Gel polish "cat's eye": what is it, what happens and how to apply?

Gel polish has already become a familiar coating, which is used not only by professionals in salons, but also by women at home. It allows you to create a long-lasting manicure with a spectacular design. Girls like to try all new types of manicure designs, and manufacturers of nail coatings delight with a wide color palette and various means to create an attractive look. No exception - gel polish with a "cat's eye" effect. It is easy to create it yourself, the decor is unusual, and the durability is simply excellent. Let's take a closer look at this trending coverage and its features.

Fashion trends in the field of nail design are moving towards originality, naturalness and naturalism of images. At the same time, it should be easy to create (even without manicure skills). This description fits well with the fresh trend of cat-eye manicure.

An unusual design helps create two must-haves: special gel polish "cat's eye" with the smallest metal particles in the composition and a magnetic spatula or handle, which sets the direction of the particles and creates that very elegant pattern. Previously, a magnetic manicure could only have a longitudinal or transverse arrangement of a strip that mimics a cat's pupil. Now there are many design options. It can be a variety of streaks, stars, splashes, curved lines.Limitations are only in the imagination of the master and in his skills in using a magnet.

This gel polish is used with a glossy or matte finish. Manicure is done in pure form or using other elements, techniques and decor. It is appreciated for its three-dimensional image and versatility. It looks great on nails of any length, in harmony with different shapes of nails and fingers, suitable for any occasion.

The design of gel polish using the "cat's eye" technique has many advantages that have made it a favorite of many women. It is difficult to deny yourself the pleasure of decorating your nails with a spectacular pattern of cherry, emerald or deep blue shades.

Let's dwell on the advantages in more detail so that you can decide why you should choose this type of coverage.

• Varnishes are available in a wide range of colors and shades. Despite the fact that the trend is quite saturated colors of this coating (indigo, marsala, chocolate, green), you can perform a modest daytime version in delicate powdery shades (milky, pink, peach and cream).
• This type of gel polish is very effective in itself, therefore it does not require additional decoration. Although, if you want, you can supplement it with a wide variety of elements. It is freely combined with a variety of techniques: "broken glass", "ombre", "raindrops", painting with monograms and volumetric patterns, decor in the form of rhinestones and kamifubuki.

• An important feature of the "cat's eye" is its versatility. This means it is worn by women of all ages. It fits equally on long and short nails. Decorates any shape of the nail plate, giving the manicure sophistication and special charm. It can be worn equally well with jeans and an evening dress. Suitable for office style in light shades and a fun party in rich colors.
• Manicure goes well with jewelry of any size and value: from inexpensive jewelry to branded jewelry. There is a more democratic version of the coating based on conventional varnish. True, he will not be able to hold on to his nails for a long time. Its service life is only 3-4 days.

• The texture of the gel is very easy to apply, as it is quite thick and dense. Can be applied in one or two coats. Gel polish is harmless (compared to many other coatings), it contains a minimum of chemical elements. The effect is created by a simple law of physics: the displacement of metal particles during magnetization. The coating lasts for a very long time (at least two and a half to three weeks).

The popular coating also has some disadvantages, which can be rather attributed to cautions and features. So, it is better not to apply it on thin, weakened nails, since removal may require mechanical action. Better to cure and strengthen them first. With very sensitive skin next to the nail plate, before staining, it is worth doing a sensitivity test to the components of the varnish.

There are several types of varnishes. They differ in durability, visual effects, colors and, of course, price. The most affordable coatings are ordinary magnetic varnishes that last less than a week on nails. Among them, gold, burgundy, black colors are popular.

Gel polish with the same effect will remain on the nails for 2-3 weeks. With its help, it became possible to create 3D and even 5D manicure. The coating has very rich and deep shades. The use of multiple layers allows you to enhance the volume. The result is a truly spectacular and fashionable finish.

The color range of gels is complex and varied. Green, emerald, blue and golden colors convey the sensation of a cat's pupil watching you most realistically. The "cat's eye" looks unusual in gray and pink shades. Brown and purple coatings are in fashion.The freshest trend of the season is cat's eye gel polish with a chameleon effect.

Most of the success depends on the quality of the coating. It is not worth saving on basic materials. It is better to give preference to proven manufacturers - then the effect will be predictable and excellent. We represent the most popular brands on the market from popular manufacturers, whose product quality has already been tested by time and craftsmen.

This Chinese manufacturer has debunked the popular myth about the low quality of China's products. The quality is really high, and the price is the most affordable (in comparison with other manufacturers). The color gamut is very wide, and the coating itself lasts about three weeks. They remove it without any problems with a special tool from the same manufacturer. The coating lays down evenly without dripping and thickening. A useful bonus of gel varnishes is its healing properties, which is very important for nails weakened by frequent manicure experiments. Natural substances strengthen the nail plate. The beginner's kits are very handy. They have everything you need to do a manicure and detailed instructions.

