The Art of Loving: A Valentine’s Nail Art Story

TAG THAT TREND

ARTICLE BY ALISHA RIMANDO | PUBLISHED IN 2026

Another year, another Valentine’s Day.

Nails become the perfect accessory for this season, a subtle yet powerful way to feel part of a celebration shared all around the world. Some people celebrate romantic love, others celebrate friendship, self-love, confidence, or family. And then there are those who prefer to quietly disappear for a bit, avoiding the heaviness of heartbreak or loneliness. Whatever your mood is this year, GlossaryLive has a nail design that resonates with every side of Valentine’s Day.

Who doesn’t love heart nails? This time, we wanted to go beyond the classic and create something with deeper meaning and intention. Nail artist Carlos Bello, based in Mexico City, found his inspiration in self-love, and in how, despite scars, intense heartbeats, and all the emotions that come with loving, our hearts always find a way to keep shining for ourselves.

The Japanese art of kintsugi (repairing with gold) offers a beautiful way to understand love through time. Gold itself has been associated with love for thousands of years, from ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where it symbolized beauty, devotion, loyalty, and lasting love. Why not remind ourselves that self-love is just as enduring? That it remains, even through cracks, even in the face of adversity. This design represents a heart healing its wounds, glowing in its brightest moments, and ready to give and receive the love we truly deserve.

As Olivia Dean sings in one of our favorite songs for this season, love is not about perfection… it’s about creation, transformation, and growth:

These words remind us that love, much like nail art, is expressive, emotional, and layered. Sometimes messy, sometimes golden, but always meaningful.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, searches for nail inspiration increase by up to 9,500% across platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Google. Your clients will walk into the salon already tuned into the latest trends, so being prepared is key. But beyond the nail art itself, what truly matters is how you present it: the story you tell, the emotion behind the design. It’s not just about painting hearts, it’s about reaching the heart.