10 Cat-Eye Nail Ideas With That Magnetic Glow
Cat-eye nail ideas: black, burgundy, champagne, emerald, pink and silver magnetic polish, plus velvet and line-effect looks and how the magnet technique works.
The palette
Cat-eye polish has tiny metal particles in it. A magnet held over the wet polish pulls them into a band of light, so the nail seems to glow from inside.
Move the magnet differently and you get a sharp line, a soft velvet haze or a diagonal flash. Here are ten ways to wear it.
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1. Classic Black Cat-Eye
Black with a sharp silver line through the centre.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Black with silver
- Salon level
- Moderate
Would you wear this?
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2. Burgundy Glow
Deep wine with a soft red shimmer.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Burgundy
- Salon level
- Moderate
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3. Champagne Velvet
Soft champagne with a hazy, all-over glow.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Velvet cat-eye
- Shade
- Champagne
- Salon level
- Moderate
-
Read next10 Glitter Nail Ideas That Still Look Grown-Up
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4. Emerald Flash
Deep green with a bright green line.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Emerald
- Salon level
- Moderate
-
5. Pink Velvet
Sheer pink with a pearly velvet shimmer.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Velvet cat-eye
- Shade
- Pink velvet
- Salon level
- Moderate
-
6. Silver Moonlight
Grey with a cool silver glow. Very wintry.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Silver grey
- Salon level
- Moderate
-
7. Navy Galaxy
Navy with a blue glow across the tip.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Navy
- Salon level
- Moderate
-
8. Diagonal Gold
Brown with a diagonal gold flash.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Brown with gold
- Salon level
- Moderate
-
9. Cat-Eye French
A velvet tip on a nude base.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Velvet cat-eye
- Shade
- Nude with velvet tip
- Salon level
- Advanced
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10. Lilac Shimmer
Soft lilac with a silver-violet glow.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Cat-eye
- Shade
- Lilac
- Salon level
- Moderate
Cat-eye is easiest on gel because you have time to move the magnet before the polish sets. Cure each nail straight after you magnetise it.
For a softer version, see velvet nails. For more shine, try chrome nails.
Your questions, answered
How do cat-eye nails work?
The polish contains metal particles. A magnet held close to the wet polish pulls them together into a line or band of light.
Do I need a special magnet?
Yes. Cat-eye polish is sold with a magnet, or you can buy one separately. Stronger magnets give sharper lines.
What is the difference between cat-eye and velvet nails?
They use the same polish. Velvet nails spread the shimmer across the whole nail by moving the magnet around, instead of holding it still for a line.
Part of our guide: The Winter Nail Guide
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