The 25 Best Velvet Nail Ideas for a Luxurious Set

Photo:

@DISSEYNAILS

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."

meet the expert

  • Olivia Van Iderstine is the VP of content & creative for Olive & June and the brand's resident trend expert.
  • Tara Hayes is a nail artist in New York City who studied under celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec.
  • Rachel Joseph is a nail artist who works with Nailing Hollywood.


What happens if you attempt velvet nails sans magnet? "Without the magnet, it would look like a standard metallic shimmer polish," says Van Iderstine. So, all this being said, grabbing a magnet set like the Nail Art Magnetic Pen Set ($7) is a non-negotiable for that full-on effect.

If you're thinking about trying velvet nails, browse the 25 looks polishes and press-ons below.

01 of 25

Cirque Colors Lyra

Cirque Colors Lyra

@missbellatracey

Although this gorgeous brown-tinged champagne shade looks very soft to the touch, know that velvet polish goes on smoothly. "It's not actually fuzzy like velvet," says Van Iderstine. "The effect has no texture at all, just depth of swirling lines and curves."

Buy Now $15
02 of 25

Velvet Magnet Gel She's a Force

Velvet Magnet Gel She's a Force

Tara Haye

Haye created this gel nail look by layering a silver magnetic polish over Gelish's Black Shadow ($11). "Cat eye’s versatile technique can be used over any color, but it truly shines when applied over dark colors like black," says Hayes. "The contrast between the dark base and polish creates a beautiful eye-catching look." 

Buy Now $11
03 of 25

Beetles Gel D473

Beetles Gel D473

Rachel Joseph

"Beetles Gel is easily accessible on Amazon and also has an amazing variety of colors for the holiday season," says nail artist Rachel Joseph. "Perfect for those who like doing their nails at home without breaking the bank! Would make a great gift also." This shade is D473, a rich brown-burgundy shade with lots of gold shimmer.

Buy Now $20
04 of 25

Olive & June Velvet Swirls Fig Ranch

Olive & June Velvet Swirls Fig Ranch

Olive & June

"Our favorite way to achieve the velvet look is using press-ons — no magnet needed," says Van Iderstine. "All the hard work is done for you!" This short, round set features bright pink velvet nails with a fun, negative-space design.

Buy Now $10
05 of 25

ILNP Deep Space

ILNP Deep Space

@missbellatracey

Get an intergalactic look with Deep Space, a polish with a deep black base and teal-to-purple color-shifting magnetic pigments.

Buy Now $13
06 of 25

Ice Gel 1377

Ice Gel

Rachel Joseph

"Ice Gel has amazing magnet gels," says Joseph. "They usually only require one coat, too, making it very easy and fast to use!" Color number 1377 is a stunning icy shade of pink.

Buy Now $15
07 of 25

Cirque Colors Perseus

Cirque Colors Perseus

@missbellatracey

Reach for Perseus, a ruby red nail polish with pink magnetic pigments for a bold multi-tonal look.

Buy Now $15
08 of 25

Olive & June Press-Ons Velvet Plaza

Olive & June Velvet Plaza

Olive & June

With press-ons, you can "get the velvet look in minutes with no magnet and absolutely no dry time," says Van Iderstine. This extra-short set is in a rich shade of plum.

Buy Now $10
09 of 25

ILNP Sugar Plum

ILNP Sugar Plum

@missbellatracey

Sugar Plum truly lives up to its name, as it's a beautiful shade that will absolutely be dancing in my head through the holidays and beyond. It has a mauve base with magenta shimmer and silver metallic flakes.

Buy Now $13

When using non-gel polish, "the trick is to do one nail at a time, so you wave the magnetic over the polish while it is still wet," says Van Iderstine. "If the polish is dry, the magnet won't work and you won't achieve the velvet effect."

10 of 25

Cirque Colors Halo

Cirque Colors Halo

@disseynails

Halo is an absolutely stunning limited-edition taupe-brown nail polish complete with silver magnetic pigment. The colors work beautifully together, creating a simple yet ethereal look.

