I Paid Over $100 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under $20

Apr 22, 2025 10:44 AM

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 1

Admittedly, I spend a lot of money at the nail salon each month, but after recently paying over $100 for a manicure, I wondered if I could recreate the same look at home and for less. I’ve been obsessing over cat eye nails, a new style that combines two popular up-and-coming nail trends for 2025: metallic polish and the aura design. It uses magnets to activate and move the shimmers to create a glass-like finish, and as you can probably guess, this special gel polish costs extra at the salon.

I’ve been able to reproduce this magnetic magic right at home without sacrificing the shimmer or the shine, and in turn, save a few bucks as well. Plus, it doesn’t require me having to buy any additional polishes, lamps, and brushes. Even though I’ve been a nail salon purist for years, the look, ease, and cost of these cat eye magnetic nail press-ons has me putting my biweekly nail appointments on pause.

You can get spring’s hottest nail trend, too, with any of the press-on sets below that start at just $6.

　　 Shop Cat Eye Magnetic Nail Polish and Press-Ons

BTArtbox Aurora Cat Eye Press-On Nails, $14.97; amazon.com

BTArtbox Aurora French Cat Eye Press-On Nails, $15.97; amazon.com

Togzom Pink Glossy Cat Eye Press-Ons, $5.99; amazon.com

OPI xPress/On Special Effect Press On Nails in Magenta Cat Eye, $13.99; ulta.com

BTArtbox Falling Star Cat Eye Press-On Nails, $14.97; amazon.com

Cuziam Press-On Cat Eye Soft Gel Press-Ons, $13.99; amazon.com

OPI xPress/On Special Effect Press On Nails in Trailgazer, $13.99; ulta.com

Glamermaid Magnet Cat Eye Stiletto Press-On Nails, $15.99; amazon.com

Mingchun 24-Piece Cat Eye V9 Press-On Nails, $5.51 with coupon (orig. $5.99); amazon.com

How Long Do Press-On Nails Last, And Should You Make The Switch From The Salon?

　　 BTArtbox Aurora Cat Eye Press-On Nails

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 2

$15 at Amazon This shiny set of press-ons is demure in color but packs a punch when it comes to its sheen. Even the name of this shade, Aurora Cat Eye, is a callback to the design it’s modeled after, and I love that because it gives it a stamp of authenticity. These press-on nails are reusable and come in 16 different sizes so that you can find the right fit for each nail. Nail sizes run the gamut from as small as 7.09 by 14.07 millimeters to 14.23 by 20.84 millimeters—the biggest size.

The press-ons are a hit with reviewers, too, with one five-star reviewer calling them “stunning” and describing them as a “shiny, shimmery, snow vibe with a cat eye effect.” They continued, “I’ve purchased quite a few sets from this brand, and they’ve all been great. Very durable.”

Someone else wrote, “There are a lot of nail sizes, so I found one that fits each nail perfectly. I bought the cat eye ones; they’re so pretty!” They also said the press-ons “feel and look like great quality” and even updated their original review to add: “These are my new press-on nails. They don’t become dull, they keep [their] shine [and] color, and the edges don’t look all weird after a while of wearing [like other brands].”

　　 BTArtbox Aurora French Cat Eye Press-On Nails

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 3

$16 at Amazon The same brand, which has over 3,200 five-star ratings total, also offers the Aurora cat eye style but with a French tips twist—and it’s even shinier than the traditional Aurora! One reviewer, who said they’ve been a press-on user for five years, shared, “The glue is good and the nails themselves are strong, thick, and durable.” They added that they “love the shape, length, and the cat eye effect.”

　　 Togzom Pink Glossy Cat Eye Press-Ons

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 4

$6 at Amazon If it’s ultra gloss you’re after (and not necessarily in a pearl, glazed donut kind of way), the shine on these cat eye press-ons is unmatched. Undoubtedly as glossy as the polishes found at salons, each pack comes with 24 almond-shaped nails in 12 different sizes. For longer wear, consider applying a top coat over the press-on nails. They’re perfect for important events like debutante balls or weddings but definitely work for everyday life, too.

　　 OPI xPress/On Special Effect Press On Nails in Magenta Cat Eye

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 5

$14 at Ulta For a more eye-catching style, these special effect press-ons by OPI are big-time attention-stealers. With such a bold black and magenta colorway, combined with the signature magnetic sparkle, it takes a sassy personality to flaunt “Swipe Night” on your fingers. The brand promises 14 days of continuous wear for these reusable and vegan coffin-shaped press-ons. The set comes with 30 nails in various sizes to help you find the right fit for each nail, all for less than $15.

Looking for more gorgeous cat-eye press-on nails? Keep scrolling for more attention grabbing-designs under $20.

　　 BTArtbox Falling Star Cat Eye Press-On Nails

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 6

$15 at Amazon

　　 Cuziam Press-On Cat Eye Soft Gel Press-Ons

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 7

$14 at Amazon

　　 OPI xPress/On Special Effect Press On Nails in Trailgazer

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 8

$14 at Ulta

　　 Glamermaid Magnet Cat Eye Stiletto Press-On Nails

I Paid Over 0 For Cat Eye Nails, But These Press-Ons Achieve The Same Look For Under 9

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