Cat-Eye Nails Are the Most Mesmerizing Way to Wear Shimmering Color

Annie Blay-Tettey

Wed, September 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTC

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Putting on nail polish is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a little jolt of joy, but no finish can cast a captivating spell quite like cat-eye polish, which is literally and figuratively magnetic. This scintillating look has been trending long enough to be considered a new classic—and for good reason: There's almost no limit to how you can wear these dazzling colors. "The color appears to change, making it both bold and adaptable," Jacqueline Pham , a New York City-based nail artist, says of the look that resembles the mischievous glimmer in a cat's eye.

It's also ideal for minimalists who crave a bit of sparkle but can't tolerate chunky glitter. "It's almost like jewelry for the nails," says Sataya Stone, nail artist and founder of Art Nail NYC . "It taps into the desire for luxurious and expressive manicures."

Cat-eye nails first took off in South Korea. Steph Stone , a Los Angeles-based manicurist, remembers seeing the finish on the Instagram accounts of South Korean nail salons in 2022. The photos inspired her to order magnetic polish from Ice Gel , a K-beauty nail polish brand.

To create this look at home, you'll need a polish infused with magnetic particles, as well as a magnet, says Pham. "After applying the polish, hold the magnet close to the nail to move the particles and form a reflective pattern," she explains. The positioning of the magnet is what makes a cat-eye manicure look, well, like a cat's eye: Holding the magnet at the center of the nail drags the particles into a straight line, while positioning toward the tip or side of the nail creates more of a velvet effect , which is equally beautiful. The nail polish brand Mooncat has a great video that demonstrates the difference.

We love the DND 9D Cat Eye gel polishes, which come in a handful of pretty jewel tones, including amethyst, emerald, and topaz. Mooncat offers a variety of magnetic polishes, too, including Allure editor favorites such as Fields of Lavender (a plum shade with glittering hints of red) and Devil's Ivy (a soft blue-green with a hint of a silver stripe). DND, Mooncat, and most brands that sell magnetic polish also offer the necessary magnets for sale. Or you can go the express route: Try press-ons painted with the design. We love the sparkling sets from Static Nails and Chillhouse .

You can create just about any nail design with this effect, like a sparkling French manicure or a holographic look with 3D embellishments. Sataya says clients of the salon often ask for "cat-eye accents in minimalist designs or layered under fine-line detailing."

Scroll ahead for cat-eye nail art ideas to keep on hand as inspo for your next appointment.