There’s something inherently campy about Valentine’s Day nail art. Sure, it might have been a bit cheesy a few years back, but in 2023, the best Valentine’s Day manicure isn’t just trendy – it’s also fussy.
“This Valentine’s Day, whatever happens,” says Olivia Van Iderstine, Olive & June expert on mani trends and vice president of content and creativity. “We’re in love with a totally out of the box look, super adorable with all our heart. Red and pink are color combinations for a reason, so don’t be afraid to wear both at the same time.”
Whether you’re looking for something subtle and minimalist or you’re hoping your nails take center stage, there are plenty of options for a fun, festive look. . We talked to the experts about the nail art they’re most excited about, plus all the tools to get the look right. In the short term, look for the best V-Day nail trends that will hit everywhere on February 14. Bookmark them now to bring to your next nail appointment — or give them a try. at home.
Don’t like red and pink? nail artist in NYC Kesang Gurung also knows a thing or two about making gel nail art accessible to minimalists. To get this festive black and white gel look at home, Gurung says it takes a steady hand, a good gel polish (she prefers CND) and a great detailing brush.
First, use a small detail brush to add thickness to the French manicure where you want it, then cure the polish. Then Gurung said that she uses a dotting tool for the little hearts. First, pour some white and black gel nail polish on a small piece of tin foil. “Then I dip the tool in the polish and make a dot, sliding it to make a horizontal line to the right,” she says. “Then I create another dot parallel to the first and slide it horizontally to the left to connect them in a V shape. Then I use a thin liner or a thin filler brush to fill in the heart shape.” Cure it before adding your top coat. (You can also get the look with regular polishing, but be sure to let each coat dry completely before applying a new one.)
Gurung recommends the CND Gel LED for your nail repair. This kit comes with a gel base and top coat, as well as two colors of gel polish. White Cream Puff is perfect for this look.
For black details, choose this opaque gel shade.
Looking for something a little more detailed? manicurist tammy taylor known for its long and intricate, picturesque nails, and this pink gel style is no different. A word of caution, though: This style is free-standing, so you’ll need some natural talent (or an artistic friend with a steady hand) to get the look right at home. Follow the progress with This video and the steps outlined ahead.
On a new set of extensions, Taylor started by alternating base colors using the Princess Valentine Gelegance Gel Nail Polish Collection on The Weekenders Nail Extension in XXL Square and dried it. Then she painted the shapes of the roses using Roses are Mauve Gel Polish and Bold stripe brushand cure it again.
“Then outline your rose with Ferosh Black Gel Polish and Bold Striper Brush, treat it and blend Ferosh Black Gel Polish using Detail brushand fix it again,” she explained.
To get the petal details, Taylor first used Forever Rose Gel Polish and treated it before adding highlights with French White Chocolate Gel Polish mixed with Rose Mauve Gel Polish. She mixes it with the Detail Brush and cures it again. Completing the look, Taylor says, “Add your leaves with [white polish]fix it and clean any defects by using 3D Brush and Clean-It. She completed the look by applying and curing a glass of Glass Slipper, while giving some massages. cuticle oil to keep things shiny and healthy.
Available in three lengths, these nail extensions require no lights to apply, making them a great choice for beginners.
With three rosy shades — Berry Rose, Roses are Mauve and Forever Rose — this trio of gel polishes is perfect for a progressive french manicure or premium V-Day nail art.
To add detail to the rose nail art, Taylor used Gelegance gel polish in Ferosh Black and French White Chocolate.
Clean-It Kit helps keep nails, brushes and surfaces clean. After the gel polish dries, soak a towel in the solution to remove the sticky feeling and give the nail an extra shine.
Make your nails last longer with Taylor’s gel polish. Reviewers praise that it keeps nails shiny and strong for weeks.
Want fun, intricate nail art at home but don’t have a steady hand? There is a fix for that. Van Iderstine says, “Nail art stickers are the easiest way to get perfect nails in seconds. She says her best tip is to stick them on 100% dry nails. “We like to stick them on 24 hours after painting,” she says. “Just peel, stick and apply a top coat to stick them in. If you don’t like the first spot, you can gently peel them off and re-glue them before applying top coat.”
If you need a little practice, “try out your design a few times on a piece of scratch paper before applying it on your nails,” she says. She loves the idea of mixing pink nail stickers with red nail polish – or vice versa.
Professionals as well as beginners can appreciate these easy-to-stick nail art stickers.
“Our nail pens are as easy as drawing with markers!” Van Iderstine said. They feature double-sided nozzles so you can have the best control over your nail art. try some multicolored hearts or one attractive spells.
You will always want to remember a top coat to ensure your design stays intact.
If nail stickers are still a bit of a waste of time for you, you’re in luck. There is an even easier way to do a manicure at home in seconds. “I think a lot of people who aren’t big nail art loyalists find joy in having a little celebration through newspapers,” speak Cyndi Ramirez, founder of the Chillhouse spa and nail salon in NYC. “It doesn’t matter to have to code through Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration and then get frustrated at the nail salon because they don’t come out the way you expected. Plus, they’re more affordable and you can be sure they’ll look great on you!”
One of Chillhouse’s top styles for the holidays is this obscure Valentine’s Day-themed red-and-white checkered style. They are not too festive but allow a nice allusion to the holiday. To get the look you want, Ramirez says to wash your hands and “lightly polish the nail for better adhesion. Then, apply glue to both nail beds and press in: the key here is not to be heavy-handed! Press down for 20-30 seconds per nail,” she says.
To remove them safely, soak your hands in soapy water with olive oil.
These red and white staplers come with all the tools you need to apply them for a long-lasting Valentine’s Day look without the need for a beautician.
“We’ve also had a lot of people use On the Mend, our two-step nail repair kit, as a nail mask to remove nail tips and it works,” says Ramirez. Very good.
Another twist in the Valentine’s day manicure is 90s inspired nail art. These edgy designs are great for short nails as they can fit any nail bed size, but you just need a little patience and a precise hand to execute them.
Additionally, the chocolate chrome is a delightful nod to holiday sweets. Van Iderstine says: “Chocolate brown has always been my favorite color on Valentine’s Day. “Who doesn’t want chocolate on V-Day? It’s sweet and a bit moody, perfect for a February winter mani that doesn’t feel too dull.
You can use gel polish and talcum powder for such a look, or opt for metallic polish for a traditional manicure.
This burgundy has cocoa undertones to create the perfect base for your Valentine’s Day chocolate design.
Rub this bronze talcum powder on your gel design to give it a metallic effect.
Alternatively, if you’re working with a traditional polish, OPI’s Bring Out The Big Gems glitter paint comes in similar sepia shades.
