How to Do Cat Eye Nails: Magnetic Gel Polish Guide

The Magnetic Nail Trend That Refuses to Die (Because It's That Good)

Cat eye nails have been circulating through the nail trend cycle for years now, but they keep coming back for one simple reason: they look expensive with almost zero effort. That shifting, reflective stripe that moves when you tilt your hand is its magnetic magic - literally!

The effect mimics a cat's eye gemstone - the vertical band of light that seems to glow from within the polish. Except instead of a semi-precious stone, you're getting it from a bottle of gel and a tiny magnet. Science is cool like that.

We've just launched our Ezmio Cat Eye City Lights Collection: eight ultra-reflective magnetic gel polish shades named after cities that are known for their iconic nightlife. Each bottle comes with its own mini magnet, so you can start creating that plated cat eye look the second your package arrives.

What Is Cat Eye Gel Polish?

Cat eye gel polish contains fine metallic particles that respond to magnetic force. When you hold a magnet over uncured gel, those particles shift and align, creating that signature reflective stripe. The closer the magnet, the stronger the effect. The further away, the more subtle the shimmer.

It's like having a lighting crew for your nails, except the lighting moves with you.

Our Ezmio gel formula is always HEMA free, which means it's formulated without the most common sensitiser in gel polish. In other words, your nails get the drama without the potential irritation.

Why Cat Eye Nails Keep Trending

They Look More Complicated Than They Are

People see magnetic nail art and assume you spent hours at a salon or have advanced nail art skills. The reality? You painted your nails and held a magnet over them for a few seconds. That's it. Cat eye nails create maximum impact with minimal skill required.

The Effect Changes With Movement

Unlike regular shimmer or glitter that looks the same from every angle, cat eye gel polish shifts as you move. Tilt your hand, and the reflective stripe follows. It's dynamic in a way that flat polish can never be.

It Works on Every Nail Length

Short nails, long nails, natural nails, extensions - the magnetic cat eye effect looks good on all of them. The magnetic stripe adjusts to your nail size, so there's no "ideal length" needed to pull it off.

Surprisingly Wearable

You'd think something this reflective would be loud, but cat eye polish sits in this sweet spot between "I put in effort" and "I'm not trying too hard." The plated finish is sophisticated enough for work but interesting enough for weekends.

How to Apply Cat Eye Gel Polish

The application is a standard 3-step gel manicure process:

1. Prep and apply base coat: Apply our 2in1 Base Coat & Extension Gel Adhesive and cure
2. Apply cat eye gel: Paint on your chosen magnetic gel polish shade
3. Create the magnetic effect: Hold the magnet over uncured gel (5-10mm away) for 5-10 seconds
4. Cure: Cure under your UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds
5. Seal: Apply No Wipe Top Coat and cure

Each bottle includes a mini magnet to get you started. But if you want to level up your magnetic nail designs, we also sell a separate magnet tool with a removable ball end that creates the "ball of fire" design - that circular burst pattern you've probably seen all over TikTok.

The ball is removable, which means you can create different cat eye patterns by positioning it at different angles. One magnet tool, endless possibilities. Well, not endless, but definitely more than three.

Cat Eye Magnet Techniques

• Classic Stripe: Hold the bar magnet horizontally over the nail centre for the traditional cat eye line
• Diagonal Stripe: Hold the magnet at a 45-degree angle for a diagonal reflective stripe
• Ball of Fire: Use the ball-end magnet held over the nail centre to create a circular burst pattern
• Double Stripe: Create one stripe, cure partially, apply more gel, create a second stripe at a different angle

The magnet positioning controls everything. Hold it close for a sharp, defined line. Hold it further away for a softer, more diffused shimmer. Move it slowly for a smooth stripe, move it quickly for a more scattered effect.

The City Lights Collection: Eight Cities, Eight Moods

We named each magnetic gel polish shade after a city known for its nightlife, because cat eye nails are essentially bottled city lights - reflective, dynamic, and slightly hypnotic.

Berta Beirut - Deep Ruby Cat Eye

A sultry, magnetic ruby that captures Beirut's glamorous nightlife. Bold, radiant, and unforgettable - just like the city itself. This is your statement red with dimensions that regular red polish could never achieve.

