St. Patrick’s Day is one of those fun holidays that inspires great nail art. Who doesn’t love a good green, gold and/or rainbow manicure every once in a while? So this year, I wanted something office appropriate, yet still festive to celebrate the one day a year it’s acceptable to drink green beer!

I love a simple ruffian manicure. There’s something so unique, yet elegant about the design that I can’t get over. And on top of its inherently classic look, it’s so simple to execute! I went with the two most perfect St. Pat’s Day lacquers I own: Roc Solid {Julep} and OY-Another Polish Joke {OPI}.

Let’s just discuss this gold for a moment. It is LITERALLY perfection. It sparkles, it shines, it does everything. But to make it even better, it’s not a rough, chunky glitter. It is basically liquid gold, and I’m in love! Look at it in the sun, I mean LOOK AT IT!

Ok, now that I’ve gushed about my love for that gold polish, let’s get down to the design. I always freehand my ruffian manicures, but a French Manicure decal can do the trick if you’re afraid to go without a guide. The trick to free-handing a ruffian mani is to make as few polish strokes as you can. Get a good amount of polish on the brush, set it down in the center of the nail where you want to start the second color, and fan out the brush as you move toward the tip. That way it naturally creates the gradual spread of polish.

I chose to switch up the colors on two accent nails, but you could do any combination.

What are you wearing on your nails for St. Patrick’s Day? Happy Reading!