Are you more of a chai latte or a matcha latte? In my case the answer when it comes to choosing a drink is always chai, my go-to favorite drink. However, if there is a tone that has conquered my manicure this summer it is undoubtedly matcha. A soft green or darker depending on the brand, which highlights the tan on my hands in a way I did not expect and that every time I look at, I can’t stop admiring.
Matcha green has been taking center stage for months on social media and at nail techs’ tables, perhaps for a reason. It is a shade with a very specific virtue: it adds color without being exaggerated, brings vitality and flatters almost all skin tones, especially the darker or more tanned ones that we love in summer. Its Japanese-inspired calm lends the calm of the morning tea ritual. Moreover, its meaning goes beyond the simple color and connects with that pursuit of balance and well-being that we are all seeking now.
What surprises me most about this shade is the variety of versions that exist. Because to be honest, painting my nails green wasn’t in my plans, I suppose due to the prejudice that green is rare on nails. But once I saw it on my hands, there was no turning back. There are almost washed-out, very pale and pastel varieties that are my favorites and ideal for those who want to join the trend discreetly. There are more intense versions, with more body and presence, for those who prefer the color to speak for itself. And there are some with a particularly creamy finish that recalls exactly the color of a well-prepared cup of matcha, not too light nor too dark.
Matcha works the same on short nails as on long nails, and both in almond-shaped and square-shaped forms. It is one of those shades that doesn’t need nail art or decoration because the color already makes a statement. In the height of summer and with tanned skin, the hands take center stage that nude shades don’t achieve at this time of year, and that makes once you try it, it’s hard to change color, but if a shade comes along that achieves the same effect, I’ll try it.
Bling It 551 by Essie.
Bling It 551 by Essie
A gel-type top coat with a gel finish that seals and extends the wear of any polish without the need for a UV lamp, leaving a uniform and shiny finish very similar to a semi-permanent. Its brush is designed to adapt to the contours of the nail and facilitate precise and even application, and it removes like a conventional polish without the need for special products.
Chiang Mai 502 by Mavala.
Chiang Mai 502 by Mavala
A light green from Mavala’s mini colors line inspired by the softness of Thai rice fields and the serenity of its hills, perfectly capturing that fresh and natural green so characteristic of the matcha trend. In Mavala’s iconic format, comfortable to carry with you at all times and to try the shade. Additionally, it incorporates silicon to strengthen the nail while adding color.
Sage It for Later by OPI Nature Strong.
Sage It for Later by OPI Nature Strong
A creamy green from the Nature Strong line by OPI inspired by sage leaves, with a natural and fresh energy that fits perfectly with the matcha green trend. Unisex and with a sleek, modern finish, it is the most natural and sustainable option of the selection for those seeking color with a conscience.
Matcha Latte by Masglo.
Matcha Latte by Masglo
A soft, milky green with a Japanese inspiration that evokes the tea ceremony in Uji, Japan, and that has become one of the season’s most coveted shades for its ability to add vitality without being loud. Especially flattering on darker skin tones, it is the perfect alternative for those seeking color with personality without sacrificing elegance. “The Matcha Latte is much more than a color: it is an attitude. It represents that contemporary woman who takes care of herself, who finds pleasure in rituals and who chooses shades with personality without sacrificing elegance,” explains Lina Paola Valderrama, Masglo’s Trends Coordinator.
659 Matcha Latte by Semilac.
659 Matcha Latte by Semilac
A 7ml semi-permanent nail polish from the WellBeing collection that translates the calm of a morning with matcha into a fresh and vibrant green shade, associated with balance and relaxation. Part of a ten-color collection that encourages manicuring as a small meditation ritual, inviting you to turn that polishing moment into time just for yourself. For those who want their nail color to have as much meaning as presence.
