21 Square Nail Ideas For a February Mani With Edge
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With all due respect to any February babies out there, the month is a bit of a snooze fest. Sure, there’s Valentine’s Day and New York Fashion Week, but it can often feel like the absolute dregs of winter—just off the heels of another never-ending January comes, surprise, more cold weather and dreary skies. But we refuse to let the February slog get us down. This year, we’re manifesting good vibes every way we can—and, naturally, we’re starting with our nails. Ahead, we rounded up 21 easy square nail ideas to keep you feeling good through February. Scroll on to see them.
Warm Gray
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While we love a black manicure in the dead of winter, something about this warm gray is speaking to us. The extra creamy finish looks comfy and cozy.
Gilded Tips
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The easiest way to level up a French manicure is by swapping out the traditional white tips for something unexpected. You can never go wrong with a metallic gold.
Midnight Blue
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For this sparkly sapphire look, nail artist Sarah Thompson layered blue foil over a blue polish base. If you DIY this one, make sure to lock everything in with an extra shiny top coat to really get that gemstone effect.
Gray-Blue
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This icy cloudy gray has a gorgeous iridescent blue shimmer shift, creating the most beautiful snowstorm. It makes for a stunning mani moment perfect for the slushy gray snow of February.
Velvet Green
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With a bright green base and golden magnetic shimmer, this lush velvet polish provides a much-needed pop of color without feeling off-season.
Dark Love
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Valentine’s Day-themed manis don’t have to be pink or red. This black-and-white design feels perfectly festive without going too over the top.
Rich Zebra
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February can be a drab month. Why not spice it up with a seriously fun mani? This zebra-printed French is perfectly accented with a bright red outline.
Cherry Cola
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It’s not quite black, not quite red, not quite purple—it’s somewhere gloriously between the three. This gorgeous cherry cola is perfect for the dead of winter.
‘Till the Cows Come Home
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As far as we’re concerned, animal prints are neutrals. There’s something extra chic about this cow-print mani—the fur looks so realistic thanks to its slightly blurry edges.
Party Nails
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Spice up your usual dark winter nails with some much-needed sparkle and shine. In this case, the polish utilizes multi-chrome flakes, holographic glitter, and reflective shimmer particles to create a more nuanced wash of sparkle that’s super dimensional.
Green Marble
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We love the intricate details in this marbled jade mani. The touch of gold really brings the look to life.
Glossy Garnet
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When in doubt, our fool-proof February manicure formula is a dark, jewel-toned polish in an ultra-glossy, almost chromatic finish. It’s ridiculously chic every time.
Mermaid Blue
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A multi-chrome manicure is the perfect way to draw eyes—and keep them on you. In this case, the polish transforms from deep teal to purple depending on how the light hits it.
Glitz and Glam
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Bring the glamour of New Year’s Eve into the rest of the year with a glitzy manicure. It’ll be a nice reminder to shine bright and keep things light during the dreariest February days.
Barely-There Nude
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A perfectly milky barely-there nude manicure will always reign supreme. We don’t make the rules; it’s simply eternally chic.
Dark Marbled
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Utilize darker winter tones to create nail art that really stands out. In this case, a dreamy marbled effect looks even cooler against a navy blue base.
Purple Aura
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Aura nails are always a vibe, and this purple set is no exception. And it’s easier to DIY than you’d think—try the sponge technique, covering the outer parameter of the sponge with your darker polish and adding the lighter shade to the center.
Snake Tips
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An elongated square tip is a great way to really show off a print while sticking to the classic French design. The nude base perfectly balances out the bolder tips.
Sparkling Neutral Green
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Once again, our favorite wintertime nail combination never fails. And this gray-green shade is particularly chic—we’d love a matching sweater.
Sheer and Milky
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A milky, sheer mani topped with a wash of chrome (AKA a glazed donut mani) stands out beautifully in the stark winter cold. It’s a nice reminder that lighter, brighter days are just around the corner.
Mismatched 3D
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February is weird! Everyone starts to go a little stir-crazy. Why not lean into the madness with a fun, odd-ball manicure like this mismatched moment? We love the seemingly random 3D elements.
