Forget about Glazed Nails—my friends and I are currently loving this superior-than-chrome manicure.
In the dynamic world of nail trends, one particular style that I believe will remain popular for a long time is the reflective finish. From the glazed donut nails popularized by Hailey Bieber, which created a viral sensation, to the revived magnet-enhanced velvet nail polishes, beauty enthusiasts are not leaving salons without transforming their base colors into stunning optical illusions. The question now isn’t whether to get an eye-catching set, but rather which style to choose. My fellow beauty editors at Who What Wear, along with friends and myself, have noticed a growing trend in cat-eye nails, ranging from icy frost variations in winter to softer designs in spring. Yet, when we share ideas before heading to our upcoming salon visits, the color that frequently comes up—due to its neutral tone, versatility with wardrobes, and sheer beauty—is pink. Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec has a theory on this.
Why Are Pink Cat-Eye Nails Gaining Popularity?
It's widely recognized that Asian nail artists are often ahead of the curve compared to their Western counterparts, with their designs inspiring trends that eventually reach American fingertips six months to a year later. Therefore, when Kandalec noted a significant increase in cat-eye polishes at the 2025 Tokyo Nail Expo, one of the largest nail conventions worldwide, she anticipated that the global community would soon follow suit. “Every brand showcased full lines of cat-eye polishes in a variety of colors, ranging from subtle to vibrant, and in multiple finishes with varying levels of sparkle,” the manicurist recalls. “That said, pink is and will always be the most versatile color,” she states. “When combined with magnetic shades, it creates the perfect nail color!” Kandalec embraced this trend during the Oscars weekend, adorning her high-profile clients with pink, orb-like tips.
For those looking for trendy manicures beyond chrome, here are some ideas.
10 Pink Cat-Eye Nail Inspirations
Frosé
Pink cat-eye nails look classy in any setting, especially on the red carpet. Kandalec recently applied the pink champagne velvet color Lush by The Gel Bottle on Rachel McAdams's nails for the 2026 Oscars, and I’m completely enamored.
Icy Bubblegum
This is the epitome of the perfect pink manicure. Cat-eye polishes introduce a textural element that can appear either glassy and watery or high-shine shimmery, and this gorgeous ballerina slipper pink leans towards the former. If you’re looking for something classic while trying this trend, this is a great example to show your manicurist.
Cat-Eye French
French manicures have long been a classic, but adding cat-eye polish is a fantastic way to modernize them. Start with a pink velvet base using a magnetic tool to shape the shimmer, then finish with a classic white tip on each nail.
Micro French
For a more advanced take on the French manicure, consider the micro French with a velvet twist. This beautiful set by London manicurist Corrinna Bianca features a nude base and ultra-thin rose gold tips that catch the light like tiny sunbeams due to the cat-eye polish. I’m adding this to my nail inspo board right now.
Ballerina Frost
For those interested in a glassy finish, this pink manicure is ideal if you want something in the glazed nail category. The sheer, frosty polish offers an alluring filtered light effect that adds intrigue to any outfit while remaining versatile.
Cherry Blossom
If you want to delve into nail art, like the intricate cherry blossom design by manicurist San Sung Kim, magnetic polish serves as the perfect backdrop. “It’s the ideal base color for nail art, with nearly every design I saw in Japan featuring a magnetic shade underneath,” says Kandalec. “Because of their captivating finish, they peek through and around the nail art in a way that draws the eye and adds depth.”
Embellished Cat-Eye
Although 3D nail art has been in vogue for some time, placing embellishments against a dynamic velvet backdrop revitalizes the look. Try a medium pink base with soft, shimmering highlights to recreate this dimensional effect, and source the embellishments from Amazon.
Polka-Dot Studded
I still have a penchant for polka-dot nails, and so do many other nail enthusiasts. If traditional dots feel outdated, opt for this metallic version over a pink cat-eye base—offering a texturally rich and immediately stylish appearance.
Striped Velvet
Nail art fans will be thrilled to know they can enjoy bold patterns, including thick candy stripes and starbursts with cat-eye polishes. To elevate the design, incorporate these shifting polishes as small accents, like the deep pink polish featured in this patterned manicure. It enhances the overall allure.
Velvet Peach
Few things are as satisfying as a classic nude-pink set, and it looks particularly stylish with a light-reflecting magnetic
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Forget about Glazed Nails—my friends and I are currently loving this superior-than-chrome manicure.
From the red carpet to my Instagram feed, stylish individuals everywhere are adopting dimensional nails.