Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, get creative and lean into a little self-love. Whether you’re planning a full date night outfit, a cosy at home date night idea or just want cute nails for Valentine’s Day, this year, let your manicure set the mood.

From simple Valentine’s nails you can do at home to hot Valentine’s Day nail designs that are easy to request at the salon, these are the Valentine nails we’re loving in 2026.

When Is Valentine’s Day?

If you’re planning ahead, Valentine’s Day falls on 14 February every year, and in 2026 that’s a Saturday. 2026 is the first year since 2021 that Valentines Day falls on weekend, so make the most of it and start thinking about at home date night ideas or fun things to do on valentines to make the most of the day! 

Whether you’re shopping for Valentine’s gifts, writing Valentine’s cards or planning your makeup Valentine’s Day look, now’s the time to start thinking about the details, and that includes your Valentine’s nails.

5 Valentine’s Nail Ideas

1. Heart Tips

A modern twist on a French manicure, heart tips are a classic choice for Valentine’s nails nail art. The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

How to do it at home:

1. Apply a sheer or nude base coat and let it dry.
2. Using a normal nail polish brush, paint a small heart shape at the tip of each nail. The thicker design makes this easier to control.

3. Finish with a glossy top coat.

2. Classic Pink

Sometimes less really is more. Classic pink Valentine’s nails never go out of style and pair effortlessly with any date night outfit.

How to do it at home:

1. Prep nails with a strengthening base coat.
2. Apply two thin layers of your favourite pink polish.
3. Let each layer dry fully before the next.
4. Seal with a high-shine top coat.

3. Cat Eye Hearts

Cat eye nails, which give you that velvet look nail, are everywhere in 2026, and adding heart details takes them straight into Valentine nails inspiration territory. This is a valentines nail design that you can ask for at the salon, but also achieve at home (this kit from Amazon along with a paperclip will do the trick!)

How to do it at home:

1. Grab your paperclip, open it up and twist it, ensuring it make a ‘v’ shape at the end
2. Apply your base coat polish
3. Apply your cat eye nail polish and do not cure yet
4. Hold the magnet that comes with the kit at the tip of your nail. Then attach the paperclip to the end of your magnet and hover the ‘v’ shape paperclip over the nail, where you want the heart to be
5. Cure for 60 seconds and finish with a top coat before curing again

4. Tiny White Hearts

If you love short valentines nails, this one’s for you. Minimal, cute and endlessly wearable.

How to do it at home:

1. Apply a clear or soft pink base.
2. Using a fine nail art brush and white polish, paint a tiny ‘V’ shape in the centre of the nail.
3. Finish with a clear top coat.

5. Berry Dot Nails

For something a little chic and on-trend for those that swing more towards minimalist nail designs, opt for berry tones, which are huge this year and make for hot Valentine’s Day nail designs.

How to do it at home:

1. Apply a berry-toned base polish and let dry.
2. Using a fine nail art brush or dotting tool, add tiny light pink dots.
3. Keep the spacing even for a clean finish.
4. Seal with a glossy top coat.

Makeup Valentine’s Day Routine

Once your Valentine’s nails are sorted, it’s time to finish your look with an effortless makeup Valentine’s Day routine. Whether you’re heading out or staying in, this is our go-to.

1. Eyelash Serum - Your everyday essential for lashes that feel healthier, bolder and stronger over time.
2. Brow Gel Sculpt - This clear gel helps to brush brows up and holds them in place for that soft, lifted finish that lasts all of Valentines date night!
3. Brow Pencil - Ultra-fine tip pencil, which is perfect for adding natural-looking definition where you need it most.
   
4. Tubing Mascara - A fuss-free black or brown mascara that lengthens and defines without smudging. Plus, at the end of the night, you can simple wipe away with warm water
5. Plumping Lip Gloss - Choose Clear to use as a top-coat with your favourite lip liner or lipstick or Rose for a gorgeous, date night pink tinted lip!

Valentines Day Makeup

1. Eyelash Serum

Achieve longer-looking lashes

2. Brow Gel Sculpt

Shape and define your brows

3. Brow Pencil

Define with hair-like strokes

5. Tubing Mascara

Wrap each lash for a smudge-free look

5. Plumping Lip Gloss

For healthy, nourished lips!

It’s the kind of routine that works just as well with a full date night outfit as it does with cosy knits and your favourite at home date night ideas.

However you’re spending it this year, Valentine’s Day is really about taking a moment for yourself. From choosing Valentine’s nails that make you feel put together, to building a makeup Valentine’s Day routine you actually enjoy, it’s the little rituals that make the day feel special. Whether you’re dressing up for a date night outfit or keeping things low-key at home, let your nails and beauty routine be a reminder to celebrate your own version of beauty.