Key Takeaways
- LAVIS dropped four new cat eye gel collections for fall/winter 2026: Beauty Bureau (CE10 Ver2), Cabin Fever (CE9 Ver2), Galaxtic Halo (CE18), and Stellar Shift (CE17). Each has 12 shades.
- The cat eye effect requires a magnet. LAVIS uses a 3-in-1 magnet tool with bead, narrow cylinder, and wide cylinder tips for different design effects.
- Base color underneath changes the look: clear/white base for sheer subtle shimmer; dark base (LAVIS Super Black) for dramatic Milky-Way intensity.
- All 4 collections are real gel polish, UV/LED cure, 14-21 day wear time, soak off in 15 minutes. Made in USA.
- Six magnet techniques unlock different design effects: Slanted Glow, Full Light, Smile Line, French Tip, Chasing Light, Side Line.
- For maximum effect, pair with sheer LAVIS Pat Pat Gel base layers for added depth.
Cat eye gel polish creates the only nail-art effect that animates as you move your hand. The shimmer pulls in one direction as you tilt your fingers, exactly like the iris of a cat's eye catching light. LAVIS released four new cat-eye collections for fall and winter 2026, each with 12 shades, totaling nearly 50 new colors to choose from.
This guide covers each of the four collections, what makes each one different, and the magnet techniques that turn cat eye polish from "polish that shimmers" into precision nail art.
4 New LAVIS Cat Eye Gel Collections
LAVIS Cat Eyes CE10 (Ver2) - Beauty Bureau Collection
The Beauty Bureau Collection leans into fall warmth: cinnamon, mocha, honey, deep gold, autumn red. The shades pair naturally with the Maple & Mocha range and gold chrome accents for a season-appropriate manicure that still photographs well under flash. Designed for professional salons and beginner-friendly for home use.
The cat eye effect on these colors reads as a controlled shimmer rather than chaotic glitter, ideal for clients who want sparkle without statement-glitter intensity.
The collection works for non-traditional looks too. A Halloween set in Beauty Bureau warm tones reads more sophisticated than typical black-and-orange Halloween nails, while still capturing the seasonal mood.
LAVIS Cat Eyes CE9 (Ver2) - Cabin Fever Collection
The Cabin Fever Collection is the sheer-shade pick of this drop. Each color is intentionally translucent so the natural nail bed shows through, with cat eye shimmer adding dimension without opacity. Wears beautifully either matte (frosted-glass effect) or glossy (candied-apple effect).
Use 1 thin coat for a barely-there shimmer; add a second coat to intensify; change the base color underneath to shift the entire palette. Each cat eye polish is incredibly versatile this way.
LAVIS Cat Eyes CE18 - Galaxtic Halo Collection
The Galaxtic Halo Collection is the cosmic-themed pick of this round. Glitter-kissed translucent shades that work as accent colors or full-coverage looks. The cat eye effect reads especially well over dark base colors. Pair with LAVIS Pat Pat Gel for layered translucent depth.
Over LAVIS Super Black as a base, Galaxtic Halo shimmer looks like stars scattered across a night sky. Over a clear or white base, the colorful glitter keeps a softer profile. The duality makes this the most versatile of the four collections.
This is also the collection used in our ethereal moon nail designs guide for the night-sky background look.
LAVIS Cat Eyes CE17 - Stellar Shift Collection
The Stellar Shift Collection is the multichrome pick of this round. Inspired by the shifting hues of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis), each shade transitions between two or three colors depending on the viewing angle. The cat eye shimmer adds a third layer of motion on top of the multichrome shift.
When paired with LAVIS's double-sided magnet tool, one side creates sharp cat eye lines while the other diffuses the intensity for soft gradients. Either effect transforms the multichrome base into precision nail art.
Master Magnet Techniques
Cat eye polish is only as good as the magnet technique. The same shade can look ordinary or extraordinary depending on how you hold, time, and position the magnet. LAVIS's 3-in-1 magnet tool covers the three core techniques:
- Spherical bead tip: creates a concentrated spotlight effect. Hover the bead over the wet polish for 8-10 seconds. The shimmer gathers into a single bright spot like honey pooling in the center.
- Narrow cylinder tip: precision tool for fine French lines and intricate details. Hold parallel to the nail edge (close but not touching) for 10 seconds. The magnetic particles align in a crisp line.
- Wide cylinder tip: gradient effects with soft edges. Angle the tip across the nail or hold it at varying distances to blend the shimmer from intense to subtle.
6 Magnet Effects to Try
Once you have laid down a layer of cat eye polish (still wet, before curing), here are six effects to try. Each one creates a different look with the same polish:
- Slanted Glow: hold the wide cylinder tip at a diagonal angle across the nail for sweeping shimmer.
- Full Light: position the magnet flat and parallel over the entire nail for an even all-over glow.
- Smile Line: a precision twist on the French manicure. Use the magnet to push the shimmer inward toward the cuticle.
- French Tip: sweep the magnet along the free edge to concentrate glitter along the tip curve.
- Chasing Light: use the spherical bead to pull the shine into the center of the nail.
- Side Line: use the magnet along one side of the nail for an asymmetric, editorial look.
Cure the magnetized coat for 60 seconds under LED. Finish with high-gloss top coat.
Collection Comparison
| Collection | Code | Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty Bureau | CE10 Ver2 | Warm fall shimmer | Fall/winter wear, Halloween sophistication |
| Cabin Fever | CE9 Ver2 | Sheer translucent | Subtle layering, watery-nail base |
| Galaxtic Halo | CE18 | Cosmic glitter-translucent | Moon nails, night-sky themes, over dark base |
| Stellar Shift | CE17 | Multichrome aurora | Statement nails, editorial looks |
Cat Eye Gel FAQs
What is cat eye gel polish?
Cat eye gel polish contains microscopic magnetic particles suspended in the gel. When you hold a magnet over the wet polish for 8-10 seconds before curing, the particles align into a concentrated shimmer line that looks like a cat's eye. Without the magnet, the polish reads as ordinary glitter shimmer.
Do I need a special magnet for cat eye polish?
Most cat eye gel polishes (including all LAVIS collections) come with a basic bar magnet built into the cap. For best results, get a dedicated multi-tip magnet tool like LAVIS's 3-in-1 that includes bead, narrow cylinder, and wide cylinder tips. Single-tip magnets work, but multi-tip lets you do the 6 effects in this guide.
How long do cat eye gel manicures last?
14-21 days for all four LAVIS collections with proper prep (dehydrator + primer + thin coats + capped free edge). The magnetic particles do not affect wear time; the cat eye effect lasts as long as the polish underneath.
Why does my cat eye polish not show the effect?
Three usual causes: (1) the polish was applied too thick (magnetic field can't reach particles in lower layers), (2) the magnet wasn't held close enough (should be 1-2mm above the nail), (3) you cured the polish before applying the magnet (must be done while wet). Fix: apply thin coats, hold magnet close, magnetize before curing.
Can I layer cat eye polish over regular gel color?
Yes, and this is one of the most popular techniques for custom looks. Apply 2 thin coats of solid color gel (such as LAVIS Super Black for dramatic contrast or sheer nude for subtle), cure, then 1 thin coat of cat eye polish on top, magnetize, cure. The base color shifts the cat eye effect's intensity.
Shop the 4 new LAVIS cat eye collections
Stock up on the new drops: Beauty Bureau (CE10), Cabin Fever (CE9), Galaxtic Halo (CE18), and Stellar Shift (CE17). For cat-eye-themed designs, see our ethereal moon nail ideas guide.