From lavender milk to lilac chrome, these purple nail ideas are peak summer

At the ripe age of 9 years old, purple, naturally, became my favorite color—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. On the sibling front, color 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.

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 color spectrum, especially when it comes to summer nails. On one end, you’ve got barely-there lavender, and on the other, ube, blackberry, and plum shades. And beyond shades, don’t forget, your mani can be customized with a variety of designs and finishes. From marble patterns to glossy chrome finishes, there’s a purple nail idea for everyone.

Ahead, you’ll find the chicest purple manicure inspiration to screenshot before your next salon appointment.

Best purple nail inspo

Muted Lilac

Eggplant Purple

Striped French

Lilac Chrome

Purple Marble

Purple Aura

Polka Dots

Lavender Milk

Lilac French

Lavender Shimmer