Sea Shell Nails: All The Nautical Inspiration You Need
Mother of pearl, conch, or cowrie—a haul from your summer beach trip is all you need to inspire your next manicure. Minimalists and maximalists alike will love the trend.
Had Ariel crawled out of the ocean with a crush and no voice in the midst of Chanel’s latest cruise show, she may have turned on her brand-new barely-there heels and swam back to an Atlantica nail salon instead. Because backstage at the Chanel show, London-based nail artist Ama Quashie was turning models’ nails into tiny, aquatic treasures inspired by days at the beach and mermaids.
Quashie opted for a “sea-washed palette,” pulling in soft, gradated shades of red, amber, pink, and turquoise. “The key to this look was finding colors that melt into one another.” She added a touch of iridescence and shimmer on top of the pastel hues as a nod to water. The result? A subtle undersea rainbow with mother-of-pearl luster.
Seashell nails aren’t just showing up on runways—they’re all over our feeds as temperatures rise and beach vacations grow imminent. And whether you tend towards a short-and-chic mani or over-the-top tips, there are endless interpretations to pluck from the proverbial sand.
“Tactile finishes and textures mimicking nature are really big right now, and seashell designs lend themselves perfectly to this for summer,” says Toronto-based nail artist Cerise Carvalho.“You can go big with 3-D gel and chrome, or play it down with an elegant pearly look.” She also suggests experimenting with multiple layering effects simultaneously for greater realism.
“Real seashells are all slightly different, so lean into that. You can layer translucent jelly polish, powders, magnetic effects, gems, and more to get a super-cool, dimensional look that will be a huge compliment grabber.” Carvalho’s French twist—complete with a sweet hint of sparkle at the center—mimics the signature fan of a perfectly shaped shell.
A light or sand-colored cat eye polish is essential to get the look, according to Brooklyn-based nail artist Nic Zuhse. She says she uses white liner gel and 3-D gel to capture that wave-tumbled effect. “They can emulate the ridges of a shell without being overwhelming.” Behold: Zuhse’s bivalve interpretation of the trend.
Those earthy hues are also a favorite for Montreal-based nail artist and creator Rachel Parent, who says seashell nails’ natural textures and patterns align perfectly with her own style. “I love that they are very detailed and dimensional, but still versatile and easy to pair with any outfit thanks to sandy and pastel tones.”
Guanina Cotto, a nail artist based in Aguadillo, Puerto Rico, nails the whimsical flair of spiraland conch shells with maximalist 3-D effects and a punchy, aquatic palette one might spot snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. “There is so much inspiration to be found in seashells’ colors and textures,” she notes. She recommends playing around with marbling and metallic polishes for those attempting their version of the look at home.
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