Cat eye gel is a magnetic gel polish: a magnet held over the uncured layer pulls the shimmer particles into a line or glow, which is then set under the lamp. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks cat eye bottles, jars and colour series from ONME, Aprés, DND, Mr. Nail, AMDMG, JING, YHH, Kikis and IBD.
Types of cat eye gel
| Type | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Velvet and glass-bead cat eye | Deep, dimensional shine that moves with the light. | DND 9D Velvet Jungle, Aprés Velvet Cat Eye (Astral), Mr. Nail Colorful Glass Bead 3g, AMDMG Glass Cat Eye 10ml, ONME Solar Crystal |
| Shimmer and aurora cat eye | Brighter sparkle and colour shift for party and holiday sets. | Aprés Shimmery Cat Eye (Astral), Hanbi Aurora 15ml, Kikis Oh My Gloss 12ml, Hefenna CatEyes 10ml |
| Jar cat eye gel | Working the gel with your own nail art brush. | JING JC141-152 jar 5g, JING JC181-190 jar 5g, AMDMG Cat Eye Jar 5g |
| Colour series and singles | Building a cat eye wall by series or adding single shades. | Kikis Enchanted Spell 12ml, Mr. Nail Selling Gentle 3g, YHH Cat Eye Spring, IBD Magnetic Gel 15ml, ONME C204, ONME C213 |
How to choose cat eye gel
- Pick the look. Velvet styles spread into a soft, wide glow; glass-bead, crystal and aurora styles give a brighter, sharper shine.
- Plan the colour underneath. Sheer cat eyes change with the base: over black gel polish the effect is strongest, over nude gel polish it reads softer.
- Bottle or jar. Bottles come with their own brush; jars (JING, AMDMG) are worked with a nail art brush and are easy to share across a team.
- You need a magnet. The effect only appears when a magnet is held over the uncured gel.
Related: Cat eye magnets, Gel colours, Chrome powder, Gel top coat, Nail lamps
Cat eye gel FAQ
How do I use a magnet with cat eye gel?
Apply a thin coat of cat eye gel and, before curing, hold the magnet close above the nail. Move it slowly to shape a line, a diagonal or a wide glow, then cure straight away. Work one nail at a time so the pattern does not spread while the others wait.
Why does my cat eye line blur before I cure it?
The particles keep moving after the magnet is removed, so any delay softens the line. Cure each nail right after shaping it, or flash-cure it with a handheld lamp. A coat that is too thick also blurs, because the particles have further to travel.
Which top coat goes over cat eye gel?
Any gel top coat works once the cat eye layer is fully cured. A glossy no-wipe top shows the most depth; a matte or velvet top gives a soft, suede-like look. Avoid pressing hard with the top coat brush so the pattern stays sharp.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.