Give yourself a salon-worthy manicure with our step-by-step guide
MAIN PHOTO: GETTY
Cuticle care
One of the best things about getting a salon manicure is when the nail technician shapes your cuticles. This essential step is easier to replicate than you might think. Taking Brushworks Crystal Cuticle Sticks, £2.99, lookfantastic.com, gently push back any overgrown skin around your nail, creating a half-moon shape. This ensures that when you add colour, your nails are a perfect shape and you get a pro finish.
File & shape
Nail prep should be your top priority to give your nails durability. Remove any existing polish and cut nails with scissors. Then use
Bare Feet by Margaret Dabbs Glass Nail File, £9, barefeetandhands. co.uk, to file to your desired shape. ‘Avoid filing back and forth as you might overfile,’ explains nail expert Metta Francis. ‘If you’re shaping nails in a square shape, ensure you soften the edges into a curve – if you leave them straight, they’re likely to catch and tear.’
Caring colour
Pick a formula that mimics a salon finish. We love Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint, £3.99, barrym.com. ‘If applying colour, thin to win is the key,’ says Metta. ‘Two light layers are better than one thick one, which can take ages to dry.’ The initial coat will look wishy-washy, but the second coat will provide the true colour. By the time you’ve painted the last nail, the first one will be dry and ready for the next coat.
Strong start
Using a base coat is another vital step. If you have manicures regularly, your nails may be weak and dehydrated, so try a caring base coat like
Nails Inc Get Hard Hardening Base Coat, £9, Boots. It’ll work to rebuild your nails while you enjoy wearing a pretty colour over the top.
Clean base
If you want your colour to last, don’t forget to remove any oil or residue from the surface of your nails before painting them. Pop some Cutex Moisture-Rich Nail Polish Remover, £2.99, Superdrug, on a cotton pad and sweep over nails. ‘Giving your natural nails a wipe with alcohol or acetone will temporarily dehydrate them and remove any oils,’ advises Metta. ‘This provides a clean, dry surface for polish to adhere to and makes such a difference to the longevity of your manicure.’
Nourish & prolong
Any nail technician will tell you the secret to a long-lasting manicure is to apply cuticle oil daily. Varnish tends to fade and peel when it’s dehydrated, so using an
