Features and Benefits
Cat's eye gel polish is distinguished by the presence of small metal particles in it. It is these crumbs, obediently following every wave of the “magic” magnetic wand, that are responsible for obtaining a recognizable pattern.
Fashionable nail polish has a number of advantages. Thanks to its thick texture, it does not spread, it is applied easily and quickly, which reduces the procedure time. It does not require the use of additional decorations, since the desired bright highlight is entirely the merit of the product itself. To obtain a pronounced effect, a couple of layers are enough.
Trendy gel nail polish with cat eye effect
The cat's eye is famous for the variety of patterns it produces. Simply by using your imagination and moving the magnet in different directions, you can achieve amazing results every time. This is a subtle creative process that attracts lovers of creativity.
Despite the self-sufficiency of the product, it looks very organic in combination with rhinestones, sparkles and other decorative elements. This is another way to give your nails originality.
Disadvantages compared to gel polish
- Like any other rubbing, cat eye pigment requires a perfectly flat surface, so it is recommended to apply a leveling base underneath it.
- If you can immediately take the gel polish and use it, then the pigment needs to be mixed, and here the consistency is very important, so that it is not too thick and not too sparse. Therefore, it is better to experiment a little before starting work.
Otherwise, these materials are similar in properties: they react to a magnet for the same time, dry in a lamp and require fixing with a top coat.
Palette of shades
The color range is varied. Fans of romantic looks will appreciate the delicate light colors. For lovers of colorful manicures, intense and dark shades are suitable.
Current colors include blue and light blue. From deep sapphire to turquoise and azure, this color scheme will complement both long and short nails.
A pink manicure with a light pearlescent accent will be a great addition to a spring outfit. Green cat eye gel polish on nails looks luxurious and noble in tandem with rhinestones.
Ladies' love for red manicure will never dry up. This is an all time sought after nail design. It is harmoniously complemented with rhinestones, gold or silver patterns. For fans of red tones who do not want to shock others with scarlet marigolds, a burgundy shade will suit them.
Manicure for long nails
For manicures with “cat” designs on long nails, nail technicians advise using dark shades of varnish:
- Bordeaux;
- grey;
- blue.
To make your fingers look longer, you need to give long nails an oval, almond-shaped or rounded shape. The coating can be made one color or add several colorful elements.
How to apply correctly
You don't have to go to a beauty salon to get a shimmery manicure. You can cope with this task yourself by first acquiring magnetic gel polish, a base coat (primer) and a special spatula or pen, which is the most important tool - a magnet for cat eye polish. You also cannot do without a standard manicure set, UV or LED lamp, cotton pads and top coat.
Keep in mind that this type of varnish highlights the slightest relief of the nail plate. To achieve a professional result, you will have to polish your nails with a buff and degrease them.
Cat eye manicure. Technology of applying gel polish "cat's eye"
At the first stage, a primer is applied to the nails. Next, they are covered with a base layer, ensuring an even application of cat eye gel polish, followed by drying in a lamp. The pattern looks impressive on top of dark substrates. For this reason, experts advise the first to apply gel coating in black, dark blue and cherry colors.
The next step is working with magnetic varnish. Apply a thin layer and dry thoroughly. It is recommended to preheat the product in your palms to mix pigments and metal particles.
A magnet is placed above the second layer that has not yet dried at a sufficient height (3-5 mm) so as not to disrupt the integrity of the varnish coating. You need to hold the magnet in this position until the metal particles form the desired pattern. It is recommended to limit it to 5-10 seconds.
Magnetic gel polish, all tricks with magnets.
At this stage, you can let your imagination run wild by placing the magnetic tool at different angles. If polymerization has not yet been carried out, the failure is corrected by positioning the magnet in the desired direction.
Finally, a top coat is applied to the nail to prevent damage to the manicure. The exclusivity of the design is achieved with the help of a matte top. This will not affect the expressiveness of the effect. After drying for 2 minutes in a lamp, the nails must be wiped with a special compound using a lint-free cloth.
What kind of magnet is needed for the “Cat's Eye”? Types of magnets
It is the magnet that determines what kind of pattern you will end up with on your nails.
Today, there are a wide variety of magnet options on store shelves. Among them the following main types can be distinguished:
- rectangular;
- round;
- magnetic pens.
Let's take a closer look at each type.
Rectangular
Using a rectangular magnet (bar), you can create simple but interesting effects:
- a straight line that can be made in any part of the nail: on the side, in the center and even diagonally. It all depends on your preferences;
- French: to do this you need to attach a magnet to the edge of the nail;
- reverse French: in this case, the magnet should be applied not to the edge of the nail, but to its base. As a result, we will get a hole.
There are bar magnets with patterns, which makes it easier to create complex designs.
