Minty green is the perfect shade to freshen up your look for spring and summer.
The cool tone evokes thoughts of crisp greens, lush gardens, and refreshing cocktails.
In this article, we’ll explore 13+ beautiful minty green nail ideas.
The color pairs well with both warm and cool skin tones.
It’s light and bright enough for daytime wear but can also transition nicely into a night out.
Read on for gorgeous inspiration to give your style a minty makeover!
Mint Nude Nails
One of the easiest ways to wear mint on your nails is pairing it with nude shades. The contrast of the light green against neutral brown and pink tones is really beautiful.
This manicure is perfect for someone who wants to try the mint trend in a subtle way.
Choose a nude polish in a cream or pinky nude shade.
Apply this as the base color on most of the nail, avoiding the tip. Use a mint polish in a tone that complements the nude shade to paint the tips of the nails.
The crisp line where the two colors meet gives the manicure a modern, minimalist look. You can add topcoat for shine.
This color combo works well for almond or oval shaped nails since there’s enough space to show off both hues. The nude balances out the green so the overall look remains neutral and natural.
It’s great for work or casual days out when you want an elevated nail look that isn’t too loud. The pop of mint at the tips makes even a simple nude manicure feel fun and fresh.
Vibrant Solid Mint Nails
For those who really want the mint color to stand out, a solid vibrant mint manicure is gorgeous. Choosing a brighter, bolder green shade helps the nails really pop.
The great thing about solid mint nails is you can just swipe on two or three thin coats of polish and you’re done.
When selecting a mint polish, look for creamy pastel tones with a hint of blue rather than ones that lean too yellow-green. Shades like Essie’s Mint Candy Apple or OPI’s Sea?
I Told You are perfect vibrant mints. Make sure to apply even coats and let the polish dry fully between layers. Finish with a smooth topcoat for a salon-worthy manicure.
Vibrant mint nails are fun and playful.
They look amazing on short squared nails since the color is bold and graphic. For maximum impact, skip any extra embellishments and let the mint polish be the star.
These nails are perfect for summer and coordinating with bright prints and colors. Want an extra punch? Try vibrant mint on your pedicure too!
Mint French Tips
The iconic French manicure gets a fresh update with mint tips!
This style combines the pretty look of polished nude nails with the sophistication of crisp mint edges. It’s a great design for warmer months when you want a laid-back yet elegant nail look.
Start by applying your favorite nude polish as the base color on the nail bed, leaving the tip portion bare. Choose a mint green that’s light and cool-toned for the tip color.
Carefully paint the mint onto the tips so it meets neatly with the nude base, creating a clean stripe. Top it off with a glossy clear topcoat to seal in the colors.
When shaped into a rounded squoval or oval, the French tip design looks particularly chic.
The bold stripe of color at the end elongates the nails.
For extra flair, add a touch of silver glitter or metallic sheen to the nude base before painting on the mint tips. This hint of shimmer gives the manicure a glam finish.
Mint Ombré Nails
Ombré nails blend two colors together for a graduated, faded effect. The look is gorgeous with mint green, allowing you to subtly work the shade into your nail art.
Choose a pale whitish mint and a brighter true mint green.
Start by painting on two coats of the pale mint as a base color on all nails. Next, use a makeup sponge to gently dab the brighter mint at the tips, slowly overlapping it into the pale base.
Work in thin layers to build up the ombré effect, applying topcoat in between. The finished nails will fade from the pale green at the cuticle to the bolder color at the edges.
You can reverse the ombré effect and start with the brighter mint at the base of the nails, transitioning into the paler tone at the tips. This version helps elongate the nails by drawing the eye downwards.
No matter which way you blend the colors, the mint ombré look is delicate and stunning for spring.
Metallic Mint Nails
Add some shine to your mint mani with metallic polishes. Mint green takes on a whole new personality when mixed with gleaming silver, gold and copper shimmers. Metallic polishes reflect the light, giving off a lustrous sheen.
For silver mint nails, look for a polish that mixes minty green with iridescent silver particles or flakes. apply 2-3 even coats and seal it with a glossy topcoat.
The sparkling silver will catch the light for an eye-catching manicure. Copper mint is just as glamorous, using coppery shimmer instead. For gold, look for a mint polish with a strong golden shimmer.
You can also layer a regular mint cream polish with a sheer metallic topper for a glittering finish. Use quick drying topcoats between layers to ensure an even application.
