olive and june glazed donut

25 MEDIUM NAIL IDEAS FOR GIRLS WHO LOVE A NEAT LOOK

In recent years, extra-long manicures have taken center stage. With advancements in nail extensions, achieving a full-length manicure with intricate nail art has never been easier. However, while long nails are stunning, they’re not ideal for everyone. This is where medium nails come in—they offer the perfect balance between long and short manicures. With medium-length nails, the possibilities are endless. Below, we’ve gathered 25 unique medium nail ideas to inspire you for your next appointment.

FLORAL FRENCH

This rainbow French mani is a playful twist on the classic design. Paint each tip in a different color, and complete the look with white floral nail art to tie the entire manicure together.

GEODE NAILS

This stunning mani perfectly captures the look of a geode. With a blend of purples and pinks, a touch of silver and white, and a high-gloss finish, it creates a truly eye-catching nail design.

BALANCED BLUE AND BROWN

Blue and brown make for an unexpected yet striking color combination. Create a standout accent nail by incorporating these contrasting colors into a yin-yang design.

INTERLOCKING SQUARES

Remember those optical illusion paintings? This manicure brings that concept to life with a captivating red-and-blue design. While creating this look requires some patience, the result is a true work of art on your fingertips.

SUNSET AURA NAILS

This red and orange aura manicure captures the beauty of a summer sunset right on your fingertips. For this look, you’ll need Essie Nail Polish in “Outside the Lines” and “Send a Message.”

STITCH NAILS

Alicia Torello, the nail artist behind this medium-length manicure, considers it “one of her favorite looks of all time,” and it’s easy to see why. It combines simplicity with bold statement-making design, offering the perfect blend on all 10 fingers.

JADE AND GOLD

These evergreen nails are truly glamorous. The gold accents beneath the green French tips create a striking negative space effect.

CELESTIAL FADE

This frosty manicure is definitely worth trying. The smooth transition from the pink base to the shimmering silver tips is mesmerizing, and the gold star accent adds a dreamy finishing touch.

TIE-DYE

Crocodile print manicures are very much on-trend right now. The best part is that you can achieve this look with any polish you choose—this baby blue version is absolutely stunning.

SUNSHINE SPOTS

Another simple DIY option is a dotted manicure. Use a dotting tool to place vibrant yellow dots precisely where you want them. You can leave the dots as they are or follow this artist’s example and smudge them for a cow-print-inspired effect.

CLASSIC RED

A classic red manicure is always a great choice, and this vibrant nail look is a perfect example. You can recreate it at home with Cirque Colors’ Nail Polish in Pyro.

NEGATIVE-SPACE FRENCH

Get three trends in one manicure with this look—chrome, negative space, and French tips. Begin with a clear glaze base, then use a nail brush to draw two simple lines along your natural smile line.

A BIT OF BLUE

Electric blue polish looks stunning on medium-length almond-shaped nails. To achieve this exact look, use Essie Nail Polish in “Butler Please” and “Skinny Dip.”

DOUBLE-DIPPED TIPS

This is not your typical French mani. The wave-shaped tips and sparkling gold outline give a modern twist to the classic nail design.

MINIMALIST GRAPHIC

If “quiet luxury” were to be translated into a medium-length manicure, this would be it. The combination of nude polish with subtle graphic line art adds a touch of intrigue without being overly bold.

GLAZED HEARTS

Tip accents are perfect for creating the illusion of length, and these half-heart designs will enhance your medium manicure. Begin with a pearlescent pink polish as the base, then add heart-shaped accents using a slightly deeper, opaque pink polish.

SIMPLE STARS

For nail art that doesn’t require artistic skills, try this simple golden star manicure. Paint your nails with a single polish shade—bright white, such as Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in White Lightning, works perfectly. Then, apply star-shaped stickers, like those from Olive and June.

ABSTRACT LINES

This stunningly abstract manicure is surprisingly easy to DIY. Begin with a neutral base color, such as peach, then use a nail art brush to add fluid black-and-white strokes to each nail.

3D ACCENTS

You don’t need ultra-long nails to showcase impressive art. Medium-length nails offer a great canvas for 3D accents and provide ample space for experimenting with textures like foil and gemstones. This gold-and-pearl oyster mani takes a chrome-gray base to the next level.

TWISTED GLAZE

The “glazed donut” manicure had its time, but now nail artists are elevating the frosty look with subtle squiggles. You can keep your nail art simple with a complementary color, such as this purple-on-pink combo, or make a bold statement with two high-contrast polish shades.

NON-BORING BROWN

Chocolate brown is a versatile nail color for any season. This particular manicure uses Hermés Nail Polish in Brun Bistre, but Essie Nail Polish offers a great drugstore alternative.

