Cat eye gel polish is a colored transparent or translucent base and shiny metal particles that can be used to create iridescent patterns, highlights, straight and curved lines. A voluminous effect and deep shades are achieved by using magnets in the form of plates, balls, pens or a multi-magnet over the nails with undried product.
“Cats” are used to perform French, ombre, Galaxy, moon manicure, applied without additional decor or with stamping, matte top, rhinestones, and designs. Such gel polishes are produced by Irisk, Blue Sky, Kodi, Gellaktik Illussion, TNL, Patrisa Nail, Dance Legend. Their cost is from 160 rubles. up to 500-800 rub. It depends not only on the brand, but also on the quality of the varnish, because there are products with 3D, 5D, 9D, 12D effects.
What is cat eye gel polish?
Cat eye gel polish differs from standard ones in that it contains metallic inclusions. Their presence makes it possible to obtain a coating with deep color and stripes, curved lines, irregular geometric shapes, stars, and splashes flickering within the main shade.
The patterns are made using a magnet used in manicure techniques. You need to hold it over the smeared nail plate to collect or push aside the metallic glitter.
The varnish comes in different colors and shades, but they all look like the ornamental chrysoberyl stone, in which a shimmering stripe is clearly visible through the dense base tone. Cats' eyes have the same effect, hence the name.
We recommend reading the article on how to do a manicure with red gel polish. From it you will learn about manicure design options for short and long nails, and techniques for their design. And here is more information about how to remove shellac at home.
Advantages and disadvantages
Cat's eye quickly became popular due to the many advantages of this coating:
- there is an abundance of shades, including bright blue, emerald, purple, deep red, burgundy, but there are also delicate pink, beige, peach, milky;
- the manicure will be elegant without any other decor, but it can also be complemented with rhinestones, sparkles, patterns, and combined with different techniques (gradient, “broken glass”, etc.);
- it looks equally good with different shapes of nails, with short and long, at any age, in a business setting and a festive one;
- even the same shade can be “laid” in completely different ways;
- The texture of this type of product is comfortable to apply, does not spread and does not bunch up.
Magnetic gel polishes have one drawback - they require strong and healthy nails. The condition of coatings that are thin and weak from use may worsen, since they need to be removed with a milling cutter. And mechanical impact with such a plate structure is undesirable. Cat's eye can also cause allergies.
Types of magnets
Today there are the following types of magnets:
- Regular gel polishes , which come in different shades, but give the effect of a starry sky with one lighter stripe. They last no longer than a week and are removed by soaking.
- Products with 3D effect . Their light highlights have greater variety and depth than in the previous version. Therefore, the coating looks voluminous.
- 5D tools . They consist of a base color and shimmer of different shades, such as green, white and brown. This makes the three-dimensional effect more pronounced than that of 3D.
- Chameleon . The multi-colored particles of this product change tones and intensity depending on the viewing angle and lighting.
“Starry Sky” 5D 3D Chameleon
Magnet is not only a common name for gel polish with metal particles, but also a mandatory tool for this design.
He can be:
- round,
- rectangular,
- with a dot at the tip,
- with several points,
- in the form of a thick pancake.
Rectangular magnet
Round magnet
Multi-Point Magnet
With a variety of tools, you can make straight or curved lines, wider and narrower lines, circles, spheres, patterns, etc.
Top
You can use a regular glossy or matte top coat for cats, but in the first case the effect will be more noticeable. There is also a special cat eye top coat - a clear liquid with metallic shimmer, gold or silver. There are application features here - when the top is already distributed over the nail plate, a magnet is needed to create a pattern. It is held over each coated nail for 5-10 seconds, only then dried in a lamp.
Watch the video about the top coating - cat eye effect:
Light and dark background
The same coating can be applied to a base of different shades, in each case the overall effect will be different:
- Varnish on a white base looks better if it itself is a delicate pastel color: pink, beige, light gray, peach, baked milk, bluish. With it, nails acquire a bright pearlescent shine and a healthy natural shade. However, the magnetic tracks on them are very noticeable.
- Gel on a dark base looks beautiful when the base tone is purple, or different variations of blue, black, brown, green, red, burgundy. The magnetic highlights in this case are much brighter than on white.
The sparkles and lines that add volume to the manicure are always lighter than the main color of the coating. Sometimes the latter is so bright that no substrate is needed at all, just a transparent or translucent base is enough.
Important Tips
It is equally important to consider that shellac with the ornate and very seductive name “cat’s eye” is only the basis, the background for future nail design. With this version of gel polish, bouillons, sparkles, and rhinestones are effectively combined. However, many quite rightly consider this coating to be self-sufficient, refusing additional decorations.
