25 Valentine’s Day Inspired Nail Art Tutorials

Written by Komal Kaviliga Komal Kaviliga
Last Updated on

Roses and hearts.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I know what you’re thinking. They’re kind of cheesy, aren’t they? Okay fine, they’re pretty damn cheesy! But, they have their own charm. So here I am, to bring you some super cute aesthetically pleasing nail art tutorials that you’ll be tempted to try out!

So, let’s st-heart (haha, get it?), shall we?

Valentine’s Day Nail Art Designs

Here are some fun Valentine’s Day nail ideas you can try out!

1. A Very Plaid Valentines Day

I can’t resist picking up a plaid button down shirt when I go shopping. They’re my absolute weakness. So, you can imagine my delight about plaid on nails!

You Will Need

  • Red nail polish
  • Brown nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Tape
  • Nail striper

Tutorial

  1. You will need to paint your nails red as the base.
  2. Now, to create the plaid look, use a nail striper dipped in the brown polish to create the plaid pattern. We are using brown so that it looks subtle. Using a darker shade will come on too strong.
  3. Cut out the shape of a heart in some tape. Use that as a stencil for the nails of the middle and thumb fingers.
  4. Cut out strips for the nail of the index finger.
  5. You can do the heart for the ring finger and pinky by freehand or use a stencil if you need to.
  6. Seal it with a top coat, and you’re all set!

2. Colorful Valentines

Colorful-Valentines.jpg,
Image: Source

Use different shades of pink to create this colorful Valentines Day nail art. This one is for you if you’re a fan of stripes.

You Will Need

  • Light pink nail polish
  • Dark pink nail polish
  • Hot Pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Dotting tool

Tutorial

  1. Paint your nails with hot pink and white alternatively, where the nails for the thumb, the middle and pinky are hot pink and the rest, white.
  2. Wait for it to dry or apply a quick dry top coat.
  3. Cut strips of tape and place it at the center, vertically.
  4. Paint each side of the nail with colors which aren’t present on the nail already.
  5. Create dots in the middle stripe on one nail and alternate it with hearts on the next.
  6. It’s as easy as that! Finish it off with a top coat!

3. A Bright Valentine

A Bright Valentine Nail Art
Image: Source

This cute nail art is chic and fun to create. The usage of pink, gold, and white brings this look together.

You Will Need

  • Pink nail polish
  • Gold nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Black nail polish
  • Nail striper
  • Dotting tool
  • Gold studs

Tutorial

  1. Paint the nails of your index and pinky fingers pink.
  2. Use gold as the accent and paint the ring finger with it.
  3. Paint the remaining middle finger and thumb nails white.
  4. Use a nail striper dipped in black nail polish to write the word ‘Love’ on your middle finger.
  5.  With a dotting tool dipped in black polish, create polka dots.
  6. Place gold studs on the nails that you’ve painted pink, i.e. the index and pinky.
  7. Seal it all with a top coat!

4. Love in Morse

Love in Morse Nail Art
Image: Source

Maybe you’re someone who doesn’t quite like expressing things in letters and words; maybe you like expressing your love in dots and lines. This nail art spells out ‘Love’ in the morse code, and it couldn’t get any cuter!

You Will Need

  • Black nail polish
  • Gold nail polish
  • Gold string
  • Toothpick

Tutorial

  1. Look up the morse code for the word ‘Love’ and draw it down on a piece of paper.
  2. Cut the strings into the desired lengths.
  3. Start with black as the base for this nail art.
  4. Carefully place the string and create the dots with a toothpick dipped in gold nail polish.

5. Lipstick Marks

Lipstick Mark Nail Art
Image: Source

“Your lipstick stains, on the front lobe of my left side brains…” I love this song by Train, and thought it was applicable in this situation, except the lipstick stains are on your nails this time! Here’s another simple yet cute nail art, which is super easy to achieve!

You Will Need

  • Nude nail polish
  • Red nail polish
  • Nail striper
  • Dotting tool

Tutorial

  1. Start with nude as your base.
  2. Use a nail striper to create the shape of lips.
  3. Then, using a dotting tool dipped in the nude, create the texture of a lipstick stain as shown in the image.
  4. Seal it with a top coat, and you’re good to go!

6. A Rose Gold Valentines

A Rose Gold Valentines Nail Art
Image: Source

Okay, I’m in love with this one. How can I not? Anything rose gold, and I’m weak for it. The pastel is a beautiful shade that complements the look.

You Will Need

  • Rose gold nail polish
  • Pastel pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Nail striper
  • Reinforcement label (optional)

Tutorial

  1. Paint all your nails with the pastel pink shade.
  2. If you have good control, you can do this with a freehand. If you don’t, use a reinforcement label.
  3. Cut it in half and create a french manicure with the rose gold.
  4. Using the nail striper dipped in white create half moons near the cuticle.
  5. Seal it with a top coat, and you’ll have yourself a gorgeous manicure this Valentines Day!

