Cat eyenails are one of the most recent nail trends at the moment. This chic look features almond-shaped nails with a dark and definite tip that bears a resemblance to a cat’s eye. The difference between the dark tip and the lighter base helps create an eye-like effect. Cat-eye nails can be created in a variety of styles and colours while keeping the signature almond and pointed tip.
Some of the key attractions of cat-eye nails consist of:
- Attention-grabbing and distinctive look
- Suitable on most nail shapes
- Many color choices are available
- Allows you to explore nail art and designs
- An amusing way to make a statement with your nails
In this all-inclusive guide, we’ll explore 10 different cat-eye nail designs and ideas ranging from traditional black to lively ombre nails. You’ll get tips for achieving just the right cat-eye shape along with our suggested polish colours and techniques. Read on for inspiration and ideas to rock cat-eye nails yourself!
What are cat-eye nails?
In short, cat-eye nails are closer to velvet nails that have a metallic finish that looks like the texture of velvet. What makes cat-eye manicures a bit different, however, is that they also mark a magnet-made line across the nail and imitate the look of a feline’s fierce gaze.
To design the look at home, nail artists often reach for specially formulated magnetic nail polishes. To create the signature cat-eye line, all you have to do is hold the handheld magnet in place and allow the nail polish to work its magic.
7 Different Cat Eye Nail Design Ideas:
- Classic Black Cat Eye Nails:
The classic black cat-eye manicure is a wonderful choice for crafting a bold, dramatic nail look. The stark contrast between the black tip and nude or white base helps create that eye-like shape that cat eyes are well-known for.
Why Choose Black Cat Eye Nails?
What makes cat-eye manicures a bit different is that they also feature a magnet-made line across the nail, mimicking the look of a feline’s fierce gaze. They’re typically painted in a similar colour to the base, creating an almost mirror-like effect of staring into a cat’s eye. We also chose these nails because they are:
- Collectively flattering on all skin tones
- Black polish is readily available
- Creates high-contrast and definition
- It pairs well with any outfit or occasion
- A versatile and everlasting choice
- Fun Coloured Cat Eye Nails:
Although black cat eyes are traditional, you can also make intense and colourful cat-eye designs by using other polish shades. Match your cat’s eye tip to your attire, mood, or favourite colour. Here are some in-style cat eye colour ideas. Red cat-eye nails are great for making a daring statement. True reds like OPI Big Apple Red or Essie Forever Yummy make stunning cat eyes (1). You can also create pink cat-eye nails for a more feminine and fun-filled attractive look. Try absolute glitters like OPI Tickle My France or pastels like Essie Ballet Slippers (2). Or, if you love simple things, white cat-eye nails can be your go-to everyday designs, as white cat-eye tips are quite noticeable on darker nail beds. You can use a clear white like Essie Blanc or Sally Hansen White On for this (3). Blue Cat-Eye nails From navy to cobalt to pastel, blue cat eyes are in fashion and look trendy. Excellent blue polish choices are OPI Russian Navy or Essie Aruba Blue (4). Green Cat-Eye Nails Put a distinctive spin on cat eyes with greens like sage, olive, emerald, or mint. Zoya Sage and OPI You’re Such a Budapest are just the right green shades (5). Purple Cat-Eye Nails Royal purple or lilac purple polish creates a graceful cat-eye look. Revlon Royal and OPI: Do You Lilac It? are go-to purples.
When doing coloured cat eyes, make certain to apply a smooth base layer of the colour first before painting on the cat-eye tip in the same or somewhat darker shade. This helps the tip blend in effortlessly. Have fun mixing and matching different colour combos for your cat’s eye.
- Ombre Cat-Eye Nails:
Ombre cat eyenails are a striking and attractive twist on the classic cat eye look. Instead of a solid dark tip, ombre cat eyes feature a modified tip that fades from dark to light. This creates a flawless, blended effect while still resembling the cat-eye shape.
Some attractive ombre colour combos for cat eyes include:
- Black to gray
- Navy to light blue
- Plum to mauve
- Red to orange
- Purple to lilac
Ombre cat eyes let you faintly mix colours for depth and dimension. They create an edgy yet softened look, which is ideal for almost all occasions and events.
- Glitter/Shimmer Cat Eye Nails:
Is there anything better than a trendy cat-eye manicure? A cat-eye manicure with glitter or shimmer, of course! Adding some sparkle to your cat-eye design instantly makes it more glamorous and party-ready.
Some incredible glitter and shimmer shade ideas for cat eyes are:
- Rose gold
- Holographic
- Silver
- Gunmetal
- Multicolour glitter
- Jewel-toned shades like sapphire, emerald, and ruby
Glitter ombre cat eyes look gorgeous and eye-catching. Start with a glitter gradient at the tips or use thick and fine glitters to create a fun fade effect.
- Magnetic Cat Eye Nails:
Magnetic nail polish has become extensively popular for creating graphic nail art designs without much effort. The polish reacts to magnets to produce attention-grabbing patterns and effects. This makes it a great way to get crisp and striking cat-eye nails.
Besides making sharp cat-eye lines, you can also use magnets to create abstract shapes, angles, and flair effects at the tips for artistic cat eyes. Get imaginative with magnetic polish and magnet placements!
