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
Introduction
As an expert and enthusiast, I have been trained on a diverse range of topics and have access to a vast amount of information. I can provide information and insights on a wide variety of subjects, including but not limited to technology, science, mathematics, literature, history, and more. My training data consists of various sources such as books, articles, websites, and other texts, which allows me to generate responses that are coherent and relevant to the topic at hand.
Valentine's Day Nail Ideas
In this article, the author discusses different Valentine's Day nail ideas for 2024. The article showcases various nail designs and provides descriptions and recommendations for each idea. Let's go through the concepts used in the article and provide information related to each one:
1. Galentine's Day: Galentine's Day is a celebration that takes place on February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day. It is a day to celebrate and appreciate the love and friendship among female friends. It originated from the television show "Parks and Recreation" and has gained popularity as a way for women to come together and have fun.
2. Manicure: A manicure is a beauty treatment for the hands and nails. It typically involves shaping and filing the nails, pushing back the cuticles, and applying nail polish. Manicures can be done at home or by a professional nail technician at a salon.
3. Nail Art: Nail art refers to the creative decoration of nails using various techniques and materials. It can include painting designs, adding stickers, applying gems or glitter, and using other accessories to enhance the appearance of the nails.
4. Gradient Nails: Gradient nails, also known as ombre nails, involve blending two or more colors on the nails to create a smooth transition from one color to another. This effect is achieved by applying different shades of the same color palette from darkest to lightest, starting from the thumb or another designated nail.
5. Minimalist Nail Ideas: Minimalist nail ideas focus on simplicity and clean lines. They often involve using neutral or muted colors, negative space, and subtle designs to create an understated and elegant look.
6. Sheer Nail Polish: Sheer nail polish is a type of nail polish that provides a translucent or see-through effect on the nails. It is often used to create a natural or subtle look.
7. Gold-and-White Combos: Gold-and-white combos refer to nail designs that incorporate both gold and white colors. This combination can create a classic and sophisticated look.
8. Bow Trend: The bow trend in nail art involves adding bow designs or accessories to the nails. Bows can be made using nail polish, stickers, or small accessories that are applied to the nails.
9. Cloud Nails: Cloud nails are a design that mimics the appearance of clouds on the nails. This effect is achieved by using a sponge to create cloud-like shapes on the nail tips, typically using a baby-pink nail polish and a white nail polish.
10. Queen of Hearts: The Queen of Hearts is a character from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." This nail design likely incorporates elements inspired by the Queen of Hearts, such as sparkles and a chic appearance.
11. Polka Dots: Polka dots are small, round dots that can be added to nails using nail polish. They are a classic nail design and can be created using a small nail brush or dotting tool.
12. Inky Purple: Inky purple refers to a dark and deep shade of purple. This color can create a moody and sophisticated look for Valentine's Day nails.
13. Abstract Nail Art: Abstract nail art involves creating unique and non-representational designs on the nails. It often incorporates shapes, lines, and colors in a creative and artistic manner.
14. Colour-Block Nails: Colour-block nails involve using two or more bold and contrasting colors on the nails to create blocks of color. This design can be eye-catching and vibrant.
15. French Manicure: French manicure is a classic nail design that involves painting the tips of the nails white or a light color and leaving the rest of the nail neutral or pale pink. It creates a clean and elegant look.
16. Negative Space Nails: Negative space nails involve leaving parts of the nail unpainted to create a design that incorporates the natural color of the nails. This design can be achieved by using tape or stickers to create clean lines and shapes.
17. Marble Nails: Marble nails create a marbled or veined appearance on the nails, similar to the patterns found in marble stone. This effect is achieved by using a combination of colors and swirling them together to create a unique design.
18. Squiggly Lines: Squiggly lines refer to wavy or curvy lines that can be added to nails to create a playful and fun design. They can be created using a thin nail brush and nail polish.
These are some of the key concepts used in the article about Valentine's Day nail ideas. If you have any specific questions or would like more information about any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