BOLD GRADIENT

Can’t choose between two shades? Combine them for a bold, high-contrast fade. Deep purple and red make a striking pair for fall and winter, but this manicure is versatile enough to wear year-round.

COLORFUL FRENCH FADE

If you’re considering a French fade manicure, don’t stick to just neutrals. Using two complementary tones of the same vibrant shade—such as this peach and red combo—adds a fresh and fun twist.

DEEP FRENCH FADE

You can give a French manicure a modern twist with a brown ombré effect. Create an optical illusion by choosing an accent shade that matches your complexion. This nail look is a stylish way to embrace neutral, natural-looking polish.

EXTENDED FRENCH

Update the classic French manicure for medium-length nails by extending the lines all the way around. Nail artists love this trick because it creates the illusion of longer nails. “A deeper smile line—where the French tip curves—elongates the overall look,” says Kandelac.

CONCLUSION

Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, there’s a nail look out there for you. These 25 medium nail ideas offer a variety of styles to suit any taste. From classic French manicures to trendy chrome nails, there’s a design to complement your personality and style. Remember, the most important thing is to choose a look that makes you feel confident and beautiful.

THE 12 BEST WHITE NAIL POLISHES 2024

The current trend in nail art is highly popular among women, and the color white is considered one of the unbelievably beautiful choices for nail polish, suitable for every occasion and everyone. If you find white nails too simple, perhaps you haven’t tried or found the perfect white shade that suits your style. Below, we will introduce you to the 12 best white nail polishes to help you find the perfect choice for you. Read on!

BEST OVERALL: STATIC NAILS LIQUID GLASS LACQUER IN ELIXIR

This Static Nails lacquer transforms nails into a glass-like surface, delivering a radiant and well-polished manicure suitable for various skin tones. Our testers were impressed by its opaque coverage, which remained thin enough for layering as desired. Offering salon-quality results, it boasts a shiny finish that resists immediate chipping. The rounded brush design caters to both novices and experts, ensuring easy and precise application without color overflowing onto cuticles. With just one coat, it imparts a genuine white hue to the nails, but a second coat is recommended to avoid streakiness. The enduring wear and vibrant color set this polish apart, especially when combined with the brand’s primer and top coat, delivering a flawless salon-quality manicure at a fraction of the usual cost.

BEST VALUE: ESSIE NAIL POLISH IN BLANC

Essie polish holds a special place in my heart for its budget-friendly options that never compromise on quality. This particular shade stands out as the whitest of whites from the brand, offering an exceptionally opaque finish with no hint of sheerness. “The polish glided on smoothly and evenly, although the first coat showed slight streakiness.” The streakiness vanishes with a second coat, leaving your nails adorned with a full, rich white hue. The drying time is impressively swift compared to other polishes; nails were fully dry in just 20 minutes. The only drawback is that Essie polishes have a tendency to become goopy over time. To counter this, storing it upright is essential, ensuring a longer lifespan for this vibrant polish.

BEST SPLURGE: DAZZLE DRY NAIL LACQUER IN WHITE LIGHTNING

Dazzle Dry, an AAPI-owned brand, takes pride in its rapid-drying polish formulas, and the remarkably quick dry time immediately captured the attention of our testers. The lacquer glides on smoothly, and thanks to its thin consistency, it dries faster than thicker polishes. This quality, combined with the slight curve of the brush, ensures a streak-free application, as noted by another tester, “The polish applied with minimal streaking, and the second coat achieved complete opacity.” If you’re seeking a manicure that is both bright and neutral, complementing rather than clashing with bold-colored or patterned outfits, White Lightning is the ideal shade to choose. However, bear in mind that this polish has a semi-matte finish, so applying a top coat is recommended for those desiring a glossy look.

BEST SHEER: D.I.D. NAIL PAINT IN CLEAN SLATE

Sheer polishes can surprise with their pigment, a crucial aspect for white lacquers to avoid looking like a clear top coat. d.i.d Founder Adrienne Blanks, drawing on years as a licensed nail tech, crafted the perfect milky polish named Clean Slate. This thin polish, living up to its name, dries swiftly, enhancing the natural nail. Because it isn’t thick, the polish applied evenly and dried in 15 minutes. Like most lacquers, achieving the full-color effect requires at least two coats. Despite being labeled as white, this shade leans more towards a yellow-gray tint, as attested by one tester.

