13 Dark Purple Nails to Have You Feelin’ Luxe & Glam!

Dark purple nails are having a major moment right now in the world of nail art and design.

Rich, royal purples paired with luxurious textures and embellishments create a look that is both elegant and edgy.

Let’s look closer at these ideas.

Idea 1: Matte Dark Purple

Give your dark purple nails a sophisticated matte finish for a runway-ready look. Matte dark purple polish has a moody, muted tone that looks seriously chic.

Skip the shine and embrace the matte for an on-trend twist on traditional dark purple nails.

There are so many gorgeous matte purple polish options to give your nails a luxuriously velvety finish.

Go for a true, deep eggplant purple or try an amethyst-inspired polish with just a touch of brown undertones. The matte texture allows the rich color to really stand out.

Be sure to apply two full coats of the matte polish to get that flawlessly smooth texture. Let each coat dry fully before adding the next.

To lock in the matte effect, finish off your nails with a matte top coat sealant. This will help the velvety texture last longer without any unwanted shine peeking through.

Though matte dark purple nails look stunning on their own, you can elevate the look by adding some strategic shine.

Paint on some nail art with a glossy silver or holographic polish for extra pop.

Or accent just a few nails with shiny gold, rose gold or silver studs.

The combo of the matte base with random shiny details is striking.

For a cool contrast, swipe on a glossy top coat over the matte polish just on your ring fingers.

This makes them really stand out against the velvety purple shades. No matter how you wear it, matte dark purple nails are ideal for both day and night – perfect for the office but still sophisticated enough for a night out!

Idea 2: Dark Purple French Manicure

A dark purple French manicure breathes new life into the classic French nail look. It’s an easy way to make one of nail art’s most timeless styles feel fresh and modern.

Traditionally, French manicures feature pale pink or nude base colors with crisp white nail tips.

But switching those tips out for glossy dark purple ones instead adds striking contrast and a bold edge. Start by painting your entire nail in whichever nude or light pink polish you prefer as the base color.

Let that dry thoroughly. Then go in with a nail art detail brush dipped in your chosen dark purple polish. Run the brush along each nail tip to paint on the deep purple top portion, leaving a sliver of the nude base exposed along the cuticle and bottom of the nail.

Concentrate that rich purple color right on the very tip of the nail for the most classic French style. For a fun twist, paint the dark purple polish as the full base color on alternating nails, using the nude as the “French tip” against it instead. So one nail will be dark purple with a nude tip, the next will be nude with a purple tip, and so on for a cool reversed French effect.

However you choose to wear the look, a glossy top coat is a must to add that instantly luxe high-shine finish. The dark purple French manicure is elegant and eye-catching, letting you change up a classic in a bold new way.

Idea 3: Dark Purple and Gold Accents

Gold nail accessories truly take dark purple nails to the next level of glamour. The warm, luxurious gold tone complements the cool and moody purple beautifully.

Start by painting all your nails in whichever rich, deep purple polish you love – go for a creamy or shimmery finish. Once that base color is completely dry, you can start accenting with dazzling gold accents and jewelry-inspired embellishments.

Here are some chic ways to accent dark purple nails with gold:

• Add mini gold studs randomly on a few nails. Place them near the cuticles, the tips, or clustered together for different looks.
• Try striping tape in glossy gold down the center of accent nails for a bold stripe effect.
•  Glue on flat-back crystals, chains or pearls in gold for opulent embellished nails.
• Use a gold nail art pen or striper brush to draw on geometric shapes, lines or arrows. Place them pointing towards or away from your cuticles for dimension.
• Stick small gold rhinestones around the borders of your nails for a sparkling encrusted effect.
  – Get creative with charms like ankhs, bells, circles or triangles in luxe gold finishes.

The options are endless when accenting deep purple nails with gold! Don’t be afraid to really layer on these opulent gold details – the more bling, the better.