In order for a manicure done at home to be as long-lasting and durable as possible, it is recommended to take into account some recommendations. Nail experts strongly advise:
- do not allow substances that are aggressive and harmful to Shellac, such as acetone, alcohol, or household solvent, to come into contact with the surface of the nails;
- Always use gloves when doing housework or gardening;
- Do not expose your nails to sudden temperature fluctuations for at least 2 days after applying gel polish.
It is also recommended to avoid contact of hands with hot liquid. It is worth giving up stress - do not pick or scratch various surfaces with your nails. It is best to use the appropriate tools for this.
Types of cat eye nail polish
Cat eye nail polish is produced by several companies, the most popular:
- Irisk,
- Blue Sky,
- Kodi,
- Gellaktik Illussion,
- TNL,
- Patrisa Nail,
- Dance Legend.
Irisk Blue Sky Kodi TNL Patrisa Nail Dance Legend
They have the best price-quality ratio. There are also more expensive brands:
- Lianail,
- UNO,
- Luxio.
And also cheap, but also of acceptable quality, Grattol and In Garden.
Garden Grattol
Each brand has a variety of magnets - balls, beads, pens, square, rectangular. They are sold separately or in sets with varnishes.
Irisk
“Cats” from Irisk have become very popular recently, thanks to:
- Abundance of flowers. There are 12 light shades ranging from cool white to latte, as well as 17 dark shades. Among the latter are red, orange, coffee, dense pink, brown, emerald, sea wave, green, blue, black.
- Easy to apply texture. These are products of medium thickness, they do not flow onto the skin and are easily distributed over the nail plate in a layer of optimal thickness.
- Nice brush. It is quite long, of medium width. This allows you to have good control over the working field and avoid smudging on the skin.
- Persistence. When worn correctly, the coating lasts up to 3 weeks. You need to remove it with a cutter.
- Quite a modest price. A 10 ml bottle can be bought for 250-280 rubles, and with a promotion it’s even cheaper.
Blue Sky
Blue Sky “cats” also have an abundance of shades, but they are lighter than those of the previous brand. They are best applied with a dark base. The varnishes can also be used on thin nails, as they contain vitamins. Blue Sky has a medium-thick consistency, meaning there will be no streaks or lumps. Price 200-260 rub. for 10 ml.
Kodi
Kodi is distinguished by a rich palette of tones and high durability. The products are hypoallergenic and do not have a strong odor. Even after 3 weeks of wearing, the gel polish does not chip or fade. But it’s not cheap either – from 500 rubles. for 8 ml.
Gellaktik Illussion
Gel polishes from Gellaktik Illussion do not have a variety of colors, there are only 6 of them, but these are 3D products. Therefore, with them you can create dozens of manicure options that will last a long time. It would be better to make the lining black. You can buy a 10 ml bottle for 450 rubles.
TNL
TNL is one of the most affordable brands of “cats”, distinguished by the density of colors. There are not so many shades, but the products are high-quality and inexpensive - 270 rubles. for 10 ml. The varnish can be painted in one layer, and it will last up to 3 weeks.
Patrisa Nail
The Patrisa Nail brand has a huge number of “cat” colors, there are 3D and 5D products, known for their durability. Gel polishes are easy to apply thanks to the optimal consistency and good brush. The peculiarity of use is that it is necessary to paint the ends of the nail plates. Among the varnishes there are also three-phase ones, that is, they do not require the use of a base and top coat. Price – from 350 rub. for 8 ml.
Dance Legend
Dance Legend is a varnish of 32 shades, some of them are similar to each other. The products are not completely liquid and not thick, with golden particles. They are easy to apply thanks to the rectangular brush. But there are problems with magnetization; it is difficult to make the highlight even. The cost of a 5 ml bottle is 350 rubles.
Tips and secrets for proper application
While the gel polish is not used, all metal particles stagnate at the bottom. To prevent the brush from simply catching them, it is extremely important to shake the bottle vigorously.- To obtain greater depth and brightness, craftsmen often resort to this trick: they apply black gel polish as a base, which must be dried before applying subsequent layers. The remaining colors used as a base will influence the shade, but no one forbade experimenting with the palette. Quite the contrary - the more interesting the color, the more successful the cat eye manicure with gel polish will be.
- The main condition for choosing a magnet is that it be strong. A magnet for simple varnish or one that is in every home is suitable.
- The special device has a handle that will not allow it to be imprinted on the newly applied coating.
- The reflective spot in the center of the nail does not have to be in the form of a blurry vertical line. You can play with the pattern using special magnets.
- The outline of the resulting flickering strip practically does not depend on the distance at which the magnet is located to the nail. But if you place it more than 1 cm from the nail, the highlight will be very blurry. If you bring the magnet very close, there is a risk of damaging the coating with a dent. The optimal distance is 0.5 cm.
