18 Short Green Nail Ideas for Spring and Beyond

 

@AMYLE.NAILS / INSTAGRAM

Green represents the spirit of renewal, so the fresh color is the perfect choice for a manicure as we slide toward a new season. And it's super versatile: There are so many shades, each conveying a different energy. Want to evoke mystery? Dive deep into murky, moody jade nails. Seeking a fun night look? Cartwheel into a charged-up lime. Keeping things sweet? A swath of mint will perk up your fingertips. Embrace drama with a bold emerald, or keep things calm with a subtle olive manicure.  Ahead, we've rounded up 18 green nail ideas perfect for short nails. Keep scrolling to find your next manicure.

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Kelly Jellies

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These short Kelly green nails are a burst of spring. The jelly look is totally on-trend, and there's just enough sheen without crossing into glossy territory. Pair them with a fun purple or pink pedicure. 

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A Dash of Teal

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Take advantage of negative space with this fun vertical design featuring an energetic shade of blueish-green. Apply it to all ten fingers or use it for an accent nail.

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Make Waves

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Break up a dark green manicure with an accent nail with a fun design. Place a group of swirls on a bare nail to help them stand out. Go bold by picking a primary yellow or an oxblood, or stick to complementary colors like lighter greens and blues. 

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Pastel Dream

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Nothing says spring like pastels. Embrace the season by opting for abstract pastel green French tips. Choose the same two colors for all ten fingers or swap one out on the ring fingers. 

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Electric Lime

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Day-glo colors are more frequently seen on long or medium sets, but they pack just as much of a punch on shorter lengths. Ask your manicurist to outline your waves with builder gel squiggles (dusted in chrome) for a 3D touch.

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Prim and Pale

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Add a silver glitter detail to a soft set of pale green oval tips. The results? Polished perfection.

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Gilded Olive

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Olive is a criminally underused shade in the beauty world—when used smartly, it is a beautiful neutral. It is deep and rich. Turn the volume up with gold foil accents, or let it stand alone. 

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Going Halfsies

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Add a variety of half-triangles in pistachio, forest green, and black across your tips. Pick your favorite to go solid on one nail, or use all three lightly on the thumb for a fun effect.

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Half-Shell Haze

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Consider an art deco mani moment with a kelly green shell design. Pick a pearl or peachy base shade for a quiet background, or go bold with a perky pink. 

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10of 18

Jaded

@TINYBRUSHES / INSTAGRAM

Jade is associated with wealth and protection—making it an appealing choice for nail art.1 Add a little gold glitter to lean into that "wealth" part.

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Emerald Trim

@AMYLE.NAILS / INSTAGRAM

Update the classic French manicure by adding an emerald trim to your short set. Choose a neutral matte shade for your base to create the most impact. 

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Groovy Chrome

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Infuse some fun '90s (by way of the '70s) style into a green chrome shade by adding retro flowers. They add a Susy Pickles-style flair to the design.

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Neon Flecks

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Stickers are a great way to play with your nails, and bulky decals are no longer the only option to add some flavor to your set. Invest in a sheet of teeny stickers to express yourself however you'd like. 

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Pistachio Galaxy

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This star-studded set is completely dreamy. Pale green makes for a pretty but unexpected base for the design.

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Black, White, and Green All Over

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Offset an acid green color with a couple of lively black and white accent nails. Yin-yangs and a cow print can shock the eye (in a good way). 

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Velvet Sheen

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You can wear velvet in spring with ease if you keep it minimal. File your nails into a "squoval" shape that picks up the light just the right way. 

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Marble Moment

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Ease into the marble mani trend with this melted green set. The design merges evergreen, white, and sand dreamily and will look great at any length. 

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Glamorous Storm

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Debating between jade and marble? Opt for this stormy design that marries the two. We love the addition of subtle gold veins.