Cat nails are the cutest way to wear a pet on your fingertips, and this tutorial follows every stage shown in the video: a glossy sheer pink base, a grey-and-white kitten face, big dark eyes and a tiny pink nose, a pink bow under the chin, a ring of rhinestones and small pearls, and pink paw prints on the neighbouring nails.
Everything below is based on a real step-by-step video, and each stage is illustrated with a frame taken from that footage. You will see which tools appear on screen, in what order the design is built and which small mistakes can spoil the kitten’s expression. Our editorial policy explains how we describe what we can and cannot see.
The video is a short clip without spoken instructions, so we describe only what is visible: the brushes, the tweezers, the colours, the order of the steps and the final look. We do not know the brand or type of any product, and the video does not say how long anything is cured. Where the video is silent, we say so and offer a general suggestion, clearly marked as a suggestion.
Key takeaways
- These cat nails combine a sheer pink base, a rounded grey-and-white kitten face, a small pink bow, rhinestones and pearls, and pink paw prints.
- The video shows a brush with a clear glossy product, a fine brush with a lilac handle for the face, fine tweezers for the decorations and a brush for the final glossy layer.
- The order matters: base, kitten face, eyes and nose, bow, stones, paw prints, then the finishing layer.
- The video does not show brands, product types or curing times, so follow the instructions of your own products and lamp.
- Keep the face small and the expression simple, and use the stones to frame the kitten rather than to cover the nail.
Contents
Quick answer: how do you do cat nails?
Start from a glossy sheer pink base, build a grey-and-white kitten face on one nail, add dark eyes and a tiny pink nose, place a small pink bow under the chin, frame the face with rhinestones and pearls with tweezers, add pink paw prints on the neighbouring nails and finish with a glossy layer that suits your own products.
What these cat nails look like
The finished nails are long, almond-shaped and glossy. The base is a sheer, milky pink that lets the natural nail show through. On the accent nail, a grey-and-white kitten face with pointed ears, big dark eyes and a tiny pink nose sits near the cuticle, with a small pink bow just below it and rhinestones and small pearls arranged around the sides.
The neighbouring nails stay simple: a pink paw print on each one, with a few rhinestones in different sizes. This keeps the kitten as the focal point while the rest of the hand looks coordinated. Everything is covered in a very glossy finish.
Why this kitten design works
The sheer pink base keeps the look soft, the grey and white kitten gives a clear focal point, and the bow adds a touch of personality. Because the paw prints and stones repeat the pink and silver tones, the whole set looks like one idea rather than separate decorations.
Materials and tools for cat nails
The video shows several tools clearly. Everything else is a colour or decoration visible on the nail, or a reasonable addition. We separate the two groups so you know what the footage confirms.
Visible in the video
- A brush loaded with a clear glossy product, used at the start and again at the end.
- A fine brush with a lilac handle, used to build the kitten’s face and its details.
- Fine tweezers with a dark handle, used to place the bow, the stones and the paw prints.
- Grey, white and dark colours for the kitten, and pink for the nose, the bow and the paw prints.
- Rhinestones in a few sizes and small pearls.
- A sheer pink base on long almond-shaped nails.
Suggested additions (not shown in the video)
- A clean, shaped nail before you start.
- A palette for small amounts of colour.
- A lint-free wipe and a little cleanser to tidy the edges.
- A lamp and a finishing layer that match your own products, used as their instructions say.
- Adhesive for the stones and the bow if your system requires it.
Materials checklist
- Brush for the clear base and the final layer
- Fine detail brush for the kitten’s face
- Fine tweezers
- Grey, white, dark and pink colours
- Small pink bow decoration
- Rhinestones in a few sizes and small pearls
- Lamp that matches your products
- Finishing layer that matches your product type
- Palette, lint-free wipe and cleanser
Preparation before you start
A tiny face needs a smooth, clean surface to sit on, and a sheer pink base shows every flaw. In the video the nails are long, almond-shaped and evenly filed, which gives the kitten a clean canvas.
- Shape and tidy the nail. The design in the video is on long almond nails, but the kitten also works on shorter nails if you draw it smaller.
