When it comes to the holiday filled with chocolates, red roses, and jewelry, there’s no reason to be subtle. From cute handwritten cards to heart-shaped candy dishes, we make sure to show that love is in the air. Whether you’re being whisked off to a romantic candlelit dinner or cozying up for a movie night, you can’t go wrong with sweet-as-sugar nail designs that ramp up the romance of your manicure with painted hearts, love messages, and fun patterns.
Valentine’s Day nail art is the perfect way to accessorize for the holiday with dreamy pinks, bright cherry reds, and bold oxbloods. Give Cupid a hand this year by radiating love from your fingertips. You can test your own manicure skills by DIYing one of these designs, or follow our lead by bringing this as inspiration to your nail salon. Here are our 27 top picks for stylish and fun Valentine’s Day nails.
Negative Space Valentine’s French Mani
Instagram/@amyle.nails
Make the French manicure even more subtle, yet fitting for the season with a double-lined design with shades of pink.
Half Moon
This classic half-moon design evokes a subtle romance with its white base and cherry red top coat. The easiest way to get this design is by placing a sticky paper hole reinforcement to the base of the nail and using a paint brush or Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to smooth any smudged lines.
Valentine’s Heart Tips
Instagram/@nailsbymaki.nyc
You won’t find a more dramatically romantic nail in the bunch than these heart-shaped tips.
Candy-Striped
Candy-lovers, rejoice. These candy-inspired nails use negative space and fun stripes to ensure your most playful Valentine’s manicure yet.
Pearl-Accented French Mani
French manicures never go out of style, and you can choose any Valentine’s Day color of your preference. Add a pearl accent for extra charm.
Valentine’s Gradient Nails
If you’re not as interested in a complicated design, instead go for a gradient look that goes from darker to lightest in pink shades.
Conversation Heart Nails
Instagram/@amyle.nails
These nails will get the conversation going, just like the candy hearts. You can customize the phrases to your heart’s content.
Glazed Pearl French Tips
Pearl nails are an understated choice for Valentine’s Day, and you can go from a full nail color to a cheeky French tip to feel elegant and neutral.
Heart-Accented French Manicure
Instagram/@nailsbykirsten
Top off any French manicure with miniature hearts for a February-inspired twist.
Valentine’s Ombre Nails
Instagram/@karin.nailedit
Giving almost an aura effect, these nails blend from hot pink to bright red seamlessly.
Abstract Pinks
This ultra-girly, abstract manicure layers different pinks for a rosy look that matches every Valentine’s Day card you’ve been eyeing at the stationery store.
Cute Plumes
This cuticle feather design uses fun colors to create a Valentine’s Day look worth trying out this year. Switch up the colors to customize for your V-Day outfit.
Moody Heart Valentine’s Manicure
Instagram/@beautique_kent
Not into pink? Take a moodier approach with miniature shimmery black hearts on a neutral nail.
Pink Houndstooth
We don’t know if we’ve ever seen something as preppy and cute as this pink houndstooth design. We have a feeling that Elle Woods has rocked this manicure from time to time.
Red-and-Pink Heart Manicure
Instagram/@nailsbykirsten
This manicure goes all in with pink and red, alternating with a split nail design and painted hearts.
Layers
Layer a bubblegum pink on the bottom of this design for a subtle pop of color, following with a cherry red and vampy oxblood, for an eye-catching effect.
Matte Heart Tips
These nails let you hold your heart on your sleeve—or at least on your hands. This design is simple and romantic.
Sweet Daisies
This dainty floral manicure uses baby pink, daisies, and a little glitter to make a girly statement. You’ll be in style whether you’re having a romantic dinner with your beau or attending a movie night with the girls.
Oxblood
Our favorite half-moon design makes another appearance in these lacquered oxblood nails. Negative space, created by using sticky paper hole reinforcements, changes up between nails from horizontal to vertical.
Checkered
This isn’t your typical picnic tablecloth pattern. The red, white, and pink checkered design is fun and festive for a Galentine’s Day gathering. Using tape ensures the color does not bleed. Lock everything in with a strong, ultra-shiny top coat.
Love Message
It’s the reason for the season—or holiday? Wear it on your nails, if only for the week, for a festive reminder that love is in the air.
Star Crossed
Show your lover that the stars are truly aligned with this manicure. Nude and cherry red make it subtle, yet very stylish.
Sweethearts
This set reminds us of the classic Valentine’s Day candy in all their pastel glory.
Holographic Hearts
Shimmery nails are all the rage right now, so why not go bold with your nail design? This set mixes a trendy holographic finish with classic tiny Valentine’s Day hearts.
February Fuchsia
These hot pink nails are still on theme for the holiday, but subtle enough for you to wear after the day of love has passed.
Red Roses
These might not be the only flowers you get this Valentine’s Day, but they do make a worthy substitution for the real thing. Classic nude polish lets the bright red florals shine.
Gradient Corners
If you’re not into pink or white, this manicure makes a glamorous option for Valentine’s Day—and it’s incredibly easy! Find your favorite three red polishes, from dark to bright cherry, and use tape to create gradient corners.
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