you can consider flipping the design so that the color runs down the side of each nail rather than the tips. Throw in an unexpected color combo, such as red and black, and you’ll end up with a truly eye-catching result. Read on to find out how Melinda Carrillo, a nail artist at Pear Nova Studio, created the look above.

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry (or cure if using gel polish).
3. Apply one coat of a sheer pink polish and let dry or cure.
4. Dip a detailer brush into a red shade, such as Pear Nova Truth Oar Dare Gel Lacquer (Buy It, $21, pearnova.com), and create a thin moon-like shape on the side of each nail. Let dry or cure.
5. Dip a dotting tool (Buy It, $5 for five, amazon.com) into black polish, then carefully add thin lines throughout each red stripe, creating an abstract design. Let dry or cure.
6. Apply a top coat and let dry or cure. (BTW, you can also use these dotting tools to copy Sydney Sweeney’s cute manicure for spring.)

Foil Tips

Foil is an underrated nail enhancement option. “You can apply [foil] to the full nail, or as an abstract french as we did in this video,” says Jennifer Bell, senior marketing manager of Bellacures salons. “Foils are a fun way to add some shape or patterns to your nails that can be super difficult to paint on without loads of skill. This look is best achieved using gel polishes.”

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry or, if using gel polish, cure.
3. Apply two coats of a nude nail polish, such as OPI Put It In Neutral (Buy It, $11, amazon.com) pictured above. Dry or cure after each coat.
4. Cut about one square inch from a roll of rainbow foil (Buy It, $10, amazon.com).
5. Apply nail foil glue (Buy It, $7, amazon.com) to the area where you want the foil to appear. Immediately press the foil to the glue and remove from the nail. You can press it down as a solid piece, or quickly pull and remove a couple of times to achieve the look above.
6. Continue this process on every nail and then cure if using gel polish or let dry.
7. Apply a top coat and cure or let dry.

Mix and Match

Can't choose between a solid color, a French manicure, or swirls? Bring all three together with this take on mismatched nail art. Whether you go with two shades of the same color as shown above or decide on complementary hues, the end result will be visually appealing. Here's how to pull off this nail design for short nails, according to Kao.

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry or cure if using gel polish.
3. Dip a detailer brush into a light nail polish shade and line the tip of index finger, creating a French manicure design. Let dry or cure if using gel polish. Repeat on other index finger.
4. Using the detailer brush and light polish, draw a curvy line along one side of ring finger nail. Fill in the shape. Repeat with a darker color on opposite side of nail. Repeat on other ring finger and let dry or cure.
5. Paint remaining fingers with two coats of polish, alternating between lighter and darker colors. If using gel polish, cure between coats.
6. Clean up any mistakes with detailer brush dipped in acetone.
7. Apply a top coat and let dry or cure.

Read more  Everything you need to know about SNS nails

Checkered Nail Art

Checkered nail art such as the design above can be scaled down for shorter nail lengths. The key is to use a detailer brush with a 7-millimeter length, which will give you more control when creating drawing tiny squares, says Robinson. (A 9-millimeter brush allows you to cover a larger area faster and will suffice if you have longer nails.) Below, Robinson's tips for achieving this take on cute, short nail designs.

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry.
3. Place a drop of a pink polish, such as OPI All Your Dreams in Vending Machines (Buy It, $11, ulta.com), onto a palette or piece of aluminum foil. Drag a detailer brush through the lacquer from the base to the tip, roll the brush and repeat two to three times to evenly cover all the brush hairs. Draw two lines to create a grid pattern on nails.
4. Fill in two diagonal squares on each nail to create a checker design. Let dry and repeat.
5. Apply a top coat and let dry.

Jewel Accents

Nail stickers are in and applying jeweled versions can set off a sparkly stack of rings. You can adhere the stickers over your favorite nail color, go with a French manicure as shown above, or opt for a clear coat underneath. Here’s your best plan of action for pulling off this short nail design, according to Kao. (

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry (or cure if using gel polish).
3. Dip Le Mini Macaron Liner Nail Art Brush or a similar detailer brush into a white polish. Draw two diagonal lines at the tip of each nail, then fill in the gap at the center of the tip of each nail to create a curved line. Let dry or cure if using gel polish.
4. Adhere three to four jewel nail stickers from the Le Mini Macaron Nail Play! Nail Art Set (Buy It, $18, leminimacaron.com) using a pair of tweezers.
5. Apply a top coat and let dry or cure if using gel polish.

Heart Accents

When you're after short, simple nail designs, consider doodling hearts onto a few of your nails. All you'll need to copy the above design are two colors of your choice, a detailer brush, and a steady hand. Here's exactly how to pull it off, according to Kao. (

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Paint on two coats of a light pink shade. Cure for 30 seconds in between coats if using gel polish or let dry.
3. Dip Le Mini Macaron Liner Nail Art Brush or a similar detailer brush into a dark pink nail polish. Outline then fill in two mini hearts and cure if using gel polish. Repeat on every other finger.
4. Apply a top coat and let dry.

Skittles Manicure

It's not a short nail design per se, but the skittles manicure, i.e. using a different color on every finger, is more dynamic than using the same color across the board. Plus, you can achieve a Skittles mani even if your nails are bitten to the quick. “This spring, we see this trend taking a more subtle turn,” says Bell. “Instead of reaching for a mix of bright pinks, we are going to see a lot of neutral, softer, subtle skittles out there. Think olive greens, grey-blues, or nudes.”

1. Prep and shape nails as desired.
2. Apply a base coat and let dry.
3. Apply two coats of nail color to each nail, switching to a new color with each nail. Lighter shades may require a third coat. Let dry.
4. Apply a top coat and let dry.