Hearts and Roses Nail Designs

We’ve looked at some general Valentines Day nail art, now let’s take a look at nail art that are inspired by something that is super popular on this day—roses and hearts!

7. Roses and Stripes

Roses and Stripes
Image: Source

The combination of stripes and flowers looks quite cute in this nail art. You can get adorable nails like this in just a few steps!

You Will Need

  • Black nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Gold nail polish
  • Light pink nail polish
  • Dark pink nail polish
  • Tiny strips of tape
  • Fine paint brush or nail striper
  • Toothpick

Tutorial

  1. Start off with white as your base. Stick the tape in horizontal lines.
  2. Paint over it with black nail polish. After removing it, you should have black and white horizontal stripes.
  3. Use a toothpick dipped in gold nail polish to create polka dots.
  4. Create an imperfect blob with your paint brush dipped in light pink.
  5. Now, create concentric lines over the light pink with dark pink. It should look as though you are looking at the roses from a top view.
  6. Seal it with a top coat.

8. Vintage Floral Nail Art

Vintage Floral Nail Art
Image: Source

The beautiful hue of light blue goes really well with the pinks to create a vintage looking nail art. The addition of the polka dots just tops it all off! It looks absolutely adorable.

You Will Need

  • Light blue nail polish
  • Pink nail polish
  • Nude-pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Fine paint brush
  • Toothpick

Tutorial

  1. Start with the light blue as the base.
  2. Create a rough blob with the nude pink.
  3. Mix the dark and nude pinks to create an in-between shade and create a flower petal texture in concentric rough semi-circles. Use the darker pink shade to add definition.
  4. Do these for all the nails and then, use a toothpick dipped in white polish to create polka dots.
  5. Seal it with a top coat.

9. Blue Acrylic Rose

Blue Acrylic Rose Nail Art
Image: Source

You’ve heard of roses of all colors. Red, white, pink, orange and yellow, but we often don’t hear of blue roses! Who says roses can’t be blue! This blue rose nail art looks stunning!

You Will Need

  • White nail polish
  • Pastel blue nail polish
  • Blue acrylic paint
  • White acrylic paint
  • Paint brushes

Tutorial

  1.  The base for this nail art should be white for all the nails.
  2. Create a rough rose outline by mixing some of the blue and white acrylic paint to create a pale blue shade.
  3. Then, using pale blue on one side of the brush and dark blue paint on the other side, create the petal strokes so that the dark paint is towards the inside.
  4. Refine it by adding finishing touches.
  5. Seal it with a top coat.

10. Floral Fun

Floral Fun Nail Art
Image: Source

When I first saw these nails, it totally reminded me of Lilo & Stich! This tropical floral pattern with roses is super cute and the colors used in it is what brings the whole look together. Now, I’m not going to lie, you need a bit of artistic ability for this one, so try and practice on paper first just to make sure you don’t mess up your manicure.

You Will Need

  • White nail polish
  • Aqua blue nail polish
  • Green nail polish
  • Fine paint brush

Tutorial

  1. Start with a white base.
  2. Once it dries, use your paint brush to create your rose.
  3. Start from the center and create longer lines as you go towards the outside of the rose as shown in the image.
  4. Create a tropical flower with the aqua blue shade.
  5. Now, with the green, create a stem of leaves.
  6.  Use the blue and green to create specks so that the empty space looks full.
  7. Follow a similar pattern for the rest of the nails. They do not have to look exactly the same, so don’t worry yourself too much about that.
  8. Finish the look by adding a top coat, and that’s all!

11. Romantic Rose

Romantic Rose Nail Art
Image: Source

I love how this looks like a watercolor art! You won’t believe how easy this one is. It looks quite complicated, but read on to see for yourself just how simple it is!

You Will Need

  • Pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Pastel pink nail polish
  • Pastel green nail polish
  • Toothpicks

Tutorial

  1. The pattern for these tutorials seem to be starting with a white base, and this tutorial is no exception!
  2. On the white base, place dots of pastel pink.
  3. Then, put the darker pink polish on the pastel shade.
  4. Use the toothpick to swirl around the colors. This will give your rose art a very watercolor look, and you don’t need to be too precise about it.
  5. Using another toothpick dipped in the pastel green shade, create leaves from each rose bud.
  6. It’s as easy as that! Make sure to seal it all with a top coat.

12. One Heart Is All You Need

One Heart Nail Art
Image: Source

Let’s not overcrowd things or make them too complicated. This is cute and super simple. If you’re an appreciator of anything minimalistic, then this one is for you.

