Tortoiseshell nails are the spring mani all the cool girls are wearing
If pastels are too obvious and nude nails too passé, then tortoiseshell nails could be exactly the spring manicure inspiration you're craving.
There's been a revival of tortoiseshell accessories - from hair bands in the style of Carolyn Bessette thanks to Disney's American Love Story and tortie hair barrettes nestled into pretty half-up hairstyles. We've seen claw clips clasped over twisted ponytails to sweep strands off our shoulders and then there are, of course, the tortoiseshell sunglasses we'll be wearing in the warmer months ahead.
A step-by-step guide to looking simple yet stylish.
So there’s something about the speckled caramel design of tortoiseshell nails that feels destined to sit alongside these trends. “Tortoiseshell nail art has literally gone viral,” says Amy Rickaby, whose designs on her Instagram, @beautyworksbyamy, have been shared, duplicated and reshared countless times. “It’s one of the most versatile print designs to do,” she adds.
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The best part? Every design is unique. “It’s super fun to create – every set has its own individual pattern,” she says. “It’s unique but not overpowering.”
Despite looking complicated, tortoiseshell is actually a design you can try yourself at home. “The design has become even more popular with the help of tutorials and step-by-steps from nail techs on how to create the perfect tortie design,” says Amy. “Once you’ve cracked how to create the warm caramel tones and depth of the design, the variations you can create are endless.”
Tortoiseshell nails step by step
Here are Amy's top tips for mastering the tortoiseshell nail trend…
Step 1:
"Apply a caramel base [Amy created a custom colour mixing professional-use The GelBottle shades in Glass Yellow and Chocolate, but you can create at home with similar shades in regular nail polish]."
Step 2:
"Apply a second layer of your base colour and in the wet layer add small amounts of brown, allowing them to bloom then set."
Step 3:
"Apply another layer of your base colour and add black overlapping the brown. Allow to bloom then set."
Step 5:
"Apply top coat and your design is complete."
Once when you've nailed the technique, you can begin to experiment with the design – whether that's half bare, half tortoiseshell nail designs; tortie tips, go lighter or darker with the base and play around with the spacing of the speckles.
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Short on time? Then why not cheat with one of these pre-designed tortoiseshell nail kits:
All the tortoiseshell nail inspo you need…
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One way to add interest to a tortoiseshell manicure is to intersperse the tortie design with chocolate nails.
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Tiny gold studs add a cool, tougher edge to a tortoiseshell manicure.
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A sliver of tortoiseshell transforms a pinky nude nail.
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The 3D gem on the ring finger takes these tortoiseshell nails to a whole new level.
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Stick to the design on one side of your nails and keep it bare on the other.
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Another half and half design paired with delicate gold jewellery.
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Match your nails to your specs.
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Mix up a traditional French tip with the tortoiseshell design.
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Who says you have to stick to just one nail design?
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Opt for a spice shade on the base.
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Think a soft, diffused design with a deep brown base and high-lacquer shine.
