Love is in the air, and so is creativity! Whether you're a hopeless romantic, a fan of color or a minimalist at heart, Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to express your style right down to your fingertips. Discover our easy-to-do Valentine's nail art ideas and our tips for a manicure that lasts.
Which colors to choose for your Valentine's nails?
A Valentine's Day manicure wouldn't be complete without a carefully chosen palette of reds and pinks. And luckily, at Manucurist, these shades are constantly being refreshed and reimagined.
Passionate reds
Deep, vibrant or sun kissed, red polishes are an absolute must at this time of year. Pomegranate is loved for its intense garnet shade, sophisticated and timeless. Red Cherry offers a bright, ultra romantic cherry twist. For those drawn to bold, energetic reds, Poppy Red with its vermilion undertones is a real winner, while Lava, with its orange nuances, is perfect for the more daring.
Soft, melt in the mouth pinks
Softer but just as expressive, pink polishes make for a lovely delicate alternative. Candy is a bright candy pink, ideal for a playful manicure. Hortencia offers a natural and discreet pink, while Pale Rose is the perfect nude rosy base, elegant and understated, ideal for minimalist nail lovers and neutral tones.
Discover the richness of our red polishes and the delicate charm of our pink polishes.
Nail art tools to show your love
This year, you're going all out to create your most stunning Valentine's Day nail art yet. But for your designs to be just right, you need the right tools. Here's your must-have kit:
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A liner brush for drawing fine, precise lines,
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A nail art brush, perfect for subtle designs, whether simple or more intricate,
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A dotting tool to create perfect heart shapes, polka dots or small graphic touches.
Once you've got your kit ready, it's time to let your creativity shine!
Classic red hearts: timeless and iconic
If you’re aiming for a manicure that feels like a love letter, red hearts say it best. Give this iconic motif a fresh twist by making it two tone in pink and red using Red Velvet and Pétula. Or sprinkle a handful of sweet Pomegranate hearts over a Hortencia base for a delicate look.
Red hearts are a classic choice for Valentine's nail art
(@look8thenails)
Arty heart nails for a playful and colorful Valentine's Day
Who says hearts have to be red? Embrace something fun and unexpected like soap nails with pastel yellow hearts for a look that’s both fresh and original. Simply apply a base of Active Glow Blueberry and draw a tiny Mimosa heart in the corner of each nail using a dotting tool.
Craving a bold mix and match that celebrates love in all its forms? Go big with oversized multicolored hearts. Choose shades you love. Our pick: Candy, Tuileries, Bubble and Bohème. Alternate the four colors as a base, then draw XXL hearts on top using your nail art brush.
Break the mold this Valentine’s Day with multicolored hearts
(@bara.hoyle, @elizabethm)
Love Aura nails: the pink gradient effect
Want your nails to make a statement? Don’t miss the Love Aura Nails trend. To get that soft pink gradient effect, apply a Pale Rose base and dab on a touch of Candy polish with a sponge. Finish off by dotting tiny white hearts using Snow and a dotting tool.
Tiny Hearts: minimalist nude nail art
If you're a less is more kind of person who loves showcasing natural nails, you'll adore Tiny Hearts. This look pairs a Hortencia base with mini Red Velvet hearts drawn using a liner brush. So simple, so chic.
Gradient or minimalist, discover Valentine's nail art with a modern twist
(@look8thenails, @matejanova)
Soft pink polka dots
We’re also loving the polka dot manicure, where a Candy base is topped with tiny white Snow dots made with a dotting tool. The result is a sweet and romantic kawaii-style look.
A Valentine’s twist on the French manicure
A devoted French manicure fan? Then you won’t be able to resist this charming Double Mini French version featuring the season’s love-inspired shades. Here’s how to do it: on a Pale Rose base, use a liner brush to draw two fine parallel lines at the tip of the nail using Candy and Pomegranate. A dainty take on Valentine’s Day nails that feels joyful and light.
French tips and polka dots get a Valentine’s Day makeover
(@m.o.n.a.j, @matejanova)
Which Valentine's nail art suits your nail shape?
To pull off your Valentine's nail art, don’t forget to consider your nail length. Long nails are the perfect canvas for more elaborate looks. The romantic gradient of Aura Nails enhances length, while oversized hearts and ribbons have plenty of space to shine.
And for short nails? Go for minimalist styles like Tiny Hearts and Polka Dots. The Double Mini French also works beautifully on shorter nails, creating an elegant look that visually elongates the fingers.
Tips for a long-lasting Valentine's manicure
There are a few essential steps to keep your Valentine's nail art flawless right through February 14... and beyond:
✅ It can’t be said enough: long-lasting manicures start with proper nail prep. How? File your nails, gently push back your cuticles, smooth the nail surface and remove any grease to help polish adhere better. You’ll really notice the difference!
✅ Before applying any polish, always apply a suitable base coat for the polish you’re using (Green Base Coat for Green polish, Vitamin enriched Green Flash Base Coat for Green Flash polish).
âś… After applying color or your nail art design, seal and protect your manicure with the right top coat. For Green polish, use Sunshine Top Coat for up to 7 days of wear. For Green Flash, choose between Green Flash Top Coat (for up to 12 days of hold) and Xtrem Flash Top Coat (for up to 21 days).
âś… And finally, care for your nails and cuticles regularly using a nourishing oil such as Nourishing Cuticle Oil to hydrate and protect.
Base coat, top coat and nourishing care: your essentials for a long-lasting manicure.
With all these tips, Valentine's Day 2026 promises to be creative, romantic and full of color. Whether you choose a design with passionate reds, soft pinks or something minimalist and chic, the key is to let your personality shine, your nails will do the talking! So, what will your love note look like this year? đź’Śđź’ť
