So for starters, magnetic polishes are usually some-part base color, and some-part magnetic pigment. When left alone, they're just intermixed without any real stand-out effect.
The way to get interesting effects is to apply a magnet around the finger while the polish is drying. (Usually right after application, and held in place for 60 seconds.) This should be done on the second coat, and also on the top coat.
(I sometimes do it for a short period of time on the first coat. That way if my second coat has incomplete coverage, the first coat peeking through is not glaringly different. It just takes more time to do it this way.)
There are different ways you can apply the magnet. The two common techniques are cat-eye, where you hold a magnet to align all the magnetic pigment into a vertical line, and velvet, where you hover the magnetic in a way to pull the magnetic pigment into a layer on the top, making a frosted-glass looking reflective layer.
I was doing different kinds for this polish, for fun. Thumb, index, and ring finger are all styles of cat-eye. Middle and pinky are styles of velvet.
Most nail polish brands that sell magnetic polish will also sell a magnetic wand. They look like this.
It's most useful for cat-eye. You can get some velvet effect by hovering the wand around your nail.
Some people swear by neodymium magnets for the cat eye. They're pretty cheap.
But for the really glassy velvet look, a horseshoe magnetic gives the strongest appearance.
Here’s what I did for this manicure. Excuse the redness in my hands - almost froze them off earlier and they’re still a little traumatized.
This is the polish I'm using ILNP Deep Space
Also, I'm using the Essie Gel-Setter top coat. It really makes the shine come through. I somehow forgot to do the top coat on my right index finger and it's so obvious it's lacking that extra shine.
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