15 cat-eye nail ideas, AKA the mani of the season

Cat-eye nails are emerging as one of the year's biggest nail trends so far. Admittedly, they've been around for a while, so why are they blowing up on TikTok and Instagram now?

One reason could be the boom in mysticism as self-care. After all, what could be better than a mani that mimics the softly shimmering, 3D texture of a cat's eye gemstone, with its protective, grounding energy? Said to amplify good luck and intuition, you could see it as your fingertips manifesting a future filled with positive vibes.

Or maybe they're going strong because Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa have given us a masterclass in how chic cat-eye nails can look. Either way, we're adding this manicure to our spring mood board.

What are cat-eye nails?

Cat-eye nails may look like a next-level velvet nail with their metallic finish but, technically speaking, they are actually a magnetic manicure.

A typical hallmark is a subtle, luminous line that runs diagonally across the nail. “The look mimics the glowing slit of a cat’s eye, thanks to a special gel polish infused with magnetic particles,” says The Gel Bottle founder Daisy Kalnina. “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,” she continues.

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How to do cat-eye nails

Start by asking your nail tech for a magnetic gel polish and choose your desired shade. From there, they can customise the effect using a magnetic tool.

“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,” Daisy says. “You could go for a soft, diffused halo effect, a diagonal slant or even a cosmic swirl.”

“For a more delicate, ethereal vibe, try layering the cat-eye effect over a sheer base,” she adds. Or, if you’re into the Korean jelly nail trend – super shiny tips with a 3D jelly-like texture – Daisy recommends asking for a glass-like gel colour underneath "to add depth and a slightly translucent, dreamy effect.”

How to wear cat-eye nails

The real draw of this nail technique is that it works with any colour of polish - from subtle, nude BB Cream nails to statement jewel tones.

That said, Daisy admits she has already seen several fresh takes on the cat-eye nail trend since January, including sheer bases, soft gradients and abstract, futuristic designs.

“In 2025, we’re going to see a lot more soft, iridescent shades,” she notes, spotlighting The Gel Bottle shades Extra, a holographic glitter, and Bliss, a blush pink. “Think the ‘barely there’ cat eye—a minimalist take that uses sheer nudes or soft pinks with just a hint of shimmer. It’s chic, understated, and so wearable.”

Also trending are cosmic-inspired designs, including celestial swirls, and cat-eye nails that lean into the aurora nail trend.

If you don't want to go all-out for the trend, why not try just an accent? Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen and digital content creator Melanie Graves have swapped out a traditional white tip for a cat-eye French.

“For those who love a high-impact look, layering is going to be big,” says Daisy. “We’ll see cat-eye effects combined with chrome, velvet finishes, and ultra-glossy topcoats for a luxe, futuristic finish. It’s all about depth and dimension in 2025.”

Need some more cat-eye nail inspo? Keep scrolling…

For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.

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