8 tips for a flawless at-home manicure

2. Pick your color.

It's your time to shine! Choose a color that suits your mood and is a reflection of your personality. Pro tip - if you're still new to the at-home manicure, choose lighter colors that hide uneven coats and smudges.

3. Prep and file your nails.

Remove any old polish, clip your nails, and carefully file them into your desired shape. Make sure you only file in one direction, not back and forth.

4. Buff and soak your nails.

After you've filed them in a good shape, gently buff your nails, and soak them in a bowl of warm, soapy water for two minutes to soften your cuticles.

5. Gently push back your cuticles.

It's best not to cut your cuticles - it can potentially cause an infection. Gently push them back with a cuticle stick.

6. Get ready to sit still 

Patience is key. Plan to sit still for at least 45 minutes after you apply your polish. Go to the bathroom, eat a snack, then settle in with your favorite TV show.  

7. Apply your polish.

First, apply a base coat to protect and prep your nails. After about 5 minutes, carefully apply a thin coat of your chosen color. Use two or three strokes down the nail, and end with a swipe at the tip to seal the color. Wait about two minutes and follow with a second thin coat. Seal the deal with a fast-drying top coat. To achieve a flawless finish - dip a q-tip in nail polish remover, and clean messy edges.

8. Let those nails dry and moisturize. 

As we talked about above, give your nails ample time to dry. Applying thin coats helps this process tremendously! After your nails are dry to the gentle touch, add a good layer of lotion to your hands.