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AI concept. These products recreate a similar look.
Short oval nails in deep espresso-brown high gloss. Photo: AI-generated editorial illustration of the look, not a photo of the products listed.
How to Get Espresso Martini Gloss Nails at Home
Deep espresso-brown, glossy enough to look like a martini glass in low light. Short oval nails and a cream knit keep it quiet rather than costume. Two thin coats are the whole color story.
The color story
A rich coffee brown, darker than cocoa and lighter than black. The shine is the point: a smooth, glassy surface with a soft highlight down the oval.
- Espresso#3C261C
- Espresso highlight#6A4332
- Cream knit#E6D6C6
- Gold#C4A574
What you need
Recreate the look
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Essential
Beetles No-Wipe Top Coat & Base Coat Set
2 × 15 ml · glossy, no-wipe finish
The base coat helps the gel grip. The no-wipe top coat is what turns the brown into that high gloss.
Gel polish can cause allergic reactions. Keep it off skin and cuticles, and patch-test first.
View on Amazon (paid link) -
The hero shade
Beetles Brown Gel Polish, Espresso Shot, 15 ml
Shade: glossy solid · rich coffee brown
Amazon lists this bottle as a glossy solid coffee brown. Two thin coats for the deep espresso in the photo.
Gel polish can cause allergic reactions. Keep it off skin and cuticles, and patch-test first.
View on Amazon (paid link) -
Essential
SUNUV SUNONE UV/LED Nail Lamp
Colour: White · 30/60/99 s timers, auto sensor
The lamp for this look. Cure each thin coat fully, with the thumb flat.
View on Amazon (paid link)
Similar & optional extras
Similar shades
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Similar shade
Beetles Dark Chocolate gel
Shade: dark brown
Want it deeper or a step lighter?
Gel polish can cause allergic reactions. Keep it off skin and cuticles, and patch-test first.
View on Amazon (paid link) -
Similar shade
Beetles Coffee o'Clock brown gel
Shade: I - Creme Brown | Coffee o'Clock
Want it deeper or a step lighter?
Gel polish can cause allergic reactions. Keep it off skin and cuticles, and patch-test first.
View on Amazon (paid link)
Step by step
Prep
Push back cuticles, shape to a short oval, and lightly buff the shine off the nail plate, including the tip. Brush off the dust, wipe with rubbing alcohol or a nail dehydrator, and let the nail dry completely.
Base coat
Brush on a thin layer and cap the edge. Keep it off the skin and cuticles.
Cure 60–90 sEspresso, 2 coats
Apply two thin coats of Espresso Shot, capping the edge, and cure after each one. Thick brown wrinkles and cures unevenly.
Cure 60–90 s per coatGlossy top coat
Seal every nail with the no-wipe top coat and cap the edges. Do not wipe this coat after curing. The instructions on the bottle win.
Cure 90–120 s
Pro tips
- The gloss is the top coat. The brown stays flat until the no-wipe top coat. Cap the edge so the shine wraps the oval.
- Clean edges matter. Dark brown shows every flooded cuticle. Clean up with a small brush dipped in alcohol before curing.
- Thumbs flat in the lamp. A tilted thumb sits in the shadow of the lamp and can stay under-cured. Cure thumbs flat, or cure them on their own.
- Patch-test first. Gel can cause allergies. Keep it off your skin and cuticles, and stop if you get itching or redness.
FAQ
Espresso Shot or Dark Chocolate?
Espresso Shot is the coffee brown for this look. Dark Chocolate, in the alternatives, is the deeper brown. Coffee o'Clock is a step lighter, closer to cocoa cream.
How long does it last, and how do I remove it?
With good prep and thin, fully cured layers, expect about 2–3 weeks. To remove, lightly buff the shine off the top coat, soak a cotton pad in acetone, and wrap each nail in foil for at least 15 minutes. Then gently push the gel off. If it still holds, soak for another 5 minutes. Never peel it.
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