Nail design “cat eye” is a special version of manicure that creates amazing metallic tints and shine on the nails. This effect can be achieved using special gel polishes containing many metal microparticles, which, using a special magnet, create different variations of shine on the surface of the nail.
The new-fangled cat-eye manicure is somewhat different from the design that the masters offered before. Previously, this was exclusively an evening manicure, performed mainly in dark shades with colored “patterns”. Now, gel polish manufacturers offer much more interesting product options for creating a fashionable cat-eye manicure.
Here are the long-awaited light shades of “cats”, as well as cool ideas for a “cat’s eye” manicure with a silver and golden glow. New cat eye manicures 2022-2023 can be safely worn in everyday life, completing everyday looks.
The trend is nail design using the “cat’s eye” technique with drawings and other decor, such as rhinestones, colored stones, bouillons and beads. “Cats” look great with kamifubuki and large glitter, an elegant version of the “cat’s eye” can be realized with monograms, and leopard print is perfect for every day.
A cat-eye manicure will be an excellent choice to complement an evening or any other look, including everyday ones.
There are a huge variety of ideas for a stylish and luxurious cat-eye manicure this season - this includes wedding designs, for the New Year, for any special event, and for every day. In order not to miss the main novelties of the “cat eye” manicure 2022-2023, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our photo review.
With stamping
At first glance, it may seem that the cat's eye does not require any additional decor; moreover, the decor will become superfluous. But looking at the latest trends in cat eye design, we can be convinced of the opposite: new cat designs look very cool with stamping patterns made on accent fingers. Great idea: a dark manicure with a silver cat eye and a contrasting striped pattern.
Application technology
Many girls are interested in whether it is possible to do such a manicure at home and how to properly apply “Cat Eye” gel polish to the surface of the nails. This procedure is not particularly complicated and is carried out in several stages.
Preparation
“Cat's eye” highlights the slightest relief on the surface of the nail plate. A professional result will be achieved if you thoroughly polish your nails and degrease them.
The preparatory stage consists of the following steps:
- Cuticle removal or treatment.
- Filing nails and adjusting their shape.
- Polishing with a buff after preliminary degreasing.
- Application of an acid-free primer for reliable adhesion to the nail surface.
Applying base coat
The base for manicure ensures its strength and also protects the nail from the effects of coloring pigments.
Apply the product in a thin, neat layer:
- Take a small amount onto the brush and make several rubbing movements from the end to the cuticle.
- Repeat in the opposite direction, without affecting the cuticle itself and the skin around it.
- Carefully and evenly cover the end of the nail plate.
- Dry with UV or LED lamp.
The remaining sticky dispersion layer does not need to be removed, as it is necessary for applying the main colored varnish. You can only level it with a dry brush over the entire surface.
The coating applied over dark substrates looks especially impressive. Experts recommend making the first coat with gel in black, dark blue and cherry shades.
Applying gel polish
You must first shake the bottle so that all the microscopic metal particles are evenly distributed and do not settle on the bottom. Hold the product in your palms a little to warm it up.
Procedure:
- Apply one or two coats, depending on the thickness of the shellac and the desired result.
- If there are two layers, be sure to dry the first one with a lamp.
- Apply a magnet to the second, not yet dried layer of coating at a distance of 3-5 mm, hold it over each nail for 15 seconds. During this time, the necessary pattern will be formed.
- Dry with ultraviolet light.
Finish coating
A top or finishing coat secures the result and gives a beautiful shine.
Apply a slightly thicker layer than previous products:
- Completely cover the nails, including the ends.
- Dry in a lamp.
- Remove the dispersion layer with a special cleaner - a water-alcohol solution with fragrances and special oils.
Adding extra depth
A manicure using Cat's Eye polish without additional steps looks quite impressive and bright. But sometimes there is a desire to create a more pronounced effect.
Attractive depth and expressiveness can be achieved by applying a layer of dark shellac immediately after the base. Magnetic patterns can be created on each layer. This way the overflows will become more mysterious and mystical.
An interesting result can be achieved by applying an additional matte layer as a finishing coat.
With French
Do you want a non-ball jacket? Or maybe you want to add laconicism to the “cat” design? Then we have a good idea: combine a silver “cat’s eye” with a mint version of the French jacket - such a tandem looks truly stylish, unusual and fresh. You can also experiment with other color options for both French and “cat” manicure, getting a new “cat’s eye” manicure format.
With leopard prints
Leopard print manicure has been very, very popular lately; masters and girls have really fallen in love with this print for its versatility and are not ready to part with it. Therefore, meet the new “cat’s eye” design with spots that repeat the pattern on the leopard’s fur coat. Both dark spots on a light background of a “cat’s eye” look stylish, and vice versa.
French manicure “cat eye”
A spectacular shine or pattern of a recognizable cat's eye stone can be an elegant addition to a French manicure. The dark color of the smile lines will stand out more attractively against a light base. And vice versa. For example, this “crystal” jacket is made with black gel polish and a silver “cat”. The smile line can be white, black, matching the coating or shiny.