You Will Need

  • Red nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Toothpick

Tutorial

  1. Paint your ring fingernail white as the base.
  2. The rest of your nails should be painted red.
  3. Create two dots in the middle of the ring finger.
  4. Use a toothpick to drag it down to create a heart.
  5. There you have it, a basic heart nail art!

13. Hole-Hearted

Hole-Hearted Nail Art
Image: Source

Just as the name of this manicure suggests, you will literally be creating a hole- heart! Don’t worry it doesn’t hurt! The usage of black and nude keeps it completely low key which is what I love.

You Will Need

  • Black nail polish
  • A piece of tape
  • A hole puncher in the shape of a heart
  • Nail polish remover
  • Paint brush

Tutorial

  1. Start off with black as the base color.
  2. On a piece of tape, punch a heart shaped hole.
  3. Place the tape on the nail of your choice.
  4. With the paint brush dipped in nail polish remover, clean up the area where the heart hole has been made.
  5. Carefully remove the tape, and seal it with a top coat.

14. Pastel Heart

Pastel Heart Nail Art
Image: Source

This one is an absolute must try for people who like using neutral-toned colors and keeping things on the down-low. It’s also super easy and quick! So, try it out!

You Will Need

  • Nude pink nail polish.
  • White nail polish
  • Tiny white rhinestones
  • Paintbrush
  • Nail polish remover

Tutorial

  1. Paint all your nails with the nude pink shade.
  2. With a paintbrush, create a heart with white nail polish on the index and ring fingernails.
  3. Then, with a paintbrush dipped in nail polish remover, remove the white polish.
  4. Leave only a tiny line as shown.
  5. Place the rhinestones on the middle finger with some glue if your nail polish is too dry to stick on.
  6. Finish it all off with a top coat.

15. Ikat Hearts

Ikat Hearts Nail Art
Image: Source

Ikat is a beautiful print. It looks lovely on clothing, so of course, we had to do this on nails! This is a fabulous take on hearts that don’t look too cheesy. The concentric hearts reminds me of the credits for Powerpuff Girls!

You Will Need

  • Light purple nail polish
  • Purple nail polish
  • Dark purple nail polish
  • Fine paint brush

Tutorial

  1. Paint your nails with the 3 purple colors as the base. One color for each nail, and then repeat the sequence.
  2. Using a different color purple, create hearts as shown so that there is a contrast.
  3. Use a fine paint brush to outline the hearts with the third color.
  4. Then, create a small heart right in the middle.
  5. Easy isn’t it? Seal it with a top coat, and you’re set!

16. Sailor Striped Heart

Sailor Striped Heart Nail Art
Image: Source

Oh my god! This one has got to be my favorite. Now, while I’m not a huge fan of hearts, it looks adorable on this nautical themed manicure.

You Will Need

  • White nail polish
  • Blue nail polish
  • Striped tape
  • Red nail polish
  • Fine paint brush

Tutorial

  1. Paint all your nails white, except for the ring finger. Paint only the tip white for this finger.
  2. Stick the pieces of tape horizontally. Even for the ring fingernail, only tape over the white part.
  3. Paint over it with blue.
  4. Carefully remove the tape after waiting a minute or so for it to dry.
  5. Using a fine paint brush dipped in red, create hearts.
  6. Finish it with a top coat, and you’re ready to sail, sailor!

17. Heartbeat

Heartbeat Nail Art
Image: Source

If you don’t explicitly like hearts, roses and such, this is probably a good valentines day nail art option for you. Who says the heartbeat as seen on a machine isn’t romantic?

You Will Need

  • Red nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Nail striper

Tutorial

  1. Start with your base as red.
  2. Once it is dry, use a nail striper dipped in white nail polish to create tiny horizontal lines from the left and right.
  3. After doing so, drag vertical lines up and down to resemble the heartbeat as represented on an EKG.
  4. That’s all! Finish it off with a top coat, and you’re done.

18. Heart French Tips

Heart French Tips
Image: Source

We usually see the tips being white in the case of French manicures, and I must say, it never runs out of style. But consider this, tiny hearts on your french manicure!

You Will Need

  • Red Nail Polish
  • White nail polish
  • Toothpick

Tutorial

  1.  Paint the tips of all your nails red.
  2. Using a toothpick, create dots in pairs on the red tips.
  3. Now, pull it downwards from the middle of the dots to create tiny hearts.
  4. Seal it with a top coat, and you are good to go!

19. Velvet Hearts

Velvet Hearts Nail Art
Image: Source

Looking for a different kind of texture on your nails? Then, you should definitely try this velvet nail art!

You Will Need

  • Pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Pink velvet dust
  • Dotting tool
  • Fine paint brush

Tutorial

  1. Leaving the index and the ring finger, paint everything else pink. Paint those two fingernails white.
  2. While the pink nail polish is still wet, apply the velvet dust onto the nail with the brush.
  3.  After the white polish on the index and ring fingernails are completely dry, use a dotting tool make a mickey mouse like shape.
  4. Join it together to create a heart.
  5. Apply the pink velvet dust onto the nails. That’s all!

