When we want to know what's about to be hot in beauty, what's trending in Korea is a great forecast. From blurred lips, Igari makeup and glass skin to killer coquette manicures, K-Beauty has rocked the trend world time and time again. That's absolutely about to be the case with the latest hot signature nail look taking hold: cat-eye nails. This multi-dimensional mani takes shimmer and glitter to an elegant, delicate place that makes this look a stunner for any occasion, and it's quickly taking off in the U.S.
What Are Cat-Eye Nails?
Holo Taco Menchie Cat Eye showing the kitty in question.
Holo Taco Menchie Cat Eye demonstrating the line effect that defines the cat-eye trend.
At first glance, this nail trend could be mistaken for a few things: a basic shimmer or even a holographic polish. Once you look closer, though, you notice depth and subtly chromatic effects.
According to nail artist and CEO of Nailing Hollywood, Mazz Hanna, cat-eye nails rely on magnetism to achieve their look. "Cat-eye nails are a type of nail art created using magnetic polish, which results in a reflective line that runs across the nail, resembling the eye of a cat," Hanna explains. "The line shifts when viewed from different angles, giving the nails a dynamic, almost holographic effect."
It's that shimmery movement that has helped catapult this trend to the top of our mani inspo boards. "Cat-eye nails have gained popularity for the subtle depth they bring to any manicure," Hanna explains. "They add a delicate touch to your manicure that is just bold enough to be eye-catching. Magnetic polishes have become more popular within the past few years which has made achieving cats eye nails more accessible. There are plenty of magnetic polishes available now in both regular and gel polish."
How to Get the Look
Magnetic nail polishes are available in regular and gel formulas, and as you can see above, they still look beautiful even when they're not activated. These polishes are also shaken before application to help evenly distribute the magnetic pigments.
"First, apply a base coat of your choice," Hanna advises. "Then apply the magnetic polish in the same way you would apply any other polish. Use a magnet (often provided with the polish) near your nails to create a cat-eye effect. If you’re using gel, you would use the magnet before curing the gel. Once you’ve achieved the cat-eye effect with the magnet, apply a topcoat of your choice."
There are a ton of different finishes to magnetic polish that you can experiment with. The "velvet" finish shown above is what happens when the pigments are activated all over the nail, and the line that creates the signature cat eye is created by holding the magnetic wand diagonally over or under the nail. You can also create 3D and French tip effects by using the magnet on only part of the nail.
Our Favorite Cat-Eye Nail Polishes
