Design options for purple colored nails

55 Gorgeous Purple Nails to Inspire your Next Nail Design

By: Avatar photo Claudia Williams Updated: Mar 10, 2024

59K Shares

It doesn’t get much hotter than the color of the year, and with this year’s color being ultraviolet, you are right on trend with fabulous purple nails. A classically royal color choice, purple will always give you a regal feel and sense of power while still maintaining an air of charming femininity, just like french tip nails. Known for its depth and drama, purple is a color that can be found in something as delicate as a flower, as mighty as a queen, or as sophisticated as a fine wine. Whether your style is artsy, cutesy, or chic, these purple nail designs are totally on fleek.

55 Perfect Purple Nail Designs for Practically any Occasion

With shades as lovely and light as lavender or as dark and deep as wine, purple is a diverse and delightful nail color choice for any occasion. Match your nails to your personality by selecting purple nail designs that represent you. With fifty options presented here, you are sure to find a perfect look that speaks to your sensibilities. Whether you are preparing for a date night, a girl’s night, or simply a day at the office, the abundance of purple nail ideas will not let you down.

When wearing purple nails, be sure to smartly utilize the many shades of purple to your advantage. Dress up dark purples for a romantic or serious look, or choose a brighter tone for something sweet and cute. You can also flex your creativity when it comes to the rest of your ensemble. Just like one good wine complements a steak dinner while another accentuates the flavor of a fine dark chocolate, you can best utilize these designs by pairing them thoughtfully, mixing them not just with violets in your wardrobe but experimenting with whites, pinks, blacks, and other strong accent shades. Whatever your choice, you cannot go wrong with this practically perfect color.

1. Colorful and Stunning Nail Options

Colorful and Stunning Nail Options

These nails are perfect for any outfit and season. The number of colors involved will lighten up your skin and your personality. Moreover, you will stand out and look gorgeous with this nail color style. It will bring out your personality and shine through other dark colors. It is the perfect option for your hands during the coming season.

2. Amazing Nail Color for All Occasions

Amazing Nail Color for All Occasions

These nails are great in all seasons and styles. The number of colors will certainly improve the skin and appearance as a whole. Also, with this nail polish theme, you look amazing. It will make your individuality come out and glow in those dark colors. In the next event, it will be the right option for your side.

3. Gorgeous Purple Nail Color Design

Gorgeous Purple Nail Color Design

In any season and theme, these nails are perfect. The shades of the skin and look as a whole will improve. Moreover, you look great with this shiny nail style. It will bring out your personality and glow in the dark colors. It’s the best choice for your side in the next event or occasion.

4. Stunning and Timeless Nail Color Idea

Stunning and Timeless Nail Color Idea

In all seasons and designs, these nails are perfect. The sum of colors undoubtedly enhances the entire skin and appearance. Furthermore, you look incredible with this polished subject. It can make your smile appear in dark colors. This is the best alternative for you in the next event or occasion anywhere.

5. Fabulous Nail Color Pattern and Design

Fabulous Nail Color Pattern and Design

In all seasons and designs, these nails are perfect. The color count would boost the entire skin and appearance. Furthermore, you look great with this shiny nail style. It will bring out the creativity in these dark colors and shine. It’ll be the best choice for your side in the next office party or social gathering.

6. Black Fade with an Electric Purple Splash

Black Fade with an Electric Purple Splash

A slow fade from black to clear is cool and dramatic on its own, but add a splash of bright glowing purple and you have a look that really stands apart. The almost flat appearance of the black-to-clear fade creates the perfect backdrop to the striking purple streak that nearly pops off the nail.

7. Magical Purple Glittery Galaxy Nails

Magical Purple Glittery Galaxy Nails

These pretty and sparkly nails are ready to party. Featuring sparkles of multiple shades of purple, these nails are a cute and flirty way to express your fun side. Great for a party or just to jazz up your look, wear these nails with an unassuming outfit to really let them shine.

8. Artistic Black and White on Matte Plum

Artistic Black and White on Matte Plum

Resembling the popular adult coloring book trend, these nails offer an intricately designed black-and-white floral pattern drawn over a beautiful matte plum. The matte finish of these purple nails enhances its two-dimensional artistic look. These nails are wearable while still being interesting, making them a great option for a look that transitions well from day to night.

9. Simple Shimmery Round-Tipped Nails

Simple Shimmery Round-Tipped Nails

If you are looking for purple nail ideas that let the color shine, then a natural nail design like this one is a great choice. With a short, rounded cut, you can wear this design with or without acrylics. The slight shimmer makes sure this look is not boring, but the easy design allows the color to be the star.

