When you have small nail beds, it becomes difficult to try a variety of designs with short natural nails. This is where gel nail extensions play an important role. Gel nail ideas are the best option when you want a long-lasting manicure being a busy mom, a working woman, or a fashion freak.
A gel manicure includes trimming and shaping your nails followed by pushing back cuticles. After the nail prep, apply a gel nail polish and cure it with a UV/LED lamp for 30-60 seconds. Finally, use isopropyl alcohol to remove the sticky texture of the gel color.
Gel Nail Ideas 2024
Gel nails are popular for their ability to last longer than ordinary nail lacquer. Besides, these nails are more flexible and give a lot of options to design your nails. Sparkling manicures for weddings, cute 3D nail art for birthdays, and bright nails for summer, gel nail ideas are not limited.
Summer Gel Nail Ideas
A playful manicure makes summer days special. Apart from bright colors, try creative nails art design to make it fun and this becomes easier with gel nails or semi-permanent gel nail polish. Here are some summer gel nail ideas that are a must-try.
1. Summer Transition Gel Nails
When summer is about to reach an end, try some transition nail manicures. Use orange-brown nail color and create some French tips and an aura effect. Add some pearls and 3D starfishes and give your gel nails an extra glossy finish.
2. Fruity Nails
Create a fresh and fun set with summer fruit nail art. Paint your gel nails with pink nail color and draw some detailed fruity patterns. You can also use stickers to make it effortless. Apply a high-quality top gel coat for a perfect finish.
3. Melted Nail Art
A playful nail design for short summer nails. Use bright colors like pink, yellow, and orange to create a melting pattern on your gel nails and get a young girl manicure.
4. Rainbow Tips
Bright colors and rainbow design, what else can be better? For your summer go-to manicure, you can try rainbow and flower patterns with bright nail colors. It creates some lively nail art perfect for summer.
5. Sparkle Summer Nails
Gel nails allow you to try various types of nail art. It can make even a simple manicure look extraordinary, just like these sparkling nails. Using blue glitter, create a bright and fresh look for summer.
6. Summer Country Nails
Super cute nail art for summer vacation. Hand-paint some bright and colorful stripes, ducks, and taco designs to make it playful. Make it long-lasting using gel nail polish.
7. Pink and Orange Gel Nails
Stunning summer gel nail ideas with a minimal sparkle. Go all bright with an orange and pink nail color combination. Also, add some golden flakes to make it sparkle.
8. Watermelon Summer Nails
‘Fresh like the taste of watermelon on a warm summer day.’ writes the nail artist on Instagram. Instead of bright colors, use some pastel shades to make it cute and fun.
Cute Gel Nail Ideas
When you want a cute manicure, gel nails can be a perfect choice for you. You can go for pastel colors, fruit designs, celestial designs, and other tiny patterns. Some cute gel nail ideas for your next manicure are listed below.
9. Cute Korean Gel Nails
Cute gel nail ideas for parties or formal events. Use silver and white nail color combinations to create minimal patterns like criss and cross, coquette bow, and metallic French tips.
10. Cotton Candy Nails
Another cute and gelish nail idea for you to try. Create a mix of 3D nail art with textures patterns, 3D flowers and butterflies, and some tiny crystals to make it glossy and reflective.
11. Cherry Gel Nails
Chinese nail designs are always on point just like this beautiful nail art. Keep it minimally attractive with pastel French tips and 3D cherries. Add a top chrome gel nail paint to make it perfectly shiny.
12. Cute Cat Nails
A glossy gel manicure with cute nail art. For cat lovers, add some cat patterns to your nails along with metallic swirls and other mixed nail designs. You can try these nails on Halloween for a cute look.
13. Pastel Ghosts
Ghosts need some brightness, too, or at least you do! So, get ready for your Halloween night with pastel nail colors and ghost nail art on your short gel nails.
14. Ballerina Gel Nails
Gel nails that will make you fall in love with them. Add a pink 3D butterfly, flower, and bow to your transparent ballerina nails. You can wear these extra glossy nails for themed parties.
15. Cute Bear Nails
Too adorable to pass this nail design without trying. Pastel yellow and pink nail colors with a mix of cute designs such as bears and flowers make a super cute combination. Add these nails to your inspo board and try it on at your next themed party.
16. Disney Nails
Another cute gel nail design for you. Get your gel nails done with short ballerina nail shapes and cute Minnie designs. Also, add some polka dots to your pink nails to make it even more adorable.
17. Pastel French Nails
Make simple pastel nails incredible with glossy gel nail polish and pastel colors. Create double French tips on your square nails using pastel nail polish. Then, preserve the nail art with a high-quality gel top coat.
