There’s no easier way to get into the festive spirit when a holiday is right around the corner than by painting on a themed mani! And if you don’t want to wear a green get-up on St. Patrick’s Day, sporting it on your nails will ensure no obnoxious pinching! Plus, green-colored nails are trending right now — there’s no shortage of polishes in any given shade of the bold color. Don’t love green? Rainbow and gold designs work just as well to signify the holiday! So whether you want to do them yourself or being inspiration into your local salon, scrolling for our favorite St. Patrick’s Day nail designs — they are easy, festive and can be done on any nail length.
Related: 10 Fun Blue Nail Ideas to DIY at Home or Bring to Your Next Nail Appointment
St. Patrick’s Day nail designs
1. Clovers in the corners
If you want a subtle St. Patrick’s Day nail design, put a rhinestone clover in just the corner of two accent nails. Why you’ll love it: “The emerald rhinestones have a dazzling, jewelry-like effect,” says celebrity nail artist Patricia Yankee. “It’s a very sophisticated way to wear green for the day!”
Get the look:
- First, sweep on two coats of mint green nail polish, like essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple (Buy from Amazon, $8) to all nails.
- Using a toothpick, place three emerald green heart-shaped rhinestones on two accent nails — place all the tips facing the center.
- Use a green nail art polish, like FingerPaints Performance Art Striping Polish (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49) to create a stem at the bottom of the shamrock. Finish with top coat.
2. Gorgeous gold and green polka dots
Bright green dots with pops of gold are a chic way to incorporate the day into your look without “screaming” St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of opaque, mint green nail polish, such as China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Re-fresh Mint (Buy from Walmart, $7.95) to all nails. Let dry.
- Use a bright green nail art polish, such as LeChat Cm Striping Nail Art in Hot Green (Buy from Walmart, $6.99) to make a horizontal row of three dots on 4 accent nails. Using a glittery gold nail art polish, like China Glaze Stripe Rite in Brush-Stroke of Luck (Buy from Walmart, $6.25) make a second row of two dots. Continue the dots until you reach the free edge.
- Finish with top coat.
3. Sparkling green French tips
Paint on French tips with a twist! The shimmery greens, rhinestones and glitter add instant pizzazz to tips.
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of soft, mint green nail polish, like essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple (Buy from Amazon, $8) to all nails. Let dry.
- Coat just the free edges of nails with a sparkling, metallic green nail art polish, like LeChat Nail Art Lacquer in Green Glitter (Buy from Nail Supply Inc., $2). Let dry.
- With dots of clear nail polish and a toothpick, apply a row of bright green rhinestones where the two green colors meet. Finish with top coat.
4. Rhinestone clover “decals”
To elevate any solid green nail design, add rhinestone decals!
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of mint polish, like Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer in A Mint of Spring (Buy from Amazon, $9.50) to all nails. Let dry.
- On accent nails, make the clovers: Using dots of clear nail polish and a toothpick, apply eight green, teardrop rhinestones.
- Use a green nail art polish, like FingerPaints Performance Art Striping Polish (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49) to make a stem. Finish with top coat.
5. Rainbow rhinestone tips
The pot of gold at the end of these rainbow-tipped nails? They’re sure to make a stunning statement.
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of pale pink polish, like essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers (Buy from Target, $11.19) to all nails. Let dry.
- Give each nail a French tip using a light green nail art polish, like LeChat Cm Striping Nail Art in Electric Green (Buy from Walmart, $6.99). Let dry.
- Using dots of clear nail polish and a toothpick, apply rows of varying colored rhinestones above the tips. Finish with top coat.
6. Stunning four leaf clovers
This classic four-leaf clover design is as sophisticated as it is simple.
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of pale pink polish, like essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers (Buy from Target, $11.19) to all nails. Let dry.
- Use a bright green nail art polish, like LeChat Cm Striping Nail Art in Hot Green (Buy from Walmart, $6.99) to paint four hearts, all with their tips pointing inward on two accent nails per hand. Use the same polish to paint a tiny stem at the bottom of the hearts. Let dry.
- With a dot of clear nail polish and a toothpick, apply a clear rhinestone to the center of each shamrock. Finish with top coat.
7. Shimmery gradients of green and gold
These glittering nails don’t require any special tools or skills! Just a few quick swipes and voila!
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of light green nail polish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Summer Monday-Fridays (Buy from Amazon, $11.99) to all nails. Let dry.
