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Um, is green my new favorite color?
Fact: Within the last few weeks, my Instagram feed has served me approximately one-zillion green nail ideas. Like, is it just me, or did the current green trend kinda come out of nowhere? It's gotten to the point where even me, someone who has lowkey hated the color green my entire life, has started screenshotting green nail looks, from green swirly nail art to wintery dark green shades. And contrary to what I used to think (that green nails were exclusively for St. Patrick's Day at best), I'm now fully committed to playing around with some shade of green this year, whether I’m Instagramming a fresh set of acrylics or just swiping on a quick coat of spring nail polish.
And honestly, once you see the mix of minimalist and subdued shades of green that you can try for your next manicure, I'm pretty positive you'll be a convert too. So take a scroll through 25 of my favorite green nail ideas, straight from my bookmarks folder, to help inspire your next mani.
A post shared by Amy Le (@amyle.nails)
Gradient nails are my favorite take on the typical French tips. Round up a range of green nail polishes and start with the darkest shade on your thumb, painting each tip a lighter shade towards your pinkie finger.
A post shared by @thehotblend
Adding some gold polish or gold foil (like they used here) takes your green nail idea from "cute and whimsical" to "just raised my rates." And, honestly, isn't that the exact energy we're bringing in 2022?
A post shared by Lauren ✨ (@lolo.nailedit)
The best thing about green nails? There are only a zillion different shades to choose from, so adjust according to your mood/vibe. Like this shamrock-green nail color: bright, fun, and a great spring nail idea.
A post shared by Amy Le (@amyle.nails)
In the Venn diagram (remember those?) of green nails and St. Patrick's Day nails, this green and white swirly manicure is in the middle. Basically you can get this set literally anytime of the year and you'll be ~on trend~. Plus, you can use any shade of green you like, and it'll still look cute.
A post shared by Gina Edwards (@ginaedwards_)
If you're feeling a moodier shade, may I suggest this dark-green nail polish idea? It's a perfect winter nail color, and it'll maintain your ~edgy~ side. To get that shiny finish, seal your nails with a glossy top coat after the base color is fully dry.
A post shared by 𝙉𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙎 𝘽𝙔 𝙈𝙀𝙄 (@nailsbymei)
K, I promise this cow-print green nail idea is easier to recreate than it looks. After painting your nails with a white or cream nail polish and letting them fully dry, paint squiggly shapes with a thin nail brush and a dark-green polish (the more oddly-shaped, the better). Once dry, seal it in with a top coat to prevent chipping.
A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen ❤ (@thehangedit)
Another great twist on the French nail? Diagonal tips like this pic. It's not the easiest DIY nail design, so take it one layer at a time. Lay a strip of nail tape diagonally across your nail, then paint over the tip with a pastel-green nail polish. Once it's dry, peel it off and repeat on the opposite side with a forest-green nail polish. Finish with the tiniest bit of bright green on the overlap.
A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen ❤ (@thehangedit)
You don't have to give up all your other favorite nail colors to get in on the green nail trend—just use it as an accent color like in this nail design (using Gucci nail polish, BTW). I mean, how cute is the green smiley face here?
A post shared by IMARNI NAILS (@imarninails)
Never thought I'd say this, but I'm kind of in love with this green slime nail art. What you'll need: a green shimmery nail polish (I like Morgan Taylor Platinum Illusions Nail Lacquer in Oh So Shifty! and Jinsoon in Epidote) and a thin nail art brush for drawing on those droopy shapes. If you don't try this now, screenshot it for later, 'cause it would make an excellent Halloween nail idea, too.
A post shared by Alicia Torello (@aliciatnails)
Negative-space nails are the perfect way to add a little art without compromising your minimalist nail aesthetic. Paint circular shapes on alternating sides of your nails with a small or medium-sized nail brush, and clean up any messy lines with a cotton swab and some acetone.
A post shared by Lauren ✨ (@lolo.nailedit)
Earthy tones are my personal vibe, because they make me feel like it's always fall. How pretty is this olive green (CND Vinylux Nail Polish in Cap and Gown was used here) and greige combo? You could wear it anytime of the year, but it would make an excellent Thanksgiving nail idea, IMO.