However, if you do not have such a magnet, but have 2 ordinary bars, then you can easily create interesting patterns, for example:
- zigzag. To do this, 2 magnets need to be turned towards each other so that resistance is created and placed on opposite edges perpendicular to the nail. With this arrangement, you should get a smooth zigzag;
- star. To do this, on the contrary, you need to connect 2 magnets and place the connection point in the center of the nail plate.
NOTE! There are magnets with and without a handle. For beginners, the option with a handle is more convenient!
Round
Using a round magnet you can create not only a circle, but also smoother lines.
By the way, there are 2-in-1 magnets: there is a rectangular magnet at one end and a round one at the other.
Magnetic pens
Using magnetic pens you can create thin and neat lines. The pen must be held perpendicular to the nail plate and worked slowly to ensure that the drawing is clear. Such pens can be point-shaped, with several points at the end and even a ball.
With a magnetic pen you can create a lot of interesting designs, such as floral motifs. To do this, you need to draw round spirals with a pen in different parts of the nail. As a result, we will get drawings that look like roses. And with the help of a magnetic pen with balls at the end, you can create such complex patterns as, for example, “snake skin”.
Fashionable design
Design plays a leading role in creating a unique manicure. A simple option is to use a magnet. Varnishes of several colors will help to add variety. The pattern is either invented independently or applied using stencils.
A manicure in which one or two fingers are decorated with rhinestones looks elegant. The decor should be laconic, not visually weighing down the nails. Small shining stones in the spirit of minimalism are appropriate both in everyday life and at special events.
A color transition on nails with a pearly tint of a cat's eye is considered trendy. This effect looks impressive on shades with a metallic sheen.
Combinations of matte and shiny coatings, floral designs, dew effect, abstractions, geometric patterns, decorative sand, painting and lace are allowed. But due to the expressiveness of the cat's eye, it is important not to overdo it. A pair of marigolds with such accents is quite enough.
Gel polish Cat's eye: magnetic pen for gel polish | Magnetic nail polish designs: Magnetic pen
To achieve additional depth
The design itself is very noticeable and bright, but not provocative. And to achieve additional incredible depth and clarity of the image, use the following techniques:
- First apply a black background (regular black gel polish) to the base and dry. It won't be noticeable, but it will enhance the 3D effect. Thanks to this we will get the brightest result. You should try to apply the black base coat as evenly and densely as possible, so that you don't have to do unnecessary work when applying a second layer, and the coating doesn't look too thick. Don't worry about minor errors - they will be invisible.
- The magnet must have strong attractive properties so that the particles quickly collect in the place we predetermine on the nail.
- The key to the clarity and brightness of this design is how thoroughly you mixed the contents of the bottle before use. Warm it in your palms and shake it thoroughly several times.
- The more layers of varnish, the more noticeable the effect. The best option is 2 layers if the varnish is thick. However, application in one layer may well satisfy your requirements - you need to try it, preferably on a tip.
- Some craftsmen use this trick: remove the sticky layer from the coating before applying the finish. But this only works with varnishes from certain manufacturers. In this case, it is also better to experiment on tips first.
All of these ideas will make your cat eye shine even brighter.
The best manufacturers
No matter how qualified the nail artist is, the quality of the products used is no less important. For a successful manicure, you should take care of purchasing a good product from a trusted manufacturer with a positive reputation.
TNL
The well-established Korean brand TNL produces gel polishes with a shimmer called TNL Magnet. The advantages of the company's products are the high quality of the materials used and reasonable prices.
TNL varnish coatings are quite thick - one coat is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. The base and fixer may be of a different brand.
from TNL" data-mce-src="https://www.ladykiss.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/14tnl.jpg" width="640″ height="465″> Cat gel nail polish eye from TNL
Kodi
The famous brand of manicure products Kodi has released the “Moon Light” series. The company currently leads in terms of the richness of its palette. This is the best option for those with thin and brittle nails due to the absence of harmful substances in the composition of the products. Gel polish spreads easily over the nail without running, making it ideal for beginners.
Kodi is a popular brand of cat eye gel nail polishes
Bluesky
Polish products from the Chinese manufacturer Bluesky have won the love of women all over the world. This is due to the presence of microelements in the varnish that strengthen the nails, a wide palette and the stability of the coating.
Manufacturer of cat eye gel polishes Bluesky
Gel polishes are hypoallergenic and can be easily removed from the nail plate with a special solution produced by this brand. For beginning craftsmen, Bluesky offers sets of necessary tools with instructions. The price is also pleasantly surprising.
Runail
The Russian company Runail is known for its Cat's eye products, which are carefully applied thanks to a high-quality synthetic brush. The polish is super pigmented and the pattern appears quickly. Despite the thick texture, it dries within half a minute.
