I write about nails for a living, and I must say, Valentine’s Day is by far my favorite time of year when it comes to a festive and on-theme manicure. There’s nothing like looking down at your fingers and seeing some fun pink polish and sweet hearts to pull you out of a winter funk. There are truly endless ways to put a February 14th-inspired twist on any of the latest nail trends for your next manicure.
Whether your plans entail a night out with your partner or a Galentine’s Day party with some friends, there are so many love-filled occasions during the month to try out these V-Day nail designs. From a pink chrome manicure to intricate romance-inspired patterns, Cosmo’s resident nail-obsessed beauty editor (that would be me) found all the chicest nail designs you could ever need this month.
Inverted Heart Nails
@overglowedit
@nailchark
These giant hearts that span across the entire nail with an inverse colorway feel like the ultimate cool-girl manicure for Valentine’s Day. And you don’t even need to use red or pink polish achieve it, so it’s V-Day-coded without feeling over the top.
Confetti Heart Nails
@overglowedit
@overglowedit
This V-Day idea is my absolute favorite because it checks all the nail trend boxes—it’s got 3D confetti, a chrome finish, and of course, cute tiny hearts. This mani (specifically in the pink version) is at the top of my list for my Valentine’s Day mood board that I’ll be whipping out at my appointment next week.
Mix and Match Nails
@nails.byliz
@tamaminails
Why settle for one nail design when you can have five?! Or ten?! I love a miscellaneous manicure that has a unifying theme where every nail is different. And Valentine’s Day is the ideal time for a mix and match set, with so many fun decals to choose from like hearts, flowers, cupid, lace, bows, the list goes on.
Polka Dot Nails
@samrosenails
@nailsbyzola
Polka dot nails continue to be a hit in 2026, and whether you go for classic dots, a French twist, or an inverted design, all of the takes on the trend deserve lots of love (pun definitely intended).
Teeny Tiny Hearts
@overglowedit
@samrosenails
This subtle manicure is super sweet and easy to wear (so you won’t be sick of them on February 15), they give a chic nod to Valentine’s Day while still feeling low-key and wearable. Plus, you can do it on top of any nail trend, whether it’s a French tip, jelly finish, or reflective chrome.
Lace Nails
@nailsbyzola
@samrosenails
I’ll never let the coquette trend die, and there’s no better time to pull out a lace, romantic design. And to add an extra V-day touch, I love the addition of some gorgeous flowers or hearts (or both!).
Kiss Nails
@nailsbyzola
@iramshelton
You can seal your manicure with a kiss thanks to these lipstick-inspired nails, featuring playful lip prints for a flirty touch. They might even be the perfect way to manifest a smooch from a special someone.
Rose Quartz Nails
@iramshelton
@sansungnails
Rose quartz nails feature a soft, translucent pink with a slightly milky texture that mimics the eponymous crystal. The result is an understated manicure that feels perfectly chic for the love-filled month.
Aura Nails
@nailsby_hal
@lolo.nailedit
I love the look of decking out your fingers with a cool aura design, and this V-day colorway is no exception. Just choose your fave pinks and reds and then blend out for a love-inspired gradient to channel all of the romantic vibes.
Chrome Heart Nails
@nailsbyzola
@nailartbysig
I’m obsessed with this cat eye design that creates a heart-shaped effect. Nail artists achieve the look by taking two ends of a paper clip or magnet to carefully manipulate the magnetic polish into a heart. But if you lack those skills (because I know I do), Glamnetic makes a really cute set of press-ons with the same finish.
Rose Stained Glass Nails
@iramshelton
@overglowedit
This isn’t your typical floral manicure. The stained glass-inspired set is perfectly romantic and moody, plus the chrome finish is a stunning touch.
Pink Jelly Nails
@gelcare
@iramshelton
Jelly nails are arguably the biggest polish trend right now, and with so many nail brands launching bottles that provide the glossy effect, they’re so easy to DIY, even with minimal art skills.
Cherry Nails
@overglowedit
@akikonails_nyc
A textured manicure is the cherry on top of any Valentine’s Day glam, and these fruity nails will make your February 14 look even sweeter. With fun textured cherry details and glossy finishes, this mani is playful, fun, and just the right amount of extra for the occasion.
Heart French Tips
@opi
@dndgel
Sometimes our classic French tips need a flirty twist, and I love the idea of shaping the edges of the nail into the curves of a heart. It’s an understated, elevated take that feels romantic and is super easy to paint yourself
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers all the best beauty trends and products. She’s obsessed with having a flawless manicure on her nails at all times. For this story, she spent hours looking at nail artists’ inspo and 2026 manicure trends to find the best Valentine’s Day designs.
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Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
