If you like your nails to look fresh and fancy, you probably love getting a manicure. But if you don't have the time or money to get a professional manicure, you can get similar results at home, all by yourself.
Here are the six steps to a flawless mani.
1. Nail prep
Start with a clean slate: first “use nail polish remover to remove any polish,” advises manicurist Hannah Lee. Follow up with one more swipe of remover.
“Any oil, moisturiser or cuticle-removing products left on nails can cause bubbles in your nail polish and quick chipping,” says Mabelyn Alva, creative director at Paintbox Nails.
2. File + buff
“Filing ensures uniform nail length and shape and can prevent uneven edges,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, cofounder of OPI. While emery boards work, pros prefer gentler glass nail files.
Pick a nail shape and file in one direction, as moving back and forth can tear nails, especially if using an emery board, says manicurist Syreeta Aaron. Buff nails lightly with a buffing block to help polish glide on evenly.
3. Cuticle care
Apply a cuticle softener around cuticles, then wait one to two minutes. Gently push back cuticles by using a cuticle stick or pusher and wipe the excess away. Finish by massaging a few drops of cuticle oil into the skin around nails to soften it and extend the life of your manicure, Alva suggests.
4. Base layer
Before applying your first coat of polish, wash your hands, as any oil left on nails can prevent polish from adhering to them. Begin with a layer of a base coat, which “acts like glue for your nail lacquer to adhere to and protects your nails against staining,” Weiss-Fischmann explains.
5. Colour coat
Applying two coats of nail polish is the general rule, Alva says (add a third coat if needed for thin or streaky lacquer). “Avoid painting your first coat too close to the perimeter of the nail; on the second coat, get closer to the edge and the cuticle to prevent polish from flooding,” she recommends.
To make your manicure last, “paint the outer tips of your nails horizontally so they are thoroughly covered,” Weiss-Fischmann says.
6. Top coat
Last, glide on a layer of a clear top coat to seal in the colour and keep your mani intact by protecting it from wear and tear and environmental elements that can cause chipping.
“Reapply it every few days to extend the longevity of your manicure,” Weiss-Fischmann advises.
Add Fun Flair!
Experiment with one of these easy nail-art designs for a twist on your go-to solid hue.
Subtle dots
Accent neutral polish by using a nail-art pen to place small, coloured dots in clusters, overlapping them if desired.
Metallic tips
Paint a gold, rose gold, bronze or silver polish along tips on top of a light-coloured lacquer. (For more impact, dip a toothpick in the metallic shade and glide it along the perimeters of nails.)
Bright side accents
To test out a vibrant hue, start with a beige base colour, then use a nail-art pen to draw a thick line on one side of each nail from the base up to the middle of the tip.
Angled stripes
Jazz up clear polish (or bare nails) in seconds by drawing two to four thin, angled lines of colour close to each other on the top or bottom corners or centres of nails using a nail-art pen.
A primer on the most popular options and the nails on which they’re most flattering.
Fake it
Want fun flair without the hassle? Try Ciate London Nail Wraps, a winner in the 2023 Prevention Australia Beauty Awards.
“These are a super-cool DIY alternative to a long-lasting polish,” says make-up expert Amanda Ramsay. Once you’re ready to switch it up again, there’s no need to worry about nail polish remover; they simply peel off with ease.
Top-Tested Lacquers
These star polishes are proven to outshine the rest.
Best long-lasting
OPI Nail Lacquer Infinite Shine: Living up to its reputation, it’s a full-coverage, never-streaky nail lacquer that lasts up to 11 days. “This is a great-value, reliable polish with a good shine finish,” says dermatologist Dr Yiasemides. “It’s so good at not only making your nails look incredibly glossy and professional, but also fab at preserving nail colour,” adds Ramsay.
Best overall
Essie Nail Polish: This iconic enamel is easy to apply and take off, has a shiny finish and doesn’t stain nails. It also provides full colour that dries quickly and lasted nearly a week when tested.
Best at-home gel
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel: Get results that rival a salon’s with this polish that doesn’t require light to cure and is easy to remove. In testing, it dried fast, plus, it chipped less and lasted longer than regular polish.
Newsletter
