Dark Red Cat Eye Nails: How to Get a Velvet Blood Red Line

Dark red cat eye · 6 steps · velvet finish

Red cat eye gel is the easiest way to get a moody, velvet red. One magnet pull gives you a glowing line that moves when you do.

1. 1

   Prep and prime

   File, buff and wipe the nail clean. Dehydrate with pH Bond.

   TipOil left on the nail shows up later as lifting.

2. 2

   Lay the base

   Brush on a thin coat of Rubber Base or your base gel, cap the free edge, and cure.

   TipCapping the edge helps the set resist chipping.

3. 3

   Go dark underneath

   A coat of Super Black under a red cat eye makes the red read deep and rich. Cure it fully. Skip it for a brighter, jewel-red look.

   TipA black ground turns a bright red into blood red.

4. 4

   Paint one nail

   Shake the bottle well, then brush one thin coat of red cat eye gel on one nail. Do not cure yet. Choose from the Ruby Glam Kit, Perfect Red set or Burgundy Luxe set.

   TipThin coats let the magnetic particles move freely.

5. 5

   Pull the magnet

   Hold the magnet close to the wet gel for 5 to 10 seconds without touching it. Keep it steady, then cure the nail right away.

   TipA straight bar magnet gives a crisp line. A round magnet makes a ring or a wave.

6. 6

   Seal and finish

   Repeat on the other nails, then seal with a no wipe top coat and cure. Finish with cuticle oil.

   TipA no wipe top coat keeps the cat eye line sharp.

Red cat eye kits and sets

Ruby Glam Kit, 20 ColorsMSRP $198.75

Perfect Red Cat Eye Combination SetMSRP $19.90

Burgundy Luxe Set, 6 ColorsMSRP $52.50

Berry Crush Kit, 6 ColorsMSRP $59.25

Duo Magnet for Cat EyeMSRP $8.00

Cat Eye Magnet Set of 4MSRP $28.95

Prep, base and finish

Nail Prep PH BondMSRP from $8.25

Soak Off Gel - Base Coat 0.5ozMSRP $7.25

Diamond Soak Off Gel No Wipe Top Coat 0.5ozMSRP $7.25

Detail Nail Art BrushMSRP $9.50