10. Mix-and-Match Macabre Purple Nail Designs

Mix-and-Match Macabre Purple Nail Designs

When you are selecting purple nail art for your next awesome creation, it can be difficult to choose just one. So instead of choosing, consider a super cool mix-and-match design. This look perfectly blends black, white, and multiple purples for unique and creative nails that overlap with similar colors and designs for a cohesive look.

11. Matte Iris Nails with Emerald Accents

Matte Iris Nails with Emerald Accents

Take a trip to the Emerald City with these gorgeous purple nails bedecked with fabulous emerald rhinestones. The subtlety provided by the matte nails finish is the perfect contrast to the explosion of gemstones on the accent nails. These nails strike a perfect balance between classy and bold and can thus be worn for any occasion. Purple hair can be a great choice to choose with this design.

12. Stunning Iridescent Blue and Purple Splashes

Stunning Iridescent Blue and Purple Splashes

With splashes of electric blues and metallic purples, these fun stiletto nails spark the imagination and give vitality to any look. With a tarnished finish that also has elements of blended watercolors, these awesome nails are vibrant, fun, and totally trendy. Use these nails as an easy way to boost a simple ensemble. Pair this design with purple hair for a beautiful look.

13. Bejeweled Bold Eggplant Ballerina Nails

Bejeweled Bold Eggplant Ballerina Nails

These dark beauties have an elegant simplicity that is elevated to regal with the addition of dripping Great Gatsby-esque rhinestones. Perfectly placed on the center nail, the dark purple, and the romantic design create a look that is both dramatic and elegant. Wear these for a delicious dinner date or for your next special event.

14. Playful Witchy Black and Purple Nail Art

Playful Witchy Black and Purple Nail Art

Perfect for Halloween or whenever you’re feeling magical, these nails use three different techniques for a playful and varied look. Graphic nail stickers are a great choice when you have a specific picture to use, and a glitter nail is always great for a bit of flair. Pair these with a shimmy base coat, and you have a complete look.

15. Fun and Flirty Sparkling Violet Nails

Fun and Flirty Sparkling Violet Nails

When working with a color as bold and gorgeous as purple, one of the best approaches is to just keep it simple and use a single pretty polish. These natural nails look great with this thick shimmery purple, and, since there are no other accents or designs, the beautiful color of the polish shines as the star of this look.

16. Cute Gold Stars over Purple Ombre Sky

Cute Gold Stars over Purple Ombre Sky

With an almost gypsy vibe, these pretty nails incorporate raised gold nail accents for a hint of color and design over a perfectly executed purple ombre. The fade of dark deep purple to clear at the base creates a magical night sky for the gold accents and would also look gorgeous all on its own.

17. Plain Plum and Dark Dramatic Glitter Nails

Plain Plum and Dark Dramatic Glitter Nails

Purple is one color that plays very well with black. These multi-designed ballerina nails show off that pairing perfectly as the deep and rich plum coloring emboldens the beautiful sparkling black glitter nail for a comprehensive and cohesive design. Play with how many nails of each color, on which fingers, and where to use the half nude nail design to create your own interpretation.

18. 1980s-Inspired Geometric White and Purple Design

1980s-Inspired Geometric White and Purple Design

Reminiscent of color pairings from the ‘80s, these nails embrace a playful and light purple base while adding bright and clean white accents over the top. Perfectly placed and executed, these temple-like white designs are cool, on trend, and very fun. With smart color and design choices, these nails are totally on point.

19. Cute and Classic Plaid over Glittery Purple

Cute and Classic Plaid over Glittery Purple

Creating a multi-layered look by pairing your favorite purple polish under a graphic plaid design is a great purple nail art strategy. With this look, the sky is the limit for variety, and you can easily play around with the base color and overlay. Match this exact coloring for a flirty, schoolgirl skirt-inspired look.

20. Light Purple Nail Idea in a Sweet Lavender Shade

Light Purple Nails in a Sweet Lavender Shade

Utilizing multiple textures is one of the best strategies for creating a varied yet cohesive look. Using the same color with a matte finish makes the index nail stand out, while the real star is the sparkling and shimmering ring finger. Creating balance is important in nail art, and using different textures is an easy way to do it.

21. Gorgeous Dark Multi-Designed Purple Nail Art

Gorgeous Dark Multi-Designed Purple Nail Art

Great for a wedding party or birthday bash, these celebratory purple nail designs exude both fun and romance, showing off a balance of glitter nails and floral patterns. Bookending the more playful nails with solid purple on the pinkie and thumb softens the excitement of the other nails for a perfectly composed look.

