How does cat eye nail polish work?

Achieving a cat eye nail look is often done with magnetic polish. This polish contains iron particles that come up to the surface when a magnet is held over it. This leaves the particles sitting at the top and creating that cat eye effect.

How can I do a cat eye nail polish look?

Creating this look is as simple as getting some magnetic polish and crafting your favorite design. Magnetic polish can be purchased as a regular polish or gel polish (which requires UV light) and typically comes with a magnetic tool. After applying the polish, create your preferred design by moving the magnetic tool over the nail without touching it and guiding the polish to where you'd like it to be.

43 Cat Eye Nails That'll Convince You to Try the Trend

close up of pinky nude cat eye manicure — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

Few things are as fun and easy as switching up our manicures. There's just something so satisfying as painting on a bright nail polish shade, trying a new nail art trend, filing your nails into a different shape, and even just going back to a look you know you love. And right now, cat eye nails are at the very top of our list of trends to try.

Cat eye nails are characterized by a subtle metallic line running diagonally across the nail. They're typically painted in a similar color to the base, creating an almost mirror-like effect of staring into a cat's eye. It's similar to the velvet nail trend, in a way, as they both feature a metallic finish with texture, but the diagonal line is what you're really looking for in a cat-eye nail look. At home, many DIYers recreate the look with a thin nail art brush that they lightly stroke across the nail or by using magnetic nail polish, which helps to shape-shift the polish and give it that flicked illusion. In the salon, your nail tech should be able to create the look without hesitation.

The trend can be as fierce or as subtle as you want it to be, it's one of the many reasons we're eager to try it. So, we listed 43 of our favorite ways to wear these feline-inspired looks. From minimalistic nail art designs to mismatched nails and colorful color combos, keep scrolling for more.

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Celestial Sky

Green and blue cat eye nails — @doras_nails_euphoria / Instagram

Green and blue combine to create this deep, dark, almost celestial cat eye. We love it on the less traditional, albeit subtle, elongating almond-shaped nails. Still, any nail shape can rock this look; it's incredibly versatile.

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Two-Toned

Can't decide between two shades? Go with both! We love how these complementary colors play off one another, both in tone and in finish.

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Pink Shimmer

Nails need not be long to be statement-making. Short nails are the perfect canvas for this simple yet stunning cat eye.

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24 Karat Gold

gold and yellow cateye nails — @_artisun / Instagram

It doesn't get more luxurious than a yellow cat eye mani that shimmers like gold. To replicate, try something like Mooncat Treasure Trove. And don't forget to finish with a layer or two of top coat to keep things extra glossy.

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Cat Eye Orbs

This cat eye nail design looks like it can tell your future and we're really into it. To recreate this look, we recommend booking an appointment with a professional to save yourself some time.

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Mauve Madness

Neither nude nor pink, these mauve nails are the perfect in between.

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Something Blue

Blue cate eye nails — @nailsbyfrikiki / Instagram

These blue cat eye nails are as beautiful as they are bold. Pretty purrrrfect if you ask us. If you opt for a matte polish, don't forget about the finish of your top coat; a no-shine top coat is your best friend.

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Dipped In Gold

Give your classic French mani a bit of a twist with these gold-dipped cat eye nails. We love how the tips appear to be melting—just like a Dali painting.

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Multichromatic

It's easy to wear black polish when you add a pop of green cat eye color. Call it multicolored. Call it multichromatic. Whatever you call it, it's gorgeous.

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Lines Only

Clean and linear cat eye nails — @nailpromagazine / Instagram

With a nude base, this look uniquely encompasses the cat eye with the marbly color presentation on the actual line. Due to it's intricate design, we recommend making an appointment with your nail tech to recreate this look.

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Black Cherry

Cat eye meets cosmic vibes in this black cherry-hued masterpiece. The long, square-shaped nails take us back to Y2K (and we're not complaining) but the magnetic polish makes it modern.

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The Speck Effect

This nail art takes the cat eye inspo a bit further with gorgeous reflective specks that add even more dimension and shimmer. The black and blue color is also highly adaptable, so feel free to dress it up or down (or both).

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Barbiecore Galore

Lean into the ultimate girly trend by combining two shades of pink for a nail look that will bring all the fun energy.

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Shimmery Rainbow

Cat eye nails traditionally play with jewel tones but this mani embraces all the colors of the rainbow. It's also got a glamorous multidimensional shimmer. Needless to say, we can't get enough.

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Head in the Clouds

Minimalist cat eye nails — @mooncat / Instagram

Nail art doesn't have to be complicated. Here, all it takes is a streak of blue to elevate gray nails with a simple cat eye design.

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Modern French

For the nail art enthusiast who leans toward minimalistic designs, take note. This look features a thin silver half moon at the base and cat eye French tips in a neutral shade. It's trendy, simple, and elegant.

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Radiant Red

This isn't your traditional red mani. Going a shade or two darker than classic red lends richness while a faint cat eye shimmer adds some flair. It's perfect for fall, or any time of year for that matter.

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Mirror Image

This iridescent polish reflects color and beauty, making it the fairest cat eye look of them all. Consider adding some nail gems to really create a "wow" factor; after all, more is more.

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Purple and Polished

The high shine of this topcoat might catch your eye first, but the longer you look, the more mesmerizing this purple combination is.

