Purple Nail Art Ideas For Every Style And Occasion

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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

15 Hacks on How To Apply Nail Polish Like A Pro — @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, 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. Check out more striped nail looks.

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!

SHOP THE PURPLE NAIL LOOK

Here are the products I’d use to recreate these looks at home:

Lilac & Pastel Purple Gel Polish– For the softer, dreamier designs like the marble in #1, the swirl in #3, the daisy nails in #8 and the French tips in #17. A true lilac is one of the most universally flattering shades and works beautifully in spring and summer.
Plum & Deep Purple Gel Polish– For the bolder, moodier looks like #7, #14 and #18. A rich, dark plum looks stunning on every nail length and shape, and is one of those shades that feels effortlessly luxe without trying too hard.
Essie Plum Nail Polish– Essie’s quality is consistently excellent and this shade in particular is a classic worth having in your collection.
Nail Glitter — Purple & Silver– For the glitter lavender nails in #13 and the sparkly purple in #15. A fine purple glitter paired with silver gives that shimmer-from-every-angle finish that makes these designs so eye-catching.
Nail Striping Tape– The secret behind the geometric nails in #12 and the zebra stripes in #4. Lay the tape across your base colour, paint over it, then peel it off for crisp, clean lines every time. Far easier than trying to paint them freehand.
Matte Top Coat– Several designs in this post, particularly the ombre in #9 and the mixed finishes in #6 — use a matte finish to stunning effect. A good matte top coat transforms any gel polish into a velvety, sophisticated finish in seconds.
31pc Nail Art Brush Set — Everything you need for the dotting, striping and floral details in these designs. Over 20,000 people buy this every month — it’s the one to get.
UV/LED Nail Lamp — If you’re doing gel at home, you need a lamp to cure it. This is the one trusted by professionals and it works with every gel brand.

Purple is one of the most versatile nail colours out there — go bold with plum, stay soft with lilac, or mix the two for something truly unique. Everything you need to get started is linked above!

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! Get this Essie nail polish here.

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!

Want to recreate these at home? This nail art practice sheet makes it much easier✨

Create stunning nail decals, press-ons, and wraps with this easy-to-use Nail Shape Template Set designed to make nail art faster, cleaner, and more professional. Perfect for nail techs, salons, and DIY artists. Print and practice as many times as you like!

GET IN NOW!

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!

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