14 DIY Valentine’s Day Nail Designs You’re Sure to Love (In 5 Steps or Less!) (2024)

Valentine’s Day is one of our favorite holidays when it comes to creating fun nail designs. Everything from the holiday’s bright colors to adorable designs and hints of sparkle instantly get us into the love-day spirit. Plus, Valentine’s Day nails add flirty flair to our whole look. And with so many designs from classic hearts to colorful French manicures, there’s a design suited for everyone. Keep scrolling to see the Valentine’s Day nails that you can easily create at home or use as inspiration for your next nail salon visit.

The best colors for Valentine’s Day nails

The love-filled holiday is a great time to deck yourself out in pink and red, including with your nails! There are dozens of shades of each, from bright to crimson red and pale to hot pink. However, classic pink and red aren’t your only options when it comes to Valentine’s Day colors. “I absolutely adore the nail colors that are commonly associated with this holiday, ranging from classic pinks and reds to more unconventional choices like black and various pastels,” says Rianna Basurto, director of marketing and brand development at Bellacures. “Embrace the hues that resonate with you and make your Valentine’s Day nails a true reflection of your individuality!”

14 Valentine’s Day nails designs

Keep scrolling to see the simple designs that are sure to pretty up your fingers.

1. Tic-tac-toe + hearts

Tic, tac, so-cute! Put a twist on the classic game and XO nail design with this Valentine’s Day manicure.

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a light pink polish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Baby Take a Vow (Buy from Amazon, $11.99), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. On every nail but the middle fingernail, use a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), and red nail polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90), to place two small, red dots at the bottom of nails, then connect to a point in the direction of the top of the nail.
3. On the middle fingernails, use a striping brush, like SQULIGT 3 Piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set (Buy from Amazon, $3.99), and black polish, like Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Polish in Black Creme (Buy from Amazon, $1.29), to create two thin lines going vertically down the nail, and then two thin lines going horizontally across the nail. This will create a tic-tac-toe “board.”
4. Fill in the top middle, bottom middle and bottom right boxes of the “board” with an X. On the bottom left, middle center and top right boxes, fill in with a small, red heart. Let dry completely.
5. Seal all nails with top coat.

2. Valentine’s Day nails: Romantic sparkle

We love this mix-and-match design that is sure to add pretty pizzazz to fingertips.

Get the look:

1. On the thumb, pointer and middle fingernails, paint two coats of a red polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90). On the pinky fingernail paint two coats of a slightly darker and shimmery red polish like Zoya Nail Lacquer in Sophia (Buy from Ulta, $12). On the ring fingernail, paint two coats of a sheer pink polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Le Milk (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8). Let dry completely.
2. Using a striping brush, like SQULIGT 3 Piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set (Buy from Amazon, $3.99) and the shimmery red polish, create a heart shape in the middle of the ring fingernail. Let dry.
3. Once red heart is dry, outline it with the striping brush and a white polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White Out (Buy from Ulta, $3.99). Let dry.
4. Seal all nails with top coat.

3. Classic red heart accents

No matter your nail length, these adorable, little red hearts add feminine flair to nails.

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a pale pink polish, like CND Vinylux in Negligee (Buy from Beyond Polish, $7.75), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. Using a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), and red nail polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90), add two small red dots above the cuticle, then connect the dots at a point to make the heart shape. Let dry.
3. Seal all nails with top coat.

Related: 14 Natural, Classy Short Acrylic Nails That Prove You Don’t Have To Have Long Nails To Make a Gorgeous Statement

4. Valentine’s Day nails: Heart-kissed French tips

This Valentines Day spin on the classic French manicure design from Bellacures requires very little tools!

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a clear polish, like essie Treat, Love and Color Nail Polish (Buy from Amazon, $6.95), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. Using a striping brush, like SQULIGT 3 Piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set (Buy from Amazon, $3.99), outline the curve of the top of a heart at towards the middle of the nail with a red polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90). Then, fill in the heart to the tip of the nail with the red polish. Let dry completely.
3. Seal all nails with top coat.

