This look captures the elegance of the reeded-glass panels in a mid-century modern home (or the fancy glasses you take out only during the holidays). “It takes the minimalist, solid-colored mani to the next level,” says Gianni Garcia, creative director at Art Nail NYC. Look closely and you’ll see this manicure has a shimmery cat-eye base, created using magnetic polish (which can mimic the way light refracts through glass). From there, slightly raised, translucent stripes are layered on top to re-create that signature ribbed texture.
“Use spider gel to make the stripes rather than just drawing them on with a thin liner brush—it’s quicker and gives you that true raised effect,” Garcia explains. He also recommends sealing the design with a matte topcoat once the stripes are set; the contrast between the velvety finish and the reflective base amplifies the illusion of depth.
While the trend is just beginning to gain traction stateside, soft textures in nail art have been popular in South Korea for some time—and they’re still going strong. “Textured gel is currently very popular. It works beautifully as an accent and has a refined, expressive finish,” Minseo Kang, a nail artist in Seoul, previously told Allure. Artists often use a small, flat brush with bristles that are denser at the base and finer at the tips—almost like a wide-tooth comb—to create ultra-precise ridges that feel architectural yet delicate.
Cat-eye Swirl Nails
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Behold, this spring’s most mesmerizing nail art trend: cat-eye swirls. The reflective, molten finish gives it a silk-like effect that’s sleek, fluid, and almost impossibly glossy. Think of it as the grown-up version of your favorite glitter polish. It’s more sophisticated and designed to catch the light from every angle.
To create the look, Chue recommends, mentally divide the nail into three or four sections, and work in stages with a magnetic polish. (We’re big fans of the DND 9D Cat Eye Glassball polishes for their glossy finish and long wear time.) “Apply the polish one section at a time, use your magnet to create the cat-eye at whatever angle you like, then cure before moving on,” she explains. “Repeat until the entire nail is covered, then finish with a high-gloss gel topcoat.” The sectional approach allows the light-reflecting pigments to shift in multiple directions, enhancing that silk-like movement.