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Cat Eye Polka Dots

This cat eye design looks like the craters of the moon up close. Add it to a long stiletto nail shape and it feels instantly edgy.

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Green Almond

We're not sure what we love more about this mani, its almond shape, glittery accents, or cat eye design. Okay, it's all of the above. We're also lusting after the trending olive green color, in case you were wondering.

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Colorful Combos

Colorful cat eye manicure — @melanated.mani / Instagram

Experimenting with different color combinations is encouraged when it comes to creating your customized cat eye. Cirque Colors Bubbly Collection Set comes with six magnetic holographic polishes for you to mix and match. Meanwhile, a diamond accent nail—and diamond jewelry (if you can be so lucky)—adds some glam.

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Multicolored

Selecting a color to use for this trend can be a little overwhelming—good thing we have 10 fingers. Opt for a different color combo on every nail to get a multi-hued mani that puts the fun in funky.

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Brown Shimmer

Brown might not be your go-to nail color—but it could be, especially when shimmer is involved. If you typically opt for nude nails, this brown cat eye will give you a little something extra, not to mention, satisfy your '90s nostalgia.

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Negative Space

Each nail comprising this mani is an artwork in itself, however, together they're the complete oeuvre. We love the detail of color on negative space nails that echo those that are fully painted.

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Cotton Candy

For a more whimsical take on cat eye nails, opt for a cotton candy color palette. A blue base with pink detail, or vice-a-versa, is sure to turn heads.

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Gold and Taupe

Yellowy-gold and taupe may not be the first color combo that comes to mind for a manicure, but you can't deny just how pretty this final product is. It tends to complement those whose skin has warm or neutral undertones best, just FYI.

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Green With Envy

Green cat eye nails — @melanated.mani / Instagram

The way this vibrant, deep emerald green reflects light is what cat eye nail dreams are made of. Try it on oval-shaped nails, as seen here, or your nail shape of choice.

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Blue and Gold

This color block cat eye mani is a great way to play with color. Pick your favorites or perhaps your team's colors? The options are endless.

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Reputation Era

This shade is similar to the above green look, but its darker and moodier color lets people know that whoever is wearing this polish is not to be messed with.

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Expedition Atlantis

Nail influencer Melanated Mani uses Mooncat's reflective polish to create a multichromatic cat eye look that has got us trippin'. To create your own bespoke mani, choose your favorite cat eye shades and paint a different color on each nail.

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Moody

Part cat-eye, part gemstone. Black, gold, and purple blend perfectly to create an optical illusion IRL. And while the polish may be unconventional, the oval nail shape makes it classic.

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Purple Globes

This shimmery purple cat eye polish is gorgeous, especially on long almond nails.

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Jewel-Toned

Jewel-colored cat eye nails — @melanated.mani / Instagram

Reminiscent of the sky at night, these dark jewel-toned colors combine to create a look that is out of this world. Jewel tones tend to work best on those with cool or neutral undertones; however, going a tad deeper in shade satisfies warm tones, too.

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Moody Jewel Tones

Perfect for the fall and winter months, we love these color-coordinated nails in deep jewel tones.

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Purple Haze

Purple cat eye nails — @nailpromagazine / Instagram

Deep purple nails are incredibly versatile, and they're perfect for fall. Think of this cat eye version as a a classic vampy manicure with a little bit of spice.

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Seeing Stars

Instead of going for a uniform set, play with mixing and matching different looks per nail. Playing with designs in similar shades adds a touch of youthful fun while still looking put-together.

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Cat Eye in Gold Frames

A cocoa cat eye polish is accented with gold chrome line work that frames the outer edge of the nail. There's no doubt this manicure is gorgeous, and it feels neutral, sparkly, and glam all at once.

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Brown and Teal

The rich brown base color of this mani makes its teal cat eye accent pop. By combining warm earth tones with cool jewel tones, this color palette will work on anyone, regardless of skin's undertones.

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Breathtakingly Blue-tiful

Blue cat eye nails — @xmedzikx / Instagram

The prettiest shade of blue paired with the most perfect metallic top coat is sure to turn heads. It's super glossy and classic, but if you're more into matte, it also translates well to nails sans shine.

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Unicorn

Ocean inspired cat eye nails — @mooncat / Instagram

Looking for a mani to match your unicorn makeup? Then look no further. These sparkly iridescent cat eye nails are fun, flirty, and most of all, magical.

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Stardust

We liken this manicure, with its black base and shimmery blue topcoat, to a starry night sky. Wear it to a formal night out or to instantly dress up a more casual look.

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Pretty in Purple

Purple and pink glitter cat eye nails — @mooncat / Instagram

If you really want to kick things up a notch, swipe a glitter top coat onto your amethyst nails. It will finish the look while adding dimension and sparkle. What's not to like?

FAQ

How does cat eye nail polish work?

Achieving a cat eye nail look is often done with magnetic polish. This polish contains iron particles that come up to the surface when a magnet is held over it. This leaves the particles sitting at the top and creating that cat eye effect.
How can I do a cat eye nail polish look?

Creating this look is as simple as getting some magnetic polish and crafting your favorite design. Magnetic polish can be purchased as a regular polish or gel polish (which requires UV light) and typically comes with a magnetic tool. After applying the polish, create your preferred design by moving the magnetic tool over the nail without touching it and guiding the polish to where you'd like it to be.