Pastel purple is a soft, muted shade of purple that is quite popular in interior design, fashion, and graphic design. There are many different variations of pastel purple that can be created by mixing different amounts of purple, pink, white, and blue. Here is an overview of some of the most common pastel purple hex codes and how to use them to create a beautiful pastel purple color palette.
Defining Pastel Purple
In color theory, pastel purple is created by mixing a strong primary color like purple with a large amount of white. This desaturates the purple and makes it much softer and more muted. Pastel colors sit between the lightest tints and darkest shades on the color wheel. They have low saturation and brightness compared to bold primary and secondary colors.
There is no single definitive hex code for pastel purple. It can range from very pale lavender purples with a pinkish undertone to lilac purples with a hint of blue. Pastel purple encompasses all of the soft, muted shades in between bold purple and pale pink or blue. The exact shade of pastel purple depends on the specific ratio of colors used in the mixing process.
Pastel Purple Hex Codes
Here are some of the most common hex codes used for pastel purple colors:
- #E6E6FA – Lavender
- #C9C0BB – Wisteria
- #F5E1FC – Plum
- #E2D2F9 – Lilac
- #E8D9E6 – Thistle
- #D8BFD8 – Pale Violet
- #DDA0DD – Plum
- #D6A2E4 – Purple Mountain Majesty
These span the range from pinkish lavenders to purplish lilacs. The hex codes allow you to precisely recreate these pastel purple shades in any digital application that supports hex color values.
Creating a Pastel Purple Palette
Here is an example pastel purple palette using five of the above hex codes:
| #E6E6FA | #C9C0BB | #F5E1FC |
| #E2D2F9 | #E8D9E6 |
This provides a nice selection of pastel purple shades ranging from lavender to lilac. You can use adjacent colors in the palette together to create subtle gradients and accents. Colors across from each other on the palette can be used for bolder contrast.
To expand this palette, try lightening these colors using a hex color mixer. You can also darken them by mixing in small amounts of black. Adjust the pink or blue undertones by adding #FFC0CB (pink) or #CCCCFF (blue). This allows you to customize the pastel purple palette to match your specific design needs.
Using Pastel Purple in Designs
Here are some ways to incorporate different shades of pastel purple into your designs and decor:
- Use very pale lavender as a calming accent wall color in a bedroom or living area.
- Paint an old furniture piece a medium pastel purple like thistle to give it a modern, vintage look.
- Add a pale lilac table runner down a dining table to complement both warm and cool tone place settings.
- Use brighter purple mountain majesty in artwork, pillows, or other accessories as a bold accent.
- Choose a monochromatic palette of different pastel purples for a soothing, elegant look.
- Mix pastel purples with sage greens and creamy whites for a fresh springtime color scheme.
Pastels pair nicely with both warm neutrals like beiges and grays as well as cool neutrals like whites and silvers. Vary shades and intensities of pastel purple to find a unique color scheme for any style.
Pastel Purple Color Psychology
In color psychology:
- Paler pastel purples like lavender evoke a sense of calm, tranquility and spirituality. They are associated with spring.
- Brighter pastel purples like lilac and purple majesty suggest creativity, imagination and magic.
- Deeper or grayish pastel purples like thistle are elegant, refined, and regal without being overpowering.
Use these color psychology properties to your advantage when designing with different shades of pastel purple. Pick a pale relaxing lavender for a meditation room, for example, or go bold with bright purple accents in a child’s play area to stimulate creativity.
Pastel Purple Fashion and Beauty
In the fashion and beauty world, pastel purple is a flattering color on most skin tones when used correctly. Here are some tips for wearing and using pastel purple:
- Fair cool-toned skin looks great in lavender, lilac and plum pastel purples.
- Those with warm olive complexions can rock deeper plummy purples for high contrast against their skin.
- Try pale violet and wisteria pastels to complement and enhance medium tan skin.
- Vibrant pastel purples pair nicely with dark skin for a striking pop of color.
- Avoid matching pastel purples directly to your eye color. Instead go a shade lighter or darker.
Pastel purple makeup is big for 2023. Try a smoky eye with pastel purple eyeshadow or a sheer plum lip tint for an elegant, modern beauty look.
Conclusion
Pastel purple may seem delicate but it is a bold, versatile shade with many design applications. Whether you use its calming effects, imaginative connotations or elegant qualities, there is a pastel purple for everyone. Refer to the hex codes charted here to explore the many faces of pastel purple.