22. Regal Matte Black and Shining Purple Nails

Regal Matte Black and Shining Purple Nails

Black and purple together often create a sense of mystery. These nails do just that with their black matte center nail leading out to a tarnished black and purple nail and finally ending with an explosion of pretty purple glitter. Add gemstones and a perfect almond shape for a touch of the majestic.

23. Cool Hand-Drawn Design over Light Purple Nails

Cool Hand-Drawn Design over Light Purple Nails

An easy way to spice up your single-colored nails is with the addition of hand-painted art nail. When considering what color to draw your design in, be sure to pair it perfectly with your base coat to either match or create an interesting contrast. Have fun with different shapes and styles to make this look your own.

24. Purple Mountain Majesties Nail Design

Purple Mountain Majesties Nail Design

A perfect small mountain peak point on these acrylic nails is a great canvas for these sparkling purple polishes. Every other nail is a matching glittery purple hue, with half the nails in a subtle shimmering purple and the others in a festive darker shade. These nails are great for any occasion where balloons and confetti may be present.

25. Light Blue, Water Color, and Confetti Nail Design Idea

Light Blue, Water Color, and Confetti Nails

These nails have it all with sweet and simple blues, a fun clear confetti nail, and of course the gorgeous, predominately purple watercolor design. This watercolor technique is a growing trend and is executed perfectly in this look. The watercolor nail ties the base nail together with the colors in the confetti for a cohesive design.

26. Ultra-Violet Louis Vuitton Designer Nails

Ultra-Violet Louis Vuitton Designer Nails

If you are looking for nails that literally glow, try these ultraviolet-activated Louis Vuitton nails. The size and length of these nails are perfect for creating a canvas large enough to make the most of the signature LV design. The addition of rhinestone accents looks extra cool against the mesmerizing glow of the base color.

27. Silky Lavender with a Pop of Pink

Silky Lavender with a Pop of Pink

The smooth and shimmery sheen on the base color of these nails looks as smooth as silk itself, creating the perfect counterpoint to the textured pinky and silver foil middle nail. These delightfully light and sweet color pairings make this a super cute look that will keep the eyes guessing and the fingers dancing.

28. Multi-Textured and Colored Purple Nail Ideas

Multi-Textured and Colored Purple Nail Ideas

Can’t decide if you’re feeling fabulously beautiful or beautifully fabulous? Have it both ways with this varied, asymmetrical purple nail design. It has matte, it has gloss, and it has glitter. What else could a woman want? Merge this variety of textures and lavender shades with a confident ballerina cut, and your cute nails will definitely be on point.

29. Elegant Fuchsia Nails with a Glittery Accent

Elegant Fuchsia Nails with a Glittery Accent

Fuchsia is a color that doesn’t mess around. It is bright and beautiful and is a great choice as a personal signature color. Wearing your nails in a gorgeous, attention-demanding color like fuchsia is best paired with an accent nail that allows it to shine by offering something completely different. This white glitter accent nail complements but doesn’t compete.

30. Regal Purple Nails for a Royal Party

Regal Purple Nails for a Royal Party

This nail design is a nod to the modern and the traditional at once. Reminiscent of the days of kings and queens, the middle finger offers a small intricate golden design over a matte royal purple, while the other nails liven up the look with fun and playful purple confetti. Wear these to feel regal but ready for a good time.

31. Cornflower Simple Nails with a Geometric Accent

Cornflower Simple Nails with a Geometric Accent

Smooth and glossy, the almost muted and relaxed color palette of this design creates a look that is interesting but subtle and totally suitable for work or play. Choosing to add accent nails just to the one hand makes the pretty, sweeping design even more unassuming, ensuring that this nail can be worn for any occasion.

32. Smoky and Witchy Mystical Nail Art

Smoky and Witchy Mystical Nail Art

Some introverts are accused of navel-gazing; with this mesmerizing design, you can’t help but be guilty of a little nail-gazing. Milky gray and purple swirls ooze over the midnight black base to give the illusion of staring into a murky crystal orb or a freshly shaken magic eight balls. And what do we divine in your future? A show-stopping look, of course.

33. Rectangular Pink Accent over Pure Purple

Rectangular Pink Accent over Pure Purple

With this one-of-a-kind look, each individual nail features its own framed masterpiece, a white rectangle enclosing a pink and magenta swirl of colors, all set against a glossy plum background. If you try this one at home, be plenty patient building the layers, and take your time outlining the ever-tricky straight line drawn over a curved surface like your nail.

