Valentine’s Day, whether or not you have a significant other, is that one day of year when we all celebrate love and friendship. It’s when you buy heart-shaped candy, purchase something frilly, and/or opt for fashion and beauty products in pretty shades of pink, red, burgundy, and white.

Nails are no different. It’s fun to dream up cute Valentine’s Day-inspired designs to put on your nails whenever February rolls around. And it’s even more fun to look online to see how other artistic people emblazoned their uñas with hearts, pink glitter, the word “love,” flashes of classic romantic red, and more. We wanted to give you some V-day nail inspiration to take to the salon, so we did the scrolling on Instagram for you, finding 30 incredible examples of fabulous Valentine’s Day designs. Check them out!

We ♥️ #Garfield and @home_of_deva ❤️ #valentines #nailsmagazine 🐱

A post shared by #NAILSMAGAZINE (@nailsmagazine) on Jan 28, 2020 at 6:21pm PST

Why keep your V-day nail art to only hearts and the like? This adorable mani by Home of Deva also features everyone’s favorite cartoon cat, Garfield. The stark white background anchors the playful design perfectly.  

Hearts on hearts ♥️ @superflynails #nailsmagazine

A post shared by #NAILSMAGAZINE (@nailsmagazine) on Jan 27, 2020 at 5:35am PST

A fun idea for Valentine’s Day nails that also keeps the look classic is the heart-shaped French mani. You will see this in the form of a single, upside-down heart that creates a French manicure. This one by Mia of the Sparkle SF salon, however, layers corazones in red, orange, gold, and burgundy to create an artsy layered ‘60s/’70s look. 

❣️o m b r é 💖 h e a r t❣️ @nailchampion_

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Feb 2, 2020 at 8:02am PST

Not all heart art is created equal. This radiating ombre heart, by Anastasiia Morozova, adds more interest through heartbeat-like echoes in various shades of pink and red. Commenters on Instagram have likened it to the aesthetic of The Powerpuff Girls cartoon. 

@nailz_by_dev inspired @nailsbyheathere to create cheetah❣️h e a r t s 🐆 with @the_gelbottle_inc shades❣️

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Jan 19, 2020 at 9:37am PST

Leopard print is not only on-trend — it’s a classic. In fact, it often appears on Valentine’s Day. This adorable mani by Nails by Heather combines leopard with negative space hearts, and equally-classic red. The result is the perfect balance of 1950s sex kitten and 2020 nail trendsetter. 

sugared 💘 h e a r t s 💘 @_beautybyyuli

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Feb 2, 2020 at 10:20am PST

Red is probably the first go-to color that people opt for when February 14 rolls around. But there are other fabulous hues that you can wear in celebration. Fuschia is vibrant, fun, and also tied to love. Yuli S. created these long fuschia acrylics, that get added V-day oomph with the addition of “sugared” hearts. 

Blossom and Bae 💗⁣⁣ ✨Tag your Valentine this year 😍⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Last years Valentine set was super cute! I loved how the gel ombré turned out! ⁣⁣ Using all @bioseaweedgel — use my code “NAILZBYDEV” at checkout on bioseaweedgel.com to save some $ off your next order on bioseaweedgel.com ⁣⁣- I love their gel polish because it’s all super pigmented and easy to work with when doing art! Not runny either! ⁣⁣ ☁️ #ombrenails #cutenails #90saesthetic ☁️

A post shared by Devin Strebler💗🛸 (@nailz_by_dev) on Jan 19, 2020 at 10:24am PST

Another adorable cartoon-themed Valentine’s Day look we love is Nails by Dev’s sweet Powerpuff Girls manicure. The detailed art was handpainted and featured an equally-cool pink-to-lavender ombre background. 

