To make your short nails appear longer, pushing back the cuticles is an important first step. Use a Woodstick or a metal Cuticle Pusher. With these tools, you can gently apply pressure to the nail plate towards the cuticle, pushing it back slightly. If you have visible cuticles, you can trim them with a Cuticle Nipper. Be careful not to cut too far. If this makes you uncomfortable, feel free to skip this step. By using a good Cuticle Oil a few times a day, your cuticles will also become less visible and more supple.

Many people with short nails think they don’t need a nail file because their nails are already so short. However, filing is not only meant to shorten the nails. First, filing helps remove sharp edges and unevenness, allowing the gel polish to be applied evenly. If you catch on these sharp edges, there’s a good chance the gel polish will chip, making your manicure look less attractive. Secondly, filing roughens the tip of the nail slightly, which improves the adhesion of the gel polish. Even a short motion with the file can make a big difference!

Don’t forget to clean the nail tip thoroughly with Cleaner, as well as the skin around it if your nails haven’t grown over it yet. This prevents the oils on your skin from affecting the adhesion of the gel polish. Additionally, it’s important to use the Prep Booster on the entire nail plate before applying the Base Coat to ensure the gel polish stays on well.

Sealing your nails with a Top Coat is extra important for short nails. Make sure to apply the top coat over the entire nail, including the edges. Pull back the skin under your nails to ensure you can seal the tip of your nail well. This prevents chipping.

When your nails haven’t grown past the fingertip, the skin above the nail can be slightly thicker for some. This makes it harder to polish the nail without touching the skin. To avoid this as much as possible, you can use one of your other fingers (probably the thumb or index finger of the same hand you’re polishing) to pull the skin on the fingertip slightly back. This exposes the nail tip better, making it easier to polish. If you accidentally get some polish on the skin, remove it immediately with a Woodstick or Cuticle Pusher before curing the gel polish under the lamp. Gel polish doesn’t adhere well to the skin because your skin produces oil, also known as sebum, from the inside. If you haven’t removed the polish first, there’s a good chance the polish will peel off the nail tip quickly. Did some gel polish accidentally harden on the skin? File it off around the nail tip.

Apply the gel polish in thin layers. This prevents the polish from peeling off entirely, which can happen more quickly with short nails. Multiple thin layers provide even coverage and a professional look.

Polish one hand at a time so that you have the other hand free to remove polish from your skin without hassle. Take your time with your nails, which allows you to work more precisely. Practice, patience, and precision are the overarching themes.