Are you also obsessed, like literally OBSESSED with cat-eye winged eyeliners!? It has been a timeless chic and you cannot not love the style. Cat eye concepts are even popular among sunglasses and why not? They look effortlessly stylish and ever-trending. But we aren’t here to talk about those cat eyes! We are speaking of cat eye nails and yes, that’s a thing.
First things first, what do we imagine when we hear “cat eye”? Obviously, it recalls a cat’s sharp and striking eyes. So what has it got to do with nails? Let’s see.
What is Cat Eye Gel Polish? Types, How to Use, Apply, and DIY
Have you seen those unique nail designs trending all over Instagram? The ones with a vertical sheen that resembles the mysterious gaze of a cat? Those are called cat eye nails. A special polish is used for getting the look and here’s everything you need to know about what it is and how to use it. The good thing is that you can even use it for your at-home manicures and here’s how.
What is Cat Eye Gel Polish?
A cat eye gel polish, or a cat eye gel, is a unique version of a glitter gel polish that contains magnetic powders for creating unique nail art effects. These minute glittery particles get attracted to what is called a cat eye magnet when hovered over the nail. This creates fun and unique designs by gathering the powders in a galactic effect.
Also called magnetic gel polish, it is an upgraded version of glitter polishes that requires a special magnetic wand to create artistic effects on your nails. The tiny particles in the magnetic cat eye gels are highly dazzling and you can manipulate them in shapes and patterns as per your choice.
The unique feature of cat eye nail art is that the iconic cat eye line takes a dramatic shift when seen from different angles. This shift is in both color and pattern and it gives a magical appeal when viewed. These days, cat eye gels are available in different types.
Different Types of Magnetic Gel Polish
While cat eye gel polishes primarily contain magnetic glitter particles to create patterns, they often create various effects as an end result. This makes us classify them into certain categories:
1) Holographic Effect
This is one of the most trending cat eye effects that has dominated the nail art industry for quite some time now. The popular holographic cat eye effect is made using a rainbow cat eye gel which has colorful magnetic particles. Often paired with a black or a dark base, these reflect brilliant rainbow colors creating a holo appeal that has a vivid and glamorous feel to it.
2) Velvet Effect
The classic and the most versatile effect is this silver shimmery effect. It ideally comes in a transparent gel form with fine silver shimmers that render a velvety effect. When paired with a good base color, these shine like minute diamonds on your nails. These are used to deliver the classic mermaid effect in the currently trending 3D nail art designs.
3) Aurora Effect
Still dreaming of the auroras of the Northern Lights? Bring them to your fingertips with these unicorn cat eye gel polishes. These gels reflect stunning and magical aurora colors when viewed under different lights and at different angles. They are generally paired with light base colors or nudes.
4) Reflective Effect
There are some new trending nail gels that contain reflective glitter particles. These reflect a sharp shine when exposed to a flashlight while they still sparkle normally in regular lighting. But the best part is that there are reflective cat eye gels as well that contain both magnetic and reflective shimmers. When this mix is scattered on your nails, it gives an attention-seeking bright appeal like diamonds. These give the best results when paired with a black base.
How to Use, Apply, and DIY
While you can use cat eye gels in your DIY manicures too, these give the best results when used by experienced professionals. This is because these are UV/LED-curable gel polishes and require curing to secure the design. Here’s how you can use it:
1) Start with a clean base and a good dry manicure – push and trim your cuticles, cut and file your nails, buff the nail bed, and dust off the residue.
2) Apply a gel base coat in a thin layer and cure under a UV/LED lamp.
3) Shake the cat eye gel polish bottle well and apply a thin layer over the base coat. Do not cure.
4) Hover the cat eye magnet wand over your nails for a few seconds to achieve the desired pattern.
5) Once done, cure it under a UV/LED nail curing lamp. Cure between fingers as the pattern might disperse in a few seconds. This happens when the magnetic effect reduces amongst the particles in the gel.
6) When all the fingers get the required pattern and design, seal everything with a gel top coat and cure again. Finish with a cuticle oil and you’re good to go.
Wrapping Up Cat Eye Gel Polishes
In a nutshell, cat eye gel polish is more than just a trend; it’s a dazzling way to express your style and creativity. With its mesmerizing magnetic effect, cat eye gels offer endless possibilities for unique and striking nail designs. Whether you’re exploring the different types, learning how to use and apply them, or getting crafty with some DIY tips, magnetic gel polishes are a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their manicure game.
Ready to let your nails shine with the magic of cat eyes? Dive in, experiment, and let your fingertips do the talking!