- Follow your own products and lamp. The video does not show any curing, so rely on the instructions of the products you use.
- Plan the focal point. Decide which nail gets the kitten and which get paw prints. One kitten nail is enough.
- Lay out your tools. Keep the fine brush, the tweezers, the stones and the bow within reach.
- Work one nail at a time. Tiny details are easier when each layer is under control.
Step-by-step cat nails tutorial
The eight steps of this cat nails tutorial follow the order of the video. Each card shows the frame we used, what happens in it and what to watch for.
Prepare the nail with a clear glossy layer
The first frame shows a brush loaded with a clear, glossy product touching a long almond nail with a sheer pink finish. The nail already looks smooth and slightly milky. The video does not say what the product is or how it is set, so follow the instructions of your own system.
Pro tip: apply a thin, even layer and keep it off the skin.
Mistake to avoid: leaving the surface uneven. The kitten’s face will sit better on a smooth nail.
Build the grey-and-white kitten head
In the second frame a grey-and-white shape with two pointed ears sits on the middle nail, and a fine brush with a lilac handle works on its edge. The head is rounded and soft, with the grey on top and the white around the muzzle, but it has no face yet. This is the stage where the shape of the kitten is set.
Pro tip: keep the head small and slightly off-centre so there is space for the bow and the stones.
Mistake to avoid: making the ears too large. Small, neat ears look more like a kitten.
Add the eyes and the little pink nose
The third frame shows the kitten with big dark eyes, a tiny pink nose and fine markings, while the fine brush is still near the face. The eyes are round and glossy, which gives the kitten a sweet, curious expression. The face is very small, so each dot and line is delicate.
Pro tip: place the eyes wide apart and low on the face. This is what makes a kitten look young.
Mistake to avoid: eyes that are too close together or too small. The expression becomes sharp instead of sweet.
Place a small pink bow under the chin
In the fourth frame a small pink bow sits just under the kitten’s chin and fine tweezers hold the area. The bow is a soft pink that matches the nail and gives the kitten some personality. The video does not show how the bow is fixed, so follow your own system.
Pro tip: centre the bow under the chin so the face stays balanced.
Mistake to avoid: using too much adhesive. It can seep out around the bow and look cloudy.
Frame the kitten with rhinestones and pearls
The fifth frame shows the kitten with its bow while the tweezers prepare the next decoration. Small pearls and rhinestones begin to appear around the sides of the nail, following its curve. Using tweezers is more precise than using your fingers and keeps the stones clean.
Pro tip: vary the sizes and keep the larger stones near the cuticle and the smaller ones along the sides.
Mistake to avoid: covering the whole nail. Leave the pink visible so the kitten stands out.
Add paw prints and stones to the neighbouring nails
In the sixth frame the kitten nail is framed with pearls and rhinestones, and the neighbouring nails carry pink paw prints with a few stones. The paw prints are a soft pink on the sheer base, made of one larger pad and four small toes. They echo the kitten without competing with it.
Pro tip: place the paw prints at slightly different angles so they look like a real trail.
Mistake to avoid: adding a paw print to every nail. Keep a few nails with stones only.
Place the last stones with tweezers
The seventh frame shows the tweezers placing one more stone on a neighbouring nail while the paw prints are already in place. The stones sit at different distances from the paw prints, creating a light, sparkling scatter. The kitten nail looks complete.
Pro tip: step back and check the balance before you add more stones.
Mistake to avoid: setting the stones in a straight line. A loose scatter looks more natural.
Reveal the finished cat nails
The last frame shows the finished set: the kitten with its bow, framed by pearls and rhinestones, and the neighbouring nails with pink paw prints and stones. The finish is very glossy, as in a sealed design. The video does not show which product creates this finish, so use the finishing layer that suits your own system and follow its instructions.
Pro tip: compare all the nails side by side to check the balance of colours and stones.
Mistake to avoid: using a finishing layer that does not belong to your system. Mixing product families can cloud a sheer base.
Pro tips for cleaner cat nails
- Keep the face small. A small kitten looks sweeter and leaves room for the details.
