I usually get a little bummed out this time of year (post-festive szn blues, YFM?). But one thing that helps me feel a little better is the fact that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, which is an excellent excuse – if you even need one – to swap out your New Year’s Eve nails and Christmas nails for all things hearts and romance. Yes, I'm still single but ever heard of Galentine's? (It's the more elite way to celebrate, IMO.)
And if you think that getting a Valentine’s Day mani means you have to go all in on the pink and glitter, think again because I promise we've provided you with tonnes (45 to be exact) of different ideas and inspiration.
I’m talking seriously pretty minimalist nail ideas to sheer nail polish and even classy gold-and-white combos. Need a visual? Just keep scrolling for our favourite and most on-trend Valentine’s Day nail ideas for 2024.
1
Comme Des Garcons
When fashion-meets-beauty, we bring you the iconic and timeless design of Comme Des Garcons to your very finger tips. I mean, have you ever seen anything quite as cute as these googley-eyed hearts? Spoiler: the answer is no.
2
Melting hearts
While we pledge to *not* let no man melt our hearts this year (that is, in a bad way, ofc), we're certainly not opposed to having them on our nails. Grunge yet still sweet.
3
Red gradiant
Gradient nails are the easiest way to DIY nail art without having to paint actual things on your nails. Just pick a few different shades of the same colour palette and paint from darkest to lightest, starting from your thumb.
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4
Milky mani
Milky nails are as timeless as they get – you can wear them with any outfit, after all. So, why not opt for a neutral base but jazz it up with a bit of minimalistic romance.
5
Put a bow on it
Wrapped Valentine's present? Put a bow on it. Snatched ponytail updo? Put a bow on it. Broken arm? Put a bow on it. This winter season, everyone (and I mean everyone) is taking to the bow trend so ofc, we have to add then to our nails, too!
6
Cloud nails
Look, I won’t blame you if you just want to screenshot this one for your nail artist. But if you are up to the DIY challenge, you’ll need a baby-pink nail polish, a white nail polish, and a small sponge to create the cloud shapes at the tip. Pro tip: Dip a small brush in acetone and wiggle it over the white to blur the clouds.
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7
Queen of Hearts
Yes, yes, yes. We are so here for this sparkly, oh-so chic manicure and if the Queen of Hearts were to pick out a nail design for the Valentine's day festivities, we're sure it would be this one. Classy and cool to a T.
8
Small red hearts
K, so I know I said this list wasn’t going to be all about hearts, but can you blame me? This Valentine’s Day nail idea is so sweet and simple and manages to hit the romantic vibe without being cringey.
9
Red polka dots
Red and white polka dots are a V-Day nail idea you can easily recreate without your nail artist. The tools you’ll need: red, white, and neutral polishes, a small nail brush for creating the dots, and some cotton buds and nail polish remover to help clean up those wavy lines.
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10
Inky Purple
If red, white and pink are too on the nose for your Valentine’s Day mani, take a page out of Julia Diogo's book and opt for a moodier shade like this inky dark purple. It's glossy, chic and perfectly applied.
11
Minimalistic
This minimalist Valentine’s Day look is basically an inverted French manicure and I’m here for it. All you need is a neutral nail polish, a white nail polish, a thin nail brush, and moon-shaped nail stickers (unless you have a super-steady hand and feel comfortable free-handing that half-moon at the base of your nail). This one is a great spring nail idea too, TBH.
12
Abstract
The key to – ahem – nailing this manicure (had to, sry) is painting on the colours in the right order. Start by painting your nails in a mauve base colour. Then, once they dry, use a thin nail brush and shimmery rose gold polish to create cloud-like blobs, filling them in with a thicker brush. Repeat the shapes with the maroon nail polish, and once they’re all dry, seal in your hard work with a clear top coat.
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13
Making waves
These wavy colour-block nails are the coolest way to brighten up your manicure in time for Valentine's day. The eye-catching shades teamed with a negative space nail is officially our fave combo.
14
Neutral
If you haven’t picked up on this theme by now, you’ll need a set of nail art brushes for basically all the intricate nail designs on this list. The best thing about this Valentine’s Day nail idea is that it’s abstract and asymmetrical, so there’s really no wrong way to paint these squiggly white lines over your neutral base.
15
Heart tips
My favourite nail trend lately is a colourful French manicure and this nail idea is the perfect example. Pick a few of your fave Valentine’s Day shades – like the pink, maroon, and blue here – and paint each tip a different colour, leaving your middle and thumb nails the same shade to tie it all together.
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16
Multicoloured polka dots
Wait, can we make green another official colour of Valentine’s Day? Because I’m seriously into this pink-red-green combo for February '24. There’s so much going on with this Valentine’s Day nail idea that you don’t even need the white polka dots if you don’t feel like it – but they’re a super-cute touch if you have the time and patience.
