Gothic Valentine Nails Are the Ironic V-Day Trend to Warm Your Cold, Dark Heart (2024)

Gothic Hearts

One of the most straightforward ways to take a Valentine's mani into gothic territory is to quite literally paint it black. This design, which alternates solid nails with a heart design, strikes the perfect balance between edgy and soft and would be a chic choice for any time of year.

Sultry Valentine's Marble

If you're intrigued by classic V-Day colors like pink and lilac but feel it might contrast a bit too much with your signature style, make the vibe a bit darker by marbling the shades alongside a smoky gray. Together with black accent nails, the vibe is refreshing but not sickeningly sweet, making it sort of like the negroni sbagliato of festive manicures.

Coquette Gothic Valentine's Nails

Can't decide whether you want your Valentine's mani to lean gothic or coquette? This one strikes the best of both worlds. Red and pink bow designs add a sweet, subtly romantic energy to black French tips, and the look fits right into a moment where fashion and beauty's bow era is getting increasingly chaotic and creative.

Dark and Decadent

This mani, which Zola Ganzorigt created for Sabrina Carpenter, is ultra-sweet yet in a way that feels palatable for anyone who hates typical Valentine's day aesthetics. The dark base shade and the maximalist application of pearls and gems lead to something tailor-made for those who love pretty things but also have some V-day venting to do.

Speed Dating

You don't have to be exclusive when it comes to choosing a gothic Valentine nail look to rock this year. You can flirt with all your design crushes—from pulsating hearts to classic checkerboard to a romantic yin/yang—together in a cohesive color palette. This mani isn't afraid to have fun, but the black and white shades ensure it goes with everything and can work all year long.

True Blood

We totally understand (and relate) if you're hopelessly in love with the idea of being a Cullen. Use that obsession to your advantage by going for a bright red blood drip French mani, which sticks to a traditional Valentine's Day color while embracing a slightly morbid vibe that truly warms our hearts.

Vampy Aura Nails

If you haven't yet fallen for the aura nails trend, allow this mani to be the one. This mesmerizing pink-and-black design will have you feeling inspired whether it matches your romantic dinner date outfit or your plans look more like manifestation rituals and a movie at home.

Gothic Floral

You can buy yourself flowers—or you can embrace the bouquet of your heart's desires as part of your manicure. Pair this black floral nail design with a flowy nightgown or nap dress, and you'll feel just like a Victorian ghost haunting their former lover. (Maybe that wasn't everyone's first thought, but as a Scorpio, I had to.)

Opposites Attract

If your favorite stories involve star-crossed romance or an enemies to lovers arc, embrace that energy with some texture play. With a half-matte, half-glossy finish, this mani subverts expectations and makes the contrast between the black and red that much more stunning.

Oxblood Romance

Sometimes all you need to make your Valentine's nails feel a little bit darker is a deep oxblood shade of red. As a stereotypical New Yorker whose outfits are usually black and featuring multiple leather pieces, I've fallen hard for this hue over the past couple of years—and you probably will, too. From the slightly abstract designs to the elongated shape, this mani is sure to seduce anyone who's ever advocated for the existence of a black sparkly heart emoji.

More Inspo

A Rose By Any Other Name

Featuring a sheer base, black French tips, micro dots, and an intricate pink rose detail, this mani is utterly decadent and makes us think of a gothic romance novel. While you'll probably want to head to a pro to ensure the look turns out exactly how you want, the result will be so worth it when you get to match your LBD, statement tights, and bouquet on Valentine's Day.

Pierced Through the Heart

Nail piercings are having a moment, so why not pair them with a V-day-appropriate shade of oxblood? The result is more "metal" than your average Valentine's mani (literally and figuratively), and it's sure to pair well with your date night look while also making a fun statement even after the holiday passes.

Gothic Gradient

Spark a happy medium between love and darkness by opting for a red-to-black gradient mani. No matter how you're feeling on Valentine's day, at least one of your nails will match your mood.

Gothic Valentine's Cross

If you're still hung up on the "Heavenly Bodies" Met Gala from 2018 (same here), these gothic Valentine's nails are right up your alley. Red French tips pair with a bedazzled golden cross for an elevated mani that feels romantic in the coolest way.

Abstract Amour

Looking for a mani that can take you from New York Fashion Week to Valentine's Day to your next afternoon at an art museum? These gothic Valentine's nails have all you need and more. Playful and sophisticated with a majorly powerful elongated shape, the design makes the case for falling in love with maximalism.

Feel the Spark

If you had a cold, black heart until that special someone unlocked your softer side, these gothic Valentine's nails are giving that exact energy. Black French tips and a touch of subtle pink sparkle create a look that feels understated, suitable to darker aesthetics, and still decidedly romantic.

Gothic Mismatched Valentine

The mismatched manicure trend is going strong, and the possibilities are truly endless. Turn your 3D nails into a beautifully chaotic love letter using a dark chrome take on staple Valentine's colors and a subtle "PS I Love U" message.

Vampiric Negative Space

For this mani, Betina Goldstein used the vampiest shade of red, which automatically takes the vibe into a gothic Valentine's direction. The cutout design is simple yet intriguing, and it's sure to touch the dark yet passionate hearts of Twi-hards everywhere.

Ombré Gothic Valentine

This mani was originally for Halloween (with Twilight as the inspo), but the understated palette works equally well as gothic Valentine's nails. To achieve this, just create an ombré blend of red and black polish on a sponge tool—or head to your nail artist of choice to take the stress out of the look.

Romantic Angel Numbers

While this mani is less explicitly gothic than some of the other Valentine's nails on this list, it still features a darker palette and alludes to an alternative approach to the romantic holiday. The bow design feels sensually chic in burgundy and silver, and the heart accent nail features "444," an angel number that signifies your wildest dreams may just be about to happen.