- Draw the eyes first. They set the expression, so take your time with them.
- Use the stones as a frame. They should guide the eye towards the kitten.
- Repeat your colours. Pink and silver on the paw prints echo the bow and the stones.
- Keep the tweezers clean. Wipe them between decorations so nothing sticks to the bow.
- Check in daylight. Sheer pink and rhinestones look different under a lamp and in natural light.
Creative variations (our suggestions, not shown in the video)
The video shows one design. The ideas below are suggestions based on the same technique.
- A black cat. Use black and a little white for a dramatic kitten, ideal for autumn.
- A ginger kitten. Swap the grey for orange and cream for a warm look.
- A kitten on every thumb. Place one small kitten on each thumb and keep the rest simple.
- A matte finish. A soft matte finishing layer makes the glossy stones stand out.
- Whiskers only. For a subtle version, draw only the whiskers and a small nose.
- A short-nail version. Use a smaller kitten and fewer stones.
Care and safety
Nail products can contain ingredients that call for careful use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds consumers to read the labels of nail products and to follow the warnings, and notes that some ingredients can be harmful if swallowed and that some can catch fire near heat. Its page on nail care products is worth reading before you start.
If you do your nails often, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes the chemical exposures that nail technicians face, a useful reminder to work with good ventilation and to follow the safety information of your products. See its overview of health hazards in nail salons.
- Follow your own products and lamp. Curing requirements vary from one product to another, and the video does not state any, so neither do we.
- Keep products away from heat and flames. Close the bottles after use and store them away from heat.
- Stop if your skin reacts. If you notice irritation, remove the product and consult a qualified professional.
- Keep decorations away from children and pets. Pearls and small charms can be a choking hazard.
- Mind raised designs in daily life. Tall ears and 3D shapes can catch on hair and fabric, so check the edges and consider a lower profile for everyday wear.
- Remove the design gently. Use the removal method recommended for your product instead of peeling the artwork.
Cat nails: frequently asked questions
How do you do cat nails step by step?
Start from a glossy sheer pink base, build a grey-and-white kitten face, add dark eyes and a tiny pink nose, place a small pink bow, frame the face with rhinestones and pearls and add pink paw prints on the neighbouring nails.
Which tools does this design need?
The video shows a brush with a clear glossy product, a fine brush with a lilac handle for the face and fine tweezers for the decorations.
How do you draw the kitten’s face?
Build a small rounded head with pointed ears, then add big dark eyes set wide apart, a tiny pink nose and fine details with a fine brush.
How do you make the paw prints?
Make one larger pad and four small toes in a soft pink and place them at slightly different angles on the neighbouring nails.
How do you place the stones?
Use fine tweezers to place stones of different sizes along the curve of the nail, keeping some distance from the kitten.
Does this design work on short nails?
Yes. The video shows long almond nails, but on shorter nails you can use a smaller kitten and fewer stones.
What colours can replace grey?
As suggestions, try black for a dramatic cat or orange and cream for a ginger kitten.
Are nail products and lamps safe to use at home?
Nail products are regulated as cosmetics and should be used as directed. The FDA advises reading labels and following warnings, and notes that some ingredients are harmful if swallowed or can catch fire near heat. Follow the instructions of your products and lamp, keep small decorations away from children and pets, and stop if your skin reacts.
Conclusion: cat nails, a sweet kitten framed with sparkle
Cat nails look charming, but the video shows a clear sequence: a glossy sheer base, a grey-and-white kitten, big dark eyes and a tiny nose, a pink bow, a frame of rhinestones and pearls and paw prints on the neighbouring nails. Keep the face small, the expression simple and the stones light.
If you enjoy seasonal designs, continue with our Halloween toe nails ideas for ghost and pumpkin pedicure designs, learn how to pick the right outline with the nail shape guide, or explore a darker palette in our dark red toe nails ideas. More nail art guides are published regularly on GetDailyTrend.
Sources, all consulted on 7 November 2026: FDA, Nail Care Products · OSHA, Health Hazards in Nail Salons.