Cat Eye Nails Are the Hypnotic Nail Trend Taking Over 2025

And just like any other manicure, Apple stresses the importance of proper nail prep and hydration. “The better you clean, prep, and polish, the longer it lasts.” This is why you want to make sure you’re going to a reputable salon for your cat eye manicure.

Are cat eye nails gel only?

Cat eye nails require a gel manicure to cure the magnetic shimmer effect in place using a UV lamp. However, there are other polishes that can mimic the shimmer effect like the Olive & June Magnetic Polish Set.

You also have the option of going the press-on route with nails like KISS Products gel Fantasy Magnetic Fake Nails and Color FX by imPRESS, which come in a range of different colors, shapes and lengths.

Can you do cat eye nails design at home?

“You can definitely do it at home,” says Apple. If you’re already accustomed to DIYing your gel manicures and have a gel lamp to cure your polish, this will be a breeze for you. All you need is the special magnetic polish and nail magnet. Amazon has some great nail magnet options, while Gelish Cat Eye Pure Velvet offers some stunning and shimmery cat eye gel polishes.

How long do cat eye nails last?

Like most gel manicures, cat eye nails will last about three weeks. “Depending on how well it is prepped and applied, cat eye can last up to three to four weeks with a gel manicure,” says Apple.

Can you create the cat eye design with any color?

“Yes, cat eye gel polishes come in many many different colors and different sizes of shimmers as well,” says Rattanavong. Apple points out that you can also get crafty in the case that you can’t find a specific color in cat eye polish. “You can alter the color by putting your desired color on bottom and the cat-eye over it, then finishing it off with a gel top coat.”

Are there different cat eye nail designs?

If you like options, you’re in luck! Rattanavong says there are different cat eye designs to choose from. “It use to be just a straight line, but people have come up with so many different ways to manipulate the metallic particles,” she says. “It can be a circle, swirls, and most recently a heart!”