Buy Now $15
11 of 25

Gel Care Silver Velvet

Gel Care Silver Velvet

@disseynails

To create this Christmas-inspired nail look, the artist used a silver velvet gel polish atop Gel Care Emerald ($20). It shows that with just one magnetic top coat, you can transform any color with a magical finish.

Buy Now $22
12 of 25

Red Carpet Manicure Polar Opposites

Red Carpet Manicure Polar Opposites

Red Carpet Manicure

Polar Opposites is an amber gel polish with gold magnetic shimmer for a warm and glamorous finish.

Buy Now $11
13 of 25

ILNP Frankie

ILNP Frankie

ILNP

This green shade is perfect for getting that true cat-eye look. Just hold the magnet above the polish so it's aligned with the center of the nail, going lengthwise. "As a result, a distinctive line or lines on the nail resembles the shape and look of a cat eye," says Haye.

Buy Now $13
14 of 25

Cirque Colors BAE (Big Aura Energy)

Cirque Colors BAE (Big Aura Energy)

@disseynails

If you fell in love with the Ice Gel polish above but aren't a gel polish girlie, BAE is the perfect alternative. It's a limited-edition light pink nail polish with silver magnetic pigments.

Buy Now $15
15 of 25

Gel Care Gold Velvet

Gel Care Gold Velvet

@disseynails

This gorgeous gel manicure features Gel Care's Gold Velvet layered over the brand'sPomegranate ($20) for a gem-like finish.

Buy Now $22
16 of 25

Olive & June Platinum Velvet

Olive & June Platinum Velvet

Olive & June

Go super icy with this medium-length oval set of platinum press-ons. They'll last up to 14 days and come with a non-toxic, non-damaging glue.

Buy Now $10
17 of 25

Gel Care Midnight Velvet

Gel Care Midnight Velvet

Gel Care

Get a nail look as mysterious as the night sky with Midnight Velvet from Gel Care. To achieve this deep and moody gel nail design, layer Midnight Velvet over Patent Leather Black ($20).

Buy Now $22
18 of 25

ILNP Shooting Star

ILNP Shooting Star

@missbellatracey

Inspired by meteors, Shooting Star is a blue-purple jelly base with icy blue magnetic pigments. The polish is part of ILNP's Cosmos Collection ($70), complete with six magnet, shimmer, and chrome nail polishes.

Buy Now $13
19 of 25

KISS Chameleon

KISS Chameleon

KISS

Use press-ons to get that intergalactic finish with this medium-length and coffin-shaped set. It features a dark base with teal magnetic pigments.

Buy Now $11
20 of 25

Gel Care Green Velvet

Gel Care Green Velvet

Gel Care

This glittery sage green gel polish was inspired by "the grandeur of the early European nobility," explains the brand. To get this look, apply one to two coats of Green Velvet over Patent Leather Black ($20).

Buy Now $22
21 of 25

ILNP Sandbar

ILNP Sandbar

ILNP

This sandy beige shade is elevated with silver magnetic pigments to create a shimmery nude. It was inspired by the the glimmer of sunlit waves crashing over the shallow shore.

Buy Now $13
22 of 25

Red Carpet Manicure Positively Attracted

Red Carpet Manicure Positively Attracted

Red Carpet Manicure

This bright-purple gel polish has silver magnetic pigments to create a super eye-catching look.

Buy Now $11
23 of 25

ILNP Be Mine

ILNP Be Mine

ILNP

Go romantic with Be Mine, a raspberry red polish coupled with pink sparkles and pink-to-gold magnetic pigments. The finish looks exactly like the red-heart foil balloons that dominate Valentine's day.

Buy Now $13
24 of 25

Red Carpet Manicure Mint Magnetism

Red Carpet Manicure Mint Magnetism

Red Carpet Manicure

Get a minty-fresh look with this gel polish from Red Carpet Manicure. It's a minty-green shade with gold and silver magnetic pigments.

Buy Now $11
25 of 25

KBShimmer Thrust Issues

KBShimmer Thrust Issues

KBShimmer

Get funky with Thrust Issues from KBShimmer. It's a rich, multichrome shade that's made with a mix of yellow, gold, and orange pigments.

Buy Now $11
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