The Top 12 Velvet Nail Designs for an Opulent Look

Velvet nails are an ethereal feast for the eyes, supplying a mesmerizing effect thanks to its textured shimmer — hence the name! “Velvet nails are also known as cat-eye nails because the cool subtle linear effects created by the magnet resemble looking into a cat’s eye,” explains Olive & June vice president Olivia Van Iderstine.

To create the velvet nails look, you need two things: magnetic polish and a magnet. “The cat-eye effect is created by using a special magnetic polish or gel polish that contains magnetic particles,” says nail artist Tara Hayes. “The position and angle of the magnet placed over the wet polish determine the pattern outcome.”