A post shared by Alicia Torello (@aliciatnails)
Pastels are ideal for spring, making this a perfect combo of spring nails and green nails (or Easter nails, if you celebrate). The easiest way to get that smooth shape at the base of your nails is to stick on some semi-circle nail stickers and then paint the pastel green nail polish over them. Once dry, carefully peel back the sticker to reveal your two-tone finish.
A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen ❤ (@thehangedit)
How fun is this swirly nail idea? It takes three shades of green (like the forest, olive, and pastel shades shown here) and a nail art brush to recreate. Pro tip: Practice the swirly lines on some paper first to get a feel of how to guide your brush.
A post shared by Lauren ✨ (@lolo.nailedit)
Green and black is an iconic duo, IMO. The lime green nail polish from Cirque Colors gives it a really fun vibe here, but it could easily be swapped out for a softer olive or sage green, too. And nail tape will be your BFF when it comes to getting those crisp, straight lines.
A post shared by Amy Le (@amyle.nails)
Because I am now an expert on every shade of green, tyvm, let me introduce you to chartreuse green, a close cousin of lime but with a tinge more yellow. It's great for both summer nails and spring nails, and I'm here for it.
A post shared by Catherine Hong (@smile___nails)
Pale-green swirls, anyone? The key to making this green nail idea look salon-worthy is starting with a base coat before moving onto the pale-green nail polish, so the exposed part of your natural nail looks shiny and fresh.
A post shared by Holly Falcone (@hollyfalconenails)
This green nail idea is pretty detailed—swipe to the right for a close up of those gemstone daisies—so I'd suggest taking this to your nail artist. But if you're up for DIY-ing your nails? Dip your nail-dotting tool in white nail polish then gently touch it down to your practice surface, and pull it slightly outward to create the teardrop petal shape.
A post shared by @thehotblend
Switching between two shades of green in your manicure instantly gives it some dimension. Start by painting a thick French tip on each nail in its respective shade of dark green or light green (now's a great time to try out that viral French tip TikTok hack, BTW), then paint a thin line in the opposite color at the base of each tip.
A post shared by Tamami Page | TAMAMINAILS🌿 (@tamaminails)
You don't have to choose just one nail design for your whole set, TBH. In fact, the more variety of designs you have, like the four in this picture, the more it will actually bring all your nails together. And when your cuticles are on display like this, keep 'em moisturized with a good cuticle oil (or don't—you make the rules here).
A post shared by NARINA CHAN (@narinanails)
My favorite thing about 2022 nail trends is the different textures and opacities–like these sheer jade nails. And honestly the jade is so pretty, you don't even have to add the purple and green shapes (though props if you do).
A post shared by Catherine Hong (@smile___nails)
Alternating solid colors and arsty designs is an easy way to add a touch of ~whimsy~ to your nails. Plus, polka dots are the easiest nail design that even the newest of newbs can achieve. Just pick up a set of nail dotters, dip 'em in nail polish, and create all the polka dots your lil heart desires.
A post shared by ManiMe (@manime.co)
Adding a little glitter to your green nails is a great way to give them a little texture dimension (I should be an art critic, right?). Start with the green base, then once it's dry, paint the gold glitter nail polish in a semi-circle shape with a medium nail brush.
A post shared by Tamami Page | TAMAMINAILS🌿 (@tamaminails)
The green outline on these nails gives it a graphic, neon-sign look. For an optimal nail art canvas, make sure your cuticles are in good shape (read: pushed back and moisturized with a cuticle oil).
A post shared by T E N D R E (@tendrehands)
Thick, rounded French tips are having a moment right now, and these dark-green nails are a great opportunity to give them a try. The trick? Outlining the half-moon French tip shape with a thin brush before filling in the rest with your regular nail polish brush.
A post shared by T E N D R E (@tendrehands)
This light-green checkered nail idea is pretty intricate, so I won't blame if you just want to screenshot this one for your nail artist. If you do want to attempt, my advice is to practice doing just the checkered nail pattern first before you move onto the little blue smiley face.