Why I’m your short end-of-summer nails person? Well, I live in shorties. I’ve tried the trends, made the mistakes, and learned what actually works when the sun’s still out but September’s calling.
Right now I’m wearing a solid marine blue set and I’m obsessed – clean, chic, and very old-money nails. If you’re into it, try Zoya Ryan. It’s slightly deeper than your usual navy and perfect for these last summer weeks.
This won’t be my final set, though – late summer runs into September, and I’ve got 20 ideas based on TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram trends so you don’t have to doom-scroll. If you’re hunting for the perfect short mani to close out summer, keep going.
1. Light Blue
Talk about love at first sight. Light blue is flooding feeds right now, so why not wear it on your shorties? For this set, the artist used Manucurist Bubble with Yellow Chrome Powder on top – and I say, why mess with perfection when you’ve already got the recipe? For short nails, ask for a thin chrome rub so the blue still reads soft.
2. Ombre French
Taylor Swift called it: it’s an orange era. Ombré French is rising, and orange fading into a sheer milky base is ideal for late summer. Here, Iram Shelton used OPI Silicon Valley Girl and Baby, Take a Vow. Keep the fade soft and start it slightly higher on short nails so the tips don’t look heavy.
3. Milky Pink
What mani do you get when you don’t know what to get? This is my go-to. The color here is Gelcare Rose BB Cream, and I’ve worn it a couple of times – it lasts long and looks healthy. If you’re craving a clean-girl mani for late summer, this is your pick. Glossy top coat only bestie.
4. Polka Dots
Polka dots are a major trend and you need to try them. Where I struggled was density, so here’s the tip I learned from a gazillion how-to videos: use a dotting tool (or a bobby pin), make a vertical line of dots down the center, then add the next line offset between those dots. Keep them small and evenly spaced. Also, check Andréa Barbet’s reel – she nails the placement.
5. Classic Red
Red polish on short nails = instant expensive-looking mani. Perfect for closing out summer and easy to carry into fall. The artist used Dior Rouge 999 – a balanced, high-shine red that feels couture. Keep the edges crisp and the length short to drive the effect.
6. Beige & Blue
Blue and white nails ruled summer, but as it winds down, swap the white for beige. You still get that sandy, beachy feel – just softer and office-friendly for early September. Do thin blue stripes, add tiny blueberry dots, and finish with small green dots as leaves. Cute, neat, and short-nail approved.
7. Floral Design
If you’re still not over florals, this is your sign. Pick a milky white with a touch of gold glitter (PB Nails Fancy), then use a sculpting gel for brush-stroke petals (Mousse Gel MS01) and a yellow gel for centers (Mousse Gel MS08). Finish with a see-through top coat. Fresh, light, and perfect for the end of the season.
8. Mix & Match
Brown’s been big for months, shifting from mocha mousse to chocolate as summer wraps. Alternate brown auras, blooming-gel florals, a little animal print, and one pearly white chrome accent. Add gold chrome details to tie it together. Keep one idea per nail so shorties look curated, not crowded.
9. Aura Manicure
Short nails can absolutely pull off aura nails – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Sage green topped with a soft white halo fade is high on my list if I go green for my last late-summer mani. It hits the sweet spot between moody fall colors and sunny brights.
10. Micro French Tips
Micro French is one of my personal favorite short-nail designs. Totally DIY-able, and you can nudge it more summer or more fall depending on the tip shade. Classic white tips are a safe, classy pick – and they never read over the top or too flashy.
11. Lilac Mani
Summer ending doesn’t mean the fun has to. A lilac shade with swirl accents is ideal when you want to keep it playful. Nail artist Paulina Juśkiewicz used Kabos Amethyst Dream here, and I’m obsessed – definitely on my wishlist. Keep the swirls thin and curve them near the tips so they read light and add a bit of movement.
12. Blue & Brown
Blue and brown nails are taking over NailTok and Instagram. This retro combo first hit in the ’70s, came back for Y2K, and it’s back again now. Make it more fun by painting one hand blue and the other brown, then add polka dots in the opposite shade (ofc). Keep the dots small and evenly spaced for short nails.
13. Lip-Gloss Nails
Glossy, watery-effect nails should be your go-to when you’re going minimalist. Megan Rose used The GelBottle Gloss here, and it’s also one of my faves when I want that lip-gloss look – fun but clean. If you want a hint of color, add a sheer pink wash or a tiny blush center before top coat.
14. Half Florals
Light pink is a seasonless choice you can wear anytime. To make it late-summer, go with an opaque base using The GelBottle NU05 BIAB, then add half florals in Glass Blue. The design is not too heavy so feel free to wear it on every nail or chose 2 for your accents.
15. Cherry Accents
Cheetah print is everywhere on Pinterest, and cherry accents owned the feeds all summer. To tone it down for late August, use a sheer milky-pink base, add cherry art in a deeper red, and keep cheetah to the pinky. Not too fruity, not too cheetah – just right.
16. Butter Yellow
Kendall Jenner is wearing butter yellow on shorties right now, so we’ve got celeb confirmation this shade is clutch for summer’s finale and that shortis ate the thing. Wear it solid, add a chrome glaze, or do blooming-gel florals on two accents for extra impact. Whichever lane you choose – if butter yellow hasn’t hit your nails yet, now’s the time.
17. Black & White
Into high-contrast aesthetics? Alternate solid black and white nails, then finish with a chrome top coat. The result is sharp, glossy, and very “end-of-summer but still chic.” Keep cuticles crisp and the finish glassy.
18. Skittle Nails
In the mood for a late-summer Skittle mani? I got you: cool-toned rosy pink, milky gray, and rich brownish-mauve for a look that’s not too moody and definitely not too bright. The artist used Le Mini Macaron shades Giselle, Brigitte, and Colette – they hit just the right tones for late summer.
19. Cat-Eye Nails
Sheer peach-brown base with silver cat-eye gel is for the girlies (and me) who want that shimmer in the sun a little longer. Try Inner Peace DND Gel as the base and 9D Cat Eye Smoothie on top; pull the magnetic line down the center, then tilt your hand to catch the light. Late-summer sparkle, secured.
20. Stripe Nails
Vacationing in late August or early September? This one’s calling your name. Keep the base sheer neutral pink, swap loud stripes for thin white lines, and add orange slice stickers/decals for a fun, still-summery finish. Fresh, playful, and short-nail friendly.
Short-nail season isn’t over – these picks carry you from sunset hangs to first-week-back plans. Which one’s your end-of-summer set? Drop your fave in the comments, save this for your next appointment, and follow us on socials for more late-summer and early-fall inspo.