- Burgundy Cat Eye Nails:
If you need an alternative for black cat-eye nails, try the burgundy way. Burgundy is a rich reddish-purple shade that matches up completely with the cat-eye shape for a vampy yet classy manicure.
What makes burgundy such an immense cat eye colour?
- It gives depth and dimension like black, but with a delicate touch of colour.
- The red tint in burgundy complements nearly all skin tones.
- Burgundy polishes often have a creme or lacquer finish that allows crisp lines.
- The richness of the shade goes well against a nude base.
- It’s easier to correct mistakes since Burgundy is somewhat more lenient than stark black.
To make the burgundy cat eye stick out, avoid olive or yellow-toned nudes for your base colour. Go for a neutral pink or beige as an alternative to complement the fresh tones of burgundy. An absolute pearlescent base can also look dramatic, allowing the burgundy tip to stand out.
- Long-Lasting Cat Eye Manicures:
The great thing about cat-eye nails is that they offer the perfect canvas to get imaginative with nail art. Here are some ways to jazz up your cat’s eyes even more: Accent Cat-Eye Nails Make one or two nails prominent with nail jewels, rhinestones, gems, studs, or metallic flakes applied along the cat-eye line. This is where the real magic happens—adding major bling to make your nails truly stand out!(1). Metallic Cat-Eyes Nails Use a high-shine metallic polish like rose gold, chrome, or silver for your cat’s eye tips (2).
You also designed your nails with Negative Space Cat-Eye Nail Paint on your base colour first, then use a striping brush dipped in clear polish to “erase” the cat-eye shape. Each nail in this manicure is like a little piece of art, but when they come together, they create a stunning masterpiece. We’re especially loving the thoughtful colour details on the negative space nails, which beautifully mirror the fully painted ones (3). Geometric Pattern Cat-Eye Nails Use a striping tape to craft geometric lines and shapes like triangles, zigzags, or chevrons within the cat-eye area (4). For modern twist, try this French Cat-Eye Tips Apply white polish to the tips after finishing the cat-eye shape for a modern French manicure twist. The French tip nail design is a classic for a reason—it’s simple, elegant, and perfect for any occasion. For a modern twist, why not try the cat-eye technique on the tips? It may be a bit tricky to pull off in such a small space, but the result is super stylish and totally worth it!(5). Gradient Color Cat-Eye Nails Merge two colours when painting the cat eye tip to create a gradient or ombre effect (6). Matte-Finished Cat-Eye Nails Experiment with matte top coats on your cat’s eyes for a velvety, soft-touch effect. Matte nails have a sleek, smooth finish that adds a cool, textural twist to your manicure. When paired with the cat-eye nail trend, they create a stunning contrast. Keep the colours of your design simple to let the matte lacquer shine without overwhelming the look (7).
Adding art and extra details gives your cat-eye manicure an additional dose of character. Let your imagination run wild!
How to Do Cat Eye Nails:
If you want to try the cat-eye look, follow these steps to get rightly shaped cat-eye nails:
Supplies Needed:
- Base, cat-eye, and top coat nail polishes
- Acetone and cotton balls for cleanup
- Angled brush for details
- Nail file and buffer
- Cuticle pusher and oil
Step 1: Prep Nails:
- File nails into an equally narrowed almond shape. Not too long or too short.
- Push back and hydrate cuticles
- Dehydrate nails with acetone or alcohol wipe
Step 2: Paint Base Colour:
- Apply 1-2 coats of base colour and let it dry completely between coats.
- Extend the colour to some extent over nails.
Step 3: Paint Cat Eye Tip:
With an angled brush, paint the cat-eye tip starting from the outer corner down to the centre. Connect the lines from each side to fill in the shape.
- Make sure the tip extends diagonally from the upper corners.
Step 4: Clean Up Edges:
- Use a cotton swab and acetone to dab away any polish on the skin or cuticles.
- Smoothly define the edges of the cat-eye shape.
Step 5: Finish with Top Coat:
- Seal the design with 1-2 coats of fast-drying top coat.
- Be careful not to bump the tips before they are fully fixed!
Patiently take your time and complete each step for the most accurate cat-eye nails. The angles and shape make all the difference. Have fun perfecting your technique.
Tips for Perfect Black Cat Eyes:
Start by painting your base colour (white, nude, pink, etc.) over the entire nail.
Once that layer is totally dry, use a striping brush or thin nail art brush to paint on the black cat eye tip.
- Rest your finger on a stable, flat surface as you paint for maximum control.
- Apply the black polish diagonally from the outer top corner down towards the centre of the nail.
- Connect the lines from each side to complete the tip.
- Use a light touch and don’t overload the brush to keep it from smudging.
- If you make a mistake, lightly wipe away the excess nail colour and repaint the line.
- Finish with a sleek, clear top coat to smooth and seal the design.
- Consider using nail vinyls or tape to form a super sharp cat-eye edge.
Take your time painting on the tip and cleaning up the edges for a skilled-looking cat-eye manicure!
Conclusion:
Cat-eye nails are the most popular way to make a bold nail art statement. With a lot of colours, designs, and styles available, you can find a cat-eye look that fits your personality. Whether you’re going for a versatile black cat eye, pretty pastel ombre, or magnetic metallic, these tips will help you nail the look. Experiment with different shapes, lengths, and add-ons to make your cat-eye manicure look distinctive and unique. Show off your nails with style and look absolutely glamorous.
