Oyster Nails Take The Mermaidcore Mani Trend To New Heights

To order up a plate of raw oyster nails, stick with simple, swirly lines or a whirl of iridescent polish. The white sheen is the perfect go-with-everything neutral, but Apfel Glass notes that the details give it a touch of interest that’ll take your usual white or glazed donut mani to another level.

3D metallic details are a big trend right now in the mani world, and that’s because they instantly add a certain extra something to simple polish. Once you perfect your oyster shell base, try adding a drizzle of gold or silver chrome around the edges of your fingertips. You can also drop a gemstone in there for even more sparkle.

As Apfel Glass says, oyster nails often call for the addition of pearls or other appliqués — like shells — for an added oceanic pop. This manicure features a spray of the prettiest little pearl dots that gorgeously play off the iridescent base.

The 3D quality of these beauties can be created using builder gel. The final result gives you raised ripples and ridges that look just like the inside of an oyster shell. Stick with a pastel silver hue for realistic vibes that truly stun.

For a minimalist take, keep the oyster effect on the ends of your nails for a set of simple, pearlized French tips. You could recreate this set by painting a different beachy shade on each nail.

Some nail artists are going all-out with manicures that look like actual freshwater oysters. A set like these, with abalone sparkles, mini pearls, and blue shell-like details will have you wanting to book a reservation at a seafood restaurant ASAP.

While oyster nails lean white, you can choose to create the same effect with a pop of blue iridescent polish. Use the same technique listed above to create the whirls and swirls that evoke the inside of a shell.

For extra dainty nails, try adding an oyster nail polish effect on just a few fingers, leaving the others bare, or add one or two French tips. This look would be perfect for work, a wedding, or any other fancy event.

A glazed purple base is the perfect backdrop for nails that look like an underwater seascape. Add pearls, mini shells, and 3D bubbles that look similar to sea spray and splashes of water for a mermaid-worthy manicure.

Another simple and chic take on the trend is the oyster-meets-velvet nail. Velvet nails are already sparkly on their own, but when you add an iridescent polish into the mix, it’s truly other-worldly.

This mix of milky white polish, molten drizzle, and mini pearls will give you a set of nails that look like something Ariel herself would collect at the bottom of the sea.

The abalone shell effect on these oyster nails is next-level stunning. Consider using rich, opalescent purples, blues, and pinks as another fun way to add a pop of color to the trend.

For a more neutral variation, go for a shell-pink oyster manicure. Mix it with turquoise blue and pastel purple for a set that fuses the trend with the Barbiecore aesthetic.