COPIED

5 mins

Crazy for hue

Set clients’ hearts aflutter & attract attention to your services with REBECCA HITCHON’S roundup of Valentine’s nail designs, products & business tips

‘Tis the season of love: romantic, platonic, for oneself – and for your business, if you can win the affections of those calling on your services. Offering Valentine’s, Galentine’s and alternative-themed designs this month can help clients to feel the love.

Sara Pinto

“The lead-up to 14 February presents an opportunity for nail techs to boost business, by encouraging clients to treat themselves or loved ones to pampering experiences and retail items,” notes Sara Pinto, product director at Andreia Professional. “The event also allows for creative expression, helping nail pros to showcase their skills through themed designs and build stronger connections with clients.”

Valentine’s

Gel Junkie founder, Kate Driscoll, crafts a timeless red manicure using products from the brand’s gel polish range.

Get the look

Artistic Nail Design & Famous Names ambassador, Kay Kirsop, captures attention with heart-themed feature nails.

Sparkly gold lips plant a kiss on an accent nail by Light Elegance UK brand ambassador, Lennor Grandison.

Get the look

Abstract heart nails pair with shimmering coral in this style by Nailchemy ambassador & educator, Kelli Tuck.

Get the look

Multi award-winning nail artist & Kirsty Meakin brand ambassador, Scarlett Senter, gets playful with Valentine’s symbols and embellishments on enhancements.

Nataszija of @julyninetysix puts a love-ly twist on French tips, with pink and red heart shapes.

Glitterbels co-founder & CEO, Annabel Maginnis, uses the brand’s products to spread love via nail art. Scan for a step-by-step

Get the look

Mii pro ambassador, Hayley Rogers, paints subtle hearts near the cuticle area of her client’s nails using Statement Gel Polish

Trendy chrome meets Valentine’s in this design by Holly Morris-Last of Hollystic Nails, Lancashire. Scan for a step-by-step

Mickey and Minnie Mouse share a smitten statement in this pretty pastel design by Emelie Westin of Beautiful in Light, Stockholm.

1 OPI GelColor in I Meta My Soulmate £19.90 + VAT uk.wella.professionalstore.com

2 Nail Art Queens Love Crystal Collection (300pc) £POA www.nailartqueens.se

3 Gel Junkie Gel Polish in Escort Red £7.95 inc VAT www.geljunkie.co.uk

4 Artistic Colour Gloss in Stuntin’ In My Shades £9.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

5 Light Elegance ButterCream in Sassysquatch £17.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

6 Halo Gel Polish in Obsession £5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

7 Andreia Professional True Pure Gel Polish in T49 £7.99 + VAT www.salon-services.com

8 Nailchemy HEMA FREE Gel Polish in Sour £9.49 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

9 Hara Gel Polish in Happy Ever After £6.95 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk

10 HD Pro Nails DESIGN IT! Colour Gel in Carmine £12.49 inc VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

11 Gelish Pure Velvet Magnetic Gel Polish in Magnetic Attraction £16.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

12 Gelish Cream Gel Palette in Getting Reddy £19.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

13 The GelBottle Inc Cat-Eye in Amore £17.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

14 INK iLac Gel Polish in i-299 Slay All Day £10 inc VAT www.inknails.com

15 Glitterbels Glitter Acrylic Powder in Attention Seeker £7.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

16 Lecenté Chrome Nail Powder in Soulmate £14.99 + VAT www.lecente.com

17 Mii Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Complete Confidence £4.50 + VAT/RRP £9 www.gerrardinternational.com

18 The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Cupid £15.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Galentine’s & alternative Valentine’s

A couple’s matching manicures by Heather Errington (@nailsbyheather.errington).

A perfect match

The Pinterest Predicts report 2025 included matching nail looks for friends as a trend for this year. This is a great service to promote for Galentine’s Day, and can help attract clients to your business. Check out matching bestie nail inspiration on page 90.

It’s not just friends who are jumping on the trend: couples are too – and Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to get involved.

Nothing quite says Galentine’s like a girl power-themed manicure. Take inspiration from this look by @guitonails of Spain.

CND T M education ambassador, Rebecca Jane Bailey, chose black as the key shade in this alternative look.

Turn to page 50 for a step-by-step for this anti-Valentine’s design by Scratch columnist, Jiak Hing.

Sydney nail artist, @nailsbyluuce, used The GelBottle Inc to create this heart style in a non-traditional rainbow palette.

1 OPI Nail Lacquer in We The Female £8 + VAT/RRP £15.60 uk.wella.professionalstore.com

2 The Manicure Company Gel Polish in Girl Power £8.52 inc VAT www.themanicurecompany.com

3 HD Pro Nails COLOUR IT! Hybrid Gel Colour in Cuffed £12.49 inc VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

4 Nail & Beauty Excellence Gel Excellence Gel Polish in Elope £10.99 inc VAT www.nailandbeautyexcellence.com

5 Artistic Flash Glitter in I’m The Heat £9.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

6 CND Vinylux TM in Feel The Flutter £5.95 + VAT/RRP £9.95 www.sweetsquared.com

7 Glitterbels Hema Free Gel Polish in Bestie from £7.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

8 Halo HEMA-free Gel Polish in Til’ Death £5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

9 Light Elegance P+ Glitter Gel Polish in Trunk Full of Love £18.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

Willow Academy educator, Rosemarie Lawrence of @rosemarienailartist, is behind this self-love style.

An empowering thumbnail reminder by Essex’s @emmalouisenailartist.

Nailchemy ambassador, Jessica Kibell, paints love hearts with anti-Valentine’s messages.

Self-love spotlight

“For clients who don’t mark Valentine’s Day in the traditional romantic sense, emphasise the importance of self-care and pampering,” says Sara Pinto. “Encourage clients to celebrate themselves by offering inclusive nail art designs, such as self-love symbols.”

Stoke-on-Trent salon, @studio.amour_, enlisted the help of Harriet Rose Event Hire for this Valentine’s display.

California’s Desert Rose Salon & Spa (@desertrosesalon) uses social media to promote its gift cards: an ideal token of love.

This client of @nenanailsss, Florida, visited the salon for their Valentine’s mani and pedi needs.

Creating hype

“To create excitement surrounding Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day, a combination of in-salon and online strategies can be successful,” says Sara Pinto. “In the salon, offer themed packages, like a manicure and pedicure bundle. You could also invest in decorations and play topical music to make the client experience memorable. On social media, email newsletters and your website, promote timely offers and Valentine’s designs. Special promotions can attract new clientele.”

RETAIL ROUNDUP

Swoon over Valentine’s-themed retail products for clients to gift or treat themselves, highlighting you as a one-stop shop for their beauty needs while boosting sales...