This is the perfect manicure for feeling like nail art royalty! Just finish it off with a glossy top coat to seal everything in so your glitzy gold accents won’t budge.

Idea 4: Dark Purple Marble

Marble nails are seriously trending right now in the nail art world. And they look especially striking in cool, moody dark purple tones.

The abstract marble effect is created by blending and swirling contrasting polish colors together. Dark purple is a gorgeous base color for marble nails – it allows the veins and swirls to really stand out. Here’s how to get the chic marble look with deep purple nails: Start by painting your nails in whichever dark purple cream or shimmer polish you prefer.

Apply two coats and make sure the purple is completely dry. Then take a few drops of black, white, and even metallic polish colors – gold, silver, rose gold, etc – and drop them onto the dark purple base, spacing the drops out randomly.

Next, quickly use a toothpick, needle tool or brush to swirl the drops of polish together before they dry.

This blends them and makes veins of color that look like real marble stone. Concentrate on swirling the colors more towards the tip of the nail to keep the base dark purple color prominent at the cuticles.

Create a unique marble effect on each nail by swirling the colors differently.

For a subtler marble look, make thin vertical stripes in black or gold over the dark purple base instead of full swirls. No matter how you marble it, this manicure is stylish and eye-catching!

Finish with a glossy top coat to smooth out ridges and seal in the design. Dark purple marble nails are ideal when you want a fashionable nail art style that’s still office-appropriate.

Idea 5: Textured Dark Purple

One trendy way to elevate basic dark purple nails is by playing with fun nail textures.

There are so many options to add dimension to a deep purple manicure.

Skip the traditional flat cream polish, and make it more luxe by mixing up textures.

Here are some chic ways to add interest to dark purple nails:

• Do a matte dark purple base coat, with a few accent nails in a shiny glitter purple for contrast. The combo of matte and sparkly is striking.
•  Paint on a textured matte top coat first to create a cool crepe-like finish before applying deep purple polish over it.
• Use loose purple velvet flocking powder while the polish is still tacky. This embeds soft velvet texture into the nails for an upscale look.
• Try silk or crushed shell powder over glossy purple for an almost irridescent shimmer.
• Paint on a layer of glitter adhesive, then coat nails in loose dark purple glitter for a fun sparkly texture.
• Use a dotting tool to add glossy 3D polka dots over matte purple nails.

The options for textured purple nails are endless! Play with mixing matte, shiny, sparkly, flocking powders and more. Nail art has moved beyond basic polish – textures are what take a manicure to the next level. So get creative with layers, adhesive powders and polka dots to make your dark purple nails shine…or stay matte!

Idea 6: Dark Purple Gradient

Gradient nails are a gorgeous choice for your next manicure if you love dark purple shades. The gradient effect pairs deep, sultry purples with softer pastel lavenders for dimension.

Here are some tips for nailing the ombre purple look:

• Paint your base coat in a light, airy purple or lilac. Once dry, use a makeup sponge to gently apply a deeper purple starting from your cuticle and blending downwards to create an ombre fade.
• Do the reverse gradient starting with a dark purple base, then lightly brushing on light purple starting at the tips and fading upwards.
• Try a diagonal gradient by painting alternating nails with light and dark purples, then using the makeup sponge to blend the two shades across the nail on an angle.
• For extra pop, accent your ombre with silver studs, glitter tips, or seven thin gold stripes over the gradient blend.
• Stamp on abstract shapes or floral designs in white over the gradient for an artsy two-tone purple look.

The blending of different purple tones is so soft and stunning.

It’s both edgy yet still wearable for any occasion. And the ombre effect is endlessly customizable with different color combinations, textures and nail art accents. Once you’ve created your perfect purple gradient design, finish it off with a super glossy top coat to make it look extra sleek and luxe.

Idea 7: Jeweled Dark Purple Accents

If you really want to take your dark purple nails to a luxurious level, bling them out! Accenting a few nails with opulent jewels and embellishments against a rich purple base creates an ultra glam look.

