Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing a variety of nail ideas for every color in the rainbow. Today, we’re touching on one of the hottest fashion color trends of the past year, purple.
Purple nails are definitely trendy this year, and they look so cute! These nails feel fresh, fun, and somehow a little bit futuristic. Purple gives me Y2K fashion vibes, and I’m not mad about it.
While I particularly love lilac nails in the springtime, you can’t go wrong with purple nails year-round. There are so many fun ways to wear purple nails, depending on your style.
So, are you ready to bring some lovely purple vibes to your nails? These 24 gorgeous purple nail inspirations will turn your manicure into a masterpiece!
Table of Contents
Purple Acrylic Gel Nails
1. Gradient Purple
We’re kicking things off with this gorgeous purple ombré nails look, done on acrylic nails. I love how this incorporates a bunch of different trends in one, mixing ombré with glitter, marble, and rhinestones. While this nail idea has a lot going on, it doesn’t feel too wild, thanks to the light purple pastel color scheme.
These light purple nails look fun and eye-catching, perfect for a vacation, birthday party, or fun event you might have coming up. I could see this being super cute for prom, formal, or weddings as well.
2. Purple Marble
This acrylic nail look takes purple marble nails to the next level! It’s a bold take on the marble nails trend, mixing a bunch of different shades of purple with glitter accents and rhinestones for a galaxy feel. If you want your mani to look like outer space, this is the nail idea for you.
These purple nail designs are super bold and in your face — definitely not for the timid! However, if you want to make a statement, get these nails done ASAP.
Related reading: 13 Birthday Nail Ideas to Celebrate Your Special Day in Style
3. Purple Butterfly Nails
I could not be more obsessed with these purple butterfly nails if I tried! They’re so 2000s, and they remind me of the early days of pop princesses like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
I love that this nail tutorial shows you how to do gel at home. It’s definitely not something I ever would have attempted, but the tutorial makes it seem so simple.
Whether you do these nails at home or at a salon, they’re the perfect nude nail with a pop of fun color — perfect for tons of occasions! Pair them with all of your 2000s-inspired outfits this season; they’ll look amazing.
Related reading: The Hottest Spring Nail Ideas That Are Seriously Trending RN
4. Pastel
Pastel nails are my favorite for springtime, and I love this fresh take on pastel purple nails, done with polish on natural nails.
I love the oval shape they chose, and I love how simple they make this tutorial to follow — a great, easy nail look that anyone can do.
5. Purple To Pink Ombre Nails
These pink and purple ombre nails are so much fun! You could have this done with the ombré effect on all of the nails, or you could make it more interesting by copying the look above, which incorporates two floral glitter accent nails. (Encapsulated glitter is such a huge trend in acrylic nails right now.)
No matter how you choose to rock these purple nail designs, you’re sure to have nails that stand out from the rest.
Related reading: 21 Gorgeous Floral Nail Design Ideas to Try This Year
6. Glitter Purple Nail
Glitter nails are always so much fun, and this is a stunning way to rock purple glitter nails! When you go to the salon next time, why not try nude nails with encapsulated glitter tips like these?
This nail look incorporates purple glitter and butterflies for a look that’s ultra sparkly and glamorous. I could totally see these for a springtime formal or even New Year’s Eve!
7. Matte Purple Nails
Matte purple nails offer a sophisticated and velvety appearance. This matte finish adds an understated elegance to your manicure, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more subdued yet stylish look.
8. Purple Mirror Chrome Nails
Purple Mirror Chrome almond nails are the epitome of high-gloss luxury. The chrome finish gives your nails a mirror-like shine, and the purple hue adds a regal touch. This purple nail is perfect for those who want to exude opulence and glamour on any occasion.
9. Purple Mirror Chrome Nails
Purple animal print nail art takes the timeless appeal of animal patterns and gives them a vibrant twist. The use of purple in these square nails design adds a playful and alluring touch to your nails.
Whether you choose to emulate the spots of a leopard, the stripes of a zebra, or the scales of a snake, this nail art is a fantastic way to express your wild side with a fashionable flair.
10. Glitter Galaxy Nails
Glittery Galaxy Nails are a mesmerizing choice for those who dream of a celestial-inspired manicure. These nails incorporate a dazzling array of purples and other cosmic colors, creating a starry, intergalactic effect that’s out of this world.
11. Abstract Nail Design
These abstract nails feature a rich and elegant shade of purple with unique, artistic patterns. These nails are perfect for those looking to add a touch of sophistication and creativity to their manicure, making a bold fashion statement.
12. Dark Purple Nails
Dark purple nails exude a sense of mystery and sophistication. They are a classic choice for a bold and elegant manicure that can be worn on various occasions. The deep, moody hue is perfect for those who love a timeless, chic look.
Purple Nail Art
13. Floral Purple
I can’t stop staring at these lilac floral nails. They’re so beautiful yet subtle, just the way I like my nails. While florals can sometimes look a little too sweet and cutesy, this is a cool girl take on the floral nail vibe.
Instead of your typical floral nail art, these press-on nails alternate lilac in light nails with clear floral-embellished nails for a look that’s super of the moment and never cheesy. The best part is that these nails are more affordable than a trip to the salon, at $25 for the full set.
