It felt like just yesterday that we were ringing in the new year with our loved ones. In the blink of an eye, it’s already February. And as we settle into the month, Valentine’s Day is upon us once more. As you prim and prep yourself for the romantic affair with new fits, charming jewellery pieces and alluring fragrances, don’t forget a set of gorgeous talons can often be the final piece of the puzzle when putting together your look for a special occasion. While seemingly inconsequential, adorning your fingertips with the perfect manicure is a surefire way to leave you looking and feeling your best. And whether you’re expecting a passionate night out (or in!) with your partner, catching up with the girls for Galentine’s drinks, who doesn’t love an excuse to refresh with a sparkling new set of nails?
All year round, talented manicurists around the world work overtime to bring us novel and creative new techniques to express ourselves, leaving us spoilt for choice during every appointment at the nail salon. That said, searching for the perfect set of Valentine’s Day nails can feel a little overwhelming. After all, from maximalist chrome-accented Y2K claws, unconventional spins on the classic French tip to miniature re-creations of your favourite desserts, the possibilities are endless.
If you’re in search of inspiration, look no further than Vogue Singapore’s edit of the best Valentine’s Day nails to try, below.
1 / 10
Love is in the air
For a subtle and dainty look, try stamping on mini hearts on your classic manicure, and then playing around with density and placement for that perfect accent nail.
2 / 10
Golden girl
No claws? No problem. If you still desire a detailed, eye-catching manicure, consider turning your fingertips into sparkling gemstones with this crystal-inspired look, complete with luxurious gold details.
3 / 10
Cherry on top
For the girly girls, this saccharine look combines everything Valentine’s Day: heart cut-outs in shimmery pink hues, playful polka dots, coquette-ish bows and of course, gleaming red glacé cherries atop a whipped cream cloud. You can’t get any sweeter than this.
4 / 10
Luxurious red
Sparkly embellishments, hearts and romantic kiss marks on an elegant, striking red set make for the perfect Valentine’s Day manicure.
5 / 10
Cyberpunk love affair
Calling all lovers of the Y2K aesthetic. Combining elements of metallic cyber sigilism with gauzy butterfly wings, chrome hearts and sparkling gemstones, this cyberpunk manicure is the ultimate amalgamation of delicate and edgy.
6 / 10
Dimensional red
You can’t go wrong with an elegant, shimmery red. Pop on a few hearts, and you’ve got yourself a perfectly charming set for date night.
7 / 10
The dark side
Sick of the yearly affair of red and pink manicures? Stand out from the crowd with this inky graphic nail look.
8 / 10
Windows to my heart
A creative spin on the stained glass trend, this look implements hearts into gorgeous hand-painted panels that mimic stained glass windows, giving your nails a romantic, rustic look. Fans of more gothic styles can also swap the monochromatic pinks for translucent reds and blacks to create a dark, vampiric manicure that still fits the occasion.
9 / 10
Soft and dainty
A juicy jelly polish is a great way to add some dimension to shorter nails. To up the ante, add some heart-shaped sequins on a jelly base for a sweet and youthful look.
10 / 10
Pearly swirls
Simple doesn’t have to mean boring. Spice up a classic nude pink manicure by swirling a dotting tool into cat eye polish before letting it cure for a sweet pearly look. While you’re at it, why not throw in a couple of French tips and hearts?
