MODING Little Jewel Horse Cat Eye Gel Review: 12 HEMA-Free Shades That Are Taking Over Chinese Nail Tech Circles
If you’ve been deep in the cat eye gel rabbit hole on TikTok or RedNote (Xiaohongshu), you’ve probably noticed a brand that keeps showing up in nail tech circles: MODING (末町). They’re a high-end Chinese nail brand that also runs their own nail training academy — geared towards nail techs who want to level up and start doing the kind of intricate designs that command premium prices.
Their newest release is the Little Jewel Horse (小宝马) cat eye gel collection — 12 shades of magnetic gel polish that launched as a Year of the Horse limited edition in January 2026. I have the collection myself, and the colors are stunning. What really sets it apart is the fact that HEMA and TPO-free cat eye gels are incredibly hard to find — and this collection delivers on both the formula and the finish.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Makes the Little Jewel Horse Collection Stand Out
MODING positions itself as a professional-grade brand, and it shows. Here’s what sets the Little Jewel Horse apart from the flood of cat eye gels on the market right now.
HEMA & TPO-Free Formula
This is the big one — especially if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to gel polish. MODING’s newer lines, including the Little Jewel Horse, use what they call a “三不含” (three-free) formula: no HEMA, no TPO, no formaldehyde. They’re MSDS certified and claim EU compliance.
If you’ve experienced itching, redness, or nail lifting from cheap gel polish, there’s a good chance HEMA was the culprit. Finding cat eye gels specifically that are HEMA-free is surprisingly difficult — most brands either don’t disclose their ingredients or only offer HEMA-free options in their solid color lines. MODING offering it across their cat eye range is a genuine differentiator.
2.5x High-Density Magnetic Particles
Most cat eye gels use a standard magnetic particle density. MODING claims their Little Jewel Horse formula packs 2.5 times the normal amount, which translates to a brighter, more defined cat eye effect that holds its shape better when you cure it. If you’ve been frustrated by cat eye gels where the magnetic pattern fades or scatters under the lamp, this is designed to solve that.
The Brush Makes a Difference
The bottles come with what MODING calls their proprietary grey-bristle brush (首创灰毛头刷). If you’ve ever fought with a bad gel polish brush — too stiff, too floppy, streaky application — you know how much the brush matters. A good brush means even application before you even touch the magnet, which is half the battle with cat eye gel.
Bottle Format, Not Jars
The entire collection comes in MODING’s signature slim bottle format with color-coded caps. If you’re doing your own nails at home, bottles are generally easier to work with than jar-format gels — less mess, better brush control, and they look great lined up on your shelf.
All 12 Shades: Xb01 Through Xb12
The collection covers a surprisingly wide range for a cat eye line. Here’s the breakdown by color family so you can figure out which ones to start with.
Cool Tones — Greens & Blues
Xb01 is a yellow-green with golden shimmer — think early spring, new leaves catching sunlight. Xb02 is a deep teal-aqua that leans oceanic. Xb09 is a rich, moody indigo. Xb11 is a deep metallic blue with purple undertones — one of the most dramatic shades in the set. Xb12 is a vivid ocean blue that absolutely pops in photos.
Warm Tones — Pinks, Golds & Coppers
Xb04 is a soft, warm pink with delicate sparkle — this is the shade that gets the most love on Xiaohongshu, and for good reason. It gives that coveted “glass ball” effect without being too loud for everyday wear. Xb05 is similar but sheerer, with an ethereal “wet look” shimmer that MODING describes as having 氛围感 (atmosphere/mood). Xb06 is a warm champagne nude. Xb08 is a rose gold that catches light beautifully. Xb10 is a warm copper-gold — bold but wearable.
Neutrals & Purples
Xb03 is a soft purple that reads almost lavender in certain lights. Xb07 is a silver-green neutral — the most versatile shade in the collection and a safe bet if you want something that goes with everything.
Which Shades to Buy First
If you’re not going for the full set: Xb04 and Xb05 are the crowd favorites for a reason — they’re universally flattering and give the trendiest “glass ball” cat eye look. Xb08 (champagne gold) is gorgeous for special occasions. And Xb11 or Xb12 if you want that dramatic deep-blue cat eye that photographs like a dream.
9 Cat Eye Magnet Techniques to Try
One thing MODING does exceptionally well on their Xiaohongshu account is nail education. Their most-liked Little Jewel Horse post is a tutorial showing 9 different magnet techniques you can achieve with the same gel:
- Side Light (侧光) — The classic single stripe on one side of the nail
- Wide Light (宽光) — A broad, diffused glow across the entire nail surface
- Glass Ball (玻璃珠) — The viral rounded orb effect that’s everywhere right now
- Light Chasing (追光) — A diagonal stripe that shifts as you move your hand
- Gradient (渐变) — A fade from intense to subtle across the nail
- C-Arc (C弧) — A curved cat eye line that follows the cuticle shape
- Four-Point Star (四芒星) — A star-shaped pattern using two magnets
- Water Ripple (水波纹) — A wavy, fluid pattern
- Shrimp Line (虾线) — A thin, precise line effect
Which Techniques Are Trending?
The glass ball and ribbon (飘带) effects are the most popular looks right now in Chinese nail circles. MODING posted a dedicated ribbon cat eye tutorial showing single magnet, double magnet, and hand-drawn variations.
Tips for Beginners
You really only need one basic bar magnet to start. The side light and wide light effects are the most forgiving — hold the magnet about 2-3mm above the nail surface for 5-10 seconds. Glass ball requires holding the magnet closer and more centered. Don’t stress about perfection on your first try — cat eye gel is very forgiving because you can re-magnetize before curing if you don’t like the result.
What RedNote (Xiaohongshu) Users Are Saying
The Little Jewel Horse collection launched in mid-January 2026. Here’s what real users on Xiaohongshu are posting about it.
What people love: Users consistently praise the magnetic intensity — the cat eye effect is bright and holds its shape well during curing. The warm pastel shades (Xb04 and Xb05 especially) are described as having a “水光感” (watery, dewy glow) that looks expensive on the nail. Multiple unboxing videos show people genuinely impressed by the packaging and the included swatch card.
Things to know: The full 12-shade set isn’t cheap, but MODING runs regular promotions on their Xiaohongshu account. Individual bottles are more accessible if you want to try before committing. Also, because the magnetic particles are high-density, you may need to gently stir or roll the bottle before use if it’s been sitting for a while — this is completely normal for chunky cat eye formulas and not a quality issue.
Where to Buy MODING in the US
MODING sells through their official flagship store on Tmall (末町化妆品官方旗舰店) and on Pinduoduo. For US buyers, your best bet is checking out Chinese nail supply shops that carry the brand — many Chinese nail salons also sell products to walk-in customers.
Expect to pay around $12–14 per bottle.
Is the MODING Little Jewel Horse Worth It?
MODING’s Little Jewel Horse is one of the strongest cat eye gel collections I’ve come across. The HEMA-free formula alone makes it worth considering if you have sensitive nails, and the magnetic particle density genuinely delivers a more vivid cat eye effect than most competitors.
If you’re already doing gel nails at home and you’ve been curious about cat eye polish, this is a great entry point. And if you’re a nail tech looking for a professional-grade cat eye line to offer clients, MODING’s academy background means these products are designed with real salon workflow in mind.