34. Gold Leaf-Accented Light Purple Nails

Gold Leaf-Accented Light Purple Nails

With a long and luxurious look, these ballerina nails will certainly stand out in a crowd. Decked out with edgy gold leaf fragments and cool art deco-inspired designs, the light background that alternates between purple and white creates a dreamlike base for these bold accents. Wear this when you want your nails to really pop.

35. Ultra-Glossy Ombre Nails with a Bold Black Outline

Ultra-Glossy Ombre with a Bold Black Outline

The best way to add a quick and easy graphic element to any nail design is to trim each nail in black. This creates an almost comic book-like pop and makes each nail feel like an individual piece of art. The smooth and subtle fade from bright blue to pink is executed perfectly for a purple-centric artistic design.

36. Light Lavender and Metallic Nail Design

Light Lavender and Metallic Nail Design

When considering purple nail ideas, keep in mind dark and shimmery accents. A sparkly black-based nail looks great next to any shade of purple and always works to emphasize this regal color. This particular black polish has a metallic silver sheen, which plays nicely with the light and easy purple of the solid-colored nails.

37. Super Nova-Inspired Black and Purple Art

Super Nova-Inspired Black and Purple Art

Lose yourself in these dazzling deep space-inspired nails. The enchanting ribbon of light purples explodes out, adding a touch of color across the vast black landscape. Keep the shape of these nails simple to emphasize the elegance of this graceful interstellar design. With a slightly different shape on each nail, this design is as unique as each star in our galaxy.

38. Pretty and Easy Light Purple Nails

Pretty and Easy Light Purple Nails

Many purple nail ideas incorporate complex designs, gemstones, and accents. These elements, while fun, are not necessary for an absolutely lovely light purple look. These simple nails show that subtlety pays off and that paying attention to the small details like the curve and cut of your nail can have a big impact on the outcome of a design.

39. Impactful Mix-and-Match Purple-Themed Stilettoes

Impactful Mix-and-Match Purple-Themed Stilettoes

These charming mystical nails use their stiletto point to enhance their enchanting qualities. Striking a balance between black, purple, and pink, these nails transcend the ordinary and create a look that is nothing short of magical. The best part of this look is that even though each nail has the ability to stand on its own, they all work together in perfect harmony.

40. Gold Diamond and Star Purple Nail Designs

Gold Diamond and Star Purple Nail Designs

With a nod to the whimsical, these solid purple nails with golden accents are delightful. Playing with spacing and design, these nails utilize diamonds and a classic star shape to create patterns similar to the ones you would find on a wizard’s cloak. With a subtle shimmer, the dark purple undercoat creates a great base for this magical look.

41. Magical Purple Crystal Fingertip Art

Magical Purple Crystal Fingertip Art

A great way to utilize the length of a squoval cut acrylic is to add a playful design to the tips. Using this technique creates length and allows both your design and base color to have room for themselves. The iridescent purple and pink base color plays off of the crystal design for a charming piece of purple nail art.

42. Playful Paw Print and Purple Ideas

Playful Paw Print and Purple Ideas

Pay homage to your favorite pup with a simple and sweet paw print placed perfectly over your next nail design. These gold and white accent nails look great framed inside this light purple polish, and the little nod to Spot is a cute surprise. Take this idea to your next nail appointment for a poochy pop.

43. Metallic and Matte Blue and Purple Nails

Metallic and Matte Blue and Purple Nails

Dark blues and purples merge effortlessly in this hard meets soft look. The metallic blues of the first two nails flow into the delicate matte purples of the ring and pinkie finger for a look that surprises and delights. The gently placed gemstones work as a bridge between the metallic nails and the others, beautifully smoothing over the contrasting designs.

44. Ombred Peach-to-Light Purple Nails

Ombred Peach-to-Light Purple Nails

People often overlook the versatility of purple, when in reality it pairs beautifully with so many colors. This elegant design is both a study in simplicity and an homage to the softer side of purple, sliding delicately from peach to lilac. This is a fantastic look to wear when it is time to usher in spring.

45. Beautiful Matte Sunset Nail Art

Beautiful Matte Sunset Nail Art

With a quiet simplicity, these gorgeous nails represent a beautiful matte sunrise. Although subtle, this purple nail art is quite complex and works through many shades of peach and pink as it moves towards a sophisticated and delicate lavender. Wear these nails to remind yourself to relax and breathe deeply throughout your busy day.

46. Bold and Beautiful Classic Purple Nails

Bold and Beautiful Classic Purple Nails

If you are looking for purple nail ideas that show off your favorite color, then this design is the perfect choice. Featuring a bright, bold, and definitive purple, these nails offer a pop of pure unadulterated color alongside fun and sparkling confetti nails in the same hue. Wear this look for New Year’s or any celebratory occasion.