Here are some tips for jewel-encrusted purple nails:

• Paint all nails in a deep eggplant or amethyst purple polish first. Once completely dry, glue flat back Swarovski crystals, faux pearls or chains randomly onto 1-2 accent nails per hand.
• Cluster the embellishments together near your cuticles for impact, or sprinkle them across the entire nail for mega bling.
• Create abstract shapes or cool line designs with jewels against the dark purple. Like triangles, squiggles or chevrons using jewels of different sizes.
•  Accent every other nail with jewel embellishments, alternating with plain purple nails.
• Outline chunks of jewels with black nail art liner to make them pop off the nail.
•  Finish with a glossy top coat to seal in gems so they won’t budge.

The contrast of glossy jewels against the rich matte purple base color is so striking and elegant. This manicure is perfect for special events when you really want to dazzle and sparkle!

Don’t be afraid to layer on the gems and jewels – the more opulent the embellishments, the better with this megawatt nail idea.

Idea 8: Dark Purple Animal Print

Unleash your fierce side with fun and edgy dark purple animal print nails. With just a little nail art skill, you can easily create cool animal prints at home over a dark purple base.

Here are some ways to DIY:

• Paint all nails in a deep eggplant or plum polish first. Use a striping brush and black polish to paint on leopard print spots. Concentrate the spots on one accent nail, or do a few on each nail.
• Try using a cheetah print nail stencil with black and white polish over purple for bold graphic spots.
• For zebra stripes, paint on vertical black stripes over the dark purple base using striping tape.
• Use a dotting tool dipped in white polish to create abstract white cheetah spots all over the purple.
• Paint on black tiger stripes with a striping brush. Make them bold and dramatic.
• Finish with a super glossy top coat to smooth ridges and seal in the design.

Dark purple animal print nails are such a fun way to add a touch of edge to your look. Leopard, cheetah and zebra prints in black and white look graphic and striking against the deep purple background.

Even if you’re a nail art beginner, you can achieve cute animal prints using simple tools like tape, dotting tools and striper brushes. These playful prints over dark purple are glamorous with just a touch of punk rock.

Idea 9: Dark Purple Chrome

For the ultimate futuristic, fashion-forward nail style, try a dark purple chrome manicure. Chrome nail polishes have an insanely glossy, mirror-like finish that looks so sleek.

The reflective quality makes any color polish look bright and eye-catching. Paint your nails in a deep purple or eggplant chrome polish for an edgy vibe – it’s like dark nail polish from the year 3019!

Apply two thin, even coats and finish with the chrome topcoat for flawless smooth texture.

In certain lighting, the nails will look holographic and multi-dimensional thanks to the hyper reflective chrome effect. Amp up the sci-fi look by accenting one nail with metallic silver studs in different shapes – triangles, squares and asterisks work nicely.

The shine of the silver against the glossy purple chrome is out-of-this-world glam. If you’re looking for fashion forward nails, dark purple chrome is the way to go. The mirror-like finish will mesmerize!

Idea 10: Abstract Art Dark Purple

Do you like nail art, but aren’t great at painting intricate designs? Abstract art nails are for you! The cool thing about abstract nail art is that there are no rules. You can get creative and artistic using simple shapes, lines and colors. Here’s how to create edgy abstract purple nails:

•  Start by painting each nail a different base color like black, white, gray, nude or even a fun neon.
• Once the base colors are completely dry, use a thin detail brush dipped in dark purple polish to paint on shapes and symbols over the bases. Things like triangles, dots, squares, squiggles and lightning bolts work nicely.
•  Concentrate the purple shapes and designs on one section of the nail, keeping a majority of the base color exposed for contrast.
• Create movement and interest by angling the shapes diagonally or making them look like they’re dripping downwards.
• Outline abstract shapes with a thin layer of silver or white polish to make them stand out even more.