BEST GLOSSY: ESSIE NAIL POLISH IN MARSHMALLOW

One of the sheerer white polishes on our list, this shade exudes elegance and is extremely flattering. Described by the brand as a “cloudy light white, it lives up to that description. The polish is shiny, and the shade isn’t too stark. While streakiness is expected due to its sheer nature, it evens out after two to three coats. This neutral shade, though subtle, packs a lot of pigment, making it an excellent choice for when you’re indecisive but still want a charming color on your nails. The first coat leaves a milky finish, while the second and third coats create a glossy manicure, making it the perfect neutral color for a classy look. Thanks to its glossy finish, you can even skip a top coat, as this lacquer brings plenty of shine on its own.

BEST PEARLESCENT: TAUPE COAT NAIL POLISH IN PEARLIE

Glazed donut nails are currently the hottest trend in manicures. The good news is, you don’t have to visit the salon or spend a fortune to achieve this look—all you need is a pearlescent polish, such as Pearlie from Taupe Coat. This Black-owned brand, founded by Bethany JP, prioritizes small-batch, vegan formulations while ensuring top-notch quality. The sheer polish is buildable, giving you the flexibility to customize the final appearance. “With three coats, you can achieve a light, milky color with an iridescent finish.” Some users have mentioned that the formula takes a bit longer to dry and may still feel tacky after 20 minutes.

BEST OPAQUE: OLIVE & JUNE NAIL POLISH IN HD

For an opaque white manicure, HD from Olive & June is the go-to choice. Its smudge-free finish and thin consistency ensure a smooth, professional-quality manicure without breaking the bank. Achieve a vibrant, snow-white color after two to three coats, and streakiness is nowhere to be seen after the third. “The third coat applied a little bit thick, but it’s fully opaque and looks pretty smooth.” The same tester suggests that adding a topcoat will elevate your nails to the next level, ensuring an even finish. It doesn’t look goopy or streaky whatsoever on its own, but I think it needs a layer of topcoat to smooth and round out the whole look.

BEST FOR FRENCH TIPS: ZOYA NAIL POLISH IN SNOW WHITE

In the realm of various nail trends, from intricate line art to dazzling rhinestone decals and even 3D charms, there exists a timeless nail look the French tip. This design is such a classic that you wouldn’t want to waste your time on sheer white polishes that chip away mere hours after application. Zoya’s Snow White polish emerges as our top pick for creating the perfect French tip. Its thick formula eliminates the need for multiple coats to achieve vibrancy, coupled with a slim brush for easy application. The polish is shiny, smooth, and even in texture,” notes our tester. However, she does mention that the dense formula takes a bit longer to dry but delivers a salon-quality finish with lasting shine. One caveat is that the polish can become clumpy as it nears its expiration date, so it’s advisable to use it up before its quality diminishes.

BEST 10-FREE: DEBORAH LIPPMANN GEL LAB PRO NAIL POLISH IN AMAZING GRACE

In a market where many polishes tout being 10-free, devoid of certain chemicals, Deborah Lipmann goes a step further by infusing her formulas with nourishing ingredients like keratin, biotin, and green tea extract to enhance nail strength. Despite our tester noting some streakiness even after three coats, this can be mitigated by ensuring each layer is thoroughly dry before proceeding. A standout feature of this polish is its brush shape, designed for easy application. “The brush is flat, long, and slightly dense, making it easier to apply the polish to the nail — just one or two strokes are all it takes.”

BEST MILKY WHITE: OPI NAIL LACQUER, FUNNY BUNNY

If you’re not into the paper-white look, OPI’s iconic shade “Funny Bunny” might be more to your liking. Departing from the starkness associated with some white nail polishes, this hue offers a translucent, off-white finish. The application is seamless, resulting in a smooth, glossy appearance. While we were captivated by the polish color, it’s important to note that it took quite a while to dry. Applying two coats on one hand and three on the other revealed that two coats got to the finish line faster, but the final product felt incomplete with some translucent spots. Nevertheless, the allure of this milky white shade makes it worth the wait, so it’s still a worthy addition to your cart.

BEST PEARLIZED: TAUPE COAT NAIL POLISH IN PEARLIE

We admired Taupe Coat’s Pearlie polish for its enchanting milky and iridescent finish, crafting the perfect pearl manicure. The brush size proved adept at navigating around each fingernail, ensuring even application with each stroke. While the polish leans a bit sheer, which may be a drawback for some, its buildable nature allows you to control opacity based on the number of coats applied. Our nails were touch-dry in 20 minutes, initially a pro, but a cautionary note as one smudged during that time. Additionally, the fact that this nail polish is crafted in small batches for greater environmental consciousness is a commendable aspect.

CONCLUSION 

After presenting you with 12 products from various brands for your selection, each item exudes elegance and style. White nail polish is favored by many not only for its simplicity but also for its ease of blending with other colors, radiating sophistication. We hope that reading this article will assist you in effortlessly choosing a suitable product to enhance the beauty of your lovely hands.