Nail Art Step by Step: Half Moon Tortoise Shell Effect

This summer sees our love for animal print continue. Salon System's nail expert, Julie-Anne, has created a Tortoise Shell-inspired half moon nail art design using the brand's Gellux gel polish, showing us how easy it is to rock the trend. Follow her step-by-step ‘how to' and recreate this look.

Step One

Prepare all nails and wipe over with the Gellux Prep + Wipe. Apply the Gellux Fast Bond and let dry for 30 seconds. Then apply the Gellux Cover Pink Base Coat, and cure for 30 seconds.

Step Two

Apply Gellux Rockin It to the thumb, index and pinkie fingers. Then, apply Gellux Naturally Bronzed to the middle and ring fingers. Be sure to leave a bare half-moon shape at the bottom of the nails, and then cure for 30 seconds. 

Step Three

Next, on a paint palette or piece of foil, mix a 20 pence size blob of Gellux Naturally Bronzed with drops of both Gellux Rockin It and Gellux Orange A Peel to create a pale orangey brown shade. 

Step Four

Then, using a medium sized brush add four blobs shapes of the pale brown you have just mixed to the middle and ring fingers, and cure. 

Step Five

Next, mix some Gellux Easy Off Base Coat with the pale brown you made and paint a thin layer on to the middle and ring fingers (do not paint on the half-moon).

Then, add small blobs of Gellux Rockin It just slightly off the centre of the patches you had previously painted. Leave them to bloom for a few seconds, and then cure. 

Step Six

Repeat the previous step but, this time adding slightly smaller blobs than previously.  Then, cure again for 30 seconds. 

Step Seven

Next, with a thin liner brush dip in to Gellux All That Glitters and outline the half-moons previously created and flash cure. 

Step Eight

Apply Gellux Matte Base/Top Coat to the bare half-moons, and cure. Then, apply Gellux Mirror Glaze Top Coat to all fingers making sure to avoid the half-moon on the middle and ring fingers, and cure for 60 seconds. 

Finally, apply Gellux Shiny Top Coat and cure again. Wipe nails with Gellux Prep + Wipe and Gellux Nail & Cuticle Oil.