5. Chic ‘cutout’ pink hearts

For a unique Valentine’s Day nails look, try this manicure courtesy of nail blog ChalkboardNails.com.

Get the look:

1. Using scissors, cut 10 half-heart shapes out of scotch tape and press each one onto the top of your nail bed.
2. Paint two coats of pink polish, like Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Lip Service (Buy from Amazon, $9.50) on all nails (over the taped portion of each nail as well). Let dry completely.
3. Carefully pull away the scotch tape to unveil the half-heart design. Then, dip the point of a toothpick in white polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White Out (Buy from Ulta, $3.99), and dot along the outside of the half-heart shape. Let dry completely.
4. Seal all nails with a clear top coat.

6. Valentine’s Day nails: Radiant red shades + French tip accents

These nails are not just great to rock around Valentine’s Day, but also any time of the year!

Get the look:

1. Paint the thumb and pinky nails with two coats a darker red, shimmery polish, like Zoya Nail Lacquer in Sophia (Buy from Ulta, $12). Then, paint the pointer and middle fingernails with two coats of a true red polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90). On the ring fingernail, paint two coats of a sheer pink polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Le Milk (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8). Let dry completely.
2. Cut out a curved shape from a piece of tape and stick on the ring fingernail, leaving room at the top for how thick you want your French tip. Using the darker red polish, paint from the top edge of the tape and up on your nail. Let dry, then remove the tape. Repeat on the other ring fingernail.
3. Seal all nails with top coat.

Related: 12 Red Nail Designs: Easy Ways To Add Even More Flair To This Classic Nail Color At Home

7. Tiny hearts & pearly-pink pizzazz

This chrome-and-pearl-like look posted by @Sarahgregory1243 on Pinterest is on-trend for this year. And the tiny hearts add an extra pretty touch!

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a shimmery, pearl-like, light pink polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Ethereal (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. Using a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), paint three hearts on each nail using a light pink polish, like CND Vinlylux in Backyard Nuptials (Buy from Beyond Polish, $7.75), bubblegum pink polish, like essie Nail Polish in Muchi, Muchi (Buy from Walmart, $9.97), and hot pink, like essie Nail Polish in Bachelorette Bash (Buy from Ulta, $10). Let dry.
3. Seal all nails with top coat.

8. Valentine’s Day nails: Eye-catching deck of hearts

Ace your Valentine’s Day nails look with these cards-inspired nails from Nail Epoch. They’re easier to recreate than you think, and will look like you got them done in a salon.

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a sheer, pink polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Le Milk (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. On the thumb, pointer and pinky nails, create a thin French tip using white polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White Out (Buy from Ulta, $3.99), and a striping brush, like SQULIGT 3 Piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set (Buy from Amazon, $3.99). Let dry.
3. On the middle fingernail, use the striping brush and red polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90), to create a heart in the center of nail. Then, slightly down and to the left, create a smaller red heart. Next, slightly up and to the right, paint a small red heart like the left one. Under the left heart, draw an upside down “A” and above the right heart, draw a right-side-up “A”.
4. Do the same on the pointer nail, but with the striping brush and black polish, like Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Polish in Black Creme (Buy from Amazon, $1.29). Instead of an “A” draw a “2” and paint on two hearts in the center, instead of one. Let dry.
5. Seal all nails with top coat.

9. Gorgeous gold hearts

This dazzling design posted by @Kbeautyaddiction on Pinterest uses gold instead of pink or red for hearts.

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a sheer, nude polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Le Milk (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. On each nail, use a gold striping polish, like FingerPaints Striping Polish in Brushstroke of Brilliance (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49), to create three hearts scattered across the nail.
3. In the bare spots, use a white striping polish, like FingerPaints Striping Polish in Hip Hip Hue-Ray (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49), to create tiny dots and sparkle-like star shapes. Let dry.
4. Seal all nails with top coat.

10. Valentine’s Day nails: Vibrant hot pink hearts

Make a stunning statement with this hot pink hearts + French tips nail design by @beautytendernails on Instagram.

