15 Chic Tortoiseshell Nail Ideas To Try This Autumn
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2 weeks ago
This is one (s)hell of a beauty trend
The seasonal shift has begun: time to tuck away those bold, summery hues and embrace the rich caramels and auburns of autumn. If you find yourself swinging by the nail salon this month, don’t skip out on a chance to tap into the season’s biggest beauty trend: a tortoiseshell manicure.
What Are Tortoiseshell Nails?
As the name implies, tortoiseshell nails are a style of nail art that features a speckled pattern of brown, black and caramel tones – mimicking the appearance of a tortoise’s shell. The look is usually created by layering and blobbing these autumnal shades on top of a brown base colour.
‘Tortoiseshell nails have become a modern classic, offering a chic alternative to traditional animal prints,’ notes celebrity manicurist and Mylee Senior Ambassador, Tinu Bello. ‘And because the pattern is built up with translucent layers of caramel, amber and black, each set of tortoiseshell nails is totally unique.’
How To Wear The Trend
As Tinu highlights, tortoiseshell nails are part of the new wave of mani classics – but that doesn’t mean we won’t see new and exciting ways to wear them pop up each season. ‘This season, we’re seeing the trend being worn in multiple key ways – as a full set for a bold statement, or as an accent paired with solid neutrals, earthy tones, or even French tips for a more understated vibe.
‘My top tip is to add a glossy finish which keeps the look luxe,’ she adds. ‘You can also pair a tortie print with matte bases, which pushes it into trend-forward territory.’
@nailluxbygiu Finally got this tortoise shell design right Here’s my take on how to achieve it: 1. Jelly brown (cure) 2. Jelly orange (cure) 3. Blooming gel, while wet create pattern with a dotting tool and a brown gel (cure) 4. Blooming gel again, while wet create a second patten with a dotting tool and black gel (cure) 5. Jelly brown (cure) and top coat (cure) Products by @GELCARE® • Jelly brown, Argan oil, Espresso, Patent leather black, blooming gel, top coat #tortoiseshellnails #tortoisenails #autumnnails #fallnailinspo #almondnails #nailarttutorial #fallnails #brownnails #nailsartvideos ♬ Bed Chem – Sabrina Carpenter
How To Ask For Tortoiseshell Nails In The Salon
At the salon, simply ask your nail tech for a tortoiseshell manicure. If you have a more specific look in mind, you can also bring in reference images and colour swatches – look to Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration.
How To Recreate The Look At Home
Fancy giving tortoiseshell nails a go at home? This is a fairly easy look to recreate; all you’ll need are your base and top coat, as well as a few shades of brown to create that shell effect. Below, Sophie Vongkhamsao, an in-house beauty and content specialist at Fresha, has laid out her step-by-step guide to nailing the manicure:
- Start by prepping your nails. This often includes removing any previous nail varnish and making sure your nails are clean, as well as pushing down your nail bed slightly and clipping down your nails to a desired length.
- Once your nails are prepped, file your nails into an almond shape. An almond shape usually keeps a good length at the centre, so try to file down the side of your nails while maintaining this. Once this is achieved, you can file the tip of your nail into the shape of an almond – buffing out any rough edges to create a semi-pointed look.
- Apply one coat of light brown or tan polish as the base colour which will serve as the background. Next take a nail art brush and create irregular shapes on your nails using dark brown polish. Allow this layer to partially dry and then add a sheer layer of amber polish over the nail, this will help blend the colours to create more dimension.
- Finish off the look with a thin layer of topcoat to seal the design and help it last longer. If you’re looking to take this look up a notch, use cuticle oil to nourish your nail beds and give a natural shine to your nails.
Manicure Inspiration
1. Classic Tortoiseshell Nails
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2. Tortie Frenchies
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3. Chrome Underlayer
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4. Gold Frame
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5. Statement Nail(s)
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6. Tortie Pumpkins
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7. Mix & Match
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8. Gold Plated
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9. Textural Polka Dots
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10. High Gloss
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11. Double French
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12. Shorty Torties
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13. Pistachio Frame
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14. Cat Eye Torties
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15. Almond Nails
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