Some of us like long nails. Many superstars like Billie Elish or Kardashians wear super long nails. Long nails look elegant; most of the colors seem pretty lovely on them.
However, they are not the most practical ones.
Short nails are great for women who don’t like anything stopping them doing everyday things. Just because you are wearing short nails doesn’t mean you won’t be stylish. On the contrary – you can play a pretty strong nail game. With proper manicure and matching colors, you can create beautiful nail designs for short nails.
Besides, you can make nails look longer with specific colors.
What Colors Make Short Nails Look Longer
The color of your nails can make them look longer. Also, there are ones you should definitely avoid if you want to prolong your short nails visually.
Nail experts suggest going for dark shades like navy blue, black, and burgundy. These shades are evergreen – you can wear them all the time, without wondering if they are appropriate or not. However, some women prefer wearing them mostly during the winter and fall months.
On the other hand, beige, nude, and pastel shades can adequately make your short nails look longer. These shades are great for women who like to keep their nails minimalistic, yet wish to have them done in some shade.
Best Nail Color Ideas for Short Nails
Nude Nail Polish with Leopard Print
Stay within pastel shades if you want your nails to look longer. Nude and blush tones are perfect for making slimmer and thinner.
This nude shade is upgraded with delicate animal print on the ring finger. Details like that will make your short nails look beautiful.
Such manicure is great for everyday wear since it matches with all kinds of outfits.
Pastels are not only trendy for a few seasons now. Honestly, pastels come as a first choice to most women as one of the best nail colors for short nails.
Nail polishes in pastel tones will make even very short nails look visually longer. You can make it more interesting – mix the colors and make them look gradient.
Dark blue (aka midnight blue) is excellent for more elegant occasions.
As you see, even short nails are suitable for small pieces of nail art. You can also consider adding some lovely details, like a star and constellations in the picture below.
Classical red is one of those shades that suit both short and long nails. If you are a fan of classic, timeless shades, go for red shades.
You can also consider dark red and burgundy. Check the regal moody merlot nail polish in the picture below, with its magnificent glossy opaque application.
So, whether you are team dark or team beige, these are some of the shades that can make your short nails look much longer.
Some women didn’t even know that nail polish can do miracles like these – but it can! Long nails are no longer required, you can relax with short ones and just make them visually look fabulous.
Hair highlights might be the most popular dyeing technique nowadays. Adding some highlights for dark hair, for example, will add spice and shine and make hair glimmer in the sun.
Highlights are perfect for women who like their natural hair color but want to upgrade it to the next level. Every hairstyle is unique since all of us have different hair shades.
Even though it takes hours to get highlights, women don’t give up, hoping to have a perfect hairstyle. The price might vary, but be prepared to set aside both money and time if you want trendy highlights. Still, alongside the commitment, you will get a hairstyle that requires just a bit of maintenance.
Hair highlighting comes with all kinds of questions and misconceptions. We’ve answered several most common questions about hair highlights. If you were thinking about getting your hair done, check them out.
1. How Long Do Hair Highlights Last?
Since everyone’s hair grows at a different pace, it is hard to say precisely how long highlights last. Usually, it takes one to three months to get back to the salon. Women go back to the hair salon for touch-ups when their roots start growing.
Don’t do this too quickly, though. Let your roots grow at least a few inches before going back for another round. Your hair needs to get recovered from bleaching.
Can Hair Highlights Be Removed?
There are two safe options to remove your hair highlights. Some other options include bleaching your hair, but you should avoid harsh treatments since your hair is already dry.
First of all, you can simply let your hair grow out of the highlights during some time. However, covering your highlights with hair color might be the easiest way to remove them. Make sure to pick the color that matches your natural shade. You will need to reapply the color when it washes out.
Be careful, though – apply only on the parts that are previously colored.
Will Washing Hair Fade Highlights?
Highlights wash out after average 24 washes.
They will definitely be less visible after some time, but fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent them from washing out too fast.
Washing your hair less will keep the color longer. If you wash your hair every day, try to use a dry shampoo instead of washing. Also, if your highlights are light, use violet shampoos that protect the color from getting brassy.
When to Wash Hair After Highlights?
Many women spend a fortune on their salon treatments. Then, they come home and wash their hair right away. That is how all the work can be ruined!
