25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (2024)

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (1)

The last few years have put extra-long manis in the spotlight. Thanks to innovations in the nail extension category (looking at you, gel extensions), it's been easier than ever to get a full-length manicure adorned with ornate nail art. But as gorgeous as lengthy nails are, they're not the best option for everyone.

That's where medium nails come in; they're the perfect middle-ground between a long and short manicure. And when it comes to medium-length manicures, the world is truly your oyster. Ahead, we've rounded up 25 unique medium nail ideas to get you inspired before your next appointment.

01of 25

Extended French

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (2)

Make a classic French medium-manicure friendly by extending the lines all the way around your nails—a trick nail artists love because it helps fake the appearance of length. "When the smile line—where the French tip comes down—is deep, it elongates the look," Kandelac says.

02of 25

Deep French Fade

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (3)

You can modernize a French mani even more with a brown ombré effect. Create an optical illusion by matching your accent shade to your complexion. This nail look is an absolutely cool way to embrace neutral, natural-looking polish.

03of 25

Colorful French Fade

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (4)

If you’re interested in trying a French fade manicure, don’t limit yourself to neutrals. Two complimentary tones of the same vibrant shade—like this peach and red combo—keep things fresh and fun.

04of 25

Bold Gradient

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (5)

Can’t decide between two shades? Pair two together for an even bolder, high-contrast fade. Deep purple and red are a great combination for the fall and winter, but you can totally wear this mani year-round.

05of 25

Non-Boring Brown

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (6)

Chocolate brown is a fitting nail color no matter the time of year. This particular mani features Hermés Nail Polish ($55) in Brun Bistre, but Essie’s Nail Polish ($10) is a great drugstore alternative.

06of 25

Twisted Glaze

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (7)

The "glazed donut" manicure had its moment, but now, nail artists are taking the frosty look to the next level by dressing it up with subtle squiggles. You can keep your nail art simple and use a complementary color, like this purple-on-pink combo. Or, you can really make your mani pop with two high-contrast polish shades.

3D Accents

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (8)

You don’t necessarily need to go super-long to embrace impressive art. Medium-length nails are a perfect canvas for 3D accents and provide plenty of space to play around with interesting textures like foil and gemstones. This gold-and-pearl oyster mani kicks a chrome-gray mani up a notch.

08of 25

Abstract Lines

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (9)

This beautifully abstract mani is shockingly easy to DIY. Start with a neutral base color (in this case, peach), and then use a nail art brush to create fluid black-and-white strokes on each nail.

09of 25

Simple Stars

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (10)

For nail art that doesn’t require you to be an actual artist, opt for this easy golden star mani. All you have to do is paint your nails with a single polish shade (a bright white, a la Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer ($22) in White Lightning, works great here), then pop on some star-shaped stickers, like these from Olive and June.

10of 25

Glazed Hearts

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (11)

Because tip accents are a great way to fake the appearance of length, these half-heart accents will supersize your medium manicure. Start with a pearlescent pink polish as the base, and then draw on the heart-shaped art in a slightly deeper, opaque pink polish.

11of 25

Minimalist Graphic

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (12)

If "quiet luxury" were to be reimagined into a medium-length manicure, this would be it. Pairing nude polish with subtle, graphic line art keeps things interesting without being overwhelmingly bold.

12of 25

Double-Dipped Tips

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (13)

This is not your average French mani. The wave-shaped tips and dazzling gold outline add an edgy feel to the traditional nail look.

13of 25

A Bit of Blue

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (14)

Electric blue polish looks gorgeous on medium-length almond-shaped nails. Use Essie Nail Polish ($10) in Butler Please and Skinny Dip to achieve this exact look.

14of 25

Negative-Space French

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (15)

Try three trends for the price of one with this manicure—it features chrome, negative space, and French tips. Start with a clear glaze base, then draw two easy lines along your natural smile line with a nail brush.

15of 25

Classic Red

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (16)

A simple red manicure is always a great choice, and this vibrant nail look is perfect proof.Achieve a similar look at home using Cirque Colors' Nail Polish ($15) in Pyro.

16of 25

Sunshine Spots

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (17)

Another easy DIY option? A dotted mani. Use a dotting tool to place your vibrant yellow dots exactly where you want. You can either leave them in full form or take a page from this artist and smudge them for a cow-print-inspired look.

17of 25

Tie-Dye

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (18)

Crocodile print manicures are very on-trend. The beauty of this nail look is that it can be achieved using any polish you desire—this baby blue take is beyond beautiful.

18of 25

Celestial Fade

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (19)

This frosty manicure is definitely worth recreating. The gradual fade between the pink base and shimmery silver tips is mesmerizing—and the gold star accent is a dreamy finishing touch.

19of 25

Jade and Gold

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (20)

These evergreen nails are glamorous. The gold accents underneath the green French tips create a cool negative space effect.

