33 Cat-Eye Nail Designs for a Luxurious Set

Cat-eye nails are an ethereal feast for the eyes, supplying a mesmerizing effect thanks to their dynamic shimmer. "They're known as cat-eye nails because the cool subtle linear effects created by the magnet resemble looking into a cat's eye," explains Olive & June vice president Olivia Van Iderstine.

To create the cat-eye (AKA velvet) nails look, you need two things: magnetic polish and a magnet. "The cat-eye effect is created by using a special magnetic polish or gel polish that contains magnetic particles," says nail artist Tara Hayes. "The position and angle of the magnet placed over the wet polish determine the pattern outcome."

Meet Our Expert

• Olivia Van Iderstine is the VP of content & creative for Olive & June and the brand's resident trend expert.

• Tara Hayes is a nail artist in New York City who studied under celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec.

• Rachel Joseph is a nail artist who works with Nailing Hollywood.
  

What happens if you attempt cat-eye nails sans magnet? "Without the magnet, it would look like a standard metallic shimmer polish," says Van Iderstine. So, all this being said, grabbing a magnet set is a non-negotiable for that full-on effect.

If you're thinking about trying cat-eye nails to upgrade your spring manicure, browse the 40 looks, below.

Pretty In Pink

Spring is calling your name with these stunning pink cat eye nails. It's a great way to bring the playfulness of the season center stage.

Champagne

Although this gorgeous brown-tinged champagne shade looks very soft to the touch, know that velvet polish goes on smoothly. "It's not actually fuzzy like velvet," says Van Iderstine. "The effect has no texture at all, just depth of swirling lines and curves."

Coquette

This pink velvet set is made that much better with the addition of silver bows that add to its coquette aesthetic.

Velvet Magnet Gel

Haye created this gel nail look by layering a silver magnetic polish over black polish. "Cat eye’s versatile technique can be used over any color, but it truly shines when applied over dark colors like black," says Hayes. "The contrast between the dark base and polish creates a beautiful eye-catching look."

Eye of the Tiger

These unique nails feature a gold magnetic polish topped with a brown jelly. With the added accent detail, it's truly a set to remember.

Swirls

"Our favorite way to achieve the velvet look is using press-ons — no magnet needed," says Van Iderstine. "All the hard work is done for you!" This short, round set features bright pink velvet nails with a fun, negative-space design.

Deep Space

Get an intergalactic look with a deep black base and teal-to-purple color-shifting magnetic pigments.

Icy Gel

"Ice Gel has amazing magnet gels," says Joseph. "They usually only require one coat, too, making it very easy and fast to use!" Color number 1377 is a stunning icy shade of pink.

Perseus

This ruby red nail polish has pink magnetic pigments for a bold multi-tonal look.

Sugar Plum

Sugar Plum truly lives up to its name, as it's a beautiful shade that will absolutely be dancing in my head through the holidays and beyond. It has a mauve base with magenta shimmer and silver metallic flakes.

Tips

When using non-gel magnetic polish, "the trick is to do one nail at a time, so you wave the magnetic over the polish while it is still wet," says Van Iderstine. "If the polish is dry, the magnet won't work and you won't achieve the velvet effect."

Halo

We love this taupe-brown nail polish that's complete with silver magnetic pigment. The colors work beautifully together, creating a simple yet ethereal look.

Amber

This amber gel polish has gold magnetic shimmer for a warm and glamorous finish.

Accent Heart

You don't need a full cat eye set to make an impact. This manicure features one pink accent nail that's topped off with a polished heart that steals the show.

Long Textured Nails

This iridescent textured set looks as if they came out of a mermaid's dreams. It's whimsical, vibrant, and just the right amount of quirky.

Velvet Press-Ons

With press-ons, you can "get the velvet look in minutes with no magnet and absolutely no dry time," says Van Iderstine. This extra-short set is in a rich shade of plum.

Elphaba Core

This green shade is perfect for getting that true cat-eye look. Just hold the magnet above the polish so it's aligned with the center of the nail, going lengthwise. "As a result, a distinctive line or lines on the nail resembles the shape and look of a cat eye," says Haye.

Pink With Attitude

Give a pink shade a bit of attitude by opting for a magnetic pink.

Deep Red

For a gem-like effect, top a cat-eye polish with a jelly polish.

Dark Blue

Get a nail look as mysterious as the night sky by layering silver cat-eye polish over a deep and moody navy.

Shooting Star

A purple-blue jelly polish over a silver magnetic creates a cosmic effect.

Cherries on Top

For those who prefer for their set to have a bit of depth and texture, opt for a 3D manicure like this one. With the sweet cherries on top and pink velvet nail look, it's incredibly cute.

Emerald City

To create this Christmas-inspired nail look, the artist used a silver velvet gel polish atop an emerald shade. It shows that with just one magnetic top coat, you can transform any color with a magical finish.

Sandbar

This sandy beige shade is elevated with silver magnetic pigments to create a shimmery nude. It was inspired by the the glimmer of sunlit waves crashing over the shallow shore.

Black Cat

Lean into the edgy vibes that velvet nails have to offer and go for a black manicure.

Bright Purple

This bright-purple gel polish has silver magnetic pigments to create a super eye-catching look.

Foil Pink

Go romantic with a raspberry red polish coupled with pink sparkles and pink-to-gold magnetic pigments. The finish looks exactly like the red-heart foil balloons that dominate Valentine's Day.

Mixed Metals

This set experiments with the mixed metal look to create this dynamic set that has hints of silver and gold.

Raspberry

These raspberry cat eyes look so refined and edgy all at the same time.

Light Brown

For a warmer take on the cat eye trend. Try this light brown shade that feels like a gingerbread dream. It’s almost bite-worthy!

Scarlet French Tip

Don't want to go for a full cat eye? Get a chic French tip like this one with a scarlet hue.

Galactic Nails

These reflective nails look straight out of space. Play around with color by getting this futuristic set at your next nail appointment.

Platinum

Go super icy with a milky white topped with silver cat-eye polish.

Gold Metal

Throwing in an unexpected metal decal or pearls to your manicure is such a great way to make it feel unique.

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