Tortoiseshell Nails Are Your New Style Obsession

By Tran KhueOct 18, 2024

Tortoiseshell nails are the trend you didn’t know you needed. They give every fingertip a unique blend of warm tones and swirly patterns to accessorize any outfit. This sophisticated look is effortlessly chic (and easy to do). It’s no wonder they’re becoming everyone’s new style obsession.

Regular Person, Extraordinary Nail Art

Case in point: this Redditor is showing off the tortoiseshell nails that she created. She’s not a pro but a nail enthusiast. This four-color design with gold foil goes a little above and beyond the basic tortoiseshell nail design. If you wanted to create a classic tortie look, you only need three colors: sheer burnt orange, dark brown, and black. It’s also helpful to use blooming gel.

Tortoiseshell Tips

These nails have an extra shiny finish as if they were coated in glass. They style so nicely with the white sweater, making it easy to imagine wearing them this fall and winter.

Turtle shell-patterned French tips are more refined than the typical white smile line. It’s helpful to mask off the neutral base to keep the curve crisp.

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How to Do Tortoiseshell Nails

You can do beautiful tortoiseshell nails with gel or lacquer. It’s more convenient to use gel simply because it doesn’t dry until it’s cured. Moreover, if you have blooming or blossom gel, it aids in spreading the color more organically.

After completing nail prep and applying the base coat (and curing), brush on the sheer orange shade. If you’re using a jelly gel, add more layers to deepen the color and build opacity if desired.

Next, add a thin layer of blooming gel but don’t cure it. Use a precision brush or dotting pen to place dots of brown polish. They will spread slowly. When you like the way it looks, cure this layer.

In a pinch, you could substitute a clear top coat. However, you’ll need to manipulate the dark-colored spots with a dotting pen or brush. Then cure.

Now, add more blooming gel followed by tiny dots of black polish. Cure when the pattern looks right, then finish with a top coat.

Short Torties

Do you think the tortoiseshell pattern makes these short nails edgier? They have a lovely shine enhanced with tiny gold studs.

Holiday Tortoiseshell Nails

Were these nails intentionally created for celebrating July 4^th? Or are they just naturally eye-catching? The vibrant orange somehow just works with the blue and blood red accent nails. And the gold studs are a nice touch.

Animal Print Nails

Thankfully, the days of using actual tortoise shells are past. The Greeks and Romans used the pretty patterned shells for combs, accessories, and furniture inlays. In modern times, humans also used them for glasses frames, knitting needles, and guitar picks. But finally in 1973, the turtle shell trade was banned worldwide. Now we can enjoy the look without harming wildlife. In fact, you could even start a conversation about the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle with a tortoiseshell manicure. This one features other animal prints like crocodile and zebra.

Matte and Metallic

Most of the tortoiseshell nail designs we saw have a glossy sheen. But there’s something magical about the matte finish here. It makes the intricate pattern more visible and easier to appreciate. Moreover, the spiky tips are capped with luxurious gold. These are fierce nails indeed!

Halloween Tortoiseshell Design

Here the ghosts have a speckled pattern to go with the reptile print accents. You can clearly see how the black and brown polish is layered and dispersed across the orange base. The simple palette is perfect, right down to the golden webs on the orange base. It’s a fun look for spooky season!

Azure Tortoiseshell Nails

There are no indigo turtles in nature. However, artistic license allows for using any color you like in tortoiseshell nail art. What do you think of this blue, black, and cream color-blocked design with gold accents and French tips? Is it too much, or would a few crystals make it even more glamorous?

Red Tortoiseshell Nails

This manicure feels like a warm and welcoming autumn with gorgeous fall foliage. It also reminds us of ladybugs. It’s hard to look away from the lively red and black pattern! What would you add to give it even more zing?

Green Tortie Shorties

This jade and black manicure has a hand-painted mock tortoiseshell design. The shade suits the wearer’s skin color and makes the nails pop with a bold yet understated vibe. It’s a major upgrade from the usual single-color look for short nails. Short can definitely equal interesting!

Amber Tortoiseshell Nails

Here’s another way to level up your look. These amber tortoiseshell nails have a striking blend of golden honey, chocolate brown, and black marbling. The almond shape enhances their elegance while the high-shine finish makes them feel like a museum piece. Honestly, was this what Roman goddesses wore?

Glazed Nails with Tortoiseshell Accents

This superb mix-and-match manicure combines classic tortoiseshell with pearly white and black for a modern feel. Delicate gold and opal filigree elevate the design as if it were fine jewelry on the fingertips. Notice the orange aura nails. That color stands for creativity, passion, and energy. People with an orange aura are enthusiastic, outgoing, and adventurous. At times, an orange aura might signal someone is going through a change or growth. We’d say that these nails are quite the transformation!

Conclusion

Tortoiseshell nails are versatile and fashionable. Every nail pro who masters the technique will be able to upgrade any manicure with it. There’s no limit to how creative you can get with this trend! Change the palette, but keep the pattern, and add style to all sorts of nail art.

We’re glad you stopped by today and hope you found the inspiration you needed. Take a peek at our home page for the latest deals on the newest nail colors and supplies for your next dream manicure!