Coat the nails fully to get the most reflective effect. Feel like dazzling mermaid nails with this shiny mint style!
90s Inspired Mint Nails
For a fun retro vibe, try a 90s inspired mint manicure. The combination of bright matte mint nails with dark lined lips screams 90s fashion. This playful look revives the nostalgic style.
Start by applying a medium mint green polish in a matte finish. avoid adding topcoat so the color stays flat and true. Use a lip liner to draw on thick, dark lines following the natural contour of your lips. Fill in with a coordinating dark brown or plum lipstick. Finish with mint eyeshadow blended lightly through the crease for a monochromatic green look.
The bold matte mint nails pair perfectly with the dark dramatic lip. For extra nostalgia, paint your nails in square shapes or choose a deep forest green hue. You can even add motifs like daisies, cherries or zigzags on one nail. Embrace the fun loving style of the 90s with this themed mint mani.
Jelly Mint Nails
Jelly polishes have a transparent, squishy look that perfectly complements mint green. The sheer finish allows the natural nails underneath to show through for a light, glowing effect. Jelly mint nails are a must-try trend this season.
Use a sheer mint green polish layered over a clear base coat to get the jelly effect. Apply at least three thin coats, allowing each layer to dry in between. The multiple layers will build up the minty color to the desired translucency. Avoid topcoat so the jelly texture isn’t dulled.
For extra dimension, apply white nail art liner to create stripes, geometric shapes or squiggles on the nails before adding the mint jelly polish. The white details will subtly peek through the green for an artistic look. Jelly nails work best on short to medium length nails and look great with fun embellishments like glitter or charms.
Mint Marble Nails
Marble nail art never goes out of style and it looks striking in shades of mint. The marble effect is created by layering and blending different polished to mimic the look of natural stone. When done in minty colors, marble nails have an icy, refreshing vibe perfect for warmer weather.
Start with a base of white polish on all nails.
Take two mint shades, one lighter and one darker green. Use a toothpick to drizzle and dot the polishes onto the nail, then swirl them together with the brush tip before the polish dries. For more intense swirling, use a cocktail stick. Mix the two mints until you achieve a marbleized swirl effect. Finish with glossy topcoat for shine.
For a variation, try layering a bright mint over black nail polish instead of white for an edgier marble design. You can also marble mint with nude tones like beige and pink.
Mirrored chrome powders pressed on top amplify the marble even more. Have fun mixing and matching to create your own minty marble magic!
Geometric Mint Nails
If you like graphic prints, geometric nail art is a fun way to wear mint green. Triangles, lines, squiggles and dots in mint look modern and stylish when painted over neutral nails. It’s an easy DIY design for mint manicures.
Start with a neutral base on the nails. A soft beige, pale pink or clear polish works well. Use a thin nail art brush dipped in mint green polish to hand paint shapes of your choosing.
Keep the designs small in scale for minimalist effect. Cover each nail with a combination of triangles, rectangular stripes, or rows of dots and dashes to build the geometric pattern.
You can also apply liquid latex around the edges of the nail to create negative space designs. Peel it off once the green polish dries so the exposed parts pop against the patterned mint shapes.
Another quick trick is pressing on mint decals like circles or lines for instant geometric nail art. Complete the look by sealing it with a glossy topcoat to make the designs last.
Muted Glazed Mint Nails
For a more understated version of mint, try muted glazed mint nails. These have a faded, weathered look as though the green polish was gently washed out. The subtle effect gives off an antique, vintage vibe.
Achieve this by choosing a muted sage green rather than a bright peppermint. Apply two thin coats and immediately follow with water droplets on a small brush before it dries.
The water will cause the mint color to spread out and blur slightly. As it dries, it will have a softened appearance.
You can enhance the aged effect by gently rubbing the surface once dry to create a crackled texture. Use a matte topcoat instead of shiny for a flatter finish.
Pair the muted mint with neutral tones on the lips and eyes to allow the glazed green nails to stand out. For pretty pastel ombre nails, paint the tips with a pale lilac polish before adding the muted mint base.
Negative Space Mint Nails
Negative space manicures are so cool and eye-catching. The design focuses on portions of bare nail contrasted with colored polish. Mint green pops when paired with the blank negative space. There are a few ways to achieve the artistic look.
One option is to use liquid latex to mask off sections of the nail where you want the bare negative space. Paint on your chosen mint polish, allow it to dry fully, then peel off the latex to reveal clean gaps.
