If you’re not a fan of soap nails for spring, you’ll be pleased to hear that the cat eye nail trend is purring its way into the spotlight. Akin to a magic trick for your fingertips, it’s inspired by the mesmerising look of a cat’s eye, and creates an almost witchy, magnetic effect that catches the light with every movement.
Keen to know more? We spoke to Giorgia Cappella, Head of Education & Spa at TGB, to get the lowdown.
What are cat eye nails?
Cat eye nails are this super cool magnetic manicure trend that’s really taken off, with over 60 million views on TikTok.
‘The look mimics the glowing slit of a cat’s eye, thanks to a special gel polish infused with magnetic particles. When you hover a magnet over the uncured polish, it pulls those particles into a shimmering, light-catching pattern that shifts as you move your hands,’ schools Capella.
They’re bold, yet still sophisticated, so it’s the perfect manicure for anyone who enjoys an ever-changing look. Celebs are into the cat eye nail trend, too. ‘Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa, Rita Ora and Kylie Jenner have all rocked the look and it’s only getting more popular,’ adds Capella. ‘In 2025, we’re seeing fresh takes on it too – like sheer bases, soft gradients, and even abstract designs that give it a more modern, futuristic feel.’
How to do cat eye nails
While it’s a tricky technique to recreate at home, your nail technician can create lots of brilliant effects. If you want to achieve cat eye nails at your next appointment, Capella suggests asking your nail tech for the below.
- Start by asking your nail tech for a magnetic gel polish in your chosen shade.
- From there, you can customise the effect, the classic version has a sleek, light-reflecting line running straight down the centre of the nail, but there are so many ways to switch it up.
- You could go for a soft, diffused halo effect, a diagonal slant, or even a cosmic swirl—these can all be created using a magnetic tool.
Are cat eye nails safe?
‘Cat eye polish is safe as it uses non-toxic magnetic pigments that comply with cosmetic regulations, undergoing rigorous testing to ensure they pose no risk to human health,’ says Capella.
Do cat eye nails cost more?
This depends on your salon but the answer is likely yes. ‘Although cat eye gels are an alternative gel polish finish, you may find that your technician charges extra if being used within nail art, but this will vary,’ adds Capella.
Cat eye nail designs to try now
1/ Cat eye meets chrome
2/ Red velvet cat eye
3/ Cat eye with florals
4/ Marbled cat eye
5/ Earth-toned cat eye
6/ Aqua cat eye
7/ Nude cat eye
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Perdita Nouril is the Beauty Editor for Women’s Health UK. She has worked in the beauty industry for 15 years since graduating from the University of Nottingham. Adept at exploring the colossal world of beauty, she loves to scratch beneath the surface to debunk the myths, decode the science and challenge traditional notions of beauty. You can always find her preaching sermons on the power of a red lip, extolling the virtues of a decent serum and championing the very best female beauty founders.
You can find Perdita on Instagram on @perditanouril
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