Chrome nails have been dominating for a while now, but searches for cat eye nails have been up 5,000% in the past month and we're tipping it to be a major autumn 2024 nail trend. Sometimes referred to as velvet nails, cat-eye nails are created by a magnetic gel polish which is manipulated by a magnet. The result is a glassy, almost three-dimensional effect when it catches the light which resembles a cat eye gemstone—and it's so pretty. Whilst we've seen chrome and glass nail effects dominating over the summer months, the cat-eye manicure is paving its way to a major comeback for autumn.
How to do Cat-Eye Nails
Cat-eye nails are created by using a gel nail polish with magnetic pigments, which can be "shaped" into various designs with a special magnet. In most cases, you'll need a gel polish and UV lamp to cure the effect into place, hence why they're so big in salons. However, there are some magnetic nail polishes out there that will give you a similar effect, as well as press-on nails to get the look without the need for a gel kit or a visit to the salon. You can also achieve different effects by using different magnet shapes. Circle-shaped magnets create a mesmerising halo effect in the middle of the nail, whilst long slender magnets create a defined line that resembles a cat eye.
Cat-Eye Nail Ideas to Try
Ready for some cat-eye nails inspiration? From pink cat-eye nails to "aura" cat-eye manicures, scroll ahead for the coolest we've spotted.
1. Sheer Pink Cat-Eye Nails
How beautiful is this sheer pink take on cat-eye nails?
2. Gold Cat-Eye Nails
I'm saving this one for party-season nails inspo.
3. Turquoise Cat-Eye Nails
How glassy does this turquoise cat-eye look?
4. Pink and Green Cat-Eye Nails
Pink and green make seriously beautiful cat-eye colours.
5. Red Cat-Eye Nails
Saving immediately for my first autumn manicure.
6. Blue and Black Aura Cat-Eye Nails
Combining two trends in one, this cat-eye manicure also features an aura effect which enhances the finish even more.
7. Cat-Eye French Tips
You can even create a French-tip effect with cat-eye polish.
8. Long Lilac Cat-Eye Nails
Longer nails really showcase the full cat-eye effect—case in point with Vanessa Hudgens' recent manicure.
9. Black and Blue Ombre Cat-Eye Nails
Why not experiment with the placement of your cat-eye polish? This ombre effect is so pretty.
10. Navy Cat-Eye Nails
Deep navy is a classic nail colour that looks even glossier with a cat-eye finish.
11. Pink Chrome Aura Cat-Eye Nails
If your salon doesn't have cat eye-effect polish, you can get a similar look by using an airbrush to create a lighter colour in the middle of the nail, finishing with chrome.
12. Bright-Blue Cat-Eye Nails
There's something about this electric-blue cat-eye mani that I'm mesmerised by.
13. Pink Oval Cat-Eye Nails
Pink is a classic colour for a cat-eye mani.
14. Green Cat-Eye Nail Art
If you don't want a full cat-eye manicure, having nail-art accents with the effect is a more minimal look.
15. Multicoloured Chrome Cat-Eye Nails
Cat-eye and chrome powder make for a dreamy combo.
16. Dark-Red Cat-Eye Nails
This dark red is so sophisticated.
17. Silver Cat-Eye Nails
That's my New Years Eve mani sorted.
18. Purple Cat-Eye Nails
You can create different effects on the nail depending on the shape of the magnet and the magnetic pigments in the polish, meaning you'll get a truly unique mani.
19. Long Pink Cat-Eye Nails
These are just so pretty.
20. Heart Cat-Eye Nails
A heart-shaped magnet will give you cat-eye hearts—how cute?!
21. Butterfly Cat-Eye Nails
Cat-eye polish looks great paired with nail art or as an accent nail.
Shop Products to DIY a Cat-Eye Mani:
Cat-Eye Press-On Nails
Can't make it to the salon or don't have an at-home gel kit? Press-on nails make it easy to get the cat-eye look at home. These can be tailor-made to your nails and come in so many shapes and lengths.
How beautiful are these glassy green-cat eye press-ons?
OPI's press on nails are incredible (mine lasted 10 days when I tried them) and they have this cat-eye design which is ideal for autumn.
Cat-Eye Magnetic Nail Polish
No salon appointment? You can get the look at home with magnetic nail polish. This one from Nails. Inc comes with a magnet in the lid to morph the magnetic pigments into a cat-eye effect.
Cat-Eye Gel Polish
If you're not heading to the salon, you'll need cat-eye gel polishes and a curing lamp to set the effect into place.
I'm putting this cat-eye effect gel-nail polish in a chic deep-red hue straight into my basket.
Mylee's nail magnets feature different shapes for endless cat-eye effects when using gel polish.
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