When it comes to DIY, our own nails might as well be the Mona Lisa.

It takes a steady hand, serious concentration and patience… patience, patience, and more patience. And then just when you think you’ve absolutely nailed it, it smudges… before you could even post your fresh new #nails on Instagram.

We feel your frustration because we’ve been there… one too many times. Actually, we’d completely given up on going there at all. It was in the “too hard” basket, right next to McQueen’s Armadillo heels circa 2010.

So we wanted to know the secret. Why does it always look so much better after a trip to the salon? Even when you take your own polish (to match your new blue Chanel Velvet Classic Flap, of course)?

We found the crucial tip we were once missing, and let us tell you… it’s life changing.

Here’s how you nail it in 10 minutes or less.

By Carmen Hamilton.

File nails so the ends are smooth and even.

Apply a base coat.

step 2

Allow a drop to fall from the brush on to your nail, just down from the tip.

This is key!

It makes it easy to distribute the polish evenly over the nail and causes less overspill outside the nail bed.

step 3

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Now take the brush to the cuticle and begin to spread the dot over the entire nail.

Repeat on all fingers.

step 4

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Wait a few minutes, and then follow with a second coat.

Repeat the dropping technique from the previous step.

step 5

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To fix-up the edges, wrap the end of a toothpick in cotton wool and dip in nail polish remover.

Rub around the nail to remove any polish on the finger.

Finish with a top coat.

Pretty damn perfect (if we may say so ourselves).

you're done!

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you're done!

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