Cat Eye Nails Are the Hypnotic Nail Trend Taking Over 2025
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Some trending nail designs come and go, while others take on a life of its own (glazed donut nails, anyone?) The latest trend to join the latter? Cat eye nails.
Named after its cat eye metallic effect, this design is achieved by using a magnet on gel nails. Unlike most nail art, it doesn't necessarily require a steady hand or a ton of artistic ability, so it's doable as an at-home manicure. Still, it has the appearance of an intricate design that took hours to create.
For more details on how to get the look, we spoke to L.A. Nails Studio founder Apple and Nashville-based nail artist Deanna Rattanavong. See below for all of the inspo you need for your next cat eye manicure.
What are cat eye nails?
Cat eye nails–sometimes referred to as velvet nails–are created using a gel polish with metal particles. The magic happens when a magnet is used to shift the metal around in the polish, creating a shimmer effect.
“It mimics the magnetic field and pushes the metal particles, which gives it the famous cat eye look,” explains Apple. Not every cat eye manicure is going to look the same since the magnet can be used in different ways. “You're able to manipulate the particles to the desired placement,” adds Rattanavong.
In case you're worried that your nails are too short for the design, think again. Cat eye nails don't require a ton of surface area to work with. “It works on all lengths,” says Rattanavong.
How to do a cat eye nail manicure
A cat eye nail manicure is just like any other gel manicure, there's just the one extra step of using the magnet. “You would use the magnet while the polish is wet before curing the polish, and once satisfied with the design, you will then cure it in place,” explains Rattanavong.
And just like any other manicure, Apple stresses the importance of proper nail prep and hydration. “The better you clean, prep, and polish, the longer it lasts.” This is why you want to make sure you're going to a reputable salon for your cat eye manicure.
Are cat eye nails gel only?
Cat eye nails require a gel manicure to cure the magnetic shimmer effect in place using a UV lamp. However, there are other polishes that can mimic the shimmer effect like the Olive & June Magnetic Polish Set.
You also have the option of going the press-on route with nails like KISS Products gel Fantasy Magnetic Fake Nails and Color FX by imPRESS, which come in a range of different colors, shapes and lengths.
Olive & June Magnetic Polish Set
$40.00, Olive and June
KISS Gel Fantasy Press-On Nails in Chameleon
$10.00, Amazon
KISS imPRESS No Glue Mani Press-On Nails in Better Things
$9.00, Amazon
Can you do cat eye nails design at home?
“You can definitely do it at home,” says Apple. If you're already accustomed to DIYing your gel manicures and have a gel lamp to cure your polish, this will be a breeze for you. All you need is the special magnetic polish and nail magnet. Amazon has some great nail magnet options, while Gelish Cat Eye Pure Velvet offers some stunning and shimmery cat eye gel polishes.
Cat Eye Magnet for Nails
$8.00, Amazon
Gelish Cat Eye Magnetic Reflections in Let's Glow Girls
$16.00, Gelish
How long do cat eye nails last?
Like most gel manicures, cat eye nails will last about three weeks. “Depending on how well it is prepped and applied, cat eye can last up to three to four weeks with a gel manicure,” says Apple.
Can you create the cat eye design with any color?
"Yes, cat eye gel polishes come in many many different colors and different sizes of shimmers as well," says Rattanavong. Apple points out that you can also get crafty in the case that you can't find a specific color in cat eye polish. “You can alter the color by putting your desired color on bottom and the cat-eye over it, then finishing it off with a gel top coat.”
Are there different cat eye nail designs?
If you like options, you're in luck! Rattanavong says there are different cat eye designs to choose from. “It use to be just a straight line, but people have come up with so many different ways to manipulate the metallic particles,” she says. “It can be a circle, swirls, and most recently a heart!”
You can also use the cat eye design in a French manicure. So, if you're DIY-ing your manicure and you have some time to play around, see what you can create with a flick of the wrist and your magnet.
What is the best color for cat eye nails?
“Black, is a good start for most nail art as it makes other colors pop more when applied on top," says Apple. In reality, you can't go wrong with whatever color you choose. For something more subtle that makes a statement when it catches the light, you can stick to more neutral tones. “It looks best with a sheer natural tone as a base color in my opinion,” Apple adds. But, if you want to really stand out, go for something bold like a daring red.
Ready to try cat eye nails? Ahead, all the inspiration you need for your next salon visit. Get ready to screenshot.
Champagne Cat Eye
Chocolate Cat Eye
Blood Red Cat Eye
Cat Eye Hearts
Color Block Cat Eye
Cat Eye French
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