A TikTok creator sparked a heated debate after declaring short nails signal confidence and power. In a now-viral post, Ashley Shim (@ashleyy.shim) claimed that “short nail theory is too real,” prompting thousands to weigh in on nail length and its connection to self-image, social class, and femininity.
The video, posted on March 30, 2025, has been viewed 2.1M times and has over 125K likes. More than 5000 commenters responded, many affirming that short nails are more conducive to their lifestyles. Others pushed back, arguing the trend unnecessarily and unfairly pits women against one another.
Shim’s TikTok, Ash in NYC, is where the creator shares wellness content, product recommendations, and lifestyle tips. Her take on short nails was posted with the caption “there’s nothing more lethal than this 
,” and recorded like many of her other videos, on the fly, from the streets of New York City.
Shim made a disclaimer at the top of the video, “Really unpopular opinion, just hear me out,” before going on to comment that women who wear their nails super short “don’t care,” and are “living their best life.”
In conclusion, she added, “Just know she’s a baddie and she’s really freaking confident.”
@ashleyy.shim theres nothing more lethal than this
♬ original sound – Ash in NYC
Short nails are a lifestyle necessity
TikTokers who agreed with Shim commented that short nails are practical. Many shared that due to their jobs, hobbies, and responsibilities—or for hygienic reasons—keeping short nails makes sense.
“Unpopular??? Short nails = boss woman,” commented user @subculture47. “I can’t be bothered to do my nails, I chip them in 30 seconds and I’d rather spend my time and money on other things,” said user @alexandrarose. “We are just doing stuff. You need short nails for cooking class, guitar playing, kung fu, and I’m a masseuse too,” said @a.t.field3. User @sleekkrasavitsa added, “And they probably work in healthcare.”
Even Lisa Rinna (she would know) agreed.
A history of nails and status
Shim was surprised to have “opened the floodgates to represent all the short nail baddies.” They’re just nails, but of course, they mean so much more. The practice of maintaining and beautifying fingernails goes back to ancient civilizations and is represented across many cultures. Historically, long and manicured fingernails have signified class and status, and a preference for long nail beds has been connected to gender performance and unattainable, patriarchal beauty standards.
These short nail baddies discussed the socio-economic and gender politics of nail culture.
“Long nails were once a status symbol indicating that you don’t work,” wrote @q499280. “Long fake nails are the patriarchy making sure you can’t do anything efficiently,” commented @thunderhooof. @cloutywithachanceofmball with the Marxist analysis, “Recession indicator.”
Long nail baddies clap back
Some commenters took issue with Shim’s post, suggesting that people with short nails are the ones instigating the short vs long debate and making value judgments.
@nikiloulis reminded the thread, “It’s always the girls with short nails trying to justify and hype them, you don’t see girls with long nails comparing and judging.” @s7eaven backed up the comment with, “They do it ALL the time whilst us long nails girlies mind our business… so condescending.”
Others shared that they prefer long nails because it makes them feel, frankly—more bad.
“Ok ty for this, but as someone who has short nails out of comfort and convenience, I literally see every girl with long nails as a baddie,” said @britt_x444.
User @itsgettymyguy admitted, “I had long nails for over a decade and recently cut them to teach myself the bass. Even though it’s way more practical, I felt the baddest with longer nails and designs.”
In the days following her original post, Shim shared several follow-up videos replying to comments, ultimately echoing a clarifying comment from user @nangunin9nung, “Long nails or short nails are equally baddie. We can all be baddie together.”
Beauty standards, economic class, and the cost of being a baddie
But there was a third stance in the debate spurred by Shim’s content, taken by a camp that can be referred to as the big picture baddies. Comments like these demonstrate fatigue and even angst in response to scrutiny of women coming from women, as well as the whiplash caused by shifting beauty trends.
@thelonelyboyxoxo commented, “Unpopular opinion = you all are hyping short nails because it’s popular now and you can’t accept to be just like everybody else.”
“Short nails, long nails, you can tell a woman is confident by how she doesn’t need to make a comment on how long another woman’s nails are,” said @lecorbeauroyal.
“It’s short nails vs long nails, skinny vs fat women, mothers vs non mothers… it’s too much honestly. can we just live,” said @loreenmakdal.
According to Yahoo Finance, women spend nearly 1K on their appearance every year, and around $17 a month on nail care. The average cost of a manicure can range from $20 to $200 or even more, depending on the service provided. This already blows the nail budget average, so it would seem that investment in nail care varies from person to person, reflecting the range of reactions to ‘short nail theory.’
Sounds like it’s possible to be an independent, confident, and attractive woman, regardless of nail length or adherence to labels and trends. After all, Shim’s (definitely baddie) mother does not even know what a baddie is.
Ashley Shim did not immediately reply to the Daily Dot’s request for comment via email.
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