The cool thing about abstract nails is that you can’t go wrong! The beauty is in the asymmetry and randomness. So don’t stress about perfecting your shapes or placements. Just have fun getting artsy with the deep purple polish over bright base colors.

Finish with a glossy top coat to make the designs really pop. These artsy purple nails will get so many compliments!

Idea 11: Dark Purple Florals

Florals are timeless when it comes to nail art.

But they get a bold, edgy spin when designed in deep, moody purple hues. Painting dark purple blooms and bouquets over a lighter base color makes them really stand out.

Here are some tips for creating eye-catching floral nails:

• Start with a base color like blush pink, white, nude or even light blue. Apply 2-3 coats until opaque.
•  Once dry, use a thin nail art brush dipped in dark purple polish to paint on flower shapes like roses, tulips, orchids and hydrangeas. Focus on one accent nail or scatter a few blooms per nail.
•  Outline the petals in black polish and fill in with purple for bold definition.
•  Accent flowers with yellow, white or light green dots in the centers for dimension.
•  Try using florals stencils placed randomly over the base to create patterned flowers quickly.
• -Finish with a glossy top coat to really make the dark blooms stand out.

Dark purple florals are so versatile – the moody blooms look elegant for formal events, yet still edgy enough for everyday wear.

Play around with different purple shades too.

Try lighter lavender flowers with dark purple leaves, ombred petals, or muted purple roses with black outlines. The options are endless for creative floral nail art in purple!

Idea 12: Striped Dark Purple

Striped nails may seem basic, but they get a major upgrade when done in different shades of rich, dark purple. Vertical stripes look especially stylish and elegant on nails.

Here are some tips for jazzing up your purple striped mani:

•  Paint alternating nails with two deep purple hues like eggplant and plum for a color blocked stripe effect.
• Try layers of stripes in various purple tones – start with thickest stripes near the cuticles and make each new layer thinner as you work downwards towards the nail tips.
•  Outline bold glossy stripes with a thin black stripe above and below for added definition.
• Place striping tape diagonally across the nails instead of straight vertical. Use glittery purple for bold sparkly diagonal stripes.
• For thin stripes, paint them in gold and silver metallic polishes over the dark purple base.
• Finish with a glossy top coat to smooth ridges and make the colors shine.

Whether you keep it simple with basic vertical lines or get creative with diagonal glittery tape and metallic stripes, dark purples look gorgeous together in striped designs.

The color combinations are endless! You can also easily transition this mani from day to night by removing the striping tape and adding sparkles or glittery accents before heading out.

Idea 13: Dark Purple Half Moons

Half moon nails have been popping up all over Instagram lately. The look features a dramatic color split down the center of the nail for major impact. Dark purple is an ideal color for the striking half moon design.

Here’s how to do it:

• Start by painting the bottom half of your nails in a deep dark purple shade. Leave the other half bare for now.
•  Once the purple is dry, paint the top half or remainder of your nails in a contrasting color like metallic gold, silver, black or white. This creates the half moon color split.
• For a fun inverse look, paint the bottom half in gold and top purple. Or mix up the colors on alternating nails.
• Try a more abstract look by using alternating purple shades for the bottom and tops of the half moons. Or blend the halves together subtly with purple ombre.
•  Finish with a super glossy top coat to seal in the half moon design and add that instantly luxe flair.
• Half moon nails make your mani feel so dramatic and artistic. The bold color split combined with moody purples is seriously striking and elegant. Don’t be afraid to also embellish around the half moons with studs, jewels or glitter for extra pop. This is one manicure that’s sure to get noticed!

With so many gorgeous color combos, nail art techniques and opulent embellishments to try, dark purple nails are a fabulous way to make a bold fashion statement and show off your creative style.

So get ready to dazzle with luxurious, head-turning purple nail art ideas that will have everyone asking where you got your fabulous manicure!