You've surely seen them go by: nails with a mysterious, shifting shimmer that seems to move as you turn your hand. Those are cat eye nails. In this article you'll read what the effect is exactly, why it works so beautifully on press-on nails and how to wear the look.
What makes cat eye press-on nails so special?
The secret lies in magnetic particles in the gel. While the set is being made, a magnet is moved over the nail, which arranges the particles into a streak of light. That gives a deep, velvety shimmer with a band of light that moves along, a bit like the eye of a cat. Every angle gives a slightly different effect, which makes it so addictive to look at.
Why handmade makes the difference here
The magnetic effect takes precision. If the magnet is just a little too far away or too close, the streak turns flat. With us every set is handmade from soft gel in our own studio, so the streak of light falls beautifully on the nail. That's why no two sets are exactly alike.
Who is cat eye for?
For almost anyone who wants a little more than a plain colour, without going straight to glitter or nail art. Cat eye is eye-catching yet refined. Dark shades like burgundy and midnight blue go beautifully with autumn and winter. Softer colours work all year round. For the festive season, also have a look at our Christmas and party nails.
Which shape suits it best?
The effect looks its best on a bit more nail surface. Choose Oval Long and the streak of light has the most room. Square Short and Oval Short also work well and are more practical for every day. Curious which shape suits your hands? Then take the shape quiz. Our shapes go from short to long: Round, Oval Short, Square Short and Oval Long.
How to style the look
Cat eye nails are the statement in themselves, so keep your jewellery quiet. With gold, choose a warm shade, with silver a cool one. If you prefer a calm outfit, a cat eye set is a lovely way to add an accent without it getting busy.
Wearing and caring for them
You apply cat eye press-on nails like any other set: push back your cuticles with the cuticle pusher, degrease with an alcohol wipe, stick on the adhesive tab and press each nail for 10 seconds. That takes about ten minutes. Want to see the steps again? Head to our How it works page.
Colours that do well
Cat eye comes in all kinds of shades, from soft rosé to deep green. Looking for something versatile? Choose a neutral or dark shade. Want to stand out? A bright colour with a strong streak of light is a lovely choice. Do look at how the effect appears in the photos, because that differs from design to design.
Frequently asked questions
How does the cat eye effect work?
Magnetic particles in the gel are arranged into a streak of light with a magnet, and it moves along with the light.
Are cat eye press-on nails harder to apply?
No, applying them is the same as with any other set and takes about ten minutes.
How long do they stay on?
With adhesive tabs one to two weeks, about ten days on average.
Which size should I choose?
Not sure? Take the larger size and file the sides to fit. If you can't decide, the shape and size quiz will help.
See the cat eye sets
Discover our cat eye press-on nails or first have a look around the full collection of handmade soft gel nails.