Get the look:

1. On the pointer finger, paint two coats of a hot pink polish, like essie Nail Polish in Bachelorette Bash (Buy from Ulta, $10). On the rest of nails, paint two coats of a sheer, nude polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Le Milk (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8). Let dry completely.
2. On the thumb nail, use a striping brush, like SQULIGT 3 Piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set (Buy from Amazon, $3.99), and the hot pink polish to create a French tip. Underneath the French tip, use striping brush and a light pink polish, like CND Vinlylux in Backyard Nuptials (Buy from Beyond Polish, $7.75), to paint a thin stripe outlining the curve of the French tip. Repeat on the pinky nail, but swap the colors for a light pink French tip and hot pink outline.
3. On the middle and ring fingernails, use a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), and both of the hot and light pink polishes to create small hearts scattered around the nails. Let dry.
4. Seal all nails with top coat.

11. Cheerful cherry nails

If you want to change up your typical Valentine’s Day heart nails, try cherries! The look done by @nailsbymayup on Instagram is ultra-feminine and flirty, and easy to DIY!

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a sheer, nude polish, like Beauty Pie Wondercolour Nail Polish in Le Milk (Buy from Beauty Pie, $8), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. Use a light pink polish, like CND Vinlylux in Backyard Nuptials (Buy from Beyond Polish, $7.75), and a striping brush, like SQULIGT 3 Piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set (Buy from Amazon, $3.99), to create French tips. Let dry.
3. Use a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), and red polish, like CND Vinlylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Poppy Fields (Buy from Amazon, $11.90), to create 3-4 pairs of small cherries scattered across the nail. Create two small dots, then with the dotting tool and a green polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Tan-Lime (Buy from Walmart, $6.88), draw the stems of the cherries. Let dry.
4. Seal all nails with top coat.

12. Valentine’s Day nails: Stunning subtle hearts

Another subtle Valentine’s Day nails design, is this pink and red combo by @sun_kissed_and_polished on Instagram. And it’s perfect for those who don’t have the time or don’t want to do elaborate nail art.

Get the look

1. Paint two coats of a light pink polish, like Nails.inc Nail Polish in A Little Mallow-Dramatic (Buy from Nails.inc, $8), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. On the ring fingernails, use a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), to create a small heart in the upper corner of the nail with red polish, like Nails.inc Quick Drying Nail Polish in Mayfair Made Me Do It (Buy from Nails.inc, $9). Let dry.
3. Seal all nails with top coat.

13. Ombre pink

There’s no need to even do a design with this ombre mani by @nailsxmina on Instagram. Simply paint each nail a different shade of pink and, viola! And if you aren’t a fan of pink, the technique could be done with red (or really any color!).

Get the look:

1. Prep nails with a clear base coat, like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $7.99). Let dry completely.
2. Paint each nail two coats of a different shade of pink, ranging from light pink to dark pink, find them in a kit like Eternal Collections Pink Nail Polish Set (Buy from Amazon, $21.99). This will create an easy ombre effect, as the colors move from dark to light. Let dry completely.
3. Seal all nails with top coat.

14. Valentine’s Day nails: Amazing abstract hearts

Did you ever think you could create an intricate Valentine’s Day nail design using a needle? Well, with this look by @LifeWorldWomen on YouTube, you can do just that are the results are eye-catching and elegant.

Get the look:

1. Paint two coats of a dark, shimmery red polish, like Zoya Nail Lacquer in Sophia (Buy from Ulta, $12), on all nails. Let dry completely.
2. Use a dotting tool, like HiMo 5 Piece Dotting Pen Tool (Buy from Amazon, $4.25), and white polish, like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in White Out (Buy from Ulta, $3.99), to place 2-3 dots spread out on nails. Then, place a smaller dot in the center of each white dot with the red polish.
3. While the polishes are still wet, use a needle and drag it through the center of the first set of dots, creating a heart shape. Then, connect to the second set of dots (meaning don’t lift the needle up yet) and drag through the other two dots; let dry.
4. Seal all nails with top coat.

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