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.
“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.
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.”
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Guanina Cotto, a nail artist based in Aguadillo, Puerto Rico, nails the whimsical flair of spiral
and 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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