Your Nail Tech Is Bored of Chrome—Now, They’re Way More Into Cat-Eye Manis

Chrome nails have been dominating for a while now, but searches for cat eye nails have been up 5,000% in the past month and we're tipping it to be a major autumn 2024 nail trend. Sometimes referred to as velvet nails, cat-eye nails are created by a magnetic gel polish which is manipulated by a magnet. The result is a glassy, almost three-dimensional effect when it catches the light which resembles a cat eye gemstone—and it's so pretty. Whilst we've seen chrome and glass nail effects dominating over the summer months, the cat-eye manicure is paving its way to a major comeback for autumn.

How to do Cat-Eye Nails

Cat-eye nails are created by using a gel nail polish with magnetic pigments, which can be "shaped" into various designs with a special magnet. In most cases, you'll need a gel polish and UV lamp to cure the effect into place, hence why they're so big in salons. However, there are some magnetic nail polishes out there that will give you a similar effect, as well as press-on nails to get the look without the need for a gel kit or a visit to the salon. You can also achieve different effects by using different magnet shapes. Circle-shaped magnets create a mesmerising halo effect in the middle of the nail, whilst long slender magnets create a defined line that resembles a cat eye.

Cat-Eye Nail Ideas to Try

Ready for some cat-eye nails inspiration? From pink cat-eye nails to "aura" cat-eye manicures, scroll ahead for the coolest we've spotted.

1. Sheer Pink Cat-Eye Nails

How beautiful is this sheer pink take on cat-eye nails?

2. Gold Cat-Eye Nails

I'm saving this one for party-season nails inspo.

3. Turquoise Cat-Eye Nails

How glassy does this turquoise cat-eye look?

4. Pink and Green Cat-Eye Nails

Pink and green make seriously beautiful cat-eye colours.

5. Red Cat-Eye Nails

Saving immediately for my first autumn manicure.

6. Blue and Black Aura Cat-Eye Nails

Combining two trends in one, this cat-eye manicure also features an aura effect which enhances the finish even more.

7. Cat-Eye French Tips

You can even create a French-tip effect with cat-eye polish.

8. Long Lilac Cat-Eye Nails

Longer nails really showcase the full cat-eye effect—case in point with Vanessa Hudgens' recent manicure.

9. Black and Blue Ombre Cat-Eye Nails

Why not experiment with the placement of your cat-eye polish? This ombre effect is so pretty.

10. Navy Cat-Eye Nails

Deep navy is a classic nail colour that looks even glossier with a cat-eye finish.

11. Pink Chrome Aura Cat-Eye Nails

If your salon doesn't have cat eye-effect polish, you can get a similar look by using an airbrush to create a lighter colour in the middle of the nail, finishing with chrome.

12. Bright-Blue Cat-Eye Nails

There's something about this electric-blue cat-eye mani that I'm mesmerised by.

13. Pink Oval Cat-Eye Nails

Pink is a classic colour for a cat-eye mani.

14. Green Cat-Eye Nail Art

If you don't want a full cat-eye manicure, having nail-art accents with the effect is a more minimal look.

15. Multicoloured Chrome Cat-Eye Nails

Cat-eye and chrome powder make for a dreamy combo.

16. Dark-Red Cat-Eye Nails

This dark red is so sophisticated.

17. Silver Cat-Eye Nails

That's my New Years Eve mani sorted.

18. Purple Cat-Eye Nails

You can create different effects on the nail depending on the shape of the magnet and the magnetic pigments in the polish, meaning you'll get a truly unique mani.

19. Long Pink Cat-Eye Nails

These are just so pretty.

20. Heart Cat-Eye Nails

A heart-shaped magnet will give you cat-eye hearts—how cute?!

21. Butterfly Cat-Eye Nails

Cat-eye polish looks great paired with nail art or as an accent nail.

Shop Products to DIY a Cat-Eye Mani:

Cat-Eye Press-On Nails

Cat-Eye Magnetic Nail Polish

Cat-Eye Gel Polish