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Is there any better time to bust out that bold red nail polish than on February 14th? After all, the color has long been associated with Valentine's Day in the form of heart-shaped boxes of the best Valentine's Day chocolates and floral bouquets (BTW, make sure you check out the meaning of different rose colors before you order your flowers). But if you're looking for some ideas to take your standard manicure to the next level, we have a couple of nail art ideas that will do the trick. With adventurous shapes, sugary hearts — and that classic pink, red and white nail polish color palette — these nail designs will have you feeling the love in no time.
Whether you're an expert at-home manicurist or a beginner at doing your own nails, there's something for everyone with these fun and flirty manicures. And as it happens, these manicures look just as good on long, dramatic acrylic nails as they do on short, natural nails. So if you're still looking for the perfect nail art design to tie together your adorable V-day outfit, here are our favorite Valentine's Day nails that you are sure to fall for.
1
Colorful Tips
Whether you go with a fun, animal print or a bold, red hue, painting just the tip of your nails is a trendy way to incorporate a little color.
2
Rainbow Nails
Looking for a fun way to do your nails? Try Dua Lipa's colorful manicure. With different colors and patterns on each nail, this look is nothing if not bright and fun.
3
Red Over Pink
Take your pink manicure up a notch by painting red, geometric shapes on top. It's a simple way to incorporate Valentine's Days two most festive colors.
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4
Pale Pink
This light, almost white color is a minimalistic way to get into the Valentine's Day spirit.
5
Kaleidoscope Nails
Don't feel blue this Valentine's Day, wear it instead. You can achieve this geometric, crisscrossing pattern with the help of nail tape, and a few shades of blue.
6
Stay Golden
Match your favorite gold rings, bracelets and necklaces with a metallic mani for a super polished and put-together look.
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7
Feelin' Wavy
These pink and red waves are a fun and funky take on traditional stripes.
8
Everything's Coming Up Roses
This complex rose design will rival your bouquet. Try nail stickers to emulate this look.
9
Minimalist Designs
Small, hand-painted designs (which you can achieve through a nail pen) really pop against a simple, geometric base like this one.
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10
Rainbow Hearts
Tiny nail stickers look as sweet as candy hearts against a white base coat (or you can have a friend make them for you with a toothpick).
11
Racing Stripes
Red and pink are the perfect Valentine's Day color combo after all! This design is as easy to execute as it is striking.
12
Pink and Black Color Swap
Black and pink is an unexpected color combo, but these tiny hearts really pop against the contrasting backgrounds.
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13
X O
Is there a better occasion for this manicure than Valentine's Day? Some hugs and kisses make the perfect accent nail.
14
Millennial Pink
This trendy, shiny shade of pink is the perfect hue for Valentine's Day, though we wouldn't mind wearing it all year long.
15
Dipped in Glitter
Take your baby pink mani up a notch by adding some sparkle to the tip of your nail. By applying it to the ends, it also elongates your fingers.
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16
Sealed With a Kiss
Pucker up! This adorable kiss design is the perfect way to turn a regular manicure into something special for Valentine's Day.
17
Red to Black Ombre
If pink isn't really your thing, try this romantic red to black ombre nail look.
18
Pink With Red Hearts
For the unabashed romantic, this pink and red heart design is the perfect manicure to sport this year.
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19
Burnin' Love
Burnin' love is right! This flaming nail design is a hot look for Valentine's Day.
20
Split Nails
For a clean line down the center of your nails, a tiny piece of nail tape is your secret weapon
Katie Bourque
As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.
