I've Been a Fan of "Princess Nails" for Years: The 15 Classiest Designs I'd Wear in a Heartbeat

I've spent the better part of five years growing out my nails, only to recently experience more breakage in a few weeks than I've in my entire life. Restarting my nail growth journey has come with some trial and error, but the process hasn't been without its huge wins. While I may not have the length I'm used to, my shorter nails are healthy, strong, and ready for anything. I don't have to worry about breakage when I'm in a Pilates session, testing new products, or packing for trips. In fact, I've learned to love the look of them in their most natural state.

TikTok's "princess nails" trend, where short lengths are celebrated and chic nail designs are celebrated, has kept me scrolling through hours of inspo. So, why not share some of my recent finds? Keep scrolling to check out the 15 nail looks that look especially stunning on short nail lengths like mine (plus, all the must-have products shared by the nail artists that created them).

Gold-Dipped Tips

Whether you're a bride-to-be like the person who received this manicure by Iram Shelton, or have been itching for a minimalistic nail look with a touch of chrome for intrigue, this French manicure with delicate gold tips makes the perfect option. To create this, Shelton started with a milky base before adding gold foil.

Get the Look

Dew Drops

Nail artist and digital creator Mate Janova always knows how to pull off delicate and detailed short nail designs, including this 3D water drop–inspired nail look using a neutral pink shade as a base and sparkling gemstones placed at random to perfectly catch the light.

Get the Look

Dainty Intials

Another chic and minimalistic manicure I'll be trying is these milky white nails with a bold Old English initial placed in the corner of the thumb, done using a black gel polish by The Gel Bottle Inc. I think this would also be an elegant option for a wedding nail look.

Get the Look

Citrus Chrome

Chrome manicures are still dominating everything from my Pinterest to Instagram, so it's no surprise I'm starting to see it combined with this year's top polish colors. Queenie Nguyen took on the trend with a chrome butter-yellow French, combining butter-yellow tips with a white chrome topcoat.

Get the Look

Wavy French

Another modernized take on a French manicure that's been popping up frequently across social media platforms for me has been these chic French nails with wavy white tips. It's a fun play on a minimalistic, negative space look that doesn't stray too far from a traditional French manicure.

Get the Look

Ditsy Daisies

If you still believe in the magic of daisy chains and have been on the hunt for an elevated take on floral-inspired nails, consider trying this daisy mani design. To re-create it, use a dotting tool tipped in an off-white polish for the petals, then match each flower's yellow center to the tips of your nails for a playful finishing touch.

Get the Look

Milky Moons

Here's one of those "your nails but better" manicures that will show off the natural tones of your nails with a little color and an eye-catching glossy finish. These nails were created using two popular polish colors by OPI: Put It In Neutral (soft beige pink) and Funny Bunny (sheer white).

Get the Look

Classic Dots

Looking for a quick and easy way to elevate any nail look? Add some quirky dots of different sizes in unexpected places. For my upcoming manicure, I'll be taking notes from these French nails by Nguyen include extra-wide tips and black polka dots of various sizes.

Get the Look

Glitter Dusting

These are the ideal nails for someone who is setting out to add a touch of glitter to their manicures without fully committing to the glam. I especially love this look because it's created using pink polish and glitter from one of my favorite brands, Manicurist.

Get the Look

Tennis Inspired

I don't know about you, but I still haven't gotten over my Challengers era, and this summer has resparked an interest in all things tennis (including nail art). This nail art–centered take on a French by The Mani Club features tennis balls and rackets serving looks across the index and ring fingers.

Get the Look

Mixed Metals

I can't go a day without seeing some variation of a mixed metal manicure make its appearance on one of my social media platforms. That said, out of all the ones I've been saving lately, this 3D floral design made of mixed metals in silver, blue, and gold tones has my heart. I'm obsessed with the way it sparkles.

Get the Look

Tiny Dots

I can't prove it, but I'm 99.9% sure that having barely there manicures is the easiest way to feel like you have your life together. This nail look, by Jonava, is beyond effortless and simple to recreate. Just grab a milky white shade for your base, and then add a tiny white dot at the very top of your nail.

Get the Look

Contrasting Colors

Switching off between contrasting colors at the top and bottom of the nails looks especially stunning when done in classic shades of black and white, as demonstrated by this manicure. To create this look, manicurist Georgia Rae started with cuticle care by Navy Professional before completing the look with OPI polish.

Get the Look

Soft Pearls

An ocean-inspired manicure can feature anything from fishing net-like textures to swirling 3D polish to resemble the ocean waves, but nothing captures my attention as much as a delicate pearl detail. To create this enchanting nail look, start with a milky pink base before gently placing a pearl nail decal just below the cuticles.

Get the Look

3D Blooms

Another 3D nail trend I've been spotting among the fashion crowd has been milky white manicures with elegant 3D flower art arranged at the top and bottom of the nails. The stunning nail look above is described by Shelton, "minimal nails with that added flare," on her Instagram.

Get the Look