Who says cat eyes are just for your makeup look? These days, cat eye nail art is taking over Instagram feeds and nail salons alike. The sultry, winged shape elongates your fingers and adds just a hint of edge to any manicure. Me-ow! From simple negative space shapes to colorful gradients, there are so many ways to get creative with cat eye nails. Keep reading for pro tips, trendy cat eye nail inspo, and how to DIY the look at home. With these cat eye nail ideas, you’ll be the cat’s meow!
What Are Cat Eye Nails?
Cat eye nails feature a cateye shape that extends off the tips of your nails, resembling a cat’s eye with a winged flick. The cat eye nail shape creates the illusion of longer nails and a sultry look.There are a few different ways to achieve the cat eye nail shape:
- Negative space cat eyes – Leave negative space in the cat eye shape against a colored polish background
- Gradient cat eyes – Blend two nail polish colors to create an ombre cat eye fade
- Glitter or foil cat eyes – Apply glitter polish or nail foils in a cat eye shape
- Abstract cat eyes – Get creative with abstract shapes and lines for a modern cat eye look
Hot Cat Eye Nail Trends to Try
Cat eye nails are having a major moment right now. Here are some of the hottest cat eye nail trends you need to know about:
Negative Space Cat Eyes
Negative space manicures leave bare nail beds in different shapes against a colored background. Negative space cat eyes are totally on trend and super chic.
Color Gradient Cat Eyes
Ombre color gradients are hot in nail art right now. Blend two shades together to create a colorful cat eye fade.
Glitter Cat Eyes
What’s better than glitter? Glitter cat eyes, of course! Apply a winged shape with glitter polish or glitter flakes over a base color.
Abstract nail art with fun lines and shapes is trending. Get creative with the classic cat eye shape by adding lines, dots, and other abstract designs..
How to Do Cat Eye Nails at Home
Want to DIY the look? With the right tools and some practice, you can create salon-worthy cat eye nails from the comfort of home.
What You Need
- Base and top coat
- Nail polish colors
- Dotting tool
- Striping brush
- Nail art tape (optional)
- Nail polish remover
- Cuticle pusher
- File
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Prep your nails – Push back cuticles, file into desired shape, buff surface. Apply base coat and let dry.
- Apply background color – Paint nails in your base color for negative space cat eyes or gradient base for ombre cat eyes.
- Create the cat eye shape – Use striping brush, dotting tool, nail art tape guides, or toothpicks to create wing shapes. Blend ombre colors.
- Finish and seal – Once cat eyes have dried, apply a glossy top coat to smooth and seal in design.
- Remove any smudges with a brush dipped in nail polish remover. Use a steady hand!
It may take some practice at first, but with these tips you’ll be a pro at cat eye nails in no time.
Style Your Cat Eye Nails for Any Occasion
The versatility of cat eye nails means you can style them for day or night. Here are some ideas:
- Daytime chic – Go for neutral, nude cat eyes for the office or weekend brunch.
- Night out glam – Sparkly glitter ombre cat eyes pair perfectly with your LBD for girls’ night out.
- Edgy vibes – Make a statement with dark colors like black, red, or grey.
- Festive fun – Metallic foils or colorful gradients work for parties and holidays.
With so many options, you could rock different cat eye nail looks every day of the week!So unleash your inner feline fatale with these cat eye nail designs. From fierce negative space claws to sultry color fades, embrace your inner goddess with these cat eye nail ideas. What will your next cat eye nail look be purr-haps?
