Sheer jelly polish. An aura manicure. Velvet talons. These days, there’s just about a name for every nail art trend out there; a lexicon so vast that it requires a true connoisseur to discern the intricacies and subtleties of each. And while skimming through specific TikTok and Instagram pages could prove enlightening enough, it barely encompasses the extent as to how each design can be tailored to create something decidedly one-of-a-kind. And that’s where we come in. This month, the Vogue Singapore beauty team is honing in on cat eye nails—and the various looks that can emerge from it.
But first, the uninitiated are probably wondering: what are cat eye nails, exactly? Think of these bad boys as a hybrid between mirror and chrome manis; high-shine, glossy digits distinguished by a metallic line running diagonally across the nail. Said slit—that resembles a cat’s iris—is created utilising magnetic nail polish, and can be warped accordingly depending on the desired result. Everything from hearts to aurora streaks aren’t off the table, with nail artists incorporating metallic finishes, milky textures, and even physical adornments to add even more depth and detail to the nail look. Intrigued just yet? If the answer is a resounding yes, spy our curation of the best of the lot, below, of which includes designs achievable by novices and professionals alike.
1 / 9
The milky way
Galaxies in her eyes. Or, in this case, nails. This cosmic rendition grants an interesting twist on classic neutral hues, with its a jelly base adding even more dimensionality to the overall look.
2 / 9
Love is in the air
A timeless motif, revamped. The shimmery quality to cat eye polish makes for a fun, flirty set that still appears elevated.
3 / 9
Play of light
Talk about enlivening a black nail base. This colour combination brings to mind a striking visual comprising bioluminescent life forms.
4 / 9
Hefty tip
In this case, more is more. Renowned nail artist Danielle Lundgren combines both chrome and cat eye polish to present an intriguing spin on French tips.
5 / 9
Bling empire
Reflective gems and embellishments are the perfect accompaniment to a high-gloss nail base.
6 / 9
Melted chocolate
There’s never a dull moment when cat eye polish is involved. To spice up deep, dark hues, apply a glimmering stripe across the full length of the nail for an elongated effect.
7 / 9
A match made in heaven
That’s a dynamic duo, alright. Why opt for a single hue when you can do two? The warm and cool tones of the selected shades play off each other delightfully.
8 / 9
Flower power
This design is living proof that only good things come out of fusing delicate line work with a healthy serving of cat eye polish.
9 / 9
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble
Inspire double-takes by opting for subtle 3D elements that camouflage seamlessly with a high-octane cat eye nail base.
