If You Only Ask for One Colour on Your Nails This Season, It Better Be This One
As someone who exclusively wears a milky nude on her nails and has done so for several years, I've been feeling somewhat uneasy about the fact that, in recent weeks, I've had an urge to pick a wild card every time I've sat in the salon chair. Up until recently, I have never paid much attention to the colourful wheels of nail polishes that my nail tech presents me with at the start of every appointment. "I'll just take the usual sheer, milky pink, please," I say. But a few weeks ago, something intrigued me about the spectrum of brights in front of me, and I found myself fawning over a particular group of purple hues.
From pretty, pastel lilac to deep, rich mahogany, I couldn't take my eyes off the purple polishes. While I, of course, opted for my usual, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the appeal of purple since. And I have noticed it isn't just me who's feeling it at the moment. In fact, a quick scroll of my Saved folder on Instagram just seems to prove that purple is the nail colour of the season. So to save me making any shade selection mistakes at my next appointment, I thought I'd round up the very best purple nail looks out there—you can thank me later.
1. Mauve
This dusty shade sits somewhere between rosy pink and purply mauve, and I'm in love. I particularly like the matte finish, which makes it perfectly suited to the colder autumn months.
I think this is a great way to dip your toe into the purple-nails trend. This pinky mauve feels like a natural transition in my journey into purple, away from my failsafe nude.
I am keeping this nail look firmly saved until the festive season begins. An iridescent, mauve shimmer polish? Don't mind if I do.
Get the Look
I absolutely adore these quick-drying formulas from Essie, and this purply mauve has me excited for autumn to peak.
2. Purple Rainbow
My favourite thing about the rainbow nail trend (which isn't going anywhere, by the way) is that you can make it work with any hue. This pastel-toned lilac rainbow is sparking a lot of joy.
I genuinely couldn't be more excited to take this to my nail tech. Way too complex for me to try myself at home, this ombré lilac situation is absolutely genius.
While lilac can often feel out of place in winter due to its springtime associations, pairing your lilac rainbow with white, black and shimmer is a surefire way to get your mani winter ready.
Get the Look
This kit provides everything you need for a winter-appropriate purple rainbow mani in one convenient pouch.
3. Oxblood
A little bit red, a little bit purple and a little bit brown… I'm not sure it gets much chicer than a high-gloss oxblood mani like this one.
If you're partial to a bit of nail art, this understated design pairs oxblood with a complementary milky pink accent to create one of the coolest manicures I've seen in a long, long time.
No one does a high-shine manicure quite like Harriet Westmoreland, and this deep purple has me excited for thick winter jumpers and oodles of jewels.
Get the Look
Nailberry polishes apply like a dream, making this one my go-to for last-minute mani changes.
4. Lilac Art
I have been obsessed with this nail look for weeks—I just can't seem to get it off my mind. With retro floral accents, it seems to be the perfect way to inject some fun into your manicure of choice.
Swirls have reigned supreme on the nail art scene for many moons now, and they're not going anywhere. These fine-line purple swirls pair perfectly with yellow to create a psychedelic retro look.
This look is giving me major Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine vibes, and I am here for it. I know it's worlds away from my boring comfort-zone mani of choice, but this one is definitely on my list of designs to try.
Get the Look
Because lilac polish can work all year round, this all-natural polish is sure to become one of your most loved.
5. Royal Purple
I simply adore deep, dark shades on nails, and I'd never considered opting for a purple hue until I saw this immaculate look.
Up the royal nod by adding some gem stickers to your royal purple nail look. With the help of some negative space, it's understated but brilliant at the same time.
Another festive corker, this shimmery purple polish is so gel-like and shiny that I find myself mesmerised every time I lay eyes on it.
Get the Look
It's a bold colour choice, I'll admit, but I've never felt more inspired to give this rich purple hue a go.
Next Up: 86 Nail Art Ideas We've Saved for Our Next Trip to the Salon
Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.
-
Hailey Bieber's Maple Syrup Manicure Is All I Can Think About Until My Next Salon Visit
I tracked down the exact shades you'll need to copy it.
By Shawna Hudson
-
Even the Chicest People Can't Agree on This "Controversial" Manicure—6 Alts They're Choosing
Expensive-looking manis ahead.
By Jamie Schneider
-
Documenting Nail Trends Is My Sport of Choice—I Predict These 11 Will Dominate This Winter
Major mani inspo ahead.
By Jamie Schneider
-
Adding This Easy Step Into My Nail Routine Elevated My At-Home Manicures
They've genuinely never looked better.
By Eleanor Vousden
-
Elegant and Expensive Looking: 18 Almond-Shaped Nail Designs We're Wearing This Month
BRB, booking a nail appointment.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
I Never Thought I'd Paint My Nails This "Polarizing" Color—Now I'm Obsessed
It's surprisingly chic.
By Grace Lindsay
-
With the Rise of Y3K Beauty, "Smart Nails" Have Never Been More Mainstream
"It's like cyberpunk goes couture."
By Jamie Schneider
-
From Hailey Bieber to a Chanel Nail Artist, Everyone's Donning This Rich Fall Manicure
Booking my next appointment stat.
By Jamie Schneider