Love on top—and on our fingers, too!
Valentine’s Day is almost here, and whether you plan to celebrate it with someone special or spend the night with your ladies, there’s no denying the cuteness of an on-theme mani for the occasion.
From Christian Louboutin Beaute’s easy-to-master “apostrophe” style (created with their stiletto-shaped polishes, natch) to JINsoon’s (slightly more difficult, but doable!) heart-embellished paint job, scroll to see our five favorite Valentine’s Day manis.
1. Christian Louboutin “Apostrophe”
Just because you don’t have a Louboutin collection to rival Blake Lively‘s doesn’t mean that you can’t rock “Loubi” red. Polish your nails in Christian Louboutin Beaute “Rouge Louboutin.” Then, draw a smaller semi circle from the top left to the bottom right of your nail in a lighter shade—hot pink, say. Fill that circle in with the hue, and ta-da—a two-toned “apostrophe” shape. (Say it in French, though—sounds so much sexier.) And don’t forget to finish with a top coat!
2. Paintbox “Retro Grade”
Sweet as strawberries—probably because this one resembles a bunch! To bring this dotted half-moon mani to life, you first apply a clear base coat. Then, apply a bit of painter’s tape in the shape of a small triangle right along the cuticle, to help you keep that negative space. Paint your entire nail in the color of your choosing (red and pink are especially cute for V-Day, of course!).
After about five minutes, you can lift the tape. (If the edges are a little jagged, use an eyeliner brush dipped into acetone to help you smooth them out.) Dip a dotting tool into a white polish to create the polka dots, and finish with a hardening top coat.
3. JINsoon “Heart Trio”
From celeb manicurist Jin Soon Choi, who founded the JINsoon polish line, this mani is sassy and sweet, thanks to the square angles behind the hearts. To create the look, start with a base (like JINsoon’s Power Coat). Then, using a pale pink shade, create the lower of the two zigzag shapes. Trace over that one with a deeper coral, like JINsoon’s Coral Peony, making sure to leave enough room at the cuticle. Paint little red hearts at the bottom of each nail, top with a clear coat, and head on out for your date!
4. Gelish MINI “Roses in Bloom”
The Bachelor-worthy roses on these tips are going to take a little concentration! First, apply a clear base coat. Then, lacquer your nails in a romantic red hue (like Gelish’s Backstage Beauty). Using a mini striper brush and white polish (Gelish Arctic Freeze, for instance), you can then slowly begin to create the floral designs, starting at the center of each bud and working your way out. Top it off with a second a clear coat, and voila!
5. Jamberry “Love Spell” Nail Wraps
And if you don’t have the time for a proper manicure? Pop on these Jamberry Valentine decals. Our vote goes to the burgundy and silver, heart-topped “Love Spell” decals. Pro tip: If you want them to stay well past the weekend, top them off when a clear coat of gel polish so that they don’t budge.