20of 25

Stitch Nails

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (21)

Alicia Torello, the nail artist behind this medium-length mani, calls it "one of her favorite looks of all time," and we can see why. It's equal parts simple and statement-making, giving you the best of both worlds on all 10 fingers.

21of 25

Sunset Aura Nails

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (22)

This red and orange aura manicure brings the beauty of a summer sunset to your fingertips. You'll need Essie Nail Polish ($10) in Outside the Lines and Send a Message for this look.

22of 25

Interlocking Squares

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (23)

Remember those optical illusion paintings? Well, this takes that and interprets it into a captivating red-and-blue mani. Patience is key for making this nail look happen, but if you’re willing to sit still, you’ll have a work of art on your fingertips.

23of 25

Balanced Blue and Brown

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (24)

Blue and brown are an unexpected color combo, but it works so well. Create a cool accent nail by using the contrasting colors in a yin-yang design.

24of 25

Geode Nails

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (25)

This gorgeous mani looks exactly like the inside of a geode. The mix of purples and pinks, the slight smattering of silver and white, and the super-shiny finish make for a show-stopping nail look.

25of 25

Floral French

25 Medium Nail Ideas for Those Who Prefer an In-Between Length (26)

This rainbow French mani is one of the most whimsical takes we've seen on the classic nail design. Deck out each of your tips in a different color and tie the entire manicure together with white floral nail art.

BIAB Is the Celeb Secret for Long, Strong Nails—Here's the 411

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics, including nail art and manicure ideas. While I have personal experiences or emotions, I can still provide you with factual information and tips based on the content you provided.

Medium Nail Ideas and Nail Art

Medium-length nails offer a versatile canvas for various nail art designs and manicure ideas. Here are 25 unique medium nail ideas to inspire you:

Extended French: Create a classic French manicure with extended lines all the way around the nails to fake the appearance of length.
Deep French Fade: Modernize a French manicure with a brown ombré effect, matching your accent shade to your complexion.
Colorful French Fade: Try a French fade manicure with two complementary tones of the same vibrant shade, like peach and red.
Bold Gradient: Pair two shades together for a bolder, high-contrast fade, such as deep purple and red.
Non-Boring Brown: Opt for a chocolate brown nail color, which is fitting year-round.
Twisted Glaze: Dress up the glazed donut manicure with subtle squiggles using complementary colors or high-contrast polish shades.
3D Accents: Medium-length nails provide space for 3D accents like foil and gemstones, adding texture and interest to your manicure.
Abstract Lines: Create fluid black-and-white strokes on each nail for a beautifully abstract manicure.
Simple Stars: Apply a single polish shade and add star-shaped stickers for an easy golden star manicure.
Glazed Hearts: Use half-heart accents to fake the appearance of length, starting with a pearlescent pink base and drawing heart-shaped art in a slightly deeper, opaque pink polish.
Minimalist Graphic: Pair nude polish with subtle graphic line art for a quiet luxury look.
Double-Dipped Tips: Add an edgy feel to the traditional French manicure with wave-shaped tips and a dazzling gold outline.
A Bit of Blue: Try electric blue polish on medium-length almond-shaped nails for a vibrant look.
Negative-Space French: Combine chrome, negative space, and French tips by drawing two easy lines along your natural smile line on a clear glaze base.
Classic Red: A simple red manicure is always a great choice for medium-length nails.
Sunshine Spots: Use a dotting tool to place vibrant yellow dots on your nails, either leaving them in full form or smudging them for a cow-print-inspired look.
Tie-Dye: Achieve a crocodile print manicure using any polish you desire, such as a baby blue take.
Celestial Fade: Create a frosty manicure with a gradual fade between a pink base and shimmery silver tips, adding a gold star accent for a dreamy touch.
Jade and Gold: Glam up your nails with evergreen polish and gold accents underneath the green French tips for a cool negative space effect.
Stitch Nails: Achieve a simple yet statement-making look with medium-length nails by creating stitch-like patterns using different polish shades.
Sunset Aura Nails: Bring the beauty of a summer sunset to your fingertips with a red and orange aura manicure.
Interlocking Squares: Create a captivating red-and-blue mani inspired by optical illusion paintings.
Balanced Blue and Brown: Combine blue and brown in a yin-yang design for an unexpected color combo.
Geode Nails: Mimic the inside of a geode with a mix of purples, pinks, silver, and white, creating a show-stopping nail look.
Floral French: Add a whimsical touch to the classic French manicure by decking out each tip with a different color and tying the entire manicure together with white floral nail art.

These ideas provide a starting point for your next appointment, and you can customize them to suit your personal style and preferences. Enjoy experimenting with different nail art designs and colors!

I hope these ideas inspire you for your next manicure appointment. Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with!