No matter how you feel about it—whether you're drawn to it or not—green nail polish is having a moment. It's having more than a moment, actually. It's been trending for a while now and in every shade under the sun. Personally, I love green nail polish. So humor me, if you will, as I'd like to make a case for it. Here it goes. Green nail polish is unexpected. It's eye-catching. It's confident. And depending on whether you choose a subtle sage green or a striking slime shade, it can fit any situation and aesthetic.
Despite my impassioned plea to consider painting your nails a shiny shade of green, I realize that you might require further proof that green is in fact the go-to nail color of the season. And I'm happy to abide. Keep scrolling to see the five most photogenic shades of green nail polish. From mint to emerald, these shades are cold hard evidence that green is the way to go.
#1: Mint Green
Gucci
719 Miriam Mint
Let's start with mint—perhaps the most approachable shade of green. I call it gateway green.
Essie
Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Express to Impress
You have to admit mint is one of those rare colors that work all year round. It looks fresh and springy in the warmer months and cool and icy in the colder months. It's a chameleon that way.
Côte
No.63 Mint Green Nail Polish
This minty shade is brighter than most and looks amazing under a super-glossy top coat.
#2: Olive Green
OPI
Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish in Olive for Green
Olive green is definitely darker and bolder than mint, yet it has enough subtlety to still appear somewhat neutral. And if I do say so myself, it looks incredible paired with gold jewelry.
Olive & June
Nail Polish in WKF
One of my all-time personal favorite shades of olive green is this one from where else but the L.A.-based nail brand Olive & June. It has the perfect amount of yellow in it to balance it out.
J. Hannah
Nail Polish in Artichoke
Speaking of my personal favorites, J.Hannah is one of my favorite nail polish brands, in general. Each shade is unexpected and original, including this one, which is aptly named Artichoke.
#3: Sage Green
Tenoverten
Nail Polish in Liberty
There's no shade of green more whimsical and elegant than sage green.
Côte
No.60
The soft pastel tone of this nail polish is almost too pretty to look at… almost.
Butter London
Good Vibes Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer
Sage green looks exceptionally elegant when glossy. This polish has a super high-shine finish.
#4: Emerald Green
Smith & Cult
Darjeeling Darling
Here it is—my absolute favorite shade of green nail polish ever. There's just something about an emerald-green manicure that looks rich and lush and elegant and classic all at once.
Essie
Nail Polish in Off Tropic
Whether it leans more yellow or blue in undertone, you can never go wrong with deep green.
Jinsoon
Nail Polish in Tila
If this deep-green Jinsoon polish doesn't convince you to go green, I don't know what will.
#5: Slime Green
OPI
Nail Polish in I’m Sooo Swamped!
Here's what I've been building toward—slime green. It's definitely the most untraditional shade of green on this list, but who says a manicure has to be traditional anyway?
Essie
Nail Polish in Willows in the Wind
Slime green is striking and unexpected. So in other words, it's basically made for Instagram.
Gucci
712 Melinda Green
How does that one saying go? If it's good enough for Gucci, it's good enough for us?
5 At-Home Manicure Essentials to Shop Now
Olive & June
Super Glossy Top Coat
This topcoat is super glossy and keeps color intact for days at a time.
Static Nails
Nontoxic Odorless Nail Polish Remover
This remover is unique in that I can use it without feeling like I need to ventilate my apartment.
Olive & June
Cuticle Serum Duo
After just a couple of uses, this serum makes my cuticles feel soft, smooth, and moisturized.
Tweezerman
Mini Manicure Kit
A mini manicure kit is a must for traveling. Every time I go somewhere without it, I miss it.
Urban Outfitters
Deco Miami Nail Art Sticker Sheet
Nail art stickers are the easiest way to make an at-home manicure look salon-worthy. Just pop them on over nail polish, paint over them with a clear topcoat, and you're good to go.
Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.