Quick answer
Hold the French Cat Eye Magnet close to wet magnetic gel polish for a few seconds to pull the metallic particles into a cat eye stripe or swirl. The magnet works best with a steady hand and the right distance.
Why the French Cat Eye Magnet works differently
Unlike standard bar magnets, the French Cat Eye Magnet has a curved or angled shape that creates a more defined, crisp cat eye effect. This shape helps you target the magnetic particles precisely, reducing scattered or blurry results. It's also useful for guiding caviar beads into patterns, making it a versatile tool for nail art.
Common mistake: holding the magnet too far or too close
If you hold the magnet too far from the nail, the magnetic field won't pull the particles effectively, and the design will be faint. If you hold it too close, the magnet may touch the wet polish and ruin the surface. The ideal distance is about 1-2 millimeters above the polish, just enough to see the particles move without contact.
Step-by-step: How to use the French Cat Eye Magnet
- Apply a layer of magnetic gel polish: Paint a thin, even coat of cat eye gel polish on your nail. Do not cure it yet. The magnetic particles need to be free to move while the polish is wet. Work one nail at a time so the polish stays wet while you use the magnet.
- Hold the French Cat Eye Magnet close to the polish: Position the magnet 1-2 mm above the wet polish, with the curved side facing the nail. Hold it steady for 10-15 seconds. You will see the metallic particles gather into a stripe or swirl. Do not move the magnet during this time, or the design will blur.
- Cure the polish immediately: Without disturbing the design, place your nail under a UV/LED lamp and cure according to the polish instructions. This locks the magnetic particles in place. Cure as soon as you remove the magnet to prevent the particles from settling back.
- Repeat for additional layers or effects: For a stronger cat eye effect, apply a second thin layer of magnetic polish and repeat the magnet step. You can also experiment with different angles to create swirls or waves. Clean the magnet with a lint-free wipe after each use to remove polish residue.
Product used in this tutorial
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French Cat Eye Magnet: The French Cat Eye Magnet from La Catrina Nails is designed for cat eye nail designs and can also help when working with caviar beads. This means you can use the same tool for both magnetic gel polish effects and caviar bead placement, saving you from buying separate magnets.
French Cat Eye Magnet
