Summer Short Coffin Nails For Inspiration!

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Coffin nails can look amazing, but they can also go wrong. If they’re too long, on fingers too wide, they can just look weird. They take a little more effort to get just right, compared to more traditional designs like almond and oval nails.

In this article we are going to have a look at Summer Short Coffin Nails, what’s involved in getting short coffin nails, what you need to be mindful of, the trending colors for spring/summer, and some of the current trending nail designs.

Let’s dive in!


Contents

What Are Coffin Nails?

Coffin nails are also referred to as “ballerina nails” because they mimic the shape of ballet pointe shoes. They have a flat edge, but they’re sculpted differently from the square-shaped nail.

Rather than having a blunt, flat edge that goes straight across, they taper in toward the tip.

This unique shape is not only elegant and is currently being sported by fashion influencers and celebrities alike, but this shape has a few special considerations that make them a little bit more labor-intensive to create and high maintenance to wear.


Things To Consider About Coffin-Shaped Nails

The thing with the coffin shape is that they are not as easy to do as other shapes and adding to that, they are also one of the least durable of the nail shapes. If you’re planning on getting short coffin nails, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

First off, coffin-shaped nails require acrylic tips or forms. Because the shape is tapered, your natural nails cannot withstand being filed into shape on the sides that are required to get the shape without splitting, cracking, or breaking. 

Coffin-shaped nails require acrylic tips or forms.

Of all the nail shapes, coffin nails tend to be the least sturdy. But if you are keeping them shorter, this will help their durability.

This is one of the more difficult shapes to achieve, so it’s important that you find a manicurist that specializes in coffin nails.

This is not a shape that is recommended for a DIY home manicure.

Can You Do Coffin Nails On Short Nails?

The coffin shape is typically used on longer nails. But you can do them on shorter nails, too. That said, you do need at least some length. You can’t get the coffin shape on super short nails.

In order to get that coffin shape, your nails have to protrude at least 3-4 mm above the fingertip.

What Nails Are Trending Right Now?

Right now there seems to be an obsession with everything nails. All shapes are in right now, from almond and square to squoval and coffin shapes. Both long and short nails are also trending!

The most notable of these nail trends are short nails. While in the past long nails have hogged most of the spotlight on fashionable nail trends, the tables have turned and short nails are in.

Let’s face it, they are so much more practical for everyday life. People are finally coming to realize that short nails deserve as much attention as long nails.


Summer Short Coffin Nails

One Color Nails

Sometimes it can seem like no one is getting all their nails done in one solid color anymore, but nothing could be further from the truth. One solid nail color will never go out of style. The short coffin shape makes them look especially elegant.

“What shape makes hands look younger” is a question that’s often asked. And if you look at the responses, the answer is usually almond-shaped nails because they elongate the fingers.

While true that almond-shaped nails do elongate the fingers and are very elegant, short coffin nails also do wonders for elongating the fingers and are a little bit more contemporary than the traditional almond shape.

So not only do coffin nails make your hands look younger, they also make you look like you are also fashion forward.

Credit: Instagram / didisnails

French Tips

French tips are absolutely on fire at the moment.

Right now, French tips (And American tips) are everywhere. And not only are we seeing them in the classic nude with white tip combo, we are seeing them re-imagined and updated in so many different ways.

They look great on short coffin nails and we’ve put together a few of our favorites for your inspiration.

The classic French manicure will never steer you wrong.

The French manicure is a classic that looks good on everyone. It somehow says: “this is me ‘au naturelle’, and I take good care of myself.” There is nothing more stylish than that!

And that, my friends, will never go out of style.

Credit: Instagram / _nailzbyjazz

French tips are unlikely to fall out of favor anytime soon. If the traditional French manicure is a little too bland for you, why not add a little bit of color!

Credit: Instagram / amalia_nailss

Vcut French tips are yet another version of the classic design only instead of going straight across, the tips form a chevron, or a ‘V’.

Credit: Instagram / beautyby__nicolashannon

This next variation on the French tip has been popping up all over the place. It’s like a micro French tip with sideburns. This particular design was meant for coffin shaped nails.

Credit: Instagram / rico_nailss

Glitter Frenchies are great for any festive occasion. This is one of the reasons that French tips and all of its new variations are here to stay. They allow you to go bold, bright or blingy without it being over-the-top and still elegant.

Credit: Instagram / nailsbysassyp

Pink Milky Nails

Pink milky nails are almost like a new take on nude nails whereby you get a ‘milky pink’ looking nail that pretty much goes with everything. It’s like a cross between nude nails and a French manicure.

Now there are a few variations on the pink milky nail that can vary between translucent and opaque and from a white tip ombre to nude and a solid color.

If you love the look of these nails, be sure to check out our article: Pink Milky Nails. It goes over the different variations and shows you how to do them at home!

But just bear in mind, if you want to try this at home, you should opt for another nail shape. Pink milky nails look great on all nail shapes.