47. Tribal-Inspired White, Gold, and Purple Nails

Tribal-Inspired White, Gold, and Purple Nails

These nails prove that you don’t have to go over the top with shape, cut, or acrylics in order to pump up the wow factor. With an intricate ornamental pattern, this nail art comes across almost like a couture collection, each nail representing its own gorgeous look even though all five designs are cut from the same fabric.

48. Ready-to-Party Sparkling Yellow and Purple Nail Art

Ready-to-Party Sparkling Yellow and Purple Nail Art

These playful pastel yellow and purple nails are a great way to herald in spring or brighten up a chilly winter day. Perfectly balancing solid colors with glitters, you can mix and match the two tones in any way to like to make this look your own. Wear these nails to an Easter celebration or garden-themed wedding.

49. Gorgeous Lilac Nails with a Rose Accent

Gorgeous Lilac Nails with a Rose Accent

With many shades represented in nature, purple is a perfect pairing with any floral nail décor. The gentle lilac matches perfectly with the smaller flower of this design, while the pop of pinkish sparkles adds a touch of playful flair. Sweet and chic, these nails will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

50. Light Purple Nails that Sparkle and Shine

Light Purple Nails that Sparkle and Shine

These extravagant bright purple nails incorporate many showy elements for an overall impactful and bold design. Utilizing clear confetti nails to break up the boldly bejeweled purples is a smart strategy and helps draw the attention towards the most elaborately decorated nails. Take your time to create a thoughtful design for this dazzling look.

51. Metallic Oil Slick-Inspired Glitter Nails

Metallic Oil Slick-Inspired Glitter Nails

A popular new trend in fashion, the sleek and shine of oil slick colors work great with purple nail designs. The slightly green hue around the edges shifts and morphs with the movement of light, creating a dynamic and interesting look. Choosing a color like this offers the simplicity of a single polish but the color palette of a rainbow.

52. Bejeweled and Ombred Pink and Purple Nails

Bejeweled and Ombred Pink and Purple Nails

With gemstones and colorings reminiscent of classic Bollywood, these nails are lovely enough for a wedding or date but playful enough for a night out on the town. The choice to place the gems over a nude part of the nail accentuates them in a unique and thoughtful way, while the magenta ombre varies from nail to nail for a dynamic look.

53. Simple Mauve Nails with an Accent Piece

Simple Mauve Nails with an Accent Piece

Often overlooked, mauve is a lovely shade of purple that can be used as a compliment to many colors. Choosing it for your nails is a great way to add a bit of color without overwhelming your personal style. Although small, the addition of rhinestones adds a big impact to this otherwise simplistic look.

54. Playful Periwinkle and Tropical-Inspired Nail Art

Playful Periwinkle and Tropical-Inspired Nail Art

With a purple that sits very close to pink, this mid-century modern-inspired look uses a solid coloring to bookend an intricate floral design that is playful, cute and wearable all at once. The design elements of these nails are well executed with precisely drawn tropical flowers and perfectly picturesque ferns.

55. A Starry Night in Dark Sparkles

A Starry Night in Dark Sparkles

This is a wonderful at-home nail design because it relies on the stunning beauty of the polish itself. Sure, you can spice up this look by throwing in a stark white accent nail or embedding a rhinestone or two, but there is nothing wrong with simply showing off the stunning celestial polish on square natural nails.

55 “Berry” Good Purple Nails that are a “Grape” Choice for your Next Look

Having selected purple as your primary color palette, you are already well on your way to a memorable, stand-out look. Although it may come off as exclusive, purple is actually a very approachable color and can complement and be enjoyed by nearly anyone.

Take your time to consider each of your options carefully, and do not be afraid to play around with colors and designs. Feel free to make these beautiful purple nails your own, or if you prefer, do your best to replicate them shade for shade at home. However, you decide to wear your purple nails, be sure to wear them proud.

50 Perfect Purple Nail Designs for Practically any Occasion

How did you like this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Thank you for your feedback

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

59K Shares
About the AuthorAvatar photo
Claudia Williams

Claudia has been into dazzling nail designs ever since she was a kid, and now she’s fulfilling her dream of writing about them daily on TheCuddl. Claudia firmly believes that everyone has that one look that fits them perfectly, so her goal is to show readers as many stylish designs as possible and help them find the perfect choice. Claudia’s other passions include hiking, taking photos in nature, and trying out new recipes. See all articles from Claudia.