[Your Diy Guide] Master The Mani

You can create salon-worthy nails at home – it just takes a little time and TLC

1 FOLLOW YOUR SHAPE Nail crazes come and go, including the shape – and some are right out there (see chart), but squoval is here to stay. Why? Well, since it reflects the natural curve of the nail bed it’s the most flattering, and is also the easiest to create.

[TLC TIP] Trim your nails when they’re dry. Make a few small clips in an arc shape (rather than straight across), then gently file with an emery board or crystal file.

2 DO THE PREP To maximise the polish area, gently push the cuticles back when the skin is soft, for example, after a shower. Next, buff the nail plate with a buffing block to remove bumps you sometimes don’t even see until you start painting. Finally, rinse your nails to remove any dust or debris.