20. Heart Tips

Heart Tips
Image: Source

Okay, this one is for all those out there that want to do something cute, but don’t quite have the time for it. It’s incredibly easy!

You Will Need

  • Red nail polish

Tutorial

  1. Your nails will need to be shaped in an almond for this one because the tips of your nails will be the hearts.
  2. Once you’ve finished shaping them, with the red nail polish, apply a stripe as shown.
  3. Repeat on the other side so that you form a heart.
  4.  Finish it with a top coat. See, I told you it was easy!

21. Animated Hearts

Animated Hearts Nail Design
Image: Source

If you aren’t a huge fan of the stereotypical heart designs, this one will probably catch your eye.

You Will Need

  • Pastel blue nail polish
  • Black nail polish
  • Pink nail polish
  • Toothpick

Tutorial

  1. Paint your nails with the pastel blue as the base.
  2. Make a black heart as shown in the image. It’s okay if the shape of the heart is going out of bounds of the nail. In fact, that’s the point of it.
  3. Fill it in with pink while keeping the outline as black.
  4. Using a toothpick, create two dots to give it that animated 3D effect.
  5. Finish off with a top coat.

22. Soft Hearted

Soft Hearted Nail Design
Image: Source

I think the heading rightly describes this nail art. It gives me warm, soft feelings of pure fuzziness. It’s probably the usage of the white and the pastel pink nail shades.

You Will Need

  • Pastel pink nail polish
  • White pink nail polish
  • Black nail polish
  • Dotting tool

Tutorial

  1. Except for the ring finger painted in white, paint the rest in the pastel pink shade.
  2. Create a heart with the pink on the ring finger. This will be the accent nail.
  3. Use a dotting tool to create polka dots around the heart.
  4. Seal it with a top coat, and you are ready to go out for your date!

23. Crackled Hearts

Crackled Hearts Nail Design
Image: Source

Bored of the same old hearts? Well then, how about you do something different this Valentines Day and get these crackled hearts manicure!

You Will Need

  • Hot pink nail polish
  • Light pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Red nail polish
  • Black nail polish
  • White crackle polish
  • Black crackle polish
  • Hot pink crackle polish
  • Black crackle polish
  • Fine paint brush

Tutorial

  1. Paint each nail with every solid color so that all five nails are of a different color.
  2. After it dries, use the paint brush dipped in the crackle nail polish to create the hearts.
  3. Make sure to use contrasting colors.
  4. Wait for it to dry and crack.
  5. Finish it off with a top coat.

24. Dots and Hearts

Dots and Hearts Nail Art
Image: Source

Simple, yet chic. This adorable nail art is incredibly easy, and you need only two colors to get this look.

You Will Need

  • Red nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Dotting tool

Tutorial

  1. Paint all the nails red.
  2. Use a dotting tool dipped in white nail polish to create a heart on your ring finger.
  3. Create a line of vertical dots in the remaining space of that nail.
  4. Do the same for the rest of the nails as seen in the image.
  5. Finish it up with a top coat.

25. Fizzy Hearts

Fizzy Hearts Nail Art
Image: Source

Everyone is quite familiar with hearts and roses on Valentines Day, but I think something huge is missing. Champagne! Just saying, a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and some sparkling champagne is something I wouldn’t mind!

You Will Need

  • Pink nail polish
  • White nail polish
  • Black nail polish
  • Two sized dotting tools-A big one and a smaller one
  • Nail striper

Tutorial

  1. Paint the nails of the thumb, index and middle finger pink. Paint the nails pinky and ring fingers white.
  2. Using the small dotting tool dipped in white nail polish, create polka dots on the index fingernail.
  3. Create white vertical stripes on the middle fingernail and pink stripes on the nail of the pinky.
  4. Use a dotting tool to create a pink heart on the ring finger.
  5. Now, use the big dotting tool to create black polka dots around the heart. With a smaller dotting tool dipped in white, place dots over the black to give it the appearance of bubbles.
  6. Add finishing touches if required and seal it with a top coat.

Tips and Tricks To Be Followed

  • Place your hand on a flat surface so that you have more support.
  • Make sure that your nails are free from oils and moisture before starting a manicure.
  • That being said, leave a gap in between your manicures for your nails to breathe and make sure to use oils during this time.
  • Clean your nail art tools immediately with nail polish remover to ensure that they are clean.

That brings us to the end of this Valentine’s Day-inspired hearts and roses nail tutorials. And even if it’s not valentines day, who says these can’t be done? Roses and hearts aren’t exclusive to that one day! Love and flowers should be given to everyone around you all the time! So go ahead and try these out!

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