Quiet luxury-inspired minimalism may have come for 2024 nail trends, but that doesn't mean they're boring. In fact, bold takes on the classic French manicure are some of the season's hottest styles, as proven by the rise in sweetheart French nails.
Simple yet stylish, sweetheart French tips are the epitome of “French manicure, but make it romantic," taking the typical French tip and replacing it with a not-cheesy heart shape instead. “I like to describe this look as a 'French manicure meets Valentine's Day,'” says Jin Soon Choi, editorial manicurist and founder of JinSoon. “It's stylish, sweet, and romantic and is a fun and creative way to add some flair to your nail look.”
Sweetheart French nails are just that, offering a cute new take on the fashion-forward French tips you love. While clearly plenty lovey-dovey for Valentine's Day, the sweetheart French passes as a minimalist yet luxurious French mani at first glance, so you can wear the look well into March—and beyond—as you please.
And don't be afraid of it being too expected. “I always consider avoiding heart shapes on nails during Valentine's Day because the design can be predictable, but I inevitably come back to it,” adds Choi.
.png)
Sweetheart French nails are also surprisingly versatile—and easy to personalize. “These nails have a heart shape created at the tip of the nail, and can either be done over a bare nail or color,” adds manicurist Hannah Lee. All you need to create a uniquely signature look is to mix and match your heart colors, get creative with your base coat, and experiment with outlines and shading.
Plus, Lee echoes that this look works year-round. “Heart nails aren't just for Valentine's,” she says. “You can try making the heart a different shade to match any time of the year, which is why it's such a popular look.”
