Purple Nail Art Ideas For Every Style And Occasion

Nail art is a fun and creative way to show your personality and style. While not everyone wants to wear bright shades and colours, here’s to show you that there’s a shade and look for you in every colour! It’s all about thinking out of the box, once you do, your options are endless!

We’ve rounded up the best purple nail art designs and ideas for you to try. From bright to subtle purple and ombre and sparkly, there’s a nail design for every mood and vibe!

1. Purple Marble Nails

Marble is all the rage when it comes to designing homes. Extend that obsession to your nails, except swap the colouring for your favourite purple shade! P.S. We love the lilac!

2. Leopard Print Accent Nail

Leopard Print Purple Nails — @amanda.sudolll

Animal inspiration is everywhere, and that includes nails too! Leopards are one of the prettiest animals, which explains why it’s so popular right now.

Paint yourself some beautiful leopard accent nails, opt for 2 accent nails, instead of the classical one! Of course, it should be a purple nail shade for the main color:)

3. Lilac Swirl Design

This swirl look is simple yet elegant and easy on the eyes. If you want a purple nail art design that doesn’t scream purple, these lilac nail swirls are the perfect choice for you!

4. Purple Zebras

Here’s another animal nail inspiration! This time it’s zebras, with their cool stripes! Use a different shade of purple for each nail to increase the fun factor.

This simple purple nail art is the perfect choice for those who don’t have long nails because it works on short nails and really any nail shape without taking away from the nail design. It’s also pretty easy to do so is a good place to start for beginners.

5. Purple Designs

Create a different design with each nail to be truly unique. From purple French tips to checkered tips and hearts, the sky is the limit on the options and designs you can do!

6. Mixed Finishes Nail Art

Mixed Purple Nails — @paznokcie_hybrydowe_moja_pasja

Here’s another mixed nail design, although a more elegant one! Make a statement the easy way with these purple-inspired nails. Using different shades and finishes, from sparkly nails to matte nails, you can create a wow look!

7. Plum Colored

Essie is known for its quality nail polishes as well as its creative colours! These plum nails are rich in colour and stunning, they also happen to be easy to pull off!

8. Softest Pastel Lilac

Darker shades aren’t for everyone and that’s fine. We love flower-inspired nails, and this one is no exception (check out spring and summer nail ideas!).

Daisies are dainty and small, making them easy to apply and easy on the eye! Pair the lilac and white flowers with a soft lilac shade for a beautiful nail effect!

9. Purple Ombre Nails

Ombre has a way of creating inner calm and peace just by looking at it. Get some of that all day, every day by creating purple ombre nails! We love the pink and purple combo as well as that they’re matte nails.

10. Heather Gray

It doesn’t look like grey is going anywhere for a long time! I’m still not sure about painting my house grey even though it’s all over Instagram, however, I’ll have these grey, purple nails, you can wear them for a special occasion or for everyday work wear!

There are so many different shades of purple to choose from, but these are winners!

11. Smiley Faces

Purple Smiley Face Nails — @nailart.bycaroline

Brighten up your day and those around you with these smiley face nails! They are everywhere I turn at the moment and it’s easy to see why! Customise it to your needs by changing the colour and shades.

12. Geometric Nails

Geometric Purple & Pink Nails — @nailsy_klaudii

This geometric nail design is straightforward, yet effective. Use nail stripping tape to create the sections and simply remove them afterwards. The purple color is subtle, giving the pop of pink the attention it needs!

13. Glitter Lavender

It’s coming up to lavender season here in the UK, match your nails to the beautiful purple flowers we all love so much! If you’re feeling sparkly, add some silver glitter or gemstones to complete the look!

14. Simple Magenta

Deep and dark, these dark purple nails are sure to make a statement wherever you go! If you love the color purple and love a bold look, you’ll rock these nails!

15. Purple Glitter

These gorgeous purple nails are perfect for those who can’t get enough sparkle in their lives. These will shimmer and shine from every angle. The purple tint is gorgeous too!

16. Pretty & Floral

Pink and Purple Floral Nails — @amanda.sudolll

Pink and purple make a good pair, after all, they are neighbours on the colour wheel. Light purple nails are a chic way to add color, without making it too much.

Check out some more pink nail ideas here.

17. French Mani With A Twist

Purple Tip French Nails — @amanda.sudolll

French manis are here to stay, but, you can spice it up a bit by playing around with the colour of the tip. Instead of regular white French nails, go for a pretty lilac shade. It’s not too daring, and adds so much!

Tie it all together with some gold glitter by the nail beds. Easy and you get an elegant purple nail design!

18. A Bit Of Everything

A Bit Of Everything Purple Nails — @paznokcie_hybrydowe_moja_pasja

Put all of your best purple nail designs on your nails in one go! Surprisingly, you can do it without your nails looking too much. These elegant purple nail designs are the perfect example!

My Thoughts

The purple mani trend is on the rise and it’s easy to see why! There are so many purple nail-art designs, that there really is something for everyone!

Are you falling in love with these best purple nail-art designs? Check out some of the best purple eyeshadow ideas to match those gorgeous nails!

Hollie xx

About Hollie

Hi, I’m Hollie, and I’m passionate about everything beauty. Over the last decade and a half, I’ve tested thousands of products to bring you the best of the best! I also love bringing you fun and creative beauty looks. Learn more.

Beauty profile – 35, dry, aging skin, focused on aging well with a healthy glow and natural makeup look ✨

18 Purple Nail Art Ideas For Every Style And Occasion