Tortoiseshell nails: How to achieve the look according to a pro

For those who love to experiment with patterns, tortoiseshell nails are the trend to try. This sophisticated print brings together warm brown undertones with a chic, patterned flair, making it a versatile choice that sits perfectly alongside cable knitwear and retro claw clips.

Worried that you don’t have a steady hand to recreate tortoiseshell nails? The good news is that this AW nail trend can be adapted in endless ways—whether it’s a full set, accent nails, or a modern twist on the French tip.

Ready to try this on-trend print? Hannah Taylor, Brand Ambassador at The Gel Bottle Inc, answers everything you need to know about the AW nail trend of 2024.

What are tortoiseshell nails?

Chances are you’ve seen the likes of Hailey Bieber and Sydney Sweeney sport the caramel hued print nails.

‘Tortoiseshell nails are a nail art design inspired by the patterns and colours of tortoiseshell, typically featuring warm, earthy tones like browns, yellows, ambers and blacks. This trend is very popular and makes a comeback in various forms every autumn/winter,’ explains Taylor.

Are tortoiseshell nails hard to do?

Yes and no reveals Taylor. ‘Tortoiseshell nails are a design that looks harder than it is to achieve. Whilst you don’t need to be overly precise, it can take a little bit of patience to create a blended, layered effect.’ Essentially practice makes perfect, but the good news is that this is a forgiving design if you don’t get it quite right first time.

Want to know what colours to use for tortoise shell nails? Think glass yellow, amber, chocolate, espresso and jet black.

ORLY ORLY Double Espresso Breathable Nail Polish

SUQQU Nail Colour Polish Limited Edition 7.5ml

Peacci Peacci Jet Black

Essie Nail Polish 26 Playing Koi Brunt Orange Red Colour High Shine and High Coverage Nail Polish 13 5 ml

How to do tortoiseshell nails with regular polish

A step-by-step guide for recreating tortoiseshell nails at home

Start with a semi translucent yellow, honey or amber shade as the base. You can use a clear polish to sheer out your colour if you need to.
Using a dark brown shade, add irregular patches across the nail, you can use a smaller nail brush to do this
Next, repeat your base colour
As the penultimate step, layer small areas of black polish to add depth to the design.
Finally, finish with a glossy top coat. This adds durability and brings out the richness of the pattern.

Mylee Mylee Oval Nail Brush

How are tortoise nails done in a salon?

Getting tortoiseshell nails done in a salon is a good choice if you’re unsure how to achieve this look yourself or want a more long-lasting result.

‘Salons are likely to have the necessary tools and products to disperse the colours to create a blended and beautiful tortoiseshell look. Your nail technician can also tailor the design to your preferences, such as changing the colour tones or adding more details like gold foil,’ says Taylor.