18. Cute Bridal Nails
Perfect bridal nails with cute and detailed gel nail art. On your almond gel nails, create an ombre nail effect using a white nail color. Then, create some floral patterns using silver nail polish. The combination of chrome and ombre nails will make you slay your big day.
Short Gel Nail Ideas
Gel nails don’t mean you only have to go for long extensions every time. Instead, you can do your short nail manicure with gel nail polish too. It makes your manicure look more glossy and stay longer. Try these short gel nail ideas when you want a fun short nail manicure.
19. Marble Gel Nails
Korean jelly nails are very popular nowadays. Use a combination of dark blue and metallic silver to create this gorgeous manicure. This simple nail art makes your short nails look so stunning.
20. Pigment Auras
Soft and simple nail art for your short nails. Use pink and orange gel nail polishes to create an aura effect on your round nails. Also, add some tiny stars and a top glossy coat to create a bright summer look.
21. Brown Gel Nails
Get a stunning brown manicure with gel nails. Create animal print Frenchies, metallic French tips, and aura nail effect on your short oval nails. You can wear these nails for casual as well as party wear.
22. Sugar Nails
Keep it sweet and sugary with these textured nails. For short nail beds, when you can’t try detailed patterns try simple textured nail art. Gel nail polish makes this textured nail art stay longer.
23. Short Glitter Gel Nails
You can go all playful for summers with glitters and stickers. Use glitter gel nail polish to paint your round nails. Then, add some flower stickers, pearls, and a translucent bear to make it fun.
24. Blue Gel Nails
Simple nail art for your short nails. Use semi-permanent blue gel nail polish to paint your nails. Draw some white and silver glitter line patterns to make it creative. These nails go well with casual outfits.
25. Flower Gel Nails
Preserved dried flower nail art for short nails. This nail art is too simple yet looks so chic. Try a different flower pattern for each nail. These nails go well with spring outfits.
26. Cow Print Nails
Animal print to go for a random day manicure. Create a half-nail cow print lining with silver glitter nail paint. Use gel nail polish to make it last for a long time.
27. French Tips
French manicure is a perfect choice for short nails. Use the polygel nail technique to make it stay longer. Apply pink chrome nail paint on your short square French tips. You can get these nails done for a formal as well as casual event.
28. Fall Gel Nails
Want some glossy gel nails this fall season? Try this beautiful manicure. Use muted brown and gray nail colors to create a soft color block manicure on your short nails.
29. Dainty Nails
If you are looking for some metallic and glazed nail art, go for this one. Use gold nail color to create French tips and minimal patterns on your nude pink gel nails.
30. White Heart Nails
Try some cute and simple 3D nail art on your short nails. Apply pink nude nail paint on your short nails and use white glue gel to create a simple heart pattern. You can wear these adorable nails for a cute casual look.
Spring Gel Nail Ideas
Get a fresh seasonal start with pastel nail colors and cheerful designs. Try some intricate flower patterns, butterfly nail art, and ombre designs with your gel nails. Find below some spring gel nail ideas to reflect the spring’s vibes.
31. Blue Nails
One of the prettiest nail art for spring. On some of the nails, create blue French tips while painting others fully with blue nail color. Also, add tiny flowers to give your nails a dried-flower decorative look.
32. Bee Gel Nails
Bee nails are perfect for a joyful spring manicure. Use builder gel to create the base and paint it with a nude pink color. Then, draw some bees and flower patterns on them.
33. Color Blocking Nails
Simple abstract nail design for spring. Use pink and blue nail colors to create 90’s collection color color blocking. You can create these nails for a casual spring look.
34. Fancy Spring Nails
When you want to try some fancy nail art for spring, here you go. Create a combination of yellow and white and create pretty mixed nail art on your medium-length gel nails.
35. Easter Gel Nails
Cute gel nails to make your Easter more special. You can create a mix of polka dots, egg nail designs, and flower patterns to decorate your cute gel nails.
36. Pastel Spring Nails
Pastel nail colors for spring manicures are a must. Use builder gel nails for extensions and shape them into almond shapes. Then use different pastel nail colors to paint your almond nails for a fun and bright look.
37. Strawberry Nails
For a seasonal look, try some strawberry nail art. Draw strawberry and flower patterns on your oval nails. These nails are best for those who want a day out in spring with a fun manicure.
38. Stripe Gel Nails
Bright and beautiful spring nail manicure for you. Create a nude gel nail base, keeping the length short to medium. Then draw pink stripes with white leafy nail art on your nails to give them a lively touch.
39. Foil Gel Nails
Blue nails with foil nail art for your spring seasonal look. Do your gel nails with blue nail color and use holographic foil to sparkle them a bit. This gives your nails a fun and futuristic look.