You should wait for at least 48 hours to wash your hair after getting highlights. The color should have time to penetrate the hair follicles.
Can you Swim After Hair Highlights?
After hair treatments, especially after bleaching, highlighting, and dyeing, your hair is dry and prone to break easily.
It is good to wait at least a week before going for a swim. Swimming in chlorine water can cause some chemical reactions that make your hair look terrible. It can cause your color to fade, to turn green, and your hair follicles to break down or dry out.
Before going to the pool, soak hair with tap water and make sure it is conditioned. Also, don’t forget to put on a conditioner and a mask after swimming.
Are Hair Highlights Permanent?
Generally, hair highlights last until the new hair grows up. So, we can’t say they are permanent. They belong to the group of semi-permanent hair treatments. Hair is lightened with bleach, so it will stay until your natural hair grows.
2. Are Highlights Really Bad for Your Hair?
It is pretty simple – all hair treatments that include bleaching and chemicals damage your hair. However, when it comes to highlights, they are not so ultimately bad for hair.
It depends on the number of highlights that you decided to do. If you opt to go for subtle highlights, the damage would be minimal.
On the other hand, platinum and blonde highlights can seriously damage your hair. That is mostly because of bleach. It removes hair pigments from the hair shaft, which leads to dry hair ends.
3. What’s the Difference Between Highlights and Foils?
Highlights and foils are basically the same things. The highlights are usually done with a plastic cap in the past, while nowadays it is more often to see it done with foils.
It also depends on what you want to achieve – keeping it low or dyeing your whole hair. Foils are also used for touch-ups when your natural hair starts growing.
Can You Change Hair Highlights?
You can always color-over your highlights. However, make sure to schedule an appointment in the salon. You shouldn’t do it on your own.
What is Half Hair Highlight?
Partial highlights are the ones that are only done in sections, placed around the face with a brightening or framing effect. They are very natural and look like the sun has kissed your hair.
This type of highlights is also less expensive and takes less time to get than the full highlights.
What is a Full Hair Highlight?
A full highlight includes highlighting your hair in every section of your head.
This type of highlighting could include lightening all of your hair or for something more dramatic, like going from a natural brunette to a platinum blonde.
You should also set aside more money if you want your hair to be fully highlighted.
What are Global Hair Highlights?
Global hair highlights mean that you are applying it on all your hair. It basically means the same as full-highlighted hair. Global hair is suitable for covering up greys, lightening, or slightly going darker than your natural hair color.
4. Is Hair Highlights Possible When Pregnant?
Whether you decide to dye your hair or to do highlights, you can do that while pregnant. There are no proven effects that dye can harm the fetus. The skin absorbs chemicals found in both semi-permanent and permanent dyes, but not in the large amount.
Doing highlights decreases any risk for the fetus as the dye is only placed on strands of your hair and does not touch your scalp. However, consider waiting until you reach your second trimester to treat your hair.
5. What are Hair Highlights and Lowlights?
While highlights range from caramel to the strawberry blonde, lowlights are used for deepening your natural hair color.
Lowlights are used to contour your hair. You can use shades that are 2-3 levels darker than your base. They are great for making your hair look more voluminous. It is also great if you decide to combine both of these dyeing techniques.
6. Dyeing Hair Versus Highlights
Dyeing hair is simply lightening or darkening your natural hair. It gives you a one-dimensional look that you can achieve at home as well. It is excellent for women with short hair or for those who simply want to cover their grey hair. Keep in mind that you will need to dye your hair every four to eight weeks.
On the other hand, highlights are considered to turn your hair into dimensional and voluminous. They can last up to four months. Unlike the simple one process dyeing, there are many types of highlights – balayage, foils, lowlights, and chunking.
7. Hair Highlights vs. Full color – What to choose?
The choice is always on you. Hair highlights are trendy, make your hair look voluminous and more dimensional. Also, this process takes more time and money. You will end up with a hairstyle that is perfect for many occasions, and that is low maintenance. Highlights need to be retouched every two to four months.
Full color is for women who don’t have time for complicated treatments. Also, it is perfect for those who like to dye their hair in the comfort of their home. For grey covering and changes in your natural shade, you can always go for a full-color treatment.