Tina Tokyo - Lilac Glow Cat Eye

A playful lilac with futuristic shimmer. Inspired by Tokyo's neon energy and trend-setting style, this shade is vibrant, modern, and full of character. Lilac has never looked this interesting.

Nina New York - Soft Silver Cat Eye

A sleek metallic silver that shines like the city that never sleeps. Urban, chic, and powerful - New York in polish form. This is chrome's more refined older sister.

Pauline Paris - Champagne Nude Cat Eye

An understated champagne nude with an elegant shimmer. Romantic and timeless, this Paris-inspired shade is effortless chic for every occasion. Nude polish that's actually interesting to look at.

Lucia London - Soft Pink Cat Eye

A polished pink with a soft magnetic dimension. Modern, romantic, and versatile - London's understated charm bottled. This is the "my nails but better" of the collection.

Monica Milan - Bright Pink Cat Eye

A bold, fashion-forward pink with runway-ready sparkle. Milan's high-fashion edge meets playful glamour in this statement shade. For when soft pink isn't cutting it.

Sia Sydney - Sky Blue Cat Eye

A fresh coastal blue with ocean-like shimmer. Inspired by Sydney's harbour and beachside beauty - breezy, radiant, and sunlit. Blue polish that doesn't look like you're trying to make a statement about being quirky.

Dorinda Dubai - Chocolate Brown Cat Eye

A rich, decadent chocolate brown with hypnotic magnetic depth. Inspired by Dubai's warm desert nights and luxurious skyline, this shade is opulent, smooth, and effortlessly glamorous. A true show-stopping neutral that proves brown can be dramatic.

Why Our Magnetic Gel Formula Is Worth It

The Plated Cat Eye Effect

Our magnetic effect gives you that ultra-reflective, plated look - not a subtle shimmer, not a barely-there glint, but a proper reflective stripe that catches light from across the room.

Mini Magnet Included

Every bottle comes with its own mini magnet. No hunting for random magnets in your junk drawer, no ordering magnets separately and waiting for shipping. Open the bottle, use the magnet, and create the effect.

HEMA Free Formula

We've formulated without HEMA, a common ingredient that can cause sensitivities. You're getting the full cat eye effect without the irritation risk.

Works With Our Magnet Tool

Want to create more complex magnetic nail designs? Our separate magnet tool with the removable ball end lets you create circular patterns, diagonal lines, and custom effects. The ball pops off so you can use it as a standard bar magnet too.

What You Need for Cat Eye Nails at Home

Minimum Requirements:

• 2in1 Base Coat & Extension Gel Adhesive
• Your chosen cat eye gel shade(s)
• No Wipe Top Coat
• UV/LED nail lamp
• The mini magnet included with your bottle

Level-Up Option:

• Our separate magnet tool with removable ball end for advanced designs

That's it. Three gel products, one magnet, and you've got nails that look like you paid someone $80 to do them.

The Honest Truth About Magnetic Nails

Will you nail the perfect stripe on your first try? Maybe not. The magnet positioning takes a bit of practice to get the stripe exactly where you want it. But even an imperfect cat eye looks intentional - the whole point is that shifting, dynamic effect.

The best part? Unlike nail art that requires steady hands and artistic ability, cat eye nails are controlled by physics. Hold the magnet close for a sharp line, hold it further for a softer effect. Move it slowly for a smooth stripe, move it quickly for a more scattered shimmer. You're not painting anything, you're just manipulating metallic particles with a magnet.

It's science class, but make it fashion.

Troubleshooting Cat Eye Gel Application

• Stripe isn't showing up: Hold the magnet closer to the nail surface (5mm away)
• Effect is too subtle: Apply a thicker layer of gel before using the magnet
• Stripe disappeared after curing: Make sure you're holding the magnet steady for the full 5-10 seconds before curing
• Uneven magnetic effect: Keep the magnet parallel to the nail surface and don't move it while holding
• Polish cured before creating the effect: Work one nail at a time, creating the magnetic effect immediately after application

Ready to Create Your Own City Lights?

Eight magnetic gel polish shades, eight cities, infinite ways to catch the light. Whether you go for sultry ruby, soft pink, or chocolate brown with hypnotic depth, you're getting that plated cat eye effect that makes people ask "where did you get your nails done?"

The answer? Your couch, a magnet, and about 15 minutes.

Shop the Cat Eye City Lights Collection at ezmiobeauty.com