10 Mauve Nail Ideas and Polishes to Try in 2024
Mauve is a sophisticated color. For many, it's a fashion favorite that blends pink and violet to perfection. You can wear this charming shade any time of year, making it an ideal choice for your next manicure. Let's discover ten mauve nail ideas and polishes to try in 2024. But first, here's a little background information you may find interesting.
What Is Mauve?
Have you ever seen a mallow flower? The French name for mallow is mauve, pronounced “mohv”. The springtime blooms are a light purple with hints of blue.
If you examine a color wheel, mauve is located smack dab between violet and pink. However, there are various shades of mauve. Some have a little more red in them, so they look like pale magenta.
Historically, the word mauve appeared in the 1700s. It was a complicated and expensive dye made from insects, plants, and minerals. Therefore, only the wealthiest were able to wear mauve-colored clothing. Unfortunately, the tint faded quickly.
It took a century more before someone discovered how to make the color synthetically. It was called Tyrian or aniline purple at first. Then, Queen Victoria popularized this color, which we now know as mauve. Consequently, this lovely shade now carries a sense of nostalgia, femininity, romance, and royalty.
What Colors Go with Mauve?
Just like purple, you can pair mauve with orange and yellow for vibrant effects. Mint green provides a gorgeous contrast. Go bold for a striking look, or use pastels to keep things graceful and light.
If you prefer something refined and calming, try mauve with burgundy, blue, gray, or black. Mauve also goes beautifully with neutral tones like cream, beige, and taupe for a professional tone.
Remember that silver and gold can upgrade a plain mauve manicure. A little glitter goes a long way on this regal color.
Check out the mauve nail ideas and polishes below for more inspiration.
Mauve Nail Ideas and Polishes
Mauve with Animal Prints
Animal print nails have been in the spotlight lately. Katy Perry, Iggy Azalea, and Zendaya have all worn leopard prints similar to the one below. If that style resonates with you, why not combine it with mauve for a soft yet sexy look?
LDS 019 Mauve
Burgundy, Gold, and Mauve
Here’s a classic palette for a wedding, the holidays, or another special event. Although mauve and burgundy are gorgeous in their own right, the gold accents dress them up further.
Kiara Sky Gel Nail Polish Duo - 597 Purple Colors - Mauve A Lil' Closer
Matte Mauve and Pink Nails with Silver Accents
There’s nothing like a matte finish when you want to make a manicure even more elegant. The silver bling here gently ties it all together.
Lavis Gel Nail Polish Duo - 270 Mauve Colors - Veri Berri
Lavis Gel Nail Polish Duo - 257 Mauve Colors - Daydream
Color-Blocked Nails
Here’s a modern twist on an old favorite. Someone took a French manicure to a whole new level. This one will be a conversation starter.
Glossy Glitter
These sleek almond nails are extra captivating with the alternating pattern of mauve and red wine glitter.
Marbled Mauve
Talk about luxurious! These nails look just like the actual stone.
It's easier than you thought to do marbled nails if you use blooming gel. It's a special polish that helps a color "bloom" across the nail. Then, you can simply guide it with a thin brush to create the marbling effect.
Complementary Colors
Until you see it, you might not believe that mauve, mustard yellow, taupe, and cream could work so well side by side. The angular geometric tips with darker shades tie it all together.
CND Shellac Gel Polish - 146 We Want Mauve - Nude Colors
Dreamy Ombre Mauve
There’s a dream-like quality to these mauve and white gradient nails. It’s enchanting how the design reverses from finger to finger. With ombre moons and tips and geometric curves accenting the cuticles, it’s a surprisingly complicated manicure with an understated matte finish.
Black and Mauve
Here’s a work of art that’s truly a labor of love. This design reveals the striking contrasts between black and mauve, glossy and matte, plain and intricate. Normally, black would make a nail design look edgier. But in this case, the lacey pattern keeps the tone stylish and tasteful.
DND Gel Nail Polish Duo - 494 Purple Colors - Magical Mauve
Mauve and Rose Gold
Just like pink and violet, mauve and rose gold look good together. This manicure will dress you up for a special event.
DND DC Nail Lacquer - 180 Sweet Violet
Simple and Elegant Mauve Nails to Do at Home
You can do a simple mauve design at home in minutes without a nail lamp or gel polish. All you need is mauve nail lacquer, a bit of gold foil, and a fast-drying top coat.
Morgan Taylor 928 - She's My Beauty - Nail Lacquer
Beyond Gels and Lacquers: Mauve-empowered Creativity
Did you know that you could get polygel in mauve? This versatile material is a hybrid of gel and acrylic material. It’s perfect for nail extensions and overlays. Since it’s already a beautiful color, you don’t even need to add polish. Moreover, it’s odorless and cures in only 60 seconds in a nail lamp.
LAVIS Poly Extension Gel 15ml - 03 - Mauve
You can also get mauve-colored chrome powder! It looks different depending on whether you apply it to a light or dark base.
The powder is environmentally friendly and non-toxic. To achieve a mirror finish, you’ll need chrome base gel or a no-wipe gel top coat. After you’ve cured the base, colored polish, and top coat, use the applicator to brush on the powder. Blend it until it gleams, then add a final layer of top coat.
Chrome Classic Powder - Mauve
Conclusion
We're glad you stopped by today for mauve nail ideas and polishes to try. While you're here, we invite you to see what else is trending and stock up on needed nail supplies. Remember, we ship orders over $100 for free!
