Matcha, Pistachio + Mint: Green Manicures Are Having a Moment

It may be a “Brat” summer, but the neon shade isn’t the only green having a major moment. Since the spring, variations of matcha, pistachio and mint have been steadily gaining ground as go-to nail color trends. “Green is a classic all-year-round shade that clients adore,” says Alexandra Teleki (also known as The Hot Blend on Instagram and TikTok). In fact, green nail polish ranks number seven in the top 10 of the most popular manicure trends of 2024, according to research by beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha.

Like other nail trends of the season such as Aperol spritz, limoncello and Hailey Bieber’s “farmer’s market” nails, the kitchen is a major inspiration source for green-hued nail colors. Matcha, inspired by the popular Japanese green tea, pistachio, mint, olive and even green apple hues are rising to the top of requested nail colors. And while these shades can range from muted and earthy to milky, they all generally follow the same subtle, natural-looking aesthetic. “People associate green with freshness and calmness. It also reminds us of nature, and it’s a versatile color that suits many occasions or outfits,” explains Teleki.

There’s no shortage of manicure options to try when wearing green. According to Teleki, the most requested designs by clients are green ombré French tips, subtle abstract swirls or a classic block color. “You simply can’t go wrong with a chic green set of nails.” Keep reading to see some of our favorite green-hued nail inspiration, and 10 green polishes to try.

10 pretty green nail polishes we love

1 / 10

Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in Cactus Jelly ($13)

Two big nail trends of the season—green and jelly nails—combine in Essie’s Cactus Jelly shade. The plant-based formula has an initial translucent finish with a sheer wash of color, making it the perfect starting point if you’ve never tried a green manicure before.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $13
• BUY ON ULTA – $13

2 / 10

Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in Pistachio ($22)

Dazzle Dry’s Pistachio shade is a light and muted full-coverage green with yellow undertones.

• BUY NOW – $22

3 / 10

Lights Lacquer in Matcha Tea ($11)

Reminiscent of the drink it’s inspired by, Lights Lacquer calls the finish for its Matcha Tea shade “Crelly” (creamy plus jelly) for its creamy base with a slightly translucent opacity.

• BUY NOW – $11

4 / 10

Essie Gel Couture in Bling It ($13)

A part of Essie’s Bedazzled collection, Bling It comes recommended by Teleki. Its gel-like, cream finish includes a slight, and very pretty, shimmer.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $13
• BUY ON ULTA – $13

5 / 10

Gelcare in Matcha ($20)

Amping up the volume a bit is Gelcare’s version of Matcha green. The “bright, grassy” shade was so popular when it first debuted in 2020, the brand decided to re-release it. (I can see this one looking so gorgeous as French tips!)

• BUY NOW – $20

6 / 10

Nailberry in Minty Fresh ($21)

Another popular nail shade, brought back after popular demand, is Mintry Fresh by Nailberry. The brand calls the creamy-cool color one of their “most sought-after summer hues.”

• BUY NOW – $21

7 / 10

Essie Nail Lacquer in Natural Connection ($10)

Watch the second video above to see this muted, neutral green in all its glory.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $10
• BUY ON ULTA – $10

8 / 10

Zoya Professional Lacquer in Tracie ($12)

Zoya’s pistachio-hued color has yellow undertones and a “delicate silvery shimmer” for a “frosted pearl” finish, per the brand.

• BUY NOW – $12

9 / 10

Gelcare in Wasabi ($20)

Inspired by another Japanese staple, Gelcare’s Wasabi is a toned down, nude pastel green.

• BUY NOW – $20

10 / 10

Manucurist Green Natural Nail Polish in Petit Pois ($14)

The brightest color on the list is Manucurist’s Petit Pois (little peas), a vibrant light green that personally evokes eating a crisp green apple in the sunshine.

• BUY NOW – $14