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After the hegemony of super-long nails, almost flush versions with a minimalist and simple vocation are making a comeback.
Short nails and the end of the XL era
“They’ve discovered the comfort and versatility of this style and don’t want to go back,” the manicurists at The Secret Lab assured us when we discovered the trend in July 2025 and reported on it in Vogue Of course, anyone who has made the transition knows the peace of mind it brings to be able to effortlessly change the weight plates on the barbell in a
Body Pump class without fear of breaking a nail and finding there isn’t a nail salon open; also to put in contact lenses without worry, or, as Lena Dunham said in one of her articles for this publication, to be able to button your jeans and tie your sneakers without “seven-league nails” being an obstacle.
The social symptom
Yes, it’s a matter of pure and simple comfort , which also has a number of psychological and sociological interpretations. All beauty trends have them, however banal (and/or viral) they may seem to us. This is explained by Araceli Parres , professor of the Master’s in Luxury Marketing and Communication in Fashion and Beauty at Nebrija University and PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Alcalá . “Beauty trends are considered sociological barometers : they indicate what’s in style, how a society feels at a particular moment… They represent small decisions that offer control, immediate well-being, and a symbolic sense of stability. Therefore, short, minimalist nails speak to a search for authenticity, reformulating ‘less is more ,’ in a context where social media shows us sculptural manicures incompatible with everyday reality; an embrace of functionality in the face of economic pressure or potential ‘aesthetic saturation.’ And finally, they can help project an image of balance, self-control, and serenity in a context of digital overexposure and a rise in mental health awareness,” she states.
In the same way that Leonard Lauder coined the term ‘lipstick index’ in 2001 to explain that lipstick sales rise in times of crisis because of their emotional power (and because they are an affordable luxury in times of recession), the return to more minimalist nails may also be an indicator that as a society oversaturated with many things, we seek refuge and comfort through manicures.
“These connections show that beauty is a social language : when the economy is strained or when we culturally seek calm, people gravitate towards simpler, more natural, and emotionally sustainable aesthetics. Short nails are less a trend and more a symptom : the symptom of a public that desires clarity and palpable well-being in an environment that it perceives, at this precise moment, as complex,” adds the expert from Nebrija University.
Peace of mind and self-care
Psychologist Marta Calderero, an expert in psycho-aesthetics and director of the virtual psychology center Personalife Style , also endorses this idea from a psychological and scientific perspective, specifically regarding the peace of mind we mentioned earlier. “When we look at these trends from a social psychology standpoint, we see that they aren’t just ‘fashion,’ but very human emotional responses . In times of uncertainty or collective fatigue, we need to simplify and lighten our mental load. Choosing short, easy-to-manage nails is, ultimately, a way of telling the body and mind: ‘I need less pressure and more freedom in self-care.’ It’s about regaining a little calm amidst the external noise . These gestures function as micro-rituals of emotional regulation: small actions that help us feel more in control and autonomous.”
The return to short nails connects with a very human need to break free from impositions and rediscover the feeling that beauty lies within . It’s a small gesture, but symbolically very powerful. We leave behind routines done out of aesthetic pressure or pure inertia and choose what brings us more freedom, simplicity, and authenticity.
Beyond the emotional interpretation, if we focus on the practical side of this trend, Lina Valderrama , trend coordinator for the nail care brand Masglo, emphasizes the importance of caring for them, regardless of their length . “Even if they are worn short and without polish, it is important to get a professional manicure occasionally to ensure proper cuticle removal and prevent hangnails,” she points out. At home, she recommends using and enjoying “ cuticle oil daily , hand cream massaging it into the nail surface, and fine-grit nail files (between 180 and 210 grams) instead of clippers, slightly rounding the corners to prevent breakage.”
And if you decide to go for bare nails, it’s important to use products containing garlic and lemon to lighten the skin if necessary; buff the surface with a specific nail file and protect them with conditioning base coats that minimize the risk of constant friction. But whichever side you’re on, prioritizing their care is what really matters . Aesthetics are a matter of taste. As Lena Dunham said, what if I don’t see myself as one side or the other, but rather a kind of “bi” of nail art? Well, she’s already said it. There’s no need to define yourself .
Formulas for short nails
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