As we enter cozy season, it’s only nature we gravitate toward moody colors for our manicures. Dark green nails are especially perfect this time of year, as they add depth, harmonize with the season, and beautifully transition from fall to winter.
“Dark green is the perfect alternative to the traditional oxblood and black nail trends,” says Mabelyn Martin, creative director at Paintbox. “Green has been everyone’s favorite color in fashion for the past few seasons, and deep mossy greens, as well as rich emerald greens, are the perfect way to accessorize your nails this fall and winter.”
meet the expert
To inspire your next manicure, browse through the following stunning dark green nails.
Emerald Mermaid
Thuy Nguyen
“Weather and fashion influence how people get their nails done, and as we transition from summer to autumn, dark green feels appropriate,” says celebrity manicurist Thuy Nguyen. “I painted these dark green nails with a little bit of mermaid glitter and gold-speckled glitter to give this emerald green dimension and sass.”
Green Cheetah
Paint Box
This gorgeous design features a matte, chalky dark green with white cheetah prints. Having a green base for the animal print gives the design a fresh, yet seasonal look.
Deep Green
Instagram @disseynails
When you think of dark green nails, this is a classic shade that immediately comes to mind. It’s Lights Lacquer’s For The Thrill ($11) — the perfect deep green with blue undertones.
Squared Base
Paint Box
Anchoring a solid color with a simple design is a great way to elevate a basic manicure. This look features a dark green base with pale blue squares at the base of each nail.
Translucent Green
Instagram @disseynails
Jelly polishes are fun because they add a wash of color while staying translucent. This jelly green shade is Verdigris Jelly ($13) from Cirque Colors. The manicure also features the shades Moonstone ($15) and Disco Ball ($13).
Down the Middle
Paint Box
Glossy sheer nails get a simple yet striking accent with these green lines that travel from the tips of the nails and expand to cover the half moons at the base.
Digital Dots
Paint Box
This manicure reminds me of an old-school computer screen saver. Each nail has a double circle design that sits at a different spot on each nail, creating movement and appearing as if the circles are bouncing from nail to nail.
Green Aura
Instagram @klawsbysonia
Aura nails typically feature a halo of color on a sheer base, so I’m really enjoying this design that puts the aura look on a black base. It’s done on the Sculpted Almond Short ($30) gel tips from Aprés.
Floating in Space
Paint Box
Dark green is the predominant color in this manicure even though a black shade serves as the base. Each nail features two abstract green blobs that really pop against the deep backdrop.
Groovy Greens
Instagram @disseynails
Wavy nail designs are everywhere and this design pairs three Lights Lacquer shades —Clueless ($11), Swamp Girl ($9), and Emerald ($11) — to create this fun and groovy look.
Hint of Sparkle
Instagram @gossipandgloss
The contrast between this matte dark green and the subtle sparkly gold half moons is really pretty. The green has lots of blue undertones, adding a layer of vibrancy to the look.
Green Velvet
Instagram: @gossipandgloss
Applying a matte clear coat to a dark green shade allows these nails to look like they’re drapped in cozy velvet.
Gold Leaf
Instagram @nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
Gold leaf takes this design to the next level. Here, it accents a wavy split design featuring shades Jungle ($19) and Silk ($19) from The Gel Bottle Inc.
Old Money
Instagram @disseynails
This blue-based sage from Lights Lacquer is aptly names Old Money ($11). It’s a gorgeous shade that pairs so well with gold jewelry.
Like Wild
Paint Box
Keep your dark green nails classic and simple with a few coats of Like Wild ($22) from Paintbox. It’s a neutral sage green that’s super gorgeous.
Metallic Moss
Instagram @Danaturenails
If moss could sparkle, it would look like this beautiful polish from Lights Lacquer in the shade To the Nines ($11). It has golden undertones and a hint of shimmer to create a dimensional look from just a few swipes of polish.
Green Nudes
Instagram @disseynails
These Matisse-esque dark green blobs are painted with the shade Mistletoe Kisses ($10) from Color Dept and pop against this milky nude base.
Floral Tips
Instagram @Danaturenails
Nail tip designs don’t always have to look like French tips. This design features a dark green base for white and yellow flowers.
Festive Shimmer
Instagram @disseynails
If you want an understated festive look in a pinch, reach for this shade from Orly, Faux Fir ($11). It’s a pretty green with golden undertones and a subtle shimmer.
Wrapped Present
Instagram @Danaturenails
These nails look like the perfect present — they feature a deep shimmery green and milky sheer nude split by a gold line accented with a gold star.
Green Marble
Instagram @klawsbysonia
This smoky, green-and-black marbled nail look is the epitome of moody nail designs. It’s done on top of the Natural Stiletto Long ($17) gel-x tips from Aprés.
Simple Circles
Instagram @mabelyn__
These Kelly green nails keep it simple with a white circle dotted with a smaller gold metal accent at the base. They’re pretty and super easy to replicate.
Mystic
Instagram @melanated.mani
This simple yet stunning look was created by layering the shades Ethel and All In from Cirque Colors. It’s both glittery and iridescent, allowing it to reflect light beautifully.
Black and Green Shimmer
Instagram @nails_by__bridgett
Using Cat eye gels ($19) from Daily Charme and a magnet, this polish color shifts from black to green, blue, and purple shimmer.
Period.
Instagram @nails_by__bridgett
Matte yellow-ish green nails are accented by glossy nude nails with a single green dot. It’s easy yet graphic and totally chic.
Snowy Leaves
Instagram @onenailtorulethemall
Perfect for winter, these nails feature deep, shimmery green nails and evergreens on a milky white, snowy backdrop.
Jungle Camo
Instagram @onenailtorulethemall
Featuring an array of Magpie Beauty polishes, this look has a blend of milky white, dark green, and dark gray as a camouflage-inspired base. Atop, hand-painted white leaves and tiny pieces of gold leaf add the finishing touches.
Green French
Instagram @lolo.nailedit
Mooncat Beowulf ($13) was used to create thin dark green French tips, while OPI Alpine Snow ($12) was layered to complete the look with white squiggles, resulting in a minimalist but impactful look.
Festive Flair
Instagram @jess_nails_it
This cozy winter manicure features a dark green cable-knit sweater design along with pine trees and gold glitter. It’s super fun and festive.