- The magnet should be stored as far as possible from cat eye gel polishes so that they do not lose their magnetic properties.
- In the photo, the effect looks better if the highlight is located in approximately the same place on each nail. Didn't you manage to place the shiny particles correctly the first time? Using the same magnet, you can correct the location of the glare with pulling movements.
- Please note that a large number of layers thickens the nails and makes them unaesthetic, but the effect does not become richer. The best option is gel polish in two applications.
- On a nail plate with damage, bumps and dimples, the effect will not look so impressive, so there is no need to neglect the leveling procedure.
- It is better to cover, magnetize and dry each nail separately. Then no unevenness or smudges will bother you.
- Some masters believe that removing the sticky layer before applying the finish is the key to a high-quality manicure with a cat's eye effect using gel polish.
Is it possible to draw a cat's eye without a lamp?
You cannot use gel cat eye without a drying lamp. It just won't dry. In its absence, you will have to use regular varnishes and apply a metallic highlight with a transparent glitter product. These liquids dry in the air, but it is very difficult to obtain the desired effect.
If we are talking about high-quality lighting when performing gel manicure with cats, it is also important. After all, you can see the glare and evaluate its quality only by changing the angle of the light flux. And for this you need a good light source.
We recommend reading the article about the difference between gel polish and shellac. From it you will learn the difference between gel polish and shellac, what is better and what is more harmful, and how to extend the wearing period. And here is more information about how to do a French manicure with gel polish.
Manicure with a cat's eye coating appeared quite a long time ago, but interest in it does not disappear. It is maintained thanks to the abundance of designs that can be created with these polishes. And the color palette is constantly being replenished with new ones; there are already products with 9D and 12D effects. Cat eye lovers can give them either a calm nude manicure or a bright festive one.
Cat eye manicure colors and designs
To create this effect, a wide variety of colors are used. The photo does not convey all the grace and luxury of dark green, opal, brown, turquoise, blue, burgundy and mustard cat eyes on the nails.
The iridescence effect looks incredible even without decorating elements. However, sometimes special occasions force fashionistas to look bright and festive. And then the surface of the nail turns into a canvas, and a manicure with gel polish turns into art, where there is a place for rhinestones, bright colors, patterns and paintings.
Exotic lovers will love the design with a snakeskin pattern on a cat's eye. Animalistic designs of several nails, imitation of water drops, a combination of matte and glossy finishes - all these are options for creating an original, creative gel manicure.
When the ideal design has been created, it is recommended to avoid temperature changes and contact with abrasive surfaces for a couple of days in order to enjoy the beauty of your nails without chips or scratches for as long as possible.
Popular brands of shellac "Cat's Eye"
Magnetic manicure technology is represented on the market by a number of manufacturers producing the “Cat’s Eye” series of shellac. How to make the right choice? Let's look at the most popular brands.
Shellac Cat Eye from TNL brand
A very successful collection of shellacs from a Korean manufacturer. Can be used with tops and foundations from other manufacturers. The durability of the coating reaches 14-20 days without loss of brightness and integrity of the manicure.
A very successful collection of shellacs from a Korean manufacturer. Can be used with tops and foundations from other manufacturers.
The color palette is not the richest, however, the shades combine perfectly with each other.
Cat's Eye by BlueSky
The Chinese origin and low price of the shellacs in this collection do not in any way affect the quality of the final result. The BlueSky brand has pleased us with a wide palette of shades and excellent durability of the coating, for which it has gained recognition from professionals and fans of the “Cat's Eye”.
The BlueSky brand has pleased us with a wide palette of shades and excellent durability of the coating, for which it has gained recognition from professionals and fans of the “Cat's Eye”.
"Moon Light" by Kodi Professional
The superior quality of Kodi brand products is undeniable. Gel polishes of the “Moon Light” line are presented in a wide range of shades and do not require special skills to obtain an excellent “Cat Eye” shellac result. How easy it is to make shellac with such professional gel polishes.
The coating is resistant to external aggressive factors and mechanical stress, while carefully caring for the nail plate.
Gel varnishes of the “Moon Light” line are presented in a wide range of shades and do not require special skills to obtain an excellent result.
"Cat's Eye" and "Star Cats" by Lianail
The Lianail brand has long won the love and respect of girls from all over the world. The high quality of gel polishes at a low price has made these collections very popular among connoisseurs of beautiful and affordable nail art.
The Lianail coating is not afraid of household chores and time ; you are guaranteed two weeks of bright manicure.
You might be interested in learning about: How to make shellac at home for beginners step by step