Runail - brand of gel nail polishes
Regarding the magnet
Many questions usually arise about a magnet: what it should be like, how to use it correctly, why it doesn’t work, etc. We answer:
- Which magnet should I use?
Of course, it is better to use a special device. It gives 100% results, ease of use, everything will be simple, beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. But if you want to find an alternative, you can use a regular magnet. The only condition is that it must have strong attractive properties.
- At what distance from the nail should you hold the magnet and does this distance affect the effect?
In theory, distance matters, but in practice, 2 mm in one direction or another will not make a difference. There is no need to hold your breath with bated breath and hold the magnet a fraction of a millimeter from the nail - the effect will not become brighter, but it is quite possible to imprint the magnet into the coating with the first minimal movement. The effect will not be as intense if you move the tool away from the nail by 1 centimeter or more. The instructions indicate that you need to keep it 2-3 mm from the surface of the nail, but in practice this distance is up to 5 mm.
- How to use it correctly?
Manufacturers offer a huge range of all kinds of magnets. We are not talking about appearance, but about devices that make it possible for you and me to make such decor as comfortable as possible: to prevent contact of wet varnish with a magnet. This is very convenient, since it is not always possible to keep track of the location of the magnet and control the distance between it and the nail plate.
But if you don’t have such devices at your disposal, and you need to make your work easier, use one trick: if you are doing a manicure for someone, take the nail being treated in your index and thumb so that the side rollers are above the level of the nail and place a magnet on them . If you are doing this manicure yourself, take a nail file, secure it with a nearby finger and place a magnet stick on it. This technology is very effective.
The magnet should be kept further from the bottle of varnish to avoid loss of the necessary properties.
Price, where to buy
The cost of gel polishes depends on the manufacturer, the technology used, the volume of the bottle, the color scheme and decorative properties. Chinese and domestic products differ in availability (prices range from 150-250 rubles). The budget option is called Elite99, costing from 70 rubles, which can compete with more expensive brands.
A bottle of the product, produced by CND Shellak, will cost at least 900 rubles. Kodi costs a little less – around 500 rubles. per bottle. The American brand Blise Cat Eye (250 rubles) is considered average in price. The brand offers a product with a 5D effect for 350 rubles.
You can buy gel polishes in online stores. You can also go to the nearest cosmetics departments for them or place an order from catalogs through representatives.
Necessary equipment
The set of tools is the same for both salon and home conditions. For a truly original and spectacular manicure you will need:
- Your usual set for hygienic manicure
- Buff
- Liquid for degreasing nails
- Glossy (or matte) varnish with a cat’s eye effect or several at once - depends on whether you want to make a design and whether you plan to combine colors
- Special magnet
- Ultraviolet lamp
- Base
- Top gel
- Liquid for removing sticky layer
- Lint-free wipes for manicure
You may need: gel polish of a dark deep color, preferably green or black, as a substrate (background); a gel polish brush (the kind used by manicurists), which is much more convenient for applying the gel carefully and evenly; products necessary for proper use of gel polish from this manufacturer (some require the use of a primer).
Please note that first you need to allocate about 3 hours for this procedure. Over time you will be able to do this faster, although a lot depends on the quality of the pigmented varnish.
User reviews
Professional hairdressers say that cat eye coverage is growing in popularity. A light strip protruding on the surface of the nail in the form of a straight line or a fancy curl wins the hearts of true connoisseurs of nail aesthetics and ordinary women who care about their appearance.
Fashionable nail design using cat eye gel polish
Ease of use, accessibility, a wide selection of colors and patterns, durability, no need to acquire specific skills in work and, of course, the beauty of the resulting manicure - this is how girls explain their love for this product. Women who use cat eye gel polish note good interaction with the base and top: if these products are high-quality, then the iridescent manicure will last up to 20 days without chips or cracks.
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What is “dry cat pigment”?
The new decor is a finely dispersed colored pigment mixed with magnetized metal microparticles. The powder particles are so small that they are mixed into a liquid colored gel, varnish, base or finish until smooth. When polymerized in an LED lamp, the “magnetic cat” forms an even, smooth coating in which pigment particles do not stick out on the surface.
In terms of texture characteristics, the new product has absolutely no effect on the properties of the coating with which it is mixed, maintaining the same durability as before mixing. Like other representatives of pigment decor, rubbing in “cat highlight” is very economical, regardless of the method of creating a design with it.
Its main features are:
- the need for a powerful, high-quality magnet so that the beauty, shine, brightness and effectiveness of the tints of color and light appear on the nails as clearly and spectacularly as possible;
- the ability to form a stunningly beautiful pearlescent highlight already on the first layer (provided there is sufficient presence of pigment in the top, base or colored gel polish/varnish with which it was mixed).