Sweet on these #nails @aleashas_nails_xx 💛💕💓 #valentines #nailsmagazine

A post shared by #NAILSMAGAZINE (@nailsmagazine) on Jan 14, 2020 at 5:04pm PST

Candy hearts are a trend within the trend of Valentine’s Day-themed nails. Some are exact copies of the small heart-shaped sweets, with messages written on them. Others are a bit more inspired instead of exact, like this pretty mani by Aleasha Rennie. Anchored by a lilac background, pastel hearts in yellow, green, blue, and light pink playfully seem to float down the nail. 

@gloss_la painted❣️r e d❣️tips with @youngnailsinc Power Up Mission Control❣️

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:07am PST

It is really easy to go extra AF with any themed nails. Valentine’s Day nails, if not done correctly, can go from cute to tacky in an instant. Whether you are naturally a minimalist or want to celebrate V-day in a more subdued manner, take a look at GLOSS LA’s (Taylor Gonzalez) perfect option. A thin red French manicure over a barely there base is glammed up with tiny gold hearts. 

The only 💋 k i s s e s 💋 we want are encapsulated @cheyennesnails_

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Feb 1, 2020 at 12:56pm PST

Definitely on the more-is-more side are these fabulous V-day uñas by Cheyenne’s Nails. You have vivid red glitter, red glitter hearts, small gold roses, and red glitter kisses on long acrylic nude nails. 

@majamarkowicz painted 🍬 c a n d y 🍬 hearts with @indigonails in Mermaid Black No. 2, Pixel Effect Emerald Black and Artebrillante White 🌸

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Jan 20, 2020 at 7:00am PST

Maja Markowicz created a sweet, feminine mani that’s just perfect for Valentine’s Day. A light pink base is given some subtle sparkle with a touch of glitter, and small white hearts add a touch of cuteness. The overall look is so subtle that you could rock it any time of year.  

Valentine’s Day but make it❣️c h e e t a h 🐆 @clawsbysandy

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Feb 1, 2020 at 10:14am PST

Nail art is just that — art. From rich colors and beautiful patterns and sparkling accents, talented nail techs are able to elevate uñas from mere nails to amazingly decorated canvases. Claws by Sandy started with matte pinky-nude nails and layered on painterly leopard print in red, pink, and black. Strategically-placed hearts complete the look. 

We can verify @sierrasnails_ hand painted 💕 c a n d y 💕 hearts #nonailstickers

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Jan 31, 2020 at 6:44am PST

V-day nails don’t have to be long acrylics packed with designs. Short nails can get in on the fun too. Just take a look at these adorable ones from Sierra Unsicker. A white background features printed candy hearts that are hand-painted by the artist.  

@sirenareenasboutique send us Peachy 🍑 Nudes #pressons

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Jan 30, 2020 at 8:44am PST

A fabulous idea for making your acrylics Valentine’s Day-themed is punching out little heart shapes in them. Sirena Reena’s Boutique created peachy-nude press-on nails with the romantic detail and shared it to her Instagram. Added bonus? These uñas come in matte, but you can also get them in a glossy finish. 

@giulisnails inspired @_allured to hand paint 💜 Valentine’s Day 💛 at the #millhouse 💘

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Jan 28, 2020 at 10:45am PST

Okay, we have seen several great interpretations of candy heart nails (and there are several more out there). But have you seen candy heart nails with Simpsons characters (done by @_allured and inspired by Giuli’s Nails)?! Lisa Simpson is giving Milhouse the side-eye on these adorable uñas, which also feature candy hearts and crystals. 

Leave it to @nailsby_tony to remind of us of 💙 c h a l k b o a r d 💜 lessons and everything we need to accomplish Monday 💛

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Jan 26, 2020 at 12:34pm PST

You don’t have to stick to traditional “Valentine’s Day” colors to get the loving message across. Hearts look cute in all colors, including fun, cheery neon. Tony T Nguyen of TONY & NAIL BRAND created these dope uñas in matte black with neon French tips and sunny neon yellow hearts. 

