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Fact: I’m highkey always looking for a reason to switch up my nail art. Like, when my nails are done, I feel like I have my life together, you feel me? That's why I think holidays are always a good reason to try out a new nail trend or play around with different polish colors. And with Saint Patrick’s Day on the horizon, I’m on the hunt for the cutest nail ideas that will look dope on my feed. Unlike Christmas or New Year's, though, Saint Patrick's Day nails can honestly be a lil more challenging than you'd expect—like, you wanna be fun and festive (and break out the green polish you haven't used all year), but you don't want to look like you have the literal Lucky Charms leprechaun on your hand. Tiny clovers and rainbows and touches of gold, though? Yes pls.
Because I know I’m not the only one prepping for March 17, I combed through Insta to find the coolest Saint Patrick’s Day nail ideas for you. Trust—none of these are lame or cheesy. Some of them are so subtle that, except for you and the friends you have plans with, no one will even know! (Although they'll totally match the green beer you're drinking—perfect for Insta, amirite?) From French manicures to glitter polish, here are 30 ideas you’re going to absolutely love but won't be bored with on March 18.
1
A Green Gradient Nail Choice for St. Patrick's Day
Not quite a French mani, but still unique enough to be eye-catching? Win, win, bb. The gradient of green makes this festive but also...rlly soothing. If you're DIYing this one, get some nail art tape to stick on the bottom half on your nails to make your lines straighter.
✨Recreate it with: Beetles Carnival Evergreen Gel Nail Polish Set
2
These St. Patrick's Day Hearts/Shamrocks
These tiny green heart shapes also look like half a four-leaf clover. That's subtle enough to be a low-key mani but festive enough to feel like you're totally nailing it (pun intended, sorry). If that's too much, just swipe: There's a perfect ombre and gradient nail idea for you, YW.
✨Recreate it with: JINsoon Nail Polish in Tila
3
Spring-y St. Patrick's Day Nails With Green Accents
If you really wanna go for it (but still be chic, natch), check out this abstract, leafy springtime design that doubles as the St. Patrick's design of your dreams. Vivid, colorful, but not on the nose, ya know? It helps to lay out which design's going on which nail before you break out your brushes.
✨Recreate it with: Sundays Polish Box of Five
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4
Just a Hint of St. Patrick's Sparkle on Your Nails
K, let's say you wanna commemorate the holiday in the absolutely most subtle way possible. First of all, how are you such a mindreader? Second, opt for a rainbow sparkle polish with a green iridescence that you ever-so-gently swipe on one side of your nail.
✨Recreate it with: ILNP Real Magic Nail Polish in Renegade
5
A Graphic, Geometric St. Patrick's Day Nail Look
This has the festive gold and green you might expect, balanced with thin white stripes and a neutral background. If you want something simpler but way, way easier, grab this set from CliqOnU—the brand won a Cosmo Holy Grail Award for best press ons.
✨Recreate it with: Essie Winter 2021 Nail Polish in Off Tropic
6
This Yin and Yang Design for St. Patrick's Day Nails
How dope is this yin and yang design? You’ll be able to rock this St. Patrick’s Day nail look way beyond the 17th. Mix and match different shades of green to recreate this dynamic nail design.
✨Recreate it with: Cirque Colors Nail Polish in McKittrick
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7
This Geometric Design for St. Patrick's Day Nails
This nail look is so eye-catching. Not only does the green design pop against the nude background, but the clean lines and geometric shapes make these St. Patrick's Day nails a must-try.
✨Recreate it with: Eternal Five Nail Polish in Et Voila
8
This 'Connect the Dots' Design for St. Patrick's Day
If you can't decide which shade of green you want to swipe on your nails, why not try a couple? These St. Patrick's Day nails check all the boxes: They're super cute, way festive, and on-trend.
✨Recreate it with: Nail Art Brushes
9
This Green and Nude Mani for St. Patrick's Day
The gold decal and the sleek combo of green and nude nail polish gives these St. Patrick Day nails a subtle and modern look.
✨Recreate it with: Gold Metal Nail Decals
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10
This Marble and Gilded Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Forget a pot of gold—this St. Patrick’s Day nail design is moneyyy. The green marbled design paired with the gold foil accent basically screams "sophisticated."
✨Recreate it with: Gold Nail Art Stickers
11
This Multihued Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Want to level up your basic mani? Opt for different shades of green for your St. Patrick's Day nails. These multihued nails are simple but still really, really cute.
✨Recreate it with: Ella + Mila Nail Polish in Mistletoe Magic
12
This Green Sequin Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Not only is this St. Patrick’s Day nail idea super fun, but you’ll def also grab everyone's attention with a mani this sparkly.
✨Recreate it with: Nail Sequins
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13
This Matte Green Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Okay, so I know this isn't a new trend, but I'm still way into the matte nail mani vibe—I mean, how freakin' cool would this mani look for St. Patrick's Day?
✨Recreate it with: Eternal Top Coat in Matte Finish
14
This Minimalist Clover Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Add a handful of clover stickers on your nails to really get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit. The bright color will pop against a white base—so dope, right?
✨Recreate it with: Saint Patrick’s Day Nail Stickers
15
This All-Over Clover Mani for St. Patrick's Day
And if one or two clovers doesn’t do it for you, may I suggest this mani? It screams St. Patrick’s Day without being, you know, corny AF.
✨Recreate it with: Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
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16
This Glittery Mani for St. Patrick's Day
How dreamy is this half-and-half glitter green nail color? It's absolutely perf for St. Patrick's Day and beyond. Like, you’ll want to wear this 24/7, 365.
✨Recreate it with: Moon Glitter Nail Polish in Green
17
This Jelly Mani for St. Patrick's Day
If you need a sign to hop on the jelly mani trend, here it is! Seriously though, this mani is so cute—it’s the perfect nonbasic option for your St. Patrick’s Day nails.
✨Recreate it with: OPI Nail Polish in My Dogsled Is a Hybrid
18
This Green and Gold Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Keep your nails looking classy—even if you won’t be—and add a swipe of metallic gold polish over a dark-green base. It’s sooo sleek and elegant.
✨Recreate it with: Essie Nail Polish in Off Tropic
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19
This Artsy Green Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Go full-on art school with your manicure and paint Matisse-inspired faces all over your nails. It’ll turn your St. Patrick's Day mani into a legit work of art.
✨Recreate it with: Essie Nail Polish in Turquoise and Caicos
20
This Gold Glitter Mani for St. Patrick's Day
Paint a layer of gold, glittery polish over your dark-green mani and it literally looks like a sprinkle of fairy dust on your St. Patrick's Day nails. How pretty?!
✨Recreate it with: OPI Nail Polish in Glitter All the Way
Katherine J Igoe
Contributor
Katherine J Igoe (she/her) was a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan and is a freelancer covering style, lifestyle, culture, and beauty (she's obsessed with gift guides, best-of movie lists, and beauty products). She's been a freelance writer and editor for over a decade, previously working for Marie Claire (2018 to 2021) and Bustle (2021), with bylines in the The New York Times, Parents magazine, and elsewhere. She lives in Boston with her family, and you can follow her on Instagram or Twitte. It's "I go to dinner," not "Her huge ego," but she responds to both.
Ama Kwarteng
Ama Kwarteng was previously the associate beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.
