How long do cat eye nails last?

Cat eye nails made with gel polish last 2-3 weeks with proper prep and a sealed top coat, while regular magnetic polish fades in about a week. Lavis Cat Eye is a HEMA-free magnetic gel, so it holds the full 2-3 week range when cured under a 48W+ LED lamp.

Are cat eye nails dip or gel?

Cat eye nails are most commonly gel. A magnetic gel with iron particles is applied, a magnet pulls the particles into a shimmering stripe, then it cures under LED. A dip-powder version exists but still needs a magnetic gel layer and gel top coat to show the effect.

What is a cat eye French manicure?

A cat eye French manicure is a French tip painted with magnetic cat eye gel instead of plain color. A magnet is held over the wet tip to form a reflective slit of light, then cured. It pairs a classic French shape with a metallic, light-shifting tip.

What is the cat eye effect on nails?

The cat eye effect is a 3D band of shifting light across the nail, created when a magnet aligns fine iron particles in magnetic gel before curing. The shimmer moves with the light and angle, like a cat's-eye gem. Lavis offers it in 240+ shades across CE1-CE18.

Do I need a magnet for cat eye gel polish?

Yes. Cat eye gel needs a strong neodymium cat-eye magnet (around 1500-2500 gauss) held 2-3mm above the wet second coat for 8-10 seconds before curing. Fridge magnets are too weak. The magnet shape (bar, diagonal, double) controls the stripe pattern.

Is Lavis Cat Eye gel HEMA-free?

Yes. Lavis Cat Eye is formulated HEMA-free and TPO-free, made in California with CA Prop 65 compliance, so it is gentler on sensitive nail beds for daily salon and home use while still delivering up to 21-day chip-resistant wear.

Lavis Cat Eye

Lavis Cat Eye is the brand's magnetic gel polish universe — 18 distinct CE collections from CE1 Cozy Cashmere (creamy nudes glowing like morning sunlight) through CE18 Galactic Halo (deep celestial aurora wrapping the nail). Each collection delivers 12 shades with a curated mood and seasonal anchor. All Lavis Cat Eye formulas are HEMA-free.

Cat Eye gel contains finely milled magnetic metalite particles. When a neodymium magnet is held 1–2mm above the wet gel for 8–10 seconds before curing, the particles align into glowing lines, halos, waves, or diagonal rays. The effect shifts at every viewing angle — living light on the nail. CE7 Villain Era and CE10 Beauty Bureau use Lavis 9D technology, the most intense cat eye effect in the lineup.

Diamond Top Coat upsell rule: Always finish Cat Eye services with Lavis Diamond Top Coat for clean high-gloss seal. Wave Gel specifically REQUIRES Diamond Top — the wave effect needs the wet-top-coat interaction to develop. Wholesale to US salons with Net-15 for verified pros. Free ship $100+.

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What Makes Lavis 9D Cat Eye Gel Polish Special

Lavis 9D Cat Eye is a magnetic gel polish brand designed for nail professionals who want premium pigment performance. Each shade contains finely milled metallic particles suspended in a high-viscosity gel base. When a neodymium magnet is held over the wet layer, the particles align into a luminous "cat eye" stripe with a 3D-like depth that ordinary chrome or shimmer polishes cannot replicate. The "9D" formulation refers to the high pigment density and the multidirectional light reflection that makes the effect visible from nine angles.

How to Apply Lavis Cat Eye Gel Polish for Maximum Effect

Start with a properly prepped nail and a thin coat of base gel, cured fully. Apply a generous coat of Lavis Cat Eye gel polish — thicker than standard gel polish, because the magnetic particles need depth to align. Before curing, hold a neodymium magnet 1–2mm above the nail for 8–10 seconds. Move the magnet in different patterns to create stripes, swirls, or sunburst effects. Cure under a 48W+ UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds. Finish with a high-shine no-wipe top coat for a glass-like surface that locks in the magnetic shimmer for up to 3 weeks.

Recommended Magnet Patterns & Techniques

The most popular Lavis Cat Eye looks are the horizontal stripe (magnet parallel to the cuticle line), the diagonal stripe (45° angle for a moving light effect), and the double cat eye (apply, magnetize, cure, then add a second layer with a different magnet direction for a crossed shimmer). For nail art salons selling premium services, the 9D formula gives you the depth required to upcharge $5–10 per set vs basic single-direction cat eye gels.

Order Lavis Cat Eye Wholesale at DTK Nail Supply

DTK Nail Supply stocks the full Lavis Cat Eye range with wholesale tier pricing for salon accounts. We carry the complete catalog from the original CE1 line through the latest seasonal drops like CE5 Tropical Candy — ready to ship same-day on orders over $100, with Net-15 payment terms available for verified salons. Pair your Cat Eye order with our base & top gel systems and dedicated cat eye magnets to complete your salon setup.

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