With inscriptions
You can get an intricate nail design if you combine a matte black finish with “negative space”, inscriptions and an unusual accent in the form of magnetic varnish with a green glow of microparticles. This version of the “cat’s eye” manicure looks stylish and not boring, adding zest to the images of modern fashionistas.
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
Silver
One of the trends in cat-eye manicure this season will be a silver coating, causing the delight and admiration of most representatives of the fair sex. Want to try? Then you can try a substrate in black or nude color, cover it with a silver “cat”, which will give an original glow of a million microscopic particles. To make your manicure more fun, decorate one of your fingers with a stylish slider.
Beige
Another girls favorite this season is the beige cat eye manicure, which is both delicate and charming at the same time. This cool version of the “cat” can be safely worn in everyday life, or can be used to decorate hands for the evening. Having executed the beige version of the “cat eye”, you will not regret your choice for a second: admiring glances are guaranteed!
Video master classes on creating deep highlights on “Cat eye” coatings
This trendy design will not leave indifferent either a lover of long nails (“ballerina” or “stiletto”), or a girl who prefers minimalism, including the length of her nails. And to make your experiments enjoyable and successful, we have prepared for you several visual videos on how to create a volumetric highlight and the final image. We wish you pleasant viewing and impeccably beautiful nails! Video author: Tatyana Bugriy Video author: @irisk_pro Video author: @irisk_pro Video author: @margo_nailsdesign
With a “cobweb” and twigs
New nail designs with a “cat’s eye” are offered in different solutions, when it is not necessary to cover the entire surface of the finger with magnetic varnish, but rather use it only on a separate part of the nail. This allows you to make various nail design options, complementing the cat's eye, for example, with cobwebs and twig patterns. It is worth diluting this design with other contrasting shades of coatings; you can accentuate the little finger by covering it with glitter.
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.
With pebbles
Despite the fact that magnetic varnishes are very impressive in themselves and give the nails a unique shine, the masters skillfully complement the chic “cats” with stylish stones and rhinestones. An excellent idea is proposed with a silver “cat’s eye” and black French smiles, and on the ring finger there is decor in the form of black pebbles. The design looks elegant and at the same time very stylish.
With glitter and foil
If you want to try a new and unusual nail design, we recommend paying attention to the combination of a “cat eye” on one finger, and on the others – foil stripes, glitter and a gradient of sparkles. A truly luxurious design that will look perfect on long nails with a light finish.
With kamifubuki
There's no such thing as too much glitter! An amazingly beautiful nail design with a caramel base shade and glitter is proposed for square nails. As an accent for a couple of nails, a silver cat's eye and a little kamifubuki are ideal, which fit perfectly into an elegant manicure for a celebration.
Recommendations
Helpful tips will help you get the perfect manicure with Cat's Eye shellac just like in a salon.
Secrets of creating a “precious” manicure:
- For good magnet performance, you need to choose shellac with a liquid texture, where metal dust moves easily. Polymerization firmly fixes the result, which cannot be corrected. Before drying, you can easily correct any mistake by simply moving the magnet in the desired direction.
- Drying time in an LED lamp is 30-60 seconds, and in an ultraviolet lamp it is 2-3 minutes.
- For simple designs, one coat is enough, but a double coat is necessary when creating complex designs and 3D effects.
If a highlight has shifted, this can be corrected by bringing a magnet to it and “pulling” it to the desired location. To obtain a clear pattern and volumetric effect, a magnet is brought to a fresh layer of varnish.
An unusual effect, when the highlights are located along the edges of the nail, and only the pigment is visible in the middle, is obtained if you hold the magnet with the end part perpendicular to the nail plate.
The ombre effect is achieved by holding a magnet to the outer edge of the nail. In this case, the metal particles move to the tip of the plate, as a result the color smoothly flows from dark to light shades.
More complex designs can be obtained by using 2 to 4 magnets. The manicure looks elegant and harmonious if the design is symmetrically located on all nails.
How to keep your manicure longer
The life of your manicure will be long if you follow simple rules.
Recommendations:
- protect from contact with detergents with aggressive components, do all housework with gloves;
- never pick up anything with your fingernail - chips and scratches may appear;
- In the first days, do not keep your hands in the water for too long and avoid temperature changes.
Some leave the holes at the base of the nail unpainted so that the coating lasts much longer.
With geometric patterns
Don’t be afraid to experiment and try to make figures in different colors, which makes this design bright and enchanting. Geometric prints will look best as an accent on one or two nails. New nail design ideas in the Cat Eye style: amazing cat eye manicure in the 2022-2023 season
Colored cat eye manicure
We will pay special attention to magnetic gel polishes. All of them contain a chic highlight to match the chosen color. For example, in the spring-summer 2021 season, delicate shimmers in shades of pink, blue, mint, orange, and turquoise will be popular. And gold, silver and deep colors are ideal for the cold season. Almost all dark magnetic gel polishes have good density, which makes these “cats” shiny! Various design and application options are welcome - they do not have to be used on a substrate.