The American company produces varnishes for beauty salons. You can use them at home, if the price does not bother you. An excellent remedy for problem nails and a beautiful manicure in one of the shades of a rich palette. It is extremely durable - the manufacturer guarantees the preservation of the coating for more than three weeks. It is approved for use by allergy sufferers, as it does not have the unpleasant odor of acetone. It does not crack or chipping. Excellent retention on the surface and perfect coverage of the nail plate is provided by a unique component in its composition - natural rubber.

Quite expensive gel polishes for beginners. Sold in 3 basic colors, set with a very strong and innovative bar magnet. Masters note the amazing quality, ease of application and optimal consistency. The coating gives a deep three-dimensional 3D effect. It is best to use these varnishes on a black substrate - it will look more luxurious.

A high-quality gel polish at an affordable price is produced by the Korean company Tatneil. Their only drawback is not such a wide range of colors as that of other manufacturers. Otherwise, they are very comfortable thanks to the flat brush and dense texture. One coat of gel polish is enough to get an impressive, deep and magnificent effect. On average, a manicure with such a gel polish will last about 3 weeks.

The varnishes of the popular German manufacturer belong to the middle price category and show excellent durability. The choice of colors, density and textures in the "cat's eye" collection is very rich. There is even a 5D gel polish. It is applied very conveniently thanks to the shape of the brush and the optimal texture. Nail design experts note the need for careful sealing of the edge of the nail plate. This three-phase product is very convenient as it does not require a base or top coat. Thus, it saves you time and money.

This is the most affordable varnish in terms of price, but its durability is also small - only a few days. The color palette includes 6 main trending colors, one of which is the popular chameleon. Masters note a rather wide brush and the possibility of applying in one layer. The texture of the varnish is quite thick, but the coating is applied evenly, without problems, and also dries.

Bringing a beautiful manicure to life is easy on your own. High-quality coating and the use of a special application technique will help. Using a magnet is easy. If you already have basic skills in working with gel polish, the cat's eye design will seem very simple to perform. Before starting work, you need to do a basic hygienic manicure.

We carefully get rid of traces of the old coating on the nails. We make a hand salt bath. The cuticle is steamed, making it easier to remove. Give the nails the desired shape and length. "Cat's eye" wonderfully suits any marigold, giving zest and elegance to the manicure. We process the nail plate with a buff and degrease it. Be sure to apply a clear base coat to all nails.

Some professional manicure secrets will help you create the perfect finish that will delight you for weeks. Take advantage of the little subtleties when creating your own nail design, and the quality of the work will pleasantly impress.

• The magnet from the kit should not be stored close to the bottle with varnish, otherwise the particles may demagnetize.

• Cover the nails with thin layers of gel polish for better drying. Black varnish is usually applied to the base under the "cat's eye". It helps to create the effect of a voluminous coating and favorably emphasizes the iridescent particles.
• Stir the varnish properly before application. This should be done not with the usual shaking. So air bubbles form in the bottle, which will interfere with making a high-quality coating. It is better to warm the varnish in your hands, rolling the bottle slowly between your palms for 1-2 minutes.
• If the direction of the "pupil" pattern is not the way it was intended, you can immediately change it along the wet coating using a magnet. After drying, there will be no such possibility for correction.

• The color gel is applied in a different number of layers (depending on the density of the coating of a particular manufacturer). Thick gel polish can be applied in one layer, more liquid - preferably in two. After completing the work, the ends of the nail plates must be sealed to make the manicure more durable and maintain a neat look.
• When creating a drawing with a magnet, it is held approximately at a distance of 2-5 millimeters from the nail plate. Bringing it closer can damage the gel coat. You can use a magnet on a stick or a whole block, or a more modern version - a magnetic pen. It will help to make not only a classic drawing, but also a round one, with curls and transitions of lines in any direction. Experts advise buying varnish and magnet from one manufacturer.

• To create a high-quality manicure with a clear pattern, it is recommended to work with each nail separately. This way you can get the best results with a little more time and diligence.
• In order for marigolds with a coating that imitates the "cat's eye" to please you for a long time, it is worth avoiding temperature changes and contact with hot water in the first two days after creating a manicure. Household work, especially with chemicals and abrasives, should be done with gloves. Do not scrape or scratch anything with your nails.

If you chose a shade and covered the marigolds with a base protective layer, then after it dries, you can proceed to the direct creation of a fashionable design.

• We cover the nails with a thin layer of gel polish, do not forget about the end part of the tip. Dry thoroughly in an ultraviolet lamp for 3-5 minutes.

