The cat-eye French manicure is the coolest nail trend for spring because it mixes old and new styles. It combines the classy half-moon French tip with the light-reflecting, velvety look that became popular in Korea and Japan. Daisy Kalnina, founder of The Gel Bottle, says, “This is one of my favourite nail trends right now because they give the classic French manicure a modern, three-dimensional look.” The magnetic pigment makes a shimmer that catches the light and adds movement and depth, making the tip feel much higher than a regular block colour. It’s the perfect mix of classic and trendy, which is why so many nail techs and clients are drawn to it.
Expressive and Easy-to-Wear Nail Design
This trend is the one for you if you want a nail art design that is both expressive and easy to wear. You can customise it with different colour combinations to make it look good at work and after hours. It can also be used as a base for more nail art, like tiny flowers or stars.
Perfecting the Cat-Eye French Look
Kalnina likes to match a soft pink BIAB base like Dolly or Demure with a cat-eye effect like Cherish or Cheerleader from The Gel Bottle. “It makes a soft, shiny French that still catches the light beautifully,” she tells ELLE UK.
Exploring Bold Colour Combinations
You can also make it even better by trying out colour schemes that are more eye-catching. Consider baby blues and warm chocolates, butter yellow and earthy green, or creamy pistachio and bright orange.
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How to Make the French Tip with Cat Eyes
Usually, your nail technician will start with a gel or BIAB base colour and then add a cat-eye gel polish to the tips. Kalnina says, “Using a magnet, like our Dual-Ended Magnet Tool, the pigment is then gently pulled and shaped to make that signature reflective curve across the tip, which gives the illusion of movement and depth.” A high-shine top coat is then used to seal in the desired effect.
