The Best Valentine’s Day Nail Designs To Try For 2024

Let's talk Valentine's Day nail designs, because it's that time of year again. Whether you're planning a date night with a significant other, ordering in a romantic Deliveroo, clinking glasses with the girls or making a beeline for that fancy restaurant you've been eyeing up for weeks, Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to up the ante, especially in the manicure department. Think of it as a chance to let your love of all things pink, red and heart shaped shine – if only for a week.

Need inspiration? We've got you covered. Orly UK Brand Ambassador, Lou Stokes, says, 'Hearts are always popular, but there are many different takes on this from a subtle single heart on a couple of nails in a variety of colours, to a spectrum of different coloured hearts over all nails. This could range from a classic alternate French with red heart tips on a nude or pale pink base. We have also seen an increase in written nail art, everything from key romantic words to having your partners initials on a couple of fingers.

'Lips have also featured prominently, with either a large lip print on one nail to a few different coloured lips in reds and pinks over a pale base for maximum impact. Chrome has become increasingly popular in 2024 and we have seen it included in many Valentine’s Day designs. Small adornments in the form of crystals, nail art stickers and pearls have also been very popular,' she adds.

From the most search for nail designs for Valentine's Day to the nail looks currently flooding our feeds ahead of celebrations, we bring you the very best styles to keep on your radar now.

Red Valentine's Day Nails

Going red is certainly a safe place to start. There's no doubt it brings with it an air of romanticism, in fact some have gone so far as to say men are innately attracted to it (CC: the red nail theory), but that's totally up for debate, for many reasons. And, while you won't catch us booking in for a red manicure for the sake of male attention, you will find us in a constant love affair with the hue for all its classy, timeless elegance.

Hayley Walker, beauty expert at Justmylook, notes, 'The colour is highly associated with passion, excitement, and confidence, with these three qualities the reason red is so attractive. Let’s not forget, that red is also known as the colour of romance.

'If your goal this Valentine’s Day isn’t to attract, why not wear this colour for yourself? Red is such a rich, fiery colour that can make any outfit pop, so whether it’s a Galentine’s night out or a Valentine’s date, this colour can help give any look a colour and confidence boost.'

Nail expert Alexandra Telekirecommends using Essie's Nail Colour in 50 Bordeaux Nail Polish, £7.19, for the perfect deep red wine nail look, or Essie's Nail Polish in 57 Forever Yummy, £7.19, if a true red is your MO.

Love Heart Nails

Whether you go all out or add a subtle Valentine's Day accent, what is your Valentine's Day Manicure style? If you're a nude nail polish loyalist that's no excuse not to get in on the action. You just have to look to nail pro Iram Shelton for inspiration. Take a leaf out of her Instagram grid and why not adding the tiniest of pink or red hearts to an otherwise simple and clean everyday nail look?

Simple Valentine's Day Nails

If you don't fancy yourself a nail artist and think your attempts at tiny hearts are likely to end up more like splodges then there's an easy and inexpensive solution. Pick up Ciaté London's The Cheat Sheets Best of Nail Stickers, £16, and transfer those pretty little hearts on in seconds. Cover with a topcoat and you've nailed it! Excuse the pun.

Shop: Ciaté London's The Cheat Sheets Best of Nail Stickers

Kiss Nails

Nails coated with a kiss are a Valentine's Day classic and this month nail artist and The GelBottle Inc brand ambassadorNicole Marien showed us how it is done with this luxurious set. Using The GelBottle Inc's new Velvet Crush Trio, £49.50, she was able to achieve this mesmerising finish with the help of cat-eye nail polishes, also known as the polishes responsible for creating the flurry of velvet effect nails we are currently seeing flood our timelines.

Polka Dot Nails

According to Google, polka dot nails are the ones to look out for this Valentine’s Day. The increasingly popular nail design has seen a sizeable 484% increase in searches in the past month alone. While monochrome tones of black and white may come to mind at the mention of polka dots, the new crop of nails donning the style are anything but ordinary and come packed with colour. For a spin on the classic pattern, try a French mani base and play around with variations of pinks and white.

Valentine's Day French Manicure Nails

A true classic that won't let you down, the French mani is a failsafe option for Valentine's Day. Sure, you can pick the traditional nude and white tip colourway for an elegant touch but, if you're after something more special, set your eyes on this chrome tip set by nail artist and educator Bryony Howell, who used The GelBottle Inc's Mirror Chrome Studio Gel, £13, to achieve this reflective finish. And those dainty hearts? A necessary and delicate nod to V-Day.

SHOP: The Best Valentine's Day Nail Products

Whatever your manicure style there's a Valentine's Day look out there for you, and we've rounded up some of the best to provide all the inspiration you need...

Browse: The Best Valentine's Day Nail Designs To Take Inspiration From

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