Nail it!

Remove old polish from your nails: In order to produce a neat and even manicure, you must first remove any old polish from your nails. Acetone nail polish removers dry out your nail, and cuticle. If possible, use a non-acetone nail polish remover over an acetone nail polish remover.

Trim, file and smooth your nails:  After removing your old nail polish, devote some time to clipping, shaping and buffing your nails. Locate nail clippers, emery board and a gentle buffer.

Soak your hands in warm water: Once your nails are clipped, shaped, and buffed, take a moment to relax and pamper yourself. Retrieve a basin and fill it with warm water and a squirt of your gentle facial cleanser. Use a gentle body scrub to exfoliate your hands before soaking them. Submerge your hands in the warm, soapy water to remove the body scrub. Soak your hands for three minutes. Remove your hands from the basin and dry them on a clean towel.

Push back your cuticles: Do not do this if it starts really hurting as this could cause them to bleed. