Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show off your romantic side and dress up your nails with something fun and special. But if you’re not into the typical cheesy red and pink hearts, don’t worry! We’ve got some great ideas for you that are totally non-cheesy but still totally cute. From flirty French tips to glittery Ombre’s, here are 9 Valentine’s Day manicure ideas that won’t make you cringe.

1) A Heartbeat

For those looking to make a statement with their Valentine’s Day manicures, consider a heartbeat design! Start by painting your nails a light pink or baby blue color as a base. Next, use a nail art brush to draw small, thin lines along the base of the nail.

These lines should have peaks and valleys that resemble a heart monitor graph. Finally, add a few small rhinestones or glitter to the design to bring it all together. This unique look will surely turn heads and show off your love for Valentine’s Day!

2) Simple Stripes

Looking for a manicure that’s simple, yet chic? Consider a classic striped design! All you need are two colors and some thin striping tape. Start by applying a base coat of your favorite color, let it dry, and then apply the second color.

Once that’s dried, it’s time to place the striping tape on each nail. Make sure the tape is firmly pressed down to ensure that your design looks sharp. Then, take off the tape and finish with a top coat. You can mix and match different colors to create unique designs and even switch up the width of the stripes. This look is sure to be a hit this Valentine’s Day!

3) Hearts and Flowers

What better way to show your love for Valentine’s Day than with hearts and flowers? This manicure idea is both classic and romantic, perfect for the season of love! Start by painting your nails with pastel pink polish.

Once dry, use a thin brush and white nail polish to create small heart shapes on each nail. Add some fine detailing to the hearts by using a pink or white glitter top coat, and finish off the look by adding tiny white daisies on each nail.

You can even add some light green leaves to the daisies to complete the look. If you don’t want to draw the flowers yourself, you can buy some easy-to-apply nail stickers that are designed specifically for this purpose. For extra sparkle, why not add some rhinestones around the edges of the flowers and hearts? A sprinkling of red rhinestones around the edges will make this design pop!

Finally, if you want to keep things subtle but still celebrate the day of love, why not just paint all your nails in a deep cherry red shade? It’s an elegant choice that will help you stand out from the crowd.

4) Ombre Glitter

When it comes to sparkly Valentine’s Day manicures, ombre glitter is a great way to go. To achieve this look, start with a base coat of your favorite neutral shade and then use a sponge to dab on different colors of glitter polish.

Use a few light shades and then transition into more dramatic shades for the best effect. To create the gradient, start at the tip of your nail and blend the colors downward. Finish off with a glossy top coat to make sure your nails stay sparkly all day long!

5) Negative Space Hearts

If you’re looking for a unique manicure this Valentine’s Day, why not try out negative space hearts? This fun and stylish look involves painting hearts onto your nails without coloring them in. You’ll start by creating a white base coat on each nail, then carefully use black or a bright color to outline the shape of the heart.

The end result is a modern look that will catch everyone’s eye. To add an extra bit of pizzazz, try adding some sparkles or rhinestones to the heart shapes. With negative space hearts, you’ll be sure to make a statement this Valentine’s Day.

6) Valentine’s Day Plaid

Are you looking for a fun, yet subtle manicure that still shows off your Valentine’s Day spirit? Try a plaid design! This classic pattern is easy to recreate, and it looks great on both natural and artificial nails. Start by applying your base coat and then pick two colors – one light and one dark – that complement each other.

Using the lighter color as your main hue, create horizontal stripes across the nail. Then use the darker color to draw thin vertical lines in between the stripes. It helps to use a fine-tip brush or striper tool for this step. For a more subtle look, you can leave the design in this two-tone state. But if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a third color for an extra pop of color.

Once you’ve finished creating the plaid pattern, add a glossy top coat for a professional finish. With its timeless look and versatile color options, this Valentine’s Day plaid manicure is sure to be a hit.

7) Metallic Hearts

Metallic hearts are an easy way to dress up your nails for Valentine’s Day without going overboard. They can be subtle and classy, or you can use them to make a bold statement. To achieve the look, start with a base coat of your favorite color.

Then, using a thin brush and metallic nail polish, paint heart shapes on each nail. You can make them as small or large as you like, and even experiment with different shapes such as ovals or stars. If you prefer a more dramatic look, use the same brush to apply silver glitter around the edges of the heart.

Finish with a topcoat for extra shine and protection. Whether you choose to go with classic gold or something a bit more colorful, metallic hearts will give your manicure a timeless Valentine’s Day look.

8) Hearts on Fire

Adding a little extra sparkle to your nails this Valentine’s Day is easy with the Hearts on Fire look. This manicure starts with a bright red base, topped with white and gold heart accents. To get the look, you can use nail stickers or rhinestones. The result is an eye-catching manicure that will be sure to turn heads!

If you’re feeling extra creative, you could even incorporate other elements into the design. Try adding some silver glitter for a bit of contrast, or even some tiny hearts around the bigger ones for a more intricate design. With this look, the possibilities are endless! Whether you go all out or just keep it simple, your nails will be feeling the love this Valentine’s Day.

9) Galentine’s Day

If you are single or just don’t have any romantic plans for Valentine’s Day, there’s still a way to show your love with a unique and stylish manicure. Galentine’s Day is a day of celebration for women, so why not express your bond with your friends through some creative nail art?

There are plenty of designs that are perfect for celebrating the friendships in your life, like a rainbow of color across all of your nails, or even some fun, heart-shaped decals. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some 3D nail art, like tiny bows or cupcakes, that will show how much you care about your friends.

No matter which design you choose, you can show your BFFs how much you appreciate them this Valentine’s Day!