Credit: Instagram / brendasbeautylounge

Ombre

So speaking of ombre, ombre nails are so cool that they, too, will likely become a style mainstay. But what is going to change are the colors.

Keep reading because we are going to go over the spring/summer on-trend colors.

Credit: Instagram / didisnails

Nail Art

Nail art, in general, is here to stay. Right now everything from geometric patterns to abstract swirls and flowers to snowflakes are everywhere.

Credit: Instagram / bellamysnails

Animal Print

Animal print is HUGE right now for fall and winter. Whether it will still be trending come spring/summer of next year, only time will tell.

But if you love these nails as much as we do, keep your fingers crossed!

Credit: Instagram / nails.circle

What Nail Colors Are In For Summer?

Pantone has released its colors for 2023 spring and summer and they’re bold! They’ve introduced 10 colors that reflect fashion design trends that came out during the New York Fashion Week in the middle of September.

Their picks are a range of contrasting colors encouraging experimentation and individualistic expression. These colors for Spring/Summer 2023 are said to embrace how our experience of the past few years have influenced us and reflect our striving forward with a color palette that celebrates a newfound freedom and the excitement of trying something new.

They’ve also released their ‘core classic’ colors which are described as “ultra-calm tints and tones that suggest a quiet presence.” They are essentially the ‘new neutrals’ for next year.

Pantone’s color picks will no doubt be showing up on nails everywhere, once the snow thaws.

Here are the colors that everyone will be wearing in spring and summer, and we’ve paired them with the closest nail polish colors that are out right now.

a super charged red tone signaling an energetic intensity

Mineral Fusion Nail Polish  in Fiery Lava

Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Fiery Lava, 0.33 oz
  • AMAZING QUALITY long lasting,...
  • 64 BEAUTIFUL SHADES with strengthening...
  • FORMULA PURITY 100% Vegan, Toluene Free,...
  • MINERAL FUSION offers a wide range of...
  • CARBON FREE Mineral Fusion nail polish...

 essie nail polish  in Break It Sundown

Sale
essie nail polish, Break It Sundown, summer 2022 collection, vibrant orange, 8-free vegan vibrant orange, 8-free vegan 0.4600 fl oz
  • Essie nail color 1746 Break It Sundown -...
  • glossy shine nail polish - salon-quality...
  • even, professional application - our...
  • Isle See You Later Summer collection...
  • 8-free, vegan formula- without...

a luminescent yellow that radiates joyfulness

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish  in Mellow Yellow

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish, Mellow Yellow, 0.4 Fl. Oz.
  • Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear
  • Xtreme color + shine
  • Latest on-trend shades

an exotic green with a lively character

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails  in Limestone

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Color, Limestone, 0.45 Fluid Ounce
  • Strength And Shine
  • Pro-Vitamin B5 And Green Tea
  • Dbp, Toluene, And Formaldehyde Free
  • Country Of Origin: United States

a nourishing green imbued with health giving qualities

 Cirque Colors Renegade  Kelly Green​

Cirque Colors Renegade - Kelly Green Creme Nail Polish - 0.37 Fl Oz (11 mL) - Vegan & Cruelty-Free
  • Non-Toxic, Vegan, 10 Free Formula in the...
  • Featuring a kelly green base, this shade...
  • Shake well before use as particle...
  • Vegan & Cruelty-Free

a stand-out blue that spikes the palette

 Duri Nail Polish  in Malibu Surf

duri Nail Polish, 723 Malibu Surf, Ocean Blue Color, Full Coverage, Glossy Finish, Lasting Color, 0.45 Fl Oz
  • 🚫 Our 7-Free formula ensures a safer...
  • 🌱 Rest assured that our product is...
  • 🌟 Experience professional finish with...

an emboldened fuchsia hue depicting the fruits of nature

 OPI Nail Lacquer  in Aurora Berry-alis

OPI Nail Lacquer, Aurora Berry-alis, Pink Nail Polish, Iceland Collection, 0.5 fl oz
  • Over 200 trend-setting shades, each one...
  • Vast color range includes dreamy sheers,...
  • With the exclusive Prow ide brush that...

a clear pink conveying modern romance

 Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer  in Peacefully Me

Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer (Step 3) - Peacefully Me - A sheer pale pink with warm undertones. (0.5 fl oz)
  • DAZZLE DRY NAIL LACQUER: The star of the...
  • DAZZLE DRY 4 STEP NAIL SYSTEM: Dazzle...
  • QUICK-DRYING: Dazzle Dry nail polish...
  • NON-TOXIC NAIL POLISH: Dazzle Dry nail...
  • PEACEFULLY ME: A sheer pale pink with...

a nurturing peach tone that invites you in for a warm embrace

 Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color  To The Peach

These are Pantone’s core classic color picks:


Conclusion

Short coffin nails are trending, but they are best left done to the professionals.

Because of the shape, they require acrylics and delicate filing.

You’ve had a sneak peek at the upcoming spring and summer colors, and the short coffin nail shape is here to stay. We hope you’ve found your next manicure!

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).