Velvet nails

Velvet nails are a magnetic nail finish that is created by holding the magnet further from the wet polish and sweeping it from both sides, so the light band softens into a diffused, fabric-like glow.

Also known as: velvet chrome, velvet nail polish, velvet cat eye, velvet magnetic nails

Velvet nails use the same magnetic polish as a cat eye. The difference is the distance and movement of the magnet. For a crisp cat eye the magnet is held close, about 0.5 cm from the wet coat. For velvet the magnet is held further away and swept from both sides towards the centre, which spreads the particles into a soft, fabric-like glow¹.

The finish looks like crushed velvet or a fine knit. Light moves across the nail as the hand turns, but there is no single sharp band. Manicurist Nicole Wong describes velvet chrome as having a more diffused, luxurious appearance than a standard cat eye².

Velvet works in every colour but shows best in jewel tones and deep shades, where the contrast between the lit and unlit particles is strongest. Jewel-tone cat eyes and velvet chrome are named trends for autumn 2026. A glossy top coat keeps the depth. A matte top coat turns it into a true velvet texture.

In gel, the velvet is fixed by curing straight after the magnet pass. In air-dry magnetic polish, the film must set quickly or the pattern fades as the particles settle. India Anaïs makes a velvet finish in its lamp-free magnetic range, sold out until the next edition planned for spring 2027.

Written and fact-checked by the India Anaïs editorial team. Every number and rule is linked to its source. How the guides are made.