Whether you’re planning a cozy night in with your favorite comfort show or getting ready for a dreamy date night, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. This is the perfect time to book an appointment at your go-to nail salon and choose a manicure you’ll love throughout the first half of February. You could always stick to your classic go-to shade—but where’s the fun in that?
No matter your nail style—long and bold, short and neutral, or somewhere in between—there’s no shortage of Valentine’s Day nail inspiration all over Instagram. If you usually opt for French tips, try switching things up with pink or red tones for a festive twist. Or add heart-inspired nail art, whether you love glittery reds or prefer soft, neutral shades that match your everyday aesthetic.
And if getting your nails done isn’t usually your thing, don’t worry. You don’t need long nails or dramatic designs to make them look cute. Even the shortest nails can feel extra special this Valentine’s Day. Scroll through these photos for inspiration—and be sure to check out the nail artists’ Instagram pages for even more ideas.
1. A bright, bold French mani
That red? That pink?! Either one by itself would be a solid choice, but together they’re such a fun and vibrant Valentine’s Day take on French tips.
2. The coolest heart tips ever
These heart nails almost look like comic book illustrations. The pastel color palette and matte finish are so fun — this is a must-try for anyone who loves bold nail looks.
3. It’s giving Mean Girls
These Valentine’s Day nails are reminiscent of the Mean Girls Burn Book cover, no? The warm pink, glittery base looks so good with the red lips and light pink hearts hand-painted over top.
4. Red glittery hearts
What screams Valentine’s Day louder than little red hearts painted with glitter polish? You could put these on any base color, but it’s especially fetching on this natural, milky pink. This nail art would look so good on short nails, too.
5. Valentine’s Day nails with attitude
Listen, not everyone can be a pink lover. If you like your nails on the dark side, ask for baby pink and black paint with little heart designs (some broken, some not).
6. Seriously cheerful V-Day tips
And on the opposite end of the spectrum, these are the happiest, most festive, bright pink Valentine’s Day nails ever. You could get them glossy, but the matte top coat kind of makes the whole thing, don’t you think?
7. A bubblegum pink mani
It’s not Valentine’s Day without Xs and Os — the real thing, or a cute nod to the abbreviations. These nails are adorable and, again, would look just as good on shorter nails, too.
8. These short square Valentine’s Day nails
Something about this set just looks so classic. It’s perfect for the girlies who always choose a red mani — just a couple accent nails will make your look more festive for a few weeks while still feeling like you.
9. A minimalist Valentine’s Day nail option
If you’re someone who just doesn’t jive with having bright colors on their nails, this Valentine’s Day manicure is for you. The matte natural base perfects the nail without clashing with any of your clothes, and the tiny black hearts add a teensy bit of flair without being overwhelming.
10. Trendy patterned nails
The cherries and checkerboards on this set pull in some of the patterns and motifs you’re probably seeing all over the place right now, but the hearts and the color scheme make these fall firmly into the category of V-Day nails.
11. Another on-theme example
If you’re loving the mismatched nails, find a few inspo pics to take to your nail artist. This way, you can pick and choose your favorite patterns to combine into a custom look.
12. Abstract pink and red nails
It’s safe to say 2023 was the year of the swirly abstract nail art, and if you love how it looks, don’t stop now. This Valentine’s Day version is so pretty, and you could choose any pink and red color scheme your heart desires.
13. Neutral heart nails
These short, sweet, earth-toned nails are perfect for the gals who get tired of bright nails quickly but still want to feel a little festive for Valentine’s Day.
14. Sweet & simple polka dots
Combine a few reds and pinks you like into this sweet polka dot pattern over a natural base color. If you have these colors on hand at home, you could easily recreate this look with a toothpick (and some patience) to dot the polish on.
15. All pink everything
Pink base, hot pink hearts, pink polka dots — if Barbie had Valentine’s Day nails, they’d look something like this.
