23 Short Valentine's Day Nail Ideas You'll Want to Wear Beyond February (2024)

Ruby Red

This gorgeous red manicure reminds us of Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. The shimmery manicure is one of the most mesmerizing short V-Day nail ideas we've seen.

Pink Blush

The "blush" nail trend is still going strong, and this two-tone pink version makes it even more covetable. Use Gucci Beauty's Nail Polish ($35) in Vantine Fuschia and Ellen Blush to bring this mani to life.

Picnic Perfection

This manicure brings romantic picnic vibes to your fingertips. The pink and white gingham print serves as the bold base of this look, while the glossy heart designs add a lovely accent to the mani.

Lip Service

Nothing says Valentine's Day quite like a pink and red mani. Not to mention, the heart and lip designs really make this an absolutely fitting nail look for the holiday.

Think Pink

A simple pink manicure is stunning on its own. But why not lean wholly into the V-Day vibes and add a single heart to your ring finger on each hand?

Triple Threat

Instead of adding one charming little heart to your nails, add three. The milky, neutral base ensures your pink and red hearts stand out.

Special Delivery

These short, pointed nails are absolutely charming. You've got a rainbow of pink polish on one hand and super cute themed nail art on the other. What's not to love about this look?

More Beauty

Bubblegum Pop

Bubblegum pink is just a beautiful color. This exact shade is Static Nails' Liquid Glass Lacquer ($16) in Martini Goggles.

The Right Mix

Why pick just one design when you can mix and match several? Opt to keep one hand simple with bubblegum pink polish and play around with nail art on the other hand. You can do polka dot French tips, red and white checkerboard, or smiley faces—your options are endless on Valentine's Day.

Heart Eyes

This adorable manicure is inspired by the Comme Des Garçons heart logo. Adding these animated hearts to the ring and index finger gives the minimal mani some flair.

Marble Run

If you're looking for short Valentine's Day nails that are a little unexpected, this mani fits the bill. Pair your poppy red polish with marble accent nails to create a completely unique look. It's a design you'll want to wear long after February 14th.

Mix It Up

A mismatched manicure can definitely work for Valentine's Day when you incorporate designs like roses, hearts, and lips. For this unique look, it's best to let your imagination run wild and choose a fun variety of nail art.

On the Dot

Polka dots are always a classic nail design, and when they're in red, they're perfect for Valentine's Day. All you need is your favorite red nail polish and a dotting tool.

Red Hot

You can never go wrong with short red nails, especially when it's an extra cheery shade of the classic color. Use a polish like OPI's Nail Lacquer ($12) in Coca-Cola Red to achieve a similar look.

Short and Square

Short, square nails are back—and this red mani is one example of why. A short, precisely shaped manicure is just as impressive as a long nail look.

The White Stripes

Swiping on a few coats of a nude glossy polish instantly gives you a your-nails-but-better look. But when you top it with swirled white stripes, it takes it to the next level. To amp it up for Valentine's Day, you can trade the white polish for pink or red.

What a Gem

On its own, a pale pink French mani is subtle yet sophisticated. When you add dazzling rhinestones to the mix, it instantly becomes a memorable nail look perfect for Valentine's Day.

Tough Love

Gold barbed wire on top of hot pink polish is as unexpected as it gets for short Valentine's Day nails—but that's precisely what makes this design so great.

Fast Tracked

A bubblegum pink manicure is so pretty and playful. Add a red track design into the mix, and you have a nail look that fits right in with the V-Day theme.

Queen of Hearts

When it comes to short Valentine's Day nails, you simply can't go wrong with mini red hearts on a barely-there pink base. Play around with the placement of the heart on each nail to give the mani a unique feel.

Second Skin

Croc-inspired manicures continue to trend—and this Valentine's Day-inspired take is so fun. You'll just need a light pink and dark pink polish to get this look.

Heart You

On Valentine's Day, there's no such thing as too many hearts. Run wild with that thought and accent your red manicure with layered hearts of all shapes and sizes.

Pearl Perfection

This red heart manicure is so sweet. To create this look, you'll need Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle ($10) and Forever Yummy, a thin nail brush, and little pearls.