🌷🌷 My take on @natashaharton's rose design using Watercolour! 🌷🌷 I love how they turned out 🙂 All of the art is 100% HANDPAINTED!!! . . . . . . . . . . #rosenails #flowernails #floralnails #rosenailart #pinknails #handpaintednailart #valentinesnails #teamakzentz #akzentzcertifiededucator #nails #nailart #nailtech #nailswag #nailsforever #gel #gelnails #gelpolish #gelart #gelplay #luxio #luxiogel #akzentz #akzentzgel #aleciasnails #yegnails #yeg #edmontonnails #edmontonnailtech #sculptedgelnails

A post shared by Alecia's Nails (@alecias.nails) on Jan 31, 2020 at 11:15pm PST

You also don’t have to opt for a heart design on your nails. Why not try some classic, spring-ready roses? This mani by Alecia’s Nails features beautiful 3-D pink roses, flanked by silver glitter and a dusty rose hue. 

Propozycja na walentynki @mani_maniaczka ❤🥰 najpiękniejsze polskie paznokcie w jednym miejscu 🇵🇱 #cndnails #creativeplay #bemorecreative #love #lovemore #valentines #loveisintheair #valentinesnails #valentinesinspiration #valentinesinspo #rednails #heartnails #lovenails #polskiepaznokcie #paznokciehybrydowe #hybyrdanails #glitterynails #glitternails #pinkmatter #pinknails #gelnail #loveyou #lovenails #walentynkowepaznokcie

A post shared by 🇵🇱 oficjalny profil (@polskiepaznokcie) on Jan 29, 2020 at 12:51am PST

A breath of fresh air from the sea of pink and red Valentine’s Day nails are shades of purple. Mani Maniaczka created these festive plum and pink nails that offer something just a bit different. Not only do you have glittery purple, but these uñas also include the word “love” (where the “v” is a heart), and black and plum kisses.  

@misako_nails painted pastel 🤍 h e a r t 🤍 tips

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Jan 30, 2020 at 1:05pm PST

@misako_nails has created a super subtle nod to Valentine’s Day that can be worn any day of the year. A barely-there base gets a pretty boost with a peach heart French tip. Totally neutral, yet totally perfect for V-day. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Q9FUbJzWE/

Two neutral manicures that have the perfect amount of Valentine’s Day details are these similar manis by Home of Deva. The two (the first on press-on nails and the second on natural nails) have black and white palettes highlighted by pops of red and feature 3-D roses, hearts, crystals, and an interesting detail where the word “love” forms the border on a French manicure. 

❤️❤️❤️ #valentinesnails #rednails #heartnails #freehandnailart #handpaintednailart #nailart #licensedtocreate #beautyboutiquesparks #renonails #sparksnails #reddingnails #nailsbyvidi

A post shared by Vidi Gutierrez-Melin (@kingdom_claws) on Feb 2, 2020 at 9:35pm PST

You can show your love for Valentine’s Day using only one nail per hand, while keeping the rest of your manicure super classic. That’s exactly what Viridiana Gutierrez-Melin did in this cute manicure. All the nails are a classic, throwback red, except for the ring fingernails, which are white and feature one or more hearts. 

Just❣️h e a r t s❣️livin on the free edge #seewhatididthere @latinwitch

A post shared by Nail It! Magazine (@nailitmag) on Jan 27, 2020 at 5:47am PST

Another perfect balance between a classic mani and one that celebrates V-day is this one by Latin Witch ClubX Freida. A regular French manicure is replaced by one featuring hearts in classic bright red. Not only can you go for this modern yet vintage-looking option, but you can have fun trying out different heart colors. 

@beautyworksbyamy created this❣️Valentine’s Day❣️look with @the_gelbottle_inc 🎀 Ribbon 💁🏼‍♀️ Diva 🌸 Apple Blossom 🍬Blooming Gel 🖌 One Stroke Brush head to our link in bio for the full step by step instructions 🤓

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Jan 24, 2020 at 10:26am PST

These Valentine’s Day nails are extra in such a pretty way. Every nail is shouting out the day of love and friendship, with hearts, roses, and a marble swirl made up of pink, red, and white. The effect is so feminine and fun. 

