At the ripe age of 9 years old, purple, naturally, became my favourite colour – partly because I was a Belieber, and partly because I had an older sister. Justin Bieber's 'My World' tour circa 2011 was practically a rite of passage for tween girls. Purple hoodies, purple merch, purple bedroom accessories; if something came in lilac, lavender, or violet, there was a very good chance I wanted it. Whereas on the sibling front, colour assignment wasn't really a choice. As I'm sure many can relate, my sister was the decision-maker; she was pink; I was purple. And as far as we were both concerned, this was a non-negotiable. But hey, with JB also being a lover of purple, it fell in my favour.
Now, while the fangirling and forced sibling compliance fizzled, my love for purple remained – and thankfully, it's one of the most versatile shades on the colour spectrum. On one end, you've got barely there lavender milk, and on the other, ube, blackberry and aubergine shades. It's this very versatility that makes it such a beauty staple with a shade to suit every skin tone, aesthetic and occasion. And when it comes to nails, in particular, few shades are as universally flattering.
Best purple nail polishes
Manucurist Nail Polish – Lisa Lilas
Essie Nail Polish – 718 Suits You Swell
Leighton Denny Opaque Nail Polish – Shocking
But beyond multifaceted shades, don't forget: your mani can be customised depending on nail length, design and finish, making for an even more tailored set. From delicate floral nail art and glossy chrome finishes to squoval tips, 3D embellishments and minimal designs, there's a purple nail idea for everyone!
Ahead, you'll find 19 of the chicest purple mani inspo pics to screenshot before your next salon appointment. So, while my sister has to fend for herself with somewhat limited pink nail inspo, I'll be here, weighing up my many, many options...
Best purple nail inspo
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
