Courtesy of @kreatedbykae_, @nailsbyy.nai , and @_citre Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Putting on nail polish is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a little jolt of joy, but no finish can cast a captivating spell quite like cat-eye polish, which is literally and figuratively magnetic. This scintillating look has been trending long enough to be considered a new classic—and for good reason: There’s almost no limit to how you can wear these dazzling colors. “The color appears to change, making it both bold and adaptable,” Jacqueline Pham , a New York City-based nail artist, says of the look that resembles the mischievous glimmer in a cat’s eye.
It's also ideal for minimalists who crave a bit of sparkle but can't tolerate chunky glitter. “It’s almost like jewelry for the nails,” says Sataya Stone, nail artist and founder of Art Nail NYC . “It taps into the desire for luxurious and expressive manicures.”
Cat-eye nails first took off in South Korea. Steph Stone , a Los Angeles-based manicurist, remembers seeing the finish on the Instagram accounts of South Korean nail salons in 2022. The photos inspired her to order magnetic polish from Ice Gel , a K-beauty nail polish brand.
To create this look at home, you’ll need a polish infused with magnetic particles, as well as a magnet, says Pham. “After applying the polish, hold the magnet close to the nail to move the particles and form a reflective pattern,” she explains. The positioning of the magnet is what makes a cat-eye manicure look, well, like a cat’s eye: Holding the magnet at the center of the nail drags the particles into a straight line, while positioning toward the tip or side of the nail creates more of a velvet effect , which is equally beautiful. The nail polish brand Mooncat has a great video that demonstrates the difference.
We love the DND 9D Cat Eye gel polishes, which come in a handful of pretty jewel tones, including amethyst, emerald, and topaz. Mooncat offers a variety of magnetic polishes, too, including Allure editor favorites such as Fields of Lavender (a plum shade with glittering hints of red) and Devil's Ivy (a soft blue-green with a hint of a silver stripe). DND, Mooncat, and most brands that sell magnetic polish also offer the necessary magnets for sale. Or you can go the express route: Try press-ons painted with the design. We love the sparkling sets from Static Nails and Chillhouse .
You can create just about any nail design with this effect, like a sparkling French manicure or a holographic look with 3D embellishments. Sataya says clients of the salon often ask for “cat-eye accents in minimalist designs or layered under fine-line detailing.”
Scroll ahead for cat-eye nail art ideas to keep on hand as inspo for your next appointment.
Courtesy of @nailsbyy.nai Mixed-media French cat-eye manicure Courtesy of @andreabook_ Autumnal jewel cat-eye nails Courtesy of @kreatedbykae_ Neutral cat-eye nails with a neon streak Courtesy of @_citre Sprinkles of sparkles Courtesy of @alexdidyournails 50/50 cat-eye nails Courtesy of @alexdidyournails Twinkling taupe cat-eye nails Courtesy of @etherealbeautymeg Divided dot cat-eye nails Courtesy of @etherealbeautymeg Blue haze cat-eye nails Courtesy of @grumpydaizy_nails Pearly cat-eye nails Courtesy of Jacqueline Pham Dusted rose cat-eye nails Courtesy of @ploydidthat Abstract 3D amber cat-eye nails Courtesy of @_citre Floral cat-eye nails Courtesy of @heygreatnails Pink cat-eye nail…