#valentines #valentinesnails #heart #pinknails #nailsofinstagram #canogaparknails #818 #818nails @hotnailsalon #👍🏻

A post shared by Hot Nail Salon (@hotnailsalon) on Feb 1, 2020 at 8:29am PST

Whisper pink is such a flattering nail color any time of year, but is also so fitting for Valentine’s Day. This mani on acrylics, by Hot Nail Salon, is mostly in this soothing pastel hue. The ring-finger nails, however, are clear and topped with tiny pastel hearts. The result is V-day (or any day) perfect.  

#nailsoftheday #bakersfieldnails #661nails #nails2inspire #nailstagram #nailsofinstagram #instanails #instagramnails #coffinnails #ombrenails #pinkombrenails #valentinesdaynails #bemyvalentine #valentinesnails #pinkvalentine #naildrip #bakersfieldsalon

A post shared by @ nails.by.nessaa on Jan 31, 2020 at 4:42pm PST

This next pink manicure turns up the volume on the Valentine’s Day inspiration. The pink is punchy, with an ombre effect included, there is a large number of hearts included, and crystals add some sparkle. This pretty look was created by Vanessa Iniguez.

A post shared by #NAILSMAGAZINE (@nailsmagazine) on Jan 9, 2020 at 7:32pm PST

For those who like their Valentine’s Day nails to be more on the elegantly goth side, we have this amazing manicure. Alina Hoyo’s work includes black glitter, black French tips, black crystals, and beautiful, detailed nude shaded rose on nude, stiletto nails. 

❤️💕Valentine’s Day Gel X set💕❤️ swipe to see process #njnailtech #nynailtech #nyc #nj #njnails #njnailsalon #heartnails #valentinesnails #vdaynails #nails #pointynails #shaderoom

A post shared by Nails By Cela (@nailsbycela) on Feb 2, 2020 at 5:23pm PST

Remember how we encouraged trying out different hues on your heart-shaped French manicures? This fabulous mani, by Nails by Cela, does just that. Each nail is a different V-day color, in shades of burgundy, red, pink, and coral. The effect is so fun and perfect for Valentine’s Day. 

@nails.ninetynine encapsulated 🍬 c a n d y 🍬 hearts with @glitterarty_nails1 candy hearts mix, @nailsby.gelpolish candyfloss and feminist

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Jan 25, 2020 at 9:12am PST

This festive mani by NAILS.NINETYNINE is unapologetic in its saccharine awesomeness. There is a ton of pink, hearts galore, and a pink and white marble accent nail. These nails just scream “Valentine’s Day.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Cv8FSg-rM/

Ashley from Purpose + Passion Blog created this adorable Valentine’s Day-ready mani. The almond-shaped nails are in white and whisper pink, with V-day details — tiny hearts and an “XO” added to the pointer fingernails. 

#red #roses by @indiglownails 🌹 #nailsmagazine

A post shared by #NAILSMAGAZINE (@nailsmagazine) on Jan 7, 2020 at 11:26am PST

Sometimes, you want to forgo the sweetness of Valentine’s Day and go straight for the romantic, moody drama. This nail design, by Indiglow Nails Sheffield, is a wonderful option. In a style that brings to mind flamenco, we see rich red roses against a stark black background. You also have red foil against black, which just adds more striking detail to the V-day look.

You’ll probably find @_nailsbychristianna somewhere with 💛 n e o n 💚 lights on Valentine’s Day 💙

A post shared by NAILPRO (@nailpromagazine) on Jan 25, 2020 at 10:58am PST

Our final fabulous Valentine’s Day nail look is this glowy manicure by NAILSBYCHRISTIANNA. The super cool effect allows these hearts, in fun pops of color, to appear like they are made from neon lights. It’s a fun, totally cool, and unique way to show that your heart glows for V-day.