22 Valentine’s Day French Manicures To Celebrate The Season of Love
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/VdayLead-54ee7c1d4ca74eb8bedcc6c6c3e136e9.png)
It’s the season of love, which means pink and red manis and heart-shaped designs are taking nail salons by storm. As you may know, French happens to be the language of love, which is why we’re all about French manicures for Valentine’s Day.
These days, French tips are a far cry from the pink-and-white tips of the ’90s. There are infinite ways to experiment with different colors and designs, and we rounded up 21 of them that are worth copying for the holiday ahead. As they say in French, “La saison de l’amour bat son plein!” (The season of love is in full swing!)
Heart Designs
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/2-ec0718361d8e4ebdbdbab9ba508d3d4a.jpg)
Experiment with heart-shaped tips in two different ways with this mismatched French mani. A half-heart on one finger with a smattering of hearts on another is an easy way to mix up your classic red mani.
Heart Tips
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/1-10c70272dc0145909f1b7d6ddf837b99.jpg)
The curves of a classic heart shape make for a great holiday-themed alternative to your usual French design. Keep in mind that the sharper and longer your tip is, the more pronounced the shape will be. For a subtler take, try the look on short round nails; for a more maximalist look, opt for long almonds or even stilettos.
Black and Bows
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/7-5c995fab153d41219c8ec9f5895d3994.jpg)
The juxtaposition of edgy black tips against dainty, feminine bows creates a cool and unexpected contrast. The thin silver outline makes the ribbon art really pop against the stark background shades.
Sealed With a Bow
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/3-4d52b32a5ba046c8a041d150815562db.jpg)
The addition of a single red bow will give any pink-and-white French a Valentine’s twist, but we love the way it looks beside this red and pearl combination. It’s flirty, feminine, and beautifully textured—which makes your fingertips look like a box of fancy chocolates.
Red French
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/4-ec776bfd965f40eda1206ee9010ff4ea.jpg)
For a softer take on a red manicure, try using the shade to accent the tips of neutral nails. It’s classic with just a hint of romantic edge—like a love letter in manicure form.
Neon Pink Hearts
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/21-0105330546704ab6abdaf964bece97f3.jpg)
Achieve the same type of romantic asymmetry with a single shade of polish, as seen in this electric pink look. Try painting your two non-tipped nails with a smattering of small hearts to give them a patterned feel.
Pink and Red
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/5-0e56c09c02cd47c1b1cfa8d138d88420.jpg)
Pink and red often seem to be an unlikely pairing, but with the right tones, it can be a dream come true. A light baby pink looks gorgeous with a bright, true red, and these dainty white hearts give this mani a more delicate feel.
Two-Toned Red French
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/6-40bf60e836e046908bc65cc5464e3d86.jpg)
Pairing two tones of a single seasonal shade makes for a gorgeous seasonal mani. We love this red and burgundy look, but this design would also look just as good in shades of pink. Use the lighter color as your base, and accent the tips with something a few shades deeper.
Mismatched Nails
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/13-13db816608b34205804c654ba413cff2.jpg)
Toss some French tips into the mix with a totally mismatched mani. Keep your palette limited to pink and red tones to keep things feeling romantic (and maybe add a few heart details), but feel free to accent with leopard—which, in our book, is actually considered a neutral.
Heart-Peaked Tip
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/8-1df043b7511b4ef685bec7fdb4f3776c.jpg)
Accent a classic red French with a single heart drawn at the tip of your ring finger. Use it as a canvas to write your beloved’s name, or show a little self-love a la this look.
Negative Space Neon Tips
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/9-e073f398e8524d1595c5c9efb706bdbb.jpg)
Negative space French tips offer a minimalistic way to play with color while also helping you fake the appearance of length. Try two slightly different pink tones on top of a neutral base to copy this neon-sing-inspired look.
Circle Play
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/22-e0f8e241019d4739bda9faee43ef1f70.jpg)
This whimsical look enhances the curves of a classic French tip by accenting it with a circular shape. Use one bright color (with a single nail painted with it entirely, which adds depth) to borrow this perfectly balanced look.
Studs and Swirls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/10-a57733debcc7489b8fbbb072704d03be.jpg)
While French tips are stunning all on their own, we love to see them as a base beneath more intricate art. This gem-encrusted mani draws on Valentine’s Day motifs—like hearts and flowers—and mixes its tips with fully painted nails for a mismatched vibe.
Swirly, Sparkly Roses
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/12-5299de6caa2a48e480f78febfca4a9a9.jpg)
Roses are red, violets are blue, we’re obsessed with this mani, how about you? The 3D roses give a whole new meaning to a blooming design. We love the variation in shape and number of flowers on each nail.
Pink Metallic Coffins
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/16-44588a7b46b049afab09c071dc19645b.jpg)
Coffin-shaped nails offer the perfect canvas for statement-making art. We love this Y2K-inspired look, featuring chromatic rose gold tips with baby pink stars and a whole lotta rhinestones.
Latex and Chrome
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/17-9289534d6f814c018b36d93cab213ebb.jpg)
A high-shine finish makes this chromatic mani look like it’s covered in latex—the accent nails literally look naked—which is very much a vibe. Combined with the studded rhinestones and the long, almond tips, this French mani is just plain sexy.
Color-Blocked Ombré Tips
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/19-c9a7c8eef36f4cd59452d18e9e5e72ec.jpg)
Swap the standard curve of a French mani for a straight line, which creates a color-blocked look. Try it with a gradient of pinks for a graphic—and decidedly different—V-day design.
Airbrushed Hearts
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/14-4d3c5aababd84b918ce018437a0dd0ce.jpg)
Heart-inspired nail art is inescapable around February 14th, but this “airbrushed” design offers a subtle way to celebrate the season. And, believe it or not, it’s actually pretty easy to DIY. All you’ve gotta do? Sponge a sheer layer of white polish over a few heart-shaped stickers, then peel ’em off and add some glitter.
Bubblegum and Rhinestones
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/18-b65fa5f78c1640d5afd3756151a8a9e4.jpg)
Add glitz to a single-shaded French mani (ideally in pink or red, because, Valentine’s Day) with a few rhinestone decals. This diagonal placement feels simple yet intentional—and definitely worth copying.
Ballerina Bows
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/11-f7dac8e2b02942a7a8d1f3aa2ab20517.jpg)
There’s something especially sweet about a set of pink bows layered onto a glittering French mani. Give the look even more sparkle by setting a stone in the middle of each ribbon design.
Crocodile Tips
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/23-059cd3d0bfd442f49630d7256f0de8c4.jpg)
Bring last year’s animal print nails trend into 2025 with this fuchsia version of the look—which seems like it was made for Valentine’s Day. The multi-dimensional crocodile design makes the pink hue feel more intentional against the white base.
Iridescent Asymmetry
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/20-dbf2c393637b4f4ca11407099aecd1d4.jpg)
Limit your French tips to just two or three nails to create a cool asymmetry on each hand. Take a clue from this look by accenting them with naked nails decorated with iridescent hearts.