17
White waves
Even though red and pink dominate this time of year, there’s definitely space for some subtlety like this neutral and white manicure. It’s still on theme without being too on-brand for Valentine’s Day.
18
Light pink French tips
I don’t know what I love more, the super-light pink shade or the deep French tips. This is a great Valentine’s Day nail idea if you have long nails or like getting acrylics (hi, same). Ask your nail tech to start the French tips about halfway up the nail.
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19
Understated white
White is a majorly underrated colour for Valentine’s Day nails or at most it’s the understudy to red and pink. But this mani gives it the spotlight it deserves and is a great choice for a low-key manicure. Add some red or pink squiggly lines if you like a little bit more colour.
20
Marble
Look, I know the marble nail look seems super intimidating, but I promise it’s actually very doable (and if you need a visual, check out this tutorial). Coat your nails with your favourite shade of pink polish, then trace the white “cracks” across each nail with a thin nail art brush and white nail polish. After a few minutes, dip the same brush into acetone and wiggle the brush across the white lines to soften the edges. Finish with a top coat (and Instagram it ASAP).
From:
Cosmopolitan US
As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or emotions like humans do. However, I have been trained on a vast amount of text data and can provide information and insights on a wide range of topics. My purpose is to assist users by generating coherent and relevant responses based on the input I receive.
Now, let's dive into the concepts used in this article:
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Valentine's Day: Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14th each year. It is commonly associated with romantic love and is often marked by the exchange of gifts, cards, and expressions of affection between loved ones. It is a time to celebrate and appreciate relationships.
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Nail art: Nail art refers to the creative decoration and design of nails. It involves applying various colors, patterns, and textures to nails to create unique and eye-catching designs. Nail art can range from simple and minimalist designs to more intricate and elaborate creations.
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Galentine's: Galentine's is a term coined from the TV show "Parks and Recreation" and refers to a celebration of female friendship and camaraderie. It typically takes place on February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day. Galentine's is an opportunity for women to come together and appreciate their friendships, often through activities such as brunch, gift exchanges, and spending quality time together.
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Minimalist nail ideas: Minimalist nail ideas refer to nail designs that are simple, clean, and understated. These designs often use neutral colors, negative space, and subtle accents to create a chic and minimalist look. Minimalist nail art is popular for its versatility and timeless appeal.
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Gradient nails: Gradient nails, also known as ombre nails, involve blending multiple colors together to create a smooth transition from one shade to another. This technique can be achieved using a sponge or brush to apply the colors in a gradient fashion. Gradient nails offer a beautiful and seamless color effect.
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Milky nails: Milky nails refer to a nail design that features a neutral or milky base color. These nails often have a soft and elegant appearance, making them versatile and suitable for any outfit or occasion. Milky nails can be enhanced with minimalistic designs or accents to add a touch of romance.
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Bow trend: The bow trend in nail art involves applying small bow-shaped decorations to the nails. These bows can be made from various materials, such as nail stickers, charms, or hand-painted designs. The bow trend adds a cute and playful element to nail designs and is often associated with femininity and elegance.
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Cloud nails: Cloud nails are a nail design that mimics the appearance of fluffy clouds. Typically, this design involves using a sponge to create cloud-like shapes on the nails using shades of white and light blue. Cloud nails give a dreamy and ethereal look to the nails.
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Heart-themed nails: Heart-themed nails feature designs that incorporate heart shapes or motifs. These designs can range from simple and subtle heart accents to bold and intricate heart patterns. Heart-themed nails are popular for Valentine's Day as they symbolize love and romance.
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Polka dot nails: Polka dot nails involve applying small dots of color to the nails. This can be achieved using a dotting tool, a small brush, or even the tip of a bobby pin. Polka dot nails are a versatile and playful design choice that can be customized with different colors and sizes of dots.
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French manicure: French manicure is a classic nail style characterized by a natural-looking base color with white tips. It creates a clean and elegant look that is suitable for various occasions. French manicures can be customized with different colors and variations, such as colored tips or reverse French manicures.
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Abstract nails: Abstract nails refer to nail designs that do not follow a specific pattern or theme. These designs often involve artistic and free-form shapes, lines, and colors. Abstract nails allow for creativity and individuality in nail art, as they can be customized to suit personal preferences and artistic expression.
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Marble nails: Marble nails replicate the appearance of marble stone on the nails. This design typically involves creating a marbled pattern using multiple colors of nail polish. The technique can vary, but it often involves swirling the colors together or using a water marbling technique. Marble nails offer a unique and sophisticated look.
These are just some of the concepts and ideas mentioned in the article. If you have any specific questions or would like more information on a particular topic, feel free to ask!
