Maybe you’re embracing Valentine’s Day with a fluffy teddybear and full-on old-school romance. Or perhaps you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day with prosecco and…more prosecco. Either way, don’t forget to dress your nails for the occasion. If there were a more appropriate day to go all out with flamboyant florals or pretty pastels, we’re yet to discover it. These are the creative gel nail art designs that have stolen our hearts. (Plus, in our experience they’ll last longer than a box of chocolates.)
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1 10 shades of red
When it comes to multiple shades of reds and pinks, more is more around Valentine's Day. And the mixing palette's yours to explore. Play it (relatively) safe with monochromatic reds. Or if you're going for the wow factor, now's your chance to experiment with a scarlet base and fuchsia polka dots. It might just be a match made in heaven.
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2 French with a twist
The French are, after all, experts when it comes to l'amour (or so we've heard). Whether or not your partner's whisking you off for a tour of the Champs-Elysées, a French manicure is effortlessly romantic. And a twist on this design doesn't mean a drastic makeover. Have your nail technician apply some tiny jewels to the nude part of your mani, or swap the traditional white tips for baby pink or bold red. Et voila.
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3 Intricate micro nail art
Minimalistic micro nail art was made for short nails, as you don't need long and polished talons to pull it off. Keep it simple with tiny hearts or try out a geometric design on top of nude polish. Whether that design is proud multi-coloured stripes or clean magenta triangles, that's totally your call.
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4 Retro florals
Because who doesn't love blooms. Go unapologetically girly with cute daisies or stay sophisticated with classic red roses. You'll want a neutral base here so the design stands out. And for the record, we're not knocking real roses, but when they're on your nail they're way easier to handle. Not a thorn in sight. Ten might be two roses short of a dozen, but we're not complaining.
FAQs
What nail colours are popular for Valentine’s Day?
Bold red and pink shades are especially popular for Valentine’s Day. Mixing multiple shades or going for monochromatic reds can make your nails stand out for the occasion.
How can you give a French manicure a modern twist?
Swap the classic white tips for baby pink or bold red, or add tiny jewels to the nude part of your manicure. These small changes keep the look romantic while making it more personalised and fun.
Are intricate designs suitable for short nails?
Yes, micro nail art works perfectly for short nails and doesn’t require long talons. You can keep it simple with tiny hearts or geometric shapes for a minimal touch.
Which floral nail art styles suit a romantic theme?
Daisies create a playful, girly vibe, while classic red roses offer a more sophisticated look. A neutral base helps these floral designs stand out and keeps the style elegant.
How can you make your nail art stand out at a celebration?
Choose flamboyant florals, pretty pastels, or experiment with multi-coloured designs like fuchsia polka dots on a scarlet base. Creative gel nail art is a great way to go all out for festive occasions.