- Shape
File your nails into a square shape with rounded corners. The length should be the same as the tip of your fingers.
- Trim
Work a rich cream into cuticles, wait a minute, then push them back with a cuticle stick or wet face cloth. Smooth away any hangnails with a buffer and trim any big ones with nail scissors. Swipe nails with polish remover.
- Apply a base coat
‘I can’t stress this step enough,’ says celebrity manicurist Elle. ‘It’s the anchor that holds the colour in place and keeps it from staining your nails.’
- Top with colour
Do two thick layers of polish, no more. ‘With each coat, wipe the brush against the neck of the bottle as you pull it out to remove most of the polish,’ says mani expert Ji Baek. ‘Sweep it on, then skim the brush along the edge of your nail to create a protective seal.’
- Finish it off
Apply a top coat, again sealing the edge of each nail.
