Best February Nail Colors, According to Manicurists

Trying to figure out what nail color to pluck from a rainbow assortment of polishes is way more overwhelming then it out to be. Should you go with a neutral hue and keep things minimal, or go with something bold that’ll earn you compliments anytime you flash your hands? To help narrow down your pick before seeing your manicurist this month (or to streamline choices if you’re your own manicurist), we’ve rounded up the most popular February nail colors of the moment. 

1. Opaque Pink

Opaque pink nails are a minimalist’s dream since they match with everything and don’t feel too loud. It’s also a great alternative to some of the super saturated hues we’ve seen lately. “After the winter dark colors, clients are ready for a change to light colors,” says Vicki Ornellas, manicurist and global educator for Ardell. “After so many dark vampy reds clients are looking for a light spring look. And this color is popular all year—it does not matter what season it is.”

2. Mocha Mousse

You can’t argue with Pantone, and its color of the year—mocha mousse—remains one of the most popular nail colors for February and beauty. Galinda Jimenez, nail expert and global education manager for OPI, calls it a light hue that’s very sophisticated, warm, and cozy—just like a cup of espresso. “With the color of the year being Mocha Mousse, you can see this influencing nail color choices,” Jiminez says.

3. Sapphire Glass Nails

Glass nails are everywhere right now. If you want a departure from red and pink, a February color we’re seeing all over Instagram and TikTok right now is sapphire. Give it the glass finish effect and you’ll earn dazzled compliments everywhere you go. 

4. Red Chrome 

Red chrome was super popular through the holiday season, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner it’s even more of a must-try nail color. This look is achieved by applying magnetic silver polish and then using a magnet to pull the metal to the top. From there, you just apply one coat of jelly red on top. “If you don’t have jelly red, use a dark red and add a top coat to make it translucent,” Ornellas says. “Magnetic gels have come a long way with an increase in metal particles; now you get a deeper design and depth of color.” 

5. Pearly Pink

With Valentine’s Day the premiere holiday of February, it’s no surprise that various shades of pink and red are trending for the month. “ I think clean girl makeup has made its way to manicures and I love it,” Jimenez  says. “This trend is here to stay because it is neutral, doesn’t take much effort to upkeep, and it is classy.” 

6. Milky White & Red

Here’s a fun way to lean into the Valentine spirit. Start with a milky white base and add bright red accents via hearts, lips, French tips, or stripes. “This is so fun for February,” says manicurist Madi Monroe. “I love adding kisses on every nail, so it even looks like the kisses are on the fingers near the nails as well. It feels so flirty.” Don’t be afraid to use nail stickers, too, if your nail tech can’t paint them on. Monroe says the good ones usually last a while!

7. Glazed Donut Nails 

You’ve heard of glazed donut skin, but what about nails? This hue is a light brown-meets-mauve with a sheer chrome topcoat. “I mix a brown or mauve (sometimes both together) with the top coat to make it translucent, and then put white chrome powder on top,” Ornellas says. “This has been trending for months; it looks like the glazed donut trend is here to stay.” 

8. Pink Jelly Nails

This trending February nail color combines texture with a hint of color. “It’s a baby-pink base with a dark candy pink ombre in the center,” Monroe says. She adds that you can even add little bows, hearts and twinkle charms on top. “I love the Korean ‘jelly nail’ trend for February—it’s so sweet! Start with a light pink and then ask your nail tech to use the airbrush method to get that ombre effect in the middle with a darker pink.” 

9. Burgundy Wine 

If you’re still in the mindset of embracing rich hues, try on burgundy wine. Jimenez says it’s a less severe version of inky black nails that still has a bold impact. “Wine red nails are not a new trend by any means, but it remains a classic staple for many,” she says. “I think this trend is also staying around because of the ‘red nail theory’ that has been all over social media.”