Searches Are Spiking for Olive Green Nails, and Now We Know Why

Olive green might not be the first thing you think of when picking out a polish shade at the nail salon. However, there are thousands of Google searches for that very color each month, so there must be something to it.

We decided to do a bit of research on the subject to see what all the fuss was about. As always, we're here to share our findings. And trust us, after seeing the pretty inspiration shots below, you'll be just as on board with the unconventional color as we are. From light mint to rich emerald, with an extra emphasis on olive, ahead you'll find our favorite green manicures from the 'gram.

Whichever you choose to recreate, just remember: The key to DIY-ing a gorgeous manicure is to start with a base coat, end with a top coat, and regularly reapply cuticle serum during the life of your nail look.

Now, with that in mind, keep scrolling to find your next manicure with these 28 olive green nail ideas.

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Green Diagonals

Olive and pastel green manicure — @paintboxnails

Why choose one green when you can wear two? The trick to creating these crisp diagonal nails is to use striping tape. Once your base layer dries, stick a piece of tape diagonally across your nail and paint against it with a green color of your choice. Once dry, remove the tape and finish with a topcoat.

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Graphic Shapes

Olive teal manicure with pastel green triangle designs — @paintboxnails

This graphic design in two shades of green is one of our favorites. Best of all, it looks more difficult than it really is. To create the look, you can use long, thin striping brushes or layer tape over the dry base color to create triangle stencils you can easily paint within.

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Negative Space

Thinking you might like to try a negative space option? This one will require a bit more time and patience, but if you have both of those things, it's worth giving a try. Use tape to your advantage when painting the mint green details before finishing with a coat of dark green over the tip.

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Down to Earth

Warm gray and olive green manicure — @lolo.nailedit

Earth tones are very in right now, and we love how this manicure starts with a warm neutral base and uses olive green as a fun accent.

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Art Deco Accent

We love the way this olive mani incorporates an accent nail—it helps make the dusty green color pop. Plus, how fun is the art deco pattern? It resembles paint swatches in the best way possible.

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Olive Marble

White and olive green marbled manicure with gold rings and green sweatshirt — @glosshouse

Here's another way to pair white with olive polish. The duo makes the perfect pair in a marbled design, sure to look stunning at golden hour and beyond.

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Wavy Accent Nail

Dark green manicure with multicolored wave design on bare accent nail — @eleven2six_

Ah, the power of an accent nail. With four super-simple nails on each hand, you'll have extra time to dedicate to an accent. The easiest way to recreate the design is by using a striping brush to create the gold, green, white, and black waves.

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Geometric Nails

Can you tell we're suckers for sharp edges? These tri-colored nails are undeniably chic, and they're easy to DIY, to boot. Use tape to create crisp lines and take your time cleaning up the edges afterward.

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Olive Trim

Sand-toned nails with olive green trim — @livfancinailtique

Sometimes creating a statement-making mani is as simple as painting your nails one color and creating a contrasting trim. Pretty chic, huh?

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Crossing Corners

Clear manicure with light olive green and thin gold curved accents at tip — @amyytran

These light olive and gold nails are sure to earn endless likes. With two simple corner accents intersecting, how could they not? It's like decadent jewelry for your nails.

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Sage Stunners

Sage green nails with gold dot accents — @paintboxnails

These sage nails offer a lighter take on the olive trend. With two simple dots on each nail, they're both decorated and understated. Use shimmery polish or glue a gem to each nail to create delicate dots.

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Olive Tips

Short French manicure with double-layered dark and light green tips — @paintboxnails

ICYMI, French manicures are very in. These offer a modern update on the classic look by layering two shades of green at the tip of each nail. What's more, they're layered on in an arc, which gives them a fun retro vibe.

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Evergreen Details

Cream-colored nails with dark olive green design — @paintboxnails

If you prefer a darker olive hue, opt for evergreen. These nude nails with dainty evergreen details are undeniably eye-catching. To create the look, use a striping brush dipped in the dark green polish of your choice.

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Simple Sage

Light sage green manicure with small gold dots near cuticles — @paintboxnails

Sage goes a long way when it comes to rocking unconventional green nails. It's part green, part gray, and fully chic. With gold dots and trimmed tips, these nails are demure enough to basically be a nude.

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Negative Space Half Moons

These chunky French tips give us all the feels. With negative space half-moons and dark edges, how could they not? To create the look, use a circle sticker at the cuticle of each nail to create an arced edge to paint against.

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Green French Tips

Check out these mixed-finish Frenchies. With a matte base and glossy tips, this manicure has definitely caught our attention. To create the look, start with a matte base and finish with the glossy tip. Use tape to create even lines across each nail.

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Turquoise and Black Tips

Half-green, half-clear manicure with black half-tip and fleck accent — @eleven2six_

We're partial to this easy-to-DIY design. All it takes is turquoise, half black tips, and subtle black lines to create an unforgettable look.

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Understated Emerald

Dark olive green manicure with two half-bare accent nails — @betina_goldstein

These dark green negative space nails offer a moodier finish to your manicure. Skip the classic olive shade and take it up a notch with this edgy-chic design.

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Shades a Plenty

Olive green gradient manicure — @betina_goldstein

Let your green thumb come out to play with this sweet, multicolored mani. The varying shades work nicely against the one yellow nail for a summer-fun gradient look.

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Golden Green

Dark green nails with gold fleck design — @paintboxnails

A dash of gold against a deep green base color strikes the perfect balance between sophisticated and fun.

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Negative Space Sparkles

Negative space green glitter manicure — @paintboxnails

Honestly, we're totally down for sparkles and this delightful negative space take has us swooning already.

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'70s Chic

Olive green,, brown, and cream manicure with '70s-inspired design — @chalkboardnails

Olive green looks great alongside a '70s color palette of brown, cream, and orange. The designs are so fun, too.

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Abstract Art

Mix white, black, and gold polish with succulent green for a splash of color. This abstract, fun design is easy to do and works with any color combo.

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Earn Your Stripes

Olive green and white zebra stripe nails — @orosabeauty

Kind of abstract, kind of wild, we love how the olive green base stands out against white, zebra-inspired stripes.

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Orange Tree

Green and orange abstract negative space nails — @paintboxnails

This graphic design uses negative space to its advantage, mixing a bright spring green with sweet orange. Again, apply tape after your base coat dries to create polished shapes.

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Golden Sage

Sage nails with gold cuticle detail — @oliveandjune

This reverse French manicure incorporates sparkly golden tones against an already stunning sage base. Use a detailing brush to sweep the gold polish against the opposite end of your nail.

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