• Next, we work with each nail separately, since the coating is usually thick enough and can dry quickly. We apply the second layer of gel polish and immediately work with a magnet on the wet coating.

• We bring the magnet to the nail at a distance of 2-5 millimeters and make smooth movements with it (depending on which drawing you want to create). Professionals move the magnetic plate or pen in different directions to create unusual fantasy patterns.

• If everything works out, we send the coating to dry under a lamp. We repeat the procedure with each nail. We carefully seal the ends.
• Remove the sticky layer with a cleaner. A spectacular manicure is ready. You can add decor to it in the form of rhinestones, stones or other elements if desired.

One of the main advantages of a cat-eye coating is its versatility and self-sufficiency at the same time. It can be worn alone or decorated with various decorative elements. You can decorate accent nails with it or create a manicure with a "cat's eye" coating as a base, and add harmoniously combined fashion techniques to it.

Dark, saturated colors of varnish look best on nails. It is burgundy, rich dark emerald, deep blue, chocolate, gold and black. For an interesting version of French manicure, choose milky, pink or peach colors.

The nails look even more luxurious with the addition of broths, stones, rhinestones (they can be chosen to match the coating or universal transparent). Marigolds decorated with a thin metal tape or painted with monograms look amazing. Gel polish goes well with glitter and shimmer. Any coatings with a chameleon or metallic effect will be excellent companions for a fashionable manicure.

In a glossy finish, the "cat's eye" looks wonderful. You can use a matte top when creating such a manicure. The design turns out to be very interesting, however, the depth of the pattern and the subtlest play of shining particles are lost. To create the effect of lightness and freshness on a rather dark surface, use the "raindrops" technique. On the finished manicure, dots of different shapes and sizes are applied with a regular top coat using dots. After drying, an interesting imitation of a spray of fresh dew is obtained.

A combination of a cat's pupil with a moon manicure and the negative space technique is often used. The combination of exposed nail areas and the main bright accent tone looks very stylish. They often complement sophisticated manicure with pieces of special foil using the “broken mirror” technique.

No less popular is the "cat's eye" design with a pattern in the subject of the main color scheme. The pattern is usually done on an accent nail painted in a contrasting color. A glass of wine or a rowan brush against a milky background of an accent finger is suitable for red. For chocolate - an autumn leaf or a cup of coffee. To blue - an umbrella or spray of rain. If you don't have any painting skills yet, you can use stickers with various interesting pictures. After gluing, the pattern must be fixed with a topcoat.

Fashionable geometry is also strikingly combined with a cat-eye manicure on different fingers of one hand. Techniques like these are surprisingly complementary in style. Repeating colors, rhinestones or decorative elements can become unifying accents.

A very peculiar manicure is obtained when nails in a "cat's eye" coating are complemented by accents in the form of a drawing of a cat or a painting in the form of a real eye. A predatory leopard or tiger pattern on accent nails is also welcome. Most of all, this style is suitable for gel polish in black and gold, brown and red. The main thing in this case is not to overdo it with the number of details and drawings, so as not to reach bad taste.

The light version can be successfully used to create the most delicate wedding manicure for the bride. This coating looks unusual and very advantageous. This kind of design can be used for everyday wear as well. Looks elegant, modest and tasteful.

In the reviews, both professionals and beginners alike are unanimous in their impressions of the fashionable cat-eye design. Masters note that manicure is in great demand due to its showiness, lack of pretentiousness and versatility. It suits literally everyone and goes with any image.

Newbies speak of this type of design as being quite easy to follow and intuitive. It is difficult to make mistakes when performing a technique. And the result is amazing.

However, nail industry professionals do not recommend wearing gel polish on nails without rest for more than three weeks. And grown nails, even with such a beautiful manicure, will look untidy.

Masters note that varnishes from most manufacturers are of acceptable quality and are easy to apply. They do not spread and have a dense consistency. It is enough to apply gel varnishes of most manufacturers in one layer, which significantly saves the budget.

Those taking their first steps in the field of nail design are advised not to save on quality materials. The appearance of the future manicure depends on them. It is also important to get the correct magnet configuration. The clarity and quality of the pattern in the style of a cat's pupil will depend on the strength of its action.

Nail art professionals advise you to look closely at the latest trends and apply them in accordance with your skin type and lifestyle. Don't be afraid to experiment. Good ideas can inspire you to create your own manicure masterpieces. Create your own combinations, combine different techniques. A creative approach is only welcomed when creating an original manicure.

Every woman strives to be charming, well-groomed, and unique. This will help the design of nails using the "cat's eye" technique, allowing you to look stylish and elegant under any circumstances.

For information on how to properly apply cat's eye gel polish, see the next video.