Fashions fade, style is eternal.Yves Saint Laurent
So many quotes about style and they all tell one – you can’t learn style, you need to build it for years. The key is discovering who you are, like Iris Apfel says, and know that style is about attitude and self-expression.
How Can I Have a Unique Style?
The personal or unique style is something that is considered people automatically have. However, in reality, that is not always the case.
For some people, it takes years to learn about their bodies, style of wardrobe they like, or simply to discover a brand that suits their needs. Before even starting thinking about your unique style, there are some questions you need to ask yourself.
What are the words you use to describe your style? Is it minimalistic, chic, classy, or maybe basic? These words will help you set a theme of your style and make it easier for you to buy items. They represent an overall of your style.
Can I Change My Style?
Sure, you can change your style. It is possible that something that you were wearing and loving when you were 21 won’t suit your style when you’re 31 anymore. Perhaps you enjoyed funky of joyful outfits, but turned to look rich and classy over the years?
You can overgrow it, which means your style had evolved.
Who Inspires You?
Many incredible women have unique styles and know how to show it. Style icons like Coco Chanel, Jackie O, Anna Wintour, Audrie Hepburn, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and many other incredible women can serve as an inspiration.
You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life. Without it, you’re nobody. I’m not talking about lots of clothes.Diana Vreeland
Diana says it all. Creating your style doesn’t necessarily mean you need to spend a fortune buying new clothes. You can learn how to style clothes you already have and build it up so you can have outfits ready for all occasions.
Here are five tips to help you develop your style, be more vigilant about it, save money, and look cuter whatever the occasion.
1
Embrace Your Body Shape
One of the most important (if not the most important) things about getting dressed is understanding your body shape. You need to know which silhouette shows off the best. That is how you start creating your style – by getting to know your body.
If you were wondering how to know what suits you, it is quite easy. Take pictures in front of a mirror and ask your friends and family what they think. You can also find a lot of guides and shape calculators that can help you determine your silhouette or the one that suits you the most.
2
Essential Items and Finding Your Signature Pieces
Have you ever ask yourself how to wear all your clothes? Many women have enormous wardrobes full of items, shoes, and accessories they don’t wear. That is because they buy things they don’t need, that don’t suit them or the clothes they wear for one occasion only. The key is to build your wardrobe around essential pieces and find your signature items.
Creating your style is easier when you have a good foundation. Basic items like a pair of blue jeans and T-shirts in different colors are the must-have. Then you can add a plaid blazer, trench coat, and button-down as investment pieces. Leather boots and bags that you can style with all your outfits should also find a place in your wardrobe.
Signature pieces are the ones you love, and that describe your style. This can be an accessory (remember Anna Wintour’s sunglasses), color, or even hair and makeup (Kate Middleton’s impeccable locks). Find yours, and you will be recognized from a mile off.
Seeking inspiration from your style icons can definitely help you build your style. You can make mood boards, Pinterest boards, or make collections of photos on Instagram. You will be amazed at how inspiring this can be in creating your capsule look.
Search through photos of the celebrities you admire, people from fashion, and street style stars. You can also watch the people around you. Trust us – your mom’s closet can be a place where you can find many items you can wear. Maybe your grandma’s style is the one you should consider as well!
Women often wonder how to dress less boring. Well, even though creating a uniform isn’t helping a lot, it is also an excellent place to start. One of the biggest misconceptions is not buying something you already have. You can’t have enough T-shirts and basic sweaters. Just because you have your formula for dressing doesn’t necessarily mean you look dull.
It would help if you kept it simple, so when you buy new items, know exactly what you want and what you can mix and match. Play with makeup and accessories to spice up these ‘uniformed’ looks.
Don’t be afraid to invest in pieces you like to wear. For instance, if you have found jeans that suit you perfectly, don’t hesitate to invest in as many pairs as you wish. You will wear them for years so it will pay off.
Getting A Sense of Style
Style is something you build over time. It becomes a part of your personality, and it is normal to evolve and change over time.
However, you should know what your favorite items are and always come back to them. As we have mentioned, the key things are to know your body, find essential items, and combine them into a uniform look that is anything but boring.
All women from the fashion industry have style icons. Therefore, don’t hesitate to be inspired by their looks and find someone to admire as well.
