Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the day than with your beauty look. While putting together a romantic and intricate pink eye makeup look or full face of glam just may be too much for you, festive Valentine’s Day nail art is a great way to display your love for this holiday.
Aside from adorning your nails with a festive shade of nail polish, there are plenty of ways to let your nail tech get fancy with your Valentine nail designs, so you can ring in the day with something sweet and chic. Below, we’ve rounded up the best of the best and are sharing 17 Valentine’s Day nail designs that are sure to have you smitten.
1. Red French Tips
It's no secret that the French manicure is having a moment with updated, modern twists. For French tips that’ll put you and your beloved in a state of euphoria, opt for a style with a neutral base and red tips. It’s pretty, bold and screams Valentine’s Day. Add chrome or glitter on top for an extra dose of glam.
2. Red Negative Space Swirls
While we’re on the subject of red for Valentine’s Day, try the simple but always impactful negative space design in the color. If you’re opting for red lips, this is the perfect way to match your nails and makeup with small pops of the hue. Plus, negative space designs look great on a short manicure and long nails, alike.
3. Jelly Nails
Jelly nails are super on trend for 2023 and their candy-like appearance makes them perfect for this sweet holiday. In shades of red and pink, you can create a colorful design that’s just as on-trend as it is festive.
4. Indie Love Nails
When you can’t decide which Valentine’s Day nail design you adore the most, don’t worry about being exclusive and lean into the more is more mindset with indie nails. Indie nails let you sport several designs, textures, nail charms and rhinestones simultaneously — creating a cohesive and completely custom look.
You can keep it as subtle as possible by staying within the same color family or go super daring and switch up the design and color on each nail. To stay on theme for the day of love, indulge your indie mani with shades of pink, white, red and metallics.
5. Roses
Red roses for Valentine’s Day are always a hit, but we suggest switching them up this year. Instead, try rocking pink, gold, silver, yellow or white roses on your nails. If you opt for white roses, try gel nails in black or another deep-hued base to really let the design stand out.
6. Pink Big Cat Print
Nothing says confidence like big cat energy — we’re talking ferocious, sexy and fierce tigers, cheetahs and leopards. If that sounds exactly like the mood you want to simmer in, then try these nails for the special day. Don’t be surprised if you’re getting attention from more than just your date.
7. Pink French Tips With Hearts
There’s no way we’re going to talk about Valentine’s Day nail designs and not mention hearts. We adore heart nail designs for any day of the week and they’re an absolute must for love day. Give your mani a cute spin and mix your hearts with classic French tips so your design has a chic yet festive twist.
8. Love Note Nails
Remember those candy hearts that your valentine gave you back in your grade school days? The best part was really the cute little love notes written on them. Get giddy recreating those sweet musings on your manicure for Valentine’s Day and let your nails do the talking.
If you have a deserving Valentine, take your love note a step further and get their initials on your manicure — consider it the ultimate act of devotion.
9. Rose Gold Foils
Perhaps roses aren’t for you, but who can say no to rose gold? The gorgeous metallic is the perfect way to tie together the typical pink or red color scheme of the day with a bold, trendy finish (we see you holographic nails). Try rose gold polish all over or pick a few accent nails to add a shimmery pop.
10. Ribbon Nails
Even if this isn’t a holiday that you think warrants a gift exchange, you can still wrap up the celebration with a bow and try some ribbon nails. Give them a 3D effect using actual ribbon and rhinestones in the design or simply let a well-executed swirl pattern set onlookers' hearts ablaze.
11. Pink Flames
Love is a feeling of intensity and passion so give a nod to that with a fiery manicure featuring flames, hearts and shades of pink. The edgy flames provide a nice contrast to the romantic design so you’ll have no problem rocking this manicure for Valentine’s Day and the rest of the month.
12. Crystal Embellishments
For those that are all about that bling, crystal embellishments will take your festive Valentine's Day nail art to the next level. Try some precious stones on an accent nail or spread them across your entire mani for a truly eye-catching nail look that will make a maximalist’s heart flutter.
13. Pink Aura Nails
Aura nails evoke feelings of emotion and there’s no better time to flex this ethereal nail art than for Valentine’s Day. In shades of pink and red, the intricate airbrush details tug at your heart and feel perfectly on the mark for February 14.
14. Pink Pop Art Nails
With the necessary shades of pink, rhinestones and hearts, a pop art manicure is playful and full of Valentine’s Day vibes. It gives a festive twist to some of this season’s buzziest nail art trends and we know it’s sure to earn you tons of compliments from ardent observers.
15. Pearlcore Nails
Another super trendy nail look, all over pearls create an elegant and graceful design, especially for the day of love. If you plan on wearing pearl earrings or indulging in some pearlcore fashion, this bauble nail art will ultimately complete the look.
16. Pink Marbled Tips
With different shades of pink to create a swirling, marble design, this nail art is just as stunning as it is romantic. Gorgeous on a short manicure and long acrylic nails alike, add some nail charms like hearts or roses to amp up the Valentine’s Day appeal, or leave it as is to showcase the harmonious mix of pink tones.
17. Red Chrome Nails
If you know anything about TikTok’s red nail theory (the one that says red nails make you more attractive) then you know Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to test it out. Instead of plain red, take your manicure up a notch and pair it with red chrome powder. Red is a power color and adding the glitzy chrome on top only highlights its fierce, crimson hue.
Next: 8 Types Of Nail Polish You Should Know
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