40. Lace Gel Nails
Cute nail art for a spring vacation look. Create beautiful vintage lace designs using blue, orange, and yellow nail colors. Finally, add a top gel coat to make it stay longer.
Simple Gel Nail Ideas
If you want something easy and minimal, you can go for simple nail designs. With gel nail polish, you can make French tips, metallic nail art, and simple patterns look much more glossy and stylish. Try these simple gel nail ideas for a minimal classy look.
41. White Chrome Nails
A sleek and classy look with simple ballerina nails. Paint your ballerina gel extensions with chrome white nail color. Also, add a 3D water drop effect to make it more gorgeous.
42. Emerald Green Nails
Elegant white gel nails with emerald green glitter are perfect for a formal event. Keep the tips of your long nails translucent and add some glitters to make it minimally decorative.
43. Edgy Black And Pink Nails
Time for a bold and edgy nail design for you. Paint your gel nails with black nail polish. Then use pink nail color to draw barbed wire nail art to make it edgy. You can wear these nails for a party night.
44. Glitter Almond Nails
Nude almond nails are perfect for formal functions like weddings and engagements. Add some sparkle with golden glitter at the cuticles. This makes your nails look luxurious and elegant.
45. Bling Gel Nails
Another simple yet classy nail idea for gel nails. Paint your medium squoval nails with light pink glitter nail color. Then, use 3D stones to decorate your nails and give them a royal look.
46. Dot Nail Art
Simple dot nail art is always the right choice for a minimal and simple look. Use builder gel nail polish for this manicure and keep the base nude. Then, add polka dots with white and silver nail colors.
47. Simple Flower Nails
When you want to keep it simple, you must try simple flower patterns. Use nude gel nail polish to paint your short nails. Then, add some white French tips and minimal flower art to make it perfect for a casual look.
48. Rosy Fall Nails
This fall try a nail color apart from typical fall colors. Paint your oval gel nails with a rosy pink nail color. Then, add some sparkling patterns and 3D stones to make it bling.
49. Glitter Coffin Nails
These nails are perfect for occasions like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and birthday parties when you want a sparkling manicure. Use gold glitter nail color to paint your coffin nails and get a charming manicure.
50. Swirl Nails
Go for these swirl nails when you want a playful look. Create swirl nail designs on the tips of your almond nails using black and white nail color.
Conclusion
When you want to make your manicure game stronger, go for gel nails. These nails are a lot more versatile and can be customized for any occasion and style. For those with small nail beds or busy schedules, gel manicures provide long-lasting wear. From short and simple nail art to 3D decorative nails, there are gel nail ideas for every look.
FAQs
What is trending in gel nails?
Minimalism is at a huge spike right now. Simple designs, negative space, and line art are popular with the glossy finish of gel nails in 2024. Moreover, nail shapes like almonds and stiletto are gaining popularity with medium to long lengths.
Is gel or dip better for your nails?
Gel nails are better for a flexible and more natural look, while dip nails are more long-lasting. You can go for gel nails if you want to try some intricate patterns. However, if you want a quick manicure at home without a UV lamp then dip powder nails are a better option.
What is the most popular gel nail shape?
The most popular gel nail shape is almond. It is because of their elegant and feminine appearance. Almond, square, and oval nail shapes are also popular for their versatile look.
What are old money nails?
Old Money Nails refer to aesthetic nails that make a strong statement of understated luxury and elegance. It is usually minimalist and neat, in neutral or nude colors like soft beige, taupe, and pale pink. This style avoids loud flash-in-the-pan designs and focuses on class. Think of nails, subtle and well groomed, which somebody with timeless classic taste would wear.
What are jelly nails?
Jelly nails are transparent nails with a soft jelly finish. These come in bright playful colors like pink, blue, or neon green; however, they keep their sheerness and glassy effect. Jelly nails give that fun, youthful vibe and are pretty popular in the summer. You can add some extra flair to your nails with some nail art, glitters, or other small embellishments.
What type of gel nails are the best?
Soft gel nails are the most popular gel nails as they are flexible and lightweight. Unlike hard gel nails which are applied for extensions and to make nails rigid, soft nails are applied like regular nail polish. This helps to provide a long-lasting and glossier finish. These nails are ideal for anyone who wants durability on their nails without having to add extensions or heavy-duty materials to their nails.
What is the new type of gel nails?
Currently, the newest nail-building trend is Polygel, which is a hybrid between acrylic and hard gel. Lighter in weight, it allows for the same strength as gels and acrylics. It is also easier to shape and mold so it is popularly used for doing intricate nail designs.