- Sweep a glittery green polish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Taurus-t Me (Buy from Amazon, $11.99)onto each nail, starting from mid-nail and up toward the tip.
- Sweep on a coat of glittery gold polish, like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish in Gold Play (Buy from Amazon, $7.99) just above the glittery green polish on all nails . Finish with top coat.
8. Rainbow-style French mani
Want to skip the clovers but still be in the festive spirit? Try a rainbow French manicure!
Get the look:
- Apply two coats of sheer pink polish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Put it in Neutral (Buy from Amazon, $11.99) to all nails. Let dry.
- Place a French tips sticker, like Orly Half Moon Guides (Buy from Amazon, $6.95) at the center of each nail and paint each exposed tip with a different color of the following polishes: Lottie London Plant Based Gel Nail Color in Glow Up (Buy from Walmart, $7.53), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Daisy Dukes (Buy from Amazon, $3.28), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Pucker Up (Buy from Walmart, $5.28), China Glaze Nail Polish in Don’t Be Sea-Salty (Buy from Amazon, $7.90) and Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Blue Me Away (Buy from Amazon, $6.99); Let dry.
- Remove stickers; seal with top coat.
9. Muted green St. Patrick’s Day nails
This design by @Pomalo_nailstudio on Instagram features a softer, more muted-hued green polish, perfect for those who don’t prefer brighter shades.
Get the look:
- Paint all nails besides the ring finger with two coats of a muted green nail polish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in $elf Made (Buy from Walmart, $10.95). On the ring fingernails, paint two coats of a white polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White On (Buy from Amazon, $3.28); Let dry.
- On ring fingernails, paint a four leaf clover in the center of each nail using a striping brush dipped in a muted green polish, like Bluelans 3Pcs Nail Art Liner Brushes (Buy from Amazon, $1.99). Then, outline each leaf with a glittery green nail art striper, like LeChat Nail Art Lacquer in Green Glitter (Buy from Nail Supply Inc., $2); Let dry.
- Seal with top coat.
10. Metallic green shamrocks
This is another gorgeous St. Patrick’s Day nail design, by @justhappy2beheather, that doesn’t require any special tools. Just stick on shamrock nail decals and you’re good to go!
Get the look:
- Paint two coats of a white nail polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White On (Buy from Amazon, $3.28), on all nails; Let dry.
- Place metallic green shamrock nail stickers like Gukom 3D Lucky Clover Nail Art Stickers (Buy from Walmart, $8.99)all over the pinky, index finger and thumb nails.
- Seal with top coat.
11. St. Patrick’s Day nails: Everything under the rainbow
These chic nails by @nails.by.valerie on Instagram will look like you just walked out of the salon and features everything St. Patrick’s Day — shamrocks, gold and rainbows!
Get the look:
- Paint the pinky, index finger and middle finger nails with two coats of a sheer nude polish, like Sally Hansen Good.Kind.Pure Demi Matte Vegan Nail Color in Cashew Butter (Buy from Amazon, $7.23); Let dry.
- On the index finger and pinky nails, paint two four leaf clovers using a green striping polish, like FingerPaints Performance Art Striping Polish (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49).
- On the thumb and ring fingernails, paint two coats of a glittery gold polish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Terribly Nice (Buy from Walmart, $9.90).
- On the middle nails, use nail striping brushes, like Bluelans 3Pcs Nail Art Liner Brushes (Buy from Amazon, $1.99), to paint on a half rainbow with the following polishes: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Pucker Up (Buy from Walmart, $5.28), OPI Nail Lacquer in Silicon Valley Girl (Buy from Amazon, $11.99), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Daisy Dukes (Buy from Amazon, $3.28), essie Nail Polish in Grass Never Greener (Buy from Amazon, $9.25), Zoya Nail Polish in Sia (Buy from Amazon, $10) and essie expressie Quick Dry Vegan Nail Polish in No Time to Pause (Buy from Amazon, $6.72). Let dry.
- Using a white striping polish, like FingerPaints Striping Polish in Hip Hip Hue-Ray (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49), paint a cloud at the end of each rainbow. Then, create small diamond-shaped stars and small dots around the rainbow; Let dry.
- Seal all nails with top coat.
For more nail inspiration, click through these stories:
Sweater Nails Are the Hottest Chic and Cozy Manicure Style — How to DIY Them at Home
At-Home Gel Nails: How To Reap the Benefits of the Pricey Salon Treatment for $100s Less
Dazzle on a Dime: 12 French Tip Nail Designs That are Easy to Do at Home