For freehand designs, carefully paint on the mint green polish leaving random portions of the nail bare. This takes a steady hand but the effect is amazing.
You can also experiment using scotch tape to create geometric spaces or straight lines through the mint polish. Get creative with different patterns, shapes and placements of the negative space for unique nail art. Complete with a shiny topcoat to make the design last.
The combination of blank nail gaps and vivid mint polish is super modern and fun!
Mint Glitter Nails
What’s better than mint green polish? Mint green polish covered in glitter! Adding sparkly accents takes mint nails to the next level.
There are a few easy ways to get the glittery look. Choose fine shimmery glitters that complement mint green.
One option is painting on a layer of mint polish first to use as a base color. Once dry, use a small detail brush to paint on dots of glitter polish.
You can create clusters of glitter at the base of the nails only for a subtle effect. Or go full on glitter by painting it over the entire mint base.
Instead of glitter polish, you can pat on matching loose glitter particles for chunkier sparkle. Apply a layer of clear topcoat on the mint nails, then immediately dip them into the glitter so it sticks.
Top it off with another glossy topcoat to seal in the glitter and create a smooth finish.
For glitter ombre nails, start by painting the base and midsection with mint polish. Switch to a glitter shade on the nail tips and use the brush to blend it backwards into the mint.
The glitter will fade from concentrated at the tips to sparse through the mint base. So many ways to add festive sparkle!
Holographic Mint Nails
Holographic nails are a huge trend because of their incredible reflective rainbow shine. The multifaceted shine pairs perfectly with light mint green polish. It’s a futuristic nail design that’s totally mesmerizing.
Look for nail polishes labeled as holographic, prismatic or iridescent. Apply 2-3 even coats over the nails, allowing drying time between each. The holographic particles in the polish will create an intense reflective shine as the light hits it. Top it off with a glossy clear topcoat to smooth over the finish.
For an amplified holographic effect, first paint the nails with an opaque mint polish. Once dry, use a detail brush to carefully paint on a topcoat that contains silver chrome powder or holographic glitters. The reflective specks will concentrate on top of the mint base for show stopping shine.
You can also layer mint polish over a sheer holographic basecoat instead for a subtler reflective look. However you wear it, this flashy nail style is sure to catch eyes! The holographic finish pairs so perfectly with the cool tones of light mint polish.
Mint Leaf Nail Art
What better way to decorate mint nails than with little mint leaf designs? Real mint leaf accents or painted motifs are so cute and match the color theme. Tiny leaves look charming along the edges of the nails.
Start with a base of pastel mint polish. Once dry, use a small brush to paint on mint leaves. Try positioning them to create diagonal rows angled downwards on the nails. The tiny leaf trail has delicate impact. For painted leaves, use darker green polish to add central leaf veins for realistic detail.
For real mini leaves, apply a layer of topcoat on the mint base. Before it dries, gently press tiny real mint leaf pieces onto the nails where desired. Finish with another layer of topcoat to seal the leaves in place.
You can also try other small greens like baby ivy leaves which have a similar effect. This nature-inspired nail art is ideal for spring and summer!
Deluxe Jeweled Mint Nails
Glitz up mint nails with opulent jewels, gems and studs. Combining the fresh color with luxurious embellishments creates a dazzling manicure. This deluxe look is perfect for weddings, formal events or whenever you want to feel glamorous.
Paint the nails with two coats of creamy mint polish. Apply with care along the sidewalls and tips to ensure an immaculate base for jewel application.
Once dry, use a small brush or toothpick to paint on glue on the nail where you want the embellishments. Carefully pick up delicate clear crystals, gold studs or small gems with tweezers and press them into the glue.
For show-stopping impact, cover the entire mint nail in an assortment of glittering jewels. You can also opt for just a few clustered at the base of the nail or fanned out along the tips.
Let the glue fully dry before sealing it all in with a protective clear topcoat. Dazzling jeweled mint nails are sure to earn you compliments!
Refreshing and stylish, mint green nails are so on-trend for spring and summer seasons.
The cool tone is crisp and invigorating. As you can see, there are countless ways to wear mint on your nails. Simple polish or complex designs, matte or shiny, muted or vibrant – mint manicures are bold and beautiful.
Use this guide to find mint nail inspiration for your next look. Have fun exploring different application techniques and styles to create your own signature mint mani.
Try pairing your mint nails with matching makeup accents and accessories for a put-together look. Refresh your style from head to toe with gorgeous minty green nails!
