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We're Crushing So Hard on These 33 Nail Art Ideas for Valentines Day

Love is in the air...or is that just the acetone? Whatever your feelings about Valentine’s Day, you have to admit: The mani opportunities are too cute to pass up. Here, 33 Valentine's Day nail art ideas—from sparkly tips to abstract heart designs—that go beyond just pink and red motifs (though there's plenty of that, too). Wear them now through February 14 and beyond (like during an at-home date night).

Meet the Y2K Heart Nail Art That's Trending This Fall


1. Mixed Medley

Can't decide on a single design? Try a different one on each finger. Hannah Lee, the manicurist behind this festive aesthetic, shows us exactly how to get the look here.

2. Inverted Lines

We love the simplicity of this design, using just two shades that epitomize Valentine's Day: red and white.

3. Stained Glass Nails

Behold: A design you'll never tire of looking at. Though given their intricacy, we'd suggest going with a press-on nail for these.

4. Red Chip

Blink and you just might miss it. We love the way this tiny detail completes the entire picture.

5. Floating Dots

Just a touch of whimsy will do. Use a dotting tool for easy, even designs.

6. Groovy Lines

Step 1: Paint your nails with a sheer nude polish. Step 2: Add some festive squiggles to your heart's content.

7. Checkerboard Print

If hearts and roses are a little too on the nose for you, might we suggest a crisp checkerboard print instead?

8. Cartoon Pink

For nails that pop, look no further than this bubble gum pink design.

9. Gold French

No matter the season or occasion, you can never go wrong with a swipe of gold polish at your fingertips.

10. Triple Dots

Here's another simple and sleek design that can easily be recreated using a dotting tool.

11. Blush Shimmer

There's something to be said for a simple blush shimmer.

12. Do Not Disturb

You know, in case you need to give a subtle hint for any unwelcome advances that come your way.

13. Split Space Nail

An understated nod to the holiday that you can wear anytime of the year.

14. Pearl Accents

Take a cue from nail genius Cassandre Marie and wear a few pearl decals like jewelry on the base of each nail.

15. Merlot Half Moons

Would you believe us if we told you these were nail polish stickers? Yup, just press down and file off the excess and you've got yourself a full mani.

16. Candy Hearts

A homage to those cute little Valentine's candies we used to give out in elementary school.

17. Hearts And Arrows

This one hit the bullseye.

18. Retro Roses

Anyone else feeling nostalgic for the '90s? The key to nailing this design lies in a solid set of striping brushes (and a Mariah Carey CD).

19. Victorian Florals

For the fashionista, we'd point you towards this understated design inspired by the late and great Alexander McQueen.

20. BFF Nails

As Charlotte famously said on Sex and the City, "Maybe we can be each other's soulmates. And then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with." Here, here!

21. Cotton Candy Skies

Because it's not possible to stare at a pink-tinged sky and not feel something inside.

22. Monochrome Colorblocking

For our black polish devotees, this moody palette may strike your fancy.

23. Heart Cutouts

And if you're feeling confident with your painting skills, you can use the same polishes to etch on heart cutouts.

24. Candy Stripes

Sweet and striking (and surprisingly easy to recreate with a steady hand and some striping tape).

25. Candy Heart Ombré

Think outside the (candy) box.

26. Jewel Tones

Similar idea but with juicier jewel tones instead.

27. Picasso Nails

Paired with lipstick-shaped tips, no less.

28. Animated Hearts

A few well-placed pops of white polish make your red heart tips come alive.

29. Abstract Splashes

Tip: Add a sheer swipe of glitter at the center of each splatter.

30. Bedazzled Heart

Anchor a splash of glitter polish with a single red heart.

31. Tiny Little Hearts

Prefer a cleaner look? Place the heart stickers over a crisp red base.

32. Matte Pink Nails

Here's proof that you don't necessarily need an intricate design to create an impactful manicure. A matte top coat over a bright shade absolutely wows.

33. Hearts and Smiles

Doodle on a few hearts and smiley faces like the ones you used to draw all over your notebooks in the seventh grade.


Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...

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