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
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introducing myself as a Nail Art Enthusiast
As a passionate nail art enthusiast and a follower of current trends, I am well-versed in various nail art designs and techniques. I have personally experimented with different styles, colors, and patterns to create unique and eye-catching manicures. Moreover, I keep up-to-date with the latest trends and inspirations in the industry. Through my own experiences and knowledge, I can confidently discuss and provide information on the concepts used in this article.
Concepts used in the article:
This article focuses on Valentine's Day nail ideas for 2024. It provides a variety of creative and trendy options for achieving romantic and festive nail designs. Let's explore the concepts mentioned in the article:
1. Galentine's Day: Galentine's Day is a celebration of female friendship, typically observed on February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day. It is an opportunity for women to show appreciation for their female friends and celebrate their bond.
2. Valentine's Day Mani: A Valentine's Day manicure refers to nail art specifically designed for the occasion. It often incorporates romantic elements such as hearts, flowers, and symbols associated with love.
3. Minimalist Nail Ideas: Minimalist nail ideas involve creating simple and understated designs using fewer colors and minimal embellishments. These designs often focus on clean lines, negative space, and subtle details.
4. Gradient Nails: Gradient nails involve blending multiple shades of the same color together on the nails to create a smooth transition from dark to light or vice versa.
5. Milky Nails: Milky nails refer to a nail trend where a neutral or pastel-colored base is combined with minimalistic nail art, adding a touch of romance and elegance.
6. Bow Trend: The bow trend involves incorporating small bow designs onto the nails, adding a cute and feminine touch to the manicure.
7. Cloud Nails: Cloud nails are created by painting cloud-like shapes at the tip of the nails using baby-pink and white nail polish. This design creates a soft and dreamy appearance.
8. Queen of Hearts: The Queen of Hearts refers to a sparkly and chic nail design inspired by playing cards. It often includes glitter, metallic accents, and heart-shaped embellishments.
9. Polka Dots: Polka dot nail designs feature small dots applied to the nails using contrasting colors. They add a playful and retro vibe to the manicure.
10. Inky Purple: Inky purple is a dark and moody shade of purple that can be used as an alternative to traditional Valentine's Day colors like red, white, and pink.
11. Abstract Nail Art: Abstract nail art involves creating unique and unconventional designs using various colors, shapes, and patterns. It allows for artistic freedom and experimentation.
12. Negative Space Nails: Negative space nails incorporate unpainted areas of the nails into the design, creating a modern and edgy look.
13. Colour-Block Nails: Colour-block nails feature bold, contrasting colors applied to different sections of the nails, creating a graphic and eye-catching effect.
14. French Manicure: French manicure is a classic nail style where the tips of the nails are painted white, while the rest of the nail is left natural or painted with a sheer neutral color.
15. Marble Nails: Marble nails mimic the appearance of marble stone by using a marbling technique. This involves swirling different nail polish colors together to create a marble-like pattern.
These are some of the key concepts and techniques mentioned in the article. If you have any specific questions about these concepts or if you would like more information on a particular topic, feel free to ask!
