Valentine’s Day nail art ideas have, mercifully, evolved past the cheesy heart nail designs and sentiments. While red, baby pink and white remain staple shades in these DIY creations, why not consider incorporating colours like black, silver, gold or green into your V-Day nail palette. Trendy nail ideas still lingering from Christmas (think bows, shimmer and jewels), can also make for a romantic nail look. The possibilities, as with a new relationship, are endless.
Whether you’re planning to be out on a romantic date or enjoying a night in with your closest friends, there is a nail art option for just every occasion. Below, 45 of the best Valentine’s Day nail art designs that will warm your heart – even if you’re cupid-averse.
Rainbow hearts
Why settle for one shade when you can have them all? Nail artist Hang Nguyen takes inspiration from the rainbow and paints multicoloured heart outlines on bare nails.
Half-hearted
As the old adage (or the viral TikTok of the moment) goes, if the colour isn’t interesting then the shape and texture should be. Mix different finishes and shades, as with these half glossy, half metallic pink and green hearts, for a dynamic nail look.
Mini hearts
If you’re a fan of all things mini or minimal, these adorable tiny heart designs should be right up your alley.
Heart of gold
For subtle sparkle, we love this mini gold heart with a shimmer finish. Small but mighty, it makes a big impact on a bare nail.
V-day rainbow
Simple and fun, the easiest way to achieve a chic Valentine’s Day mani is to paint each fingernail in different shades of pink and red.
3D art
Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce gave Megan Fox’s bare nails the most simple upgrade by placing these rounded 3D hearts at the centre. The translucent finish gives the decals a gem-like quality that’s just stunning.
White flames
Love can light a fire in your heart… and on your nails. This intricate flame design morphs into a heart shape at the ends for a unique spin on the French mani.
Charmed life
Who doesn’t love nail charms? Up your Valentine’s Day nail game with something as unique as these semi-sheer droplets.
Queen of hearts
Celebrity nail artist Kim Truong created this upside-down heart for a unique spin on the classic V-Day symbol, using the tips of Kourtney Kardashian’s almond nails for the ends of the heart design. Set yours against a bare background for it to really stand out.
Minimal geometric shapes
Chic yet minimal, a simple geometric design in Valentine’s Day red is all you need. Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, who counts Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner as regular clients, adds a red rectangle to the corner to dress up a bare nail. The gold stud placed in the centre is a nice touch.
Black patent leather
Selena Gomez makes a strong case for a classic black mani for Valentine’s Day. Her go-to manicurist Tom Bachik calls this the “patent leather mani”. All you need is two coats of Essie’s Licorice black nail polish, and you’re good to go.
Dark romance
A rose design by any other name would be just as sweet, but this intricate nail art by Kim Truong has won our hearts. The deep red with black outlines gives a moody romantic tone we can’t stop obsessing over.
Minimal floral
For the 2023 Met Gala, Truong kept Miranda Kerr’s nails simple and elegant. She opted for a bare glossy nail with an intricate floral design on a single nail, and the result looks just ideal for a romantic date.
Pink pearl chrome
This semi-sheer pink chrome shade on short nails is minimal yet just as stunning as the bolder Valentine’s Day nail inspiration on this list. A favourite for this holiday and well beyond.
Aura nails
Call in the good vibes, love and positive energy this Valentine’s Day with aura nails. Zola Ganzorigt uses a mixture of magenta and pale pink on Madelaine Petsch’s almond nails for a really pretty look.
Heart cut-out
Wearing your heart on your nails has never been easier. Dress up a red nail with a heart-shaped cut-out right in the middle.
’70s disco
Natalie Minerva, lead nail artist for Euphoria, created these disco nails with pink mirrored sequins for the perfect night out this Valentine’s Day.
Coquette bows
Red French tips, strawberry glazed, coquette-esque bow details – Ganzorigt mixes all of our favourite nail trends in a single, super-fun nail look.
Peek-a-boo sparkle
J Lo’s mauve mani is stunning on its own, but leave it to Tom Bachik to give it an unexpected twist. Striking that perfect balance of subtle yet impactful, the “peek-a-boo” rhinestones placed on the inside of the long tips make for something unique.
