Forget Glazed Doughnut, Cat Eye Nails Is The Cool Girl Manicure To Know
For the last year or two, the glazed doughnut nail trend (AKA chrome nails) has had a chokehold on those in the manicurist seat. Brought to prominence by Hailey Bieber, the design has taken over many a Pinterest board, and with good reason – it’s fresh, cool, and (surprisingly) quicker than more detailed nail art requests. As a devoted doughnut nail fan myself, I’d started to crave something new, and I’ve found it. The answer: cat eye nails.
What are cat eye nails?
Unlike chrome nails, which offer a more 2D, futuristic metallic or pearlescent sheen that is buffed on top of your nail, cat-eye nails look 3D with light seemingly dancing from within the nail. To achieve the cat eye effect, a magnet is used to move metal particles around inside the polish which makes it catch the light when you move your hand.
Glazed doughnut nails are cool, but cat eye nails are next level, offering a high-impact way to elevate classic neutral nail colours.
Natasha, Digital Editor
Cat eye nail inspo
How to get cat eye nails at home
1. Pick your base
You can use a dark colour like black to make the shimmer look like a gemstone or, alternatively, you can also use sheer nudes or jelly polishes for a softer vibe. Some people skip the base colour entirely and just apply the magnetic polish directly to the nail for a more subtle, airy look.
2. Paint 1 nail at a time
Apply a slightly thick layer of magnetic polish, but make sure to work on just one finger at a time. The iron particles only move while the polish is wet. If it starts to dry or set, the magnet won’t be able to pull the pigment into a design.
3. Use the magnet
Hold your magnet about a quarter inch away from the wet nail for about 15 seconds. If you want a crisp line, hold it still in one spot. For the trendy velvet look, move the magnet around the edges of your finger to pull the shimmer toward the centre from all sides.
4. Seal the design
Finish with a clear top coat to add shine and protection.
Shop the trend
Note: The products below also require a gel lamp to set the polish.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
