At the risk of stating the obvious, we’ll just come right out and say it: the ’90s are back. From Pamela Anderson’s decade-defining updo to Nicole Kidman’s iconic red curls, it has never been more obvious that the beauty industry loves a nostalgic moment—and that includes ’90s nails.
“That supermodel early ’90s nail look is definitely happening,” says celebrity nail stylist Gina Edwards. I’m talking about a full-on square—I’m not talking about coffin or tapered.” But unlike the square nails of the ’90s, we’re seeing the shape with a bit of a rounded edge, lending a bit of softness to the look. “It’s not as severe—of course, we don’t want to knock your eyes out,” says Edwards. “With rounded square, you’re still getting this full effect of square nails.”
Worn most recently by the likes of Meghan Markle, Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa, the ’90s nail could be your next go-to manicure. And why not? Ahead, 18 short, square nails to inspire your next visit to the nail salon.
Quintessential French
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Edwards notes that the French nail isn’t going anywhere and it’s solidifying this return to the ’90s nail aesthetic. This look features the quintessential ’90s French manicure complete with a clean white tip and a short square nail.
Smiles and Stars
This blue and orange look mimics those ’90s kids’ notebook doodles. The design features stars, stripes, and smiley faces.
Funky Geometric
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These geometric nails look like a piece of abstract art you could have easily seen on a wall in the ’90s. Each nail has an opaque nude base with crimson, sky blue, cerulean, white, and black designs.
Abstract Strokes
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No one was afraid of combining too many loud colors in the ’90s, and that’s embodied in this nail look. It features abstract strokes of blue, yellow, pink, orange, black, and white.
Abstract Pastels
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These pastel blobs are simultaneously geometric and soft, adding a modern flare to ’90s shapes. Each nail features a different fun color atop a sheer nude base.
Glitter Square
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Chunky glitter nails are a perfect way to embrace the ’90s look. This mani features a chunky gold glitter on every nail finished off with a high-shine top coat.
Pink and Brown
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Pink and brown was the color combo of the ’90s, and this look folds in those colors along with the square shape. Each nail features a different swirled mix of dark brown, tan, cream, and baby pink.
Square Smileys
Smiley faces were super popular in the ’90s, so this nail look is right on theme. It features cranberry and lilac polishes to create a mixed look with two nails per hand donning the smileys on a nude sheer base.
Mini Hearts
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Go grunge but make it cute with this black nail design. It features matte polish with four accent nails painted with a mini black heart on a sheer, pinky nude base.
Britpop
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These short square nails tap into the Britpop moment of the ’90s led by the one-and-only Spice Girls. To keep the look subtle, the flag is kept to one nail per hand while the other features a glossy pink nude.
Strawberry Syrup
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This masterpiece of a manicure makes me feel like I’m strapping on my jelly shoes before I head to school wearing my Lisa Frank backpack. It features 3D strawberries along with white, red, and pink blobs.
Zebra Tip
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Zebra print was a ’90s mainstay, and this black French tip manicure makes a subtle nod to that look with a single tip created from zebra stripes.
Brown on Brown
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This brown-on-brown mix-and-match design takes the checkerboard, daisy, and smiley patterns that were everywhere in the ’90s and put them into one modern-feeling manicure.
Brown Florals
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Think of this flower nail design as the manicure version of the brown floral dresses that dominated the ’90s. Each nail features a solid base with a flower on top.
Rainbow Foil
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These rainbow foil square tips scream ’90s fun. The multicolored foil adds texture and light reflection for a show-stopping look.
Clean Girl Aesthetic
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The minimalist clean girl aesthetic fits in seamlessly with the ’90s nail because both looks are practical yet effortlessly cool. These short, square nails are a sleek, simple alternative to other more colorful styles.
Leopard Print
Leopard print is the bold neutral that never goes out of style, no matter the decade. Here, it’s made all the more exciting with a subtle shimmer and some burgundy nails mixed in.
Pattern Mixing
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Mixing prints is the name of the game for the indecisiveness among us. Polka dots pair perfectly with plaid here for a tricolor manicure that’s anything but boring.
