20 Valentine’s Day Nail Designs Sweeter Than Waxy Chocolate (2024)

FAQs

What nail design is trending right now? ›

Think classic chrome finishes in shimmering silvers, but also everything from rainbow chrome brights to soft pastel variations. If you're still not sure, why not try adorning your tips with iridescent metal-effect edges, for a look that combines several seasonal trends in one.

Common Valentine Nail Colors

Classic reds and soft pinks are Valentine's Day essentials that exude romantic charm.

Try a lovely lavender or lilac color to capture the essence of blooming flowers. Alternatively, opt for a mint green or baby blue hue to create a refreshing and calming manicure. You can also experiment with a soft peach or coral shade for a subtle and feminine look.

"Rich girl" nails don't necessarily have to be nude in tone—they just have to be neutral to effortlessly go with everything. With this in mind, a subtle, shimmery white nail look can qualify as a "rich girl" manicure, too.

According to the Society of American Florists, red roses are the most popular flowers for Valentine's Day, totaling 60 percent of sales. Red is the symbol of love, romance, and desire, making it the ideal color for a day with that special someone.

Red, the quintessential colour of love, symbolizes passion, desire, and romance. When used in Valentine's Day decor, it evokes feelings of warmth and intensity.

“A rich and luxurious dark red that can be worn either as a solid or incorporated into a negative space design” is a great option for your February manicure, Haye says. “Dark red shades give a divine touch of drama to your nails.”

•Size Really Matters

Nails grown barely past your fingertips are the ideal length, says Fisher. They look feminine but won't stop you from, say, unzipping him or sexting. See what else guys really notice about your looks.

“Much like wearing a nude pump elongates your legs, a nude polish elongates your nails,” Holford adds. A light, opaque shade leads the eye outward; the closer the color to your skin tone, the longer the nail will look, she says. If you want a little bit of contrast, opt for a hue just slightly lighter than your skin.

Certain colors and shades can create the illusion of longer nails. For example, light and neutral colors like beige, nude, pale pink, and light gray can make your nails appear longer. On the other hand, darker colors like black, navy blue, and dark red can make your nails look shorter.

How to make a love heart on your nails? ›

Dip the toothpick into the polish and make a dot on your left ring finger. Make a second dot next to the first dot. Use the toothpick to drag one of the dots down, creating a 45 degree angle. Drag the other dot down to meet the first dot, creating the heart.

Pinterest called out 'jelly' as a major trend in its 2024 Pinterest Predicts, noting: “Gen Z and millennials are driving this squishy aesthetic”. So, expect to see ultra glossy jelly manicures splashed across fingertips.

“Glass nails are a standout trend for summer 2024, echoing the stunning 'glass' makeup by Pat McGrath at the Margiela show,” says Choi. “This gel-like jelly polish offers an extraordinary, glossy finish, perfect for the season's fresh and modern aesthetic.”

2024 Nail Trend: Short, Square Nails

Kandalec says many of her celeb clients are starting to ask for short, squared-off nails, which fits the natural, "clean" aesthetic everyone has been leaning into lately.

All of spring 2024's nail trends make a statement with bold art and flashy details. Artists are getting creative with their finishing touches: The classic French manicure is gilded in gold-dipped tips and pastels are getting the “cateye” treatment.