Sweet details
To incorporate heart decals in a subtle way, opt for heart-shaped French tips. If you want to take the look to the next level, paint on small red hearts that will really pop against a bare base.
Red nail theory
What better time to manifest the love (or loves) of your life than on the 14 February? Dress up those classic red manis by leaving a bare half moon at the base of your nails.
Heart eye
If you want to be on theme without going overboard, paint a single heart on one nail against a bare base, and leave the rest with a full-coverage cherry shade.
Strawberry glazed doughnut
Zola Ganzorigt gives her classic glazed doughnut nail another delicious update. Opt for a pink iridescent shine for a more festive feel on 14 February.
Bubblegum shimmer
If your Valentine’s Day plans involve going out dancing, these fun “bubblegum disco” nails are the perfect fit. Bachik uses the bright pink Apres Nail gel color in Sweet Cheeks as the base and layers some shimmer from his Modelones Solid Gel Polish Palette for a sparkly finish.
Ice cold
A French mani and an adorable heart decal are really all you need for your Valentine’s Day nail look. Opt for a shade like this silver chrome for something more unexpected and cool.
Strawberry fields
A literal manifestation of strawberry girl make-up, these nails are super fun. Dress up a deep red metallic nail with cute strawberry 3D art designs.
Pink chrome tips
You can’t ever go wrong with a French mani. This Valentine’s Day, opt for a deep pink shade for the tips with a super cool metallic finish.
Red hot
For a fiery spin on the glazed nail trend, opt for a red metallic shade. Tom Bachik uses the PLA Gel Polish in Chai and Chai Again to get that deep red base, and adds a golden glaze to give it that warm iridescent sheen.
Rounded French
When in doubt, go with the classic French manicure. Opt for thicker rounded tips and a deeper pink base.
Winter white
Another winter staple, white nails make for a perfect Valentine’s Day nail. Here, Tom Bachik paints a bright shade on Selena Gomez’s square nails for a bright pop of white.
3D chrome
If you love pink chrome French tips as much as we do, give it some texture with these 3D swirls.
Pink and red
Hang Nguyen goes with a classic combo of cherry red and bright pink nails. She adds a heart-shaped outline at the base of the nail for a nice added touch.
Abstract art
Channel your inner Picasso and think outside the box when wearing hearts on your nails. Place the design at the tips, on the side, at the base… for a more unique spin on V-day nails.
Barbie French
Kim Truong gives Dua Lipa’s French mani a slight update by going with a deep, Barbiecore-inspired pink for the base. This makes the thin white tips look even brighter.
Whimsical vibes
Give us pastel blues and pinks any day. Brittney Boyce mixes these colours on Megan Fox’s long nails for a dreamy aura nail look that we’ll wear well beyond 14 February.
Dreamy watercolour
A mix of lavender, pink, green and orange in a watercolour wash effect makes for a lovely nail Valentine’s Day nail look.
Colour block
Pairing contrasting colours always makes for a dynamic look. Here, celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen painted a black half-moon at the base of the nail and created a diffused airbrush effect on the tip against a dark neon pink base.
Hint of shimmer
For some subtle shine without going all out, simply reach for a pink shimmer polish and focus coverage in the centre of the nail. Have it fade as it reaches the edges for an aura-like feel.
Rocker edge
While we’ll always love a bright red French tip on a stiletto nail, these studded details take the drama up a notch.
V-day marble
Mix shades of white, rose and pink shimmer to get that mesmerising marble effect that’s just so pretty to look at. We especially love the gold flecks.
Textured red
Elevate a cherry-red nail by adding some texture. Natalie Minerva is behind this “red croc” mani, with its raised curves and indents to give the nail a wild and animalistic feel.
Holographic shine
There’s something mesmerising about holographic nails, and this iridescent pink with silver and blue specks makes for a stunning nail look. Add matching jewels at the base of the nail for added shine.
Playful French
How fun are these Valentine’s Day nails? Dress up a multicoloured French mani with contrasting coloured hearts right at the top.
Negative space
For the minimalists, these negative space lines are a simple way to dress up a natural nail. We especially love this Oxblood shade from CND.
Bright star
If hearts aren’t really your thing, opt for some jewels to give your basic mani some added sparkle. This mix of magenta and white stones really pops against a bright bubblegum-pink base.