14. Purple Base With Rhinestones
Here’s another glam purple rhinestone nail look that doesn’t require a trip to the salon for acrylics!
These purple glitter and rhinestone press-on nails give you the salon look for less. I love how they incorporate a rhinestone accent nail — the shape of the rhinestones almost makes that nail look studded! It’s so cool and perfect if you have an edgy sense of style.
The full set of nails is available on Amazon for a super affordable price.
15. Purple Heart Swirl Nails
As I mentioned in our post on green nails ideas, swirl nails have been EVERYWHERE this year and the trend looks super fun in purple, too!
This set of nails from Etsy takes the swirl look to the next level by incorporating a super cute heart detail and multiple shades of purple hues. I love that the design is limited to the tips of the nails, so the nude color of the nail base still comes through. I would 100% rock these nails year round; they’re so adorable.
16. Purple Nails with Tip
This purple-and-white French manicure is such a chic way to try the purple nail trend. A white tip on purple shade nails is really unexpected, but the combo looks amazing. I also love that this look is done on coffin-shaped nails for a trendy feel. These nails look so modern and cool.
This would definitely be a look to get done at the salon, or you could do it the easy way and buy these exact press-on nails on Etsy. I love that they can be reused again and again, too.
Related reading: 20 Pretty Coffin Nail Designs You Will Love
17. Purple Cloud Nails
Cloud nails are trending like wild this year, and purple cloud nails are such a cute idea. They remind me of a sunset on a summer day, and they’re so much fun. If I had these, I’d be staring at my nails all day long!
Once again, these purple nails are press-ons, available to buy as a full set on Etsy. You could also attempt these as a DIY if you have nail art skills — the clouds are pretty forgiving, so mistakes won’t be as noticeable.
18. Elegant Purple
Here’s an elegant purple nail look that’s a variation of the swirl nail idea seen earlier in this post. This one is more subtle than the first and includes a purple glitter swirl design on a nude nail base.
I love how this purple nail idea is subtle yet still fun, the perfect mix if you love glitter but don’t want busy in-your-face nails. It’s just a cool, elegant nail idea to pair with all your neutral outfits for a pop of color.
Short Purple Nails
19. Shimmering Short Purple Nails
I can’t stop staring at these shimmering, holographic purple nails. They look like something out of a music video in the 2000s! I think short nails are absolutely perfect for rocking fun, almost psychedelic finishes like this. On long nails, this metallic look would be extremely bold, but on short nails, it just looks cool.
The best part is, these are just $6.50 for the full set of press-on nails — such an amazing deal for nails you can re-wear again and again.
20. Square and Short Light Purple Nails
It doesn’t get simpler than this pretty purple french manicure on short nails. Instead of the typical white tip, swap in your favorite shade of purple, like this medium lilac hue. This would also look awesome with a darker, bold purple for an edgier vibe.
You could absolutely DIY these light purple nails at home or get them done at any nail salon. Alternatively, these short nails are actually press-ons, available on Amazon if you want something super quick and easy.
21. Purple Lilac Oval Nails
Oval nails are my favorite shape on short nails, and I’m obsessed with this pretty lilac shade on short, oval nails.
This polish is by ColourLover Cosmetics on Etsy and it’s the perfect lilac creme with a hint of pink. Not too light, not too dark, and the perfect mix of pink and purple. This one will look good on just about everyone.
The best part is that ColourLover’s nail polishes don’t contain the 10 most common chemicals found in nail polishes (Toluene, Formaldehyde, Parabens, etc). Also, their formulas are completely vegan!
22. Short Purple Sweater Nails
By now, you’ve probably seen the sweater nail trend. It’s one of the top winter nail trends that has really taken off this year. It’s basically a 3-D nail effect that makes your nails look like they’re adorned with a knit pattern. They’re usually done in matte colors as well.
At first, I wasn’t sure about sweater nails, but they’ve really grown on me! I especially love them on short nails, as seen with the press-ons above. This is another one of those looks that can be really statement-making on long nails but becomes everyday-wearable on shorter nails. It’s so pretty in purple, too.
23. Short Purple Nail Desgigns with Glitter
You can never go wrong with any shade of glitter on your nails, and I absolutely love bold purple glitter ombre nails for the cooler seasons. They remind me of fall and winter somehow.
This glitter nail idea becomes a little more interesting thanks to an ombré effect, mixing purple glitter on the tips into silver glitter on the bottoms of the nails. This would be a super easy look to DIY, or you could just snap up these nail wraps from Etsy!
24. Metallic Short Purple Nail Designs
To finish off our list of purple nail ideas, we have a classic — a bold purple nail designs with a metallic sheen and some subtle glitter. I honestly love this color on either short or long nails, it’s so pretty and unique. I especially love this for fall or Halloween nail looks!
If you want to cop this cool nail polish shade for yourself, it’s from BellaBosio on Etsy and the shade is called Tulip, a “light purple metallic.”
Do you rock purple nails? Which idea is your favorite?
Tell me what you think in the comments. Are purple nails underrated? Which of these ideas would you be most likely to rock?