- Indigo (#4B0082)
- Indigo dye has been used for over 6,000 years, making it one of the oldest dyes in human history. It was so valuable it was called 'blue gold.'
- Lavender (#C4B7D5)
- Veri Peri, a lavender-blue shade, was named Pantone's Color of the Year in 2022.
- Plum (#8E4585)
- Plum nails were the signature look of 1990s supermodels. Naomi Campbell particularly favored dark shades.
- Mauve (#E0B0FF)
- The first synthetic dye in history was mauveine (mauve), accidentally created by chemist William Henry Perkin in 1856.
- Violet (#7F00FF)
- Ultra Violet was Pantone's Color of the Year in 2018, symbolizing originality and visionary thinking. Violet has historically been the color of royalty.
- Lilac (#C8A2C8)
- Lilac nails dominated spring 2023 trends, with major brands like OPI and Essie releasing entire lilac collections.
- Amethyst (#9966CC)
- Ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent intoxication. The word comes from 'amethystos,' meaning 'not drunk.' It was as valuable as diamonds until the 18th century.
- Orchid (#DA70D6)
- Radiant Orchid was Pantone's Color of the Year in 2014. The orchid family has over 28,000 species, making it one of the largest plant families on Earth.
- Grape (#6F2DA8)
- Deep grape is the color of romantic evenings and sophistication. This elegant shade adds mystery to any look.
- Eggplant (#614051)
- Eggplant is one of the most refined dark shades. Its deep purple richness embodies strong, confident femininity.
- Mulberry (#C54B8C)
- Mulberry trees are essential for silk production, as silkworms feed exclusively on their leaves. The dark reddish-purple fruit inspired this rich nail color.
- Iris (#5A4FCF)
- The iris flower is named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow. The French fleur-de-lis, a symbol of royalty, is believed to represent the iris.
- Thistle (#D8BFD8)
- The thistle is the national emblem of Scotland. According to legend, a Norse invader stepped on one and his cry of pain alerted the Scots, saving them from a surprise attack.
- Heather (#B7A4CF)
- Heather covers the Scottish Highlands in shades of purple and pink. In Victorian flower language, white heather symbolized protection and good luck.
- Wisteria (#C9A0DC)
- Wisteria is a dreamy romantic shade inspiring fairy-tale aesthetics. Its delicate lilac tone creates a sense of enchantment.
- Royal Purple (#7851A9)
- Tyrian purple, the original royal purple, was extracted from sea snails. It took 12,000 snails to produce 1.5 grams of dye, making it worth more than gold.
- Byzantium (#702963)
- Byzantium was the ancient name for Istanbul. The Byzantine Empire was famous for its purple-clad emperors, as purple dye production was a state monopoly.
- Dahlia (#8C6BBF)
- Dahlia has become a symbol of new romanticism in fashion. Its lush forms and rich shades inspire the Victorian revival in modern style.
- Ube (#8878C3)
- Ube purple has gone viral on social media. This bright lilac shade has won over Gen Z and become one of the most 'Instagrammable' colors.
- Dusty Purple (#9B7BB0)
- Dusty purple mixes purple with gray to create a muted, sophisticated tone. It became popular in the 'quiet luxury' nail trend of 2023.
- Boysenberry (#873260)
- Berry tones are a timeless classic of autumn makeup and manicures. Rich boysenberry creates the perfect pairing with a dark lip.
- Pansy (#78184A)
- The pansy's name comes from the French 'pensee,' meaning thought. In Victorian England, giving someone a pansy meant 'you are in my thoughts.'
- Clematis (#5C3D9E)
- Soft purple florals are the embodiment of garden party elegance. This gentle tone adds refined romance to any look.
- Majorelle Blue (#6040E0)
- Created by artist Jacques Majorelle for his Marrakech garden, this vivid blue-violet is a luxury nail trend.
- Periwinkle Mist (#9B8EC7)
- Periwinkle gets its name from the delicate flower. This soft purple became a favorite in bridal nail art during the 2010s.
- Ultra Violet (#5F4B8B)
- Ultra violet nail polishes surged in demand during 2018, with salons reporting a 40% increase in purple shade requests.
- Magenta Purple (#9B2F7B)
- Magenta was named after the 1859 Battle of Magenta in Italy. This bold purple-pink tone flatters every skin tone.
- Twilight Plum (#6C3461)
- Deep plum tones evoke the last light of dusk. This shade became a staple in autumn nail collections during the 1990s.
- Passion Flower (#7B3F9E)
- Named after the tropical bloom, this vivid purple mirrors the striking petals of the Passiflora vine.
- Imperial Purple (#4B0054)
- Imperial purple nail polish was worn by Empress Eugenie of France, who set many beauty trends in 1860s European courts.
- Verbena (#A468B5)
- Verbena flowers bloom in soft purple clusters. This calming shade is popular in spa-inspired nail polish collections.
- African Violet (#B284BE)
- The African violet houseplant inspired this gentle purple. It became a signature shade in vintage-inspired nail art.
- Regal Orchid (#6B3074)
- Regal orchid purple was a signature shade of 1950s Hollywood starlets, who paired deep purples with white evening gloves.
- Purple Haze (#7E5CA3)
- Popularized by Jimi Hendrix in 1967, this psychedelic purple became an icon of creative self-expression in beauty.
- Sugar Plum (#914E75)
- Sugar plum evokes the beloved Nutcracker character. This dusty mauve-purple is a holiday season favorite in salons.
- Petunia (#9B4F96)
- Petunias were first discovered in South America in the 1500s. This vibrant purple mirrors the flower's bold, saturated petals.
- Deep Orchid (#7A3B8F)
- Orchids symbolize luxury and beauty in many cultures. Deep orchid nail polish adds drama while remaining sophisticated.
- Cosmic Purple (#4E2A6E)
- Inspired by distant nebulae, cosmic purple captures the mystery of deep space. It pairs beautifully with holographic nail finishes.
- Grape Jelly (#6B2D7B)
- This playful, saturated purple became popular in jelly nail polish formulas. The translucent finish creates a glossy, candy-like effect.
- Velvet Night (#3D1F56)
- Dark purple velvet was a prized textile in medieval Europe. This near-black purple adds a luxurious matte finish to nails.
- Digital Lavender (#C4A7D7)
- WGSN named Digital Lavender a key color for 2023. This calming pastel purple reflects the growing trend toward soft, soothing tones.
- Hyacinth (#8B6BAE)
- In Greek mythology, the hyacinth flower sprang from the blood of prince Hyacinthus. This medium purple is a timeless spring choice.
- Purple Satin (#6A3D7D)
- Satin-finish nail polishes gained popularity in the 2000s. This mid-tone purple with a soft sheen bridges matte and glossy styles.
- Violet Quartz (#9C7DAF)
- Violet quartz crystals have been valued in jewelry since antiquity. This translucent purple mimics the gemstone's natural glow.
- Crocus (#A45BBF)
- Crocuses are among the first flowers to bloom in spring. This bright purple signals renewal and is a popular choice for seasonal manicures.
- Violet Smoke (#7B6D8E)
- Smoky violet nail polish gained traction in the 2015 festival season, blending soft purple with gray undertones.