40 'Cat-Eye Nails' That Will Inspire You to Try the Popular Beauty Trend

Cat-eye nails are one of the latest top beauty trends, and for good reason. This fun nail design uses magnetic polish to create a shifting light pattern that adds an extra touch of glamour to your manicure. Whether you're a nail art enthusiast or someone looking to try something new and captivating, cat-eye nail designs are the perfect way to make a bold statement.

Getting your nails done is the ultimate self-care move, and switching up manicure styles once in a while is a great way to romanticize life. From classic and simple looks to bold, artistic creations, there are cute cat-eye nails for every style and occasion.

Still feeling iffy? Just wait. Parade found 40 unique designs that are sure to inspire you to request cat-eye nails next time you're at the salon. Or, maybe you'll try them yourself! Check out the nail artists linked below each photo and save this for your next cat-eye manicure.

Related: What Is The 'Red Nail Theory'?

How to Do Cat Eye Nails

To do cat eye nails, start by prepping your nails and applying a gel base coat. Make sure to cure it afterward! Next, apply a coat of cat eye polish, capping the free edge, and immediately place a magnet close to the nail without touching it.

Hold the magnet steady for 5 to 10 seconds, then cure again. If the design looks spotty, apply a second thin coat of polish to erase the effect and try again. When you're happy with the look, apply a second coat of polish, repeat the magnet step and finish with a top coat before curing once more.

Related: 60 Fun Summer Nail Designs for a Creative, Gorgeous Manicure

Best Cat Eye Nails

1. Gel Cat Eye Nails

This classy, pearly white cat eye nail coat is perfect for elegant occasions like a wedding!

2. Purple Sparkle Cat Eye Tips

Is there anything more fun or flirty than cat eye French tips? Plus, the pop of color makes it all the more fun.

3. Green Cat Eye Nails

This green cat eye nail look is giving mega snake vibes, and we're here for it.

4. Dark Pink and Shimmery

Fun, flirty and fabulous—live your best life with these dark pink cat eye nails. Best served on long nails or acrylics!

Related: 42 Rainbow Nails That Are Perfect for Summer and Pride Month

5. Unicorn Style

You're unique, just like a unicorn. Flaunt that energy with these chrome unicorn cat eye nails.

6. Firework Vibes

Baby, you're a firework! And these cat eye nails will remind you of that.

7. Chrome Cat Eyes

This chrome cat eye nail look may be a bit tough for beginners to recreate at home, but we are absolutely in awe of the cat eye polish with accent pieces.

8. Reflective Pink

Pink cat eye nails give the ultimate Barbie vibes.

9. Pastel Green

Peaceful, serene and resemblant of nature, these pastel green cat eye nails provide a cool and calming aura for your next nail look.

Related: 35 Stylish White Nail Designs That Are Classy and Fun for Summer

10. Silver French Tip Cat Eye Nails

Shake up the classic French tips with cat eye tips!

Cool Cat Eye Nail Designs

11. Olive Cat Eye Nails

It doesn't get much cooler than these olive-green cat eye nails. The twinkles level it up even more.

12. Bewitched Tips

Halloween came early this year, but it's never too early for witchy vibes.

13. Pink Cat Eye With Rose Chrome

Looking for an elegant, subtle cat eye nail design? Try this pink cat eye with rose chrome.

14. Dark Green Cat Eye

These dark green cat eye nails are as moody as they are breathtaking.

15. Heart Cat Eye Nails

We're in our lover era, what can we say? It doesn't need to be Valentine's Day for these cute heart cat eye nails.

16. Black Hole

Stay moody, dark and sassy with these black hole cat eye nails.

17. Pink Cat Eye Sparkle French Tips

We love a twist on the classic French manicure, and these pink cat eye nail tips with a sparkly glow are absolutely fabulous for any occasion.

18. Disco Vibes

You won't be panicking at the disco with these fun and funky cat eye nails.

19. Shiny Celestial

These shiny celestial cat eye nails are so gorgeous, you may never want another design on your nails again.

20. Pretty in Pink

You can never go wrong with a pink cat eye nail design. Play around with different hues of pink to switch up the looks!

Related: 30 Green Nail Ideas—From Emerald to Sage—to Give Your Everyday Style a Perfect Pop of Color

Black Cat Eye Nails

21. Black With Flames

No one will mess with you with these! Check out the details on those flames. Cat eye designs truly level-up every look.

22. Black With Cool Accents

All black with a little razzle-dazzle.

23. Champagne Vibes

You'll want to pop a bottle of bubbly after you complete this cat eye nail look. The plain black polish is a perfect balance to the champagne cat eye design.

24. Twilight Style

We love this black cat eye nail look because it's just like a beautiful, starry night.

25. Black Widow

Stay fierce with these black widow-resemblant cat eye nails. They're slightly off-black, but still moody as ever.

26. Black French Cat Eye

This black French ombre look is both chic and stays on par with the dark color scheme.

27. Black Beauties

We love the sheer look of these black cat eye nails.

28. Aurora Cat Eye Nails

Check out that glow in the middle! If you're looking for a pop in your next nail design, this is it the look.

29. Black and Silver

You can't go wrong with a black and silver cat eye nail.

30. Reptile Black

Is Taylor's version of Reputation coming anytime soon? Because this is the look to celebrate.

Tiger Cat Eye Nail Designs

31. Stamped Tiger Cat Eye

If a tiger is your spirit animal, these are the perfect nails for you to embody their energy.

32. Gemstone Tiger Eyes

Not ready to look quite like a tiger? Utilize the color scheme of a tiger's coat for your next look.

33. Dark Tiger Cat Eye

We're all about this moody, dark tiger cat eye nail design.

34. Tiger's Eye Illusion

Check out this tiger's eye illusion, created with cat eye gel on a chocolate brown coat.

35. Tiger Stripes

Add the tiger stripes down the sides on a cat eye nail orange coat for a more dynamic look.

Galaxy Cat Eye Nails

36. Galaxy Cat Eye with Black

If all galaxy cat eye nails feels overwhelming, just add it to a few of your nails and put black or another accent color on the rest.

37. Chrome Galaxy

The brighter, the better—and that definitely rings true with these chrome galaxy cat eye nails.

38. Gold and Galaxy

Gold frames and accents level up every nail look. Add it to your galaxy cat eye nails for something truly out of this world.

39. Purple and Black Galaxy

Purple and black cat eye nails is all you need to complete a cute, subtle galaxy look.

40. Out of This World

This galaxy cat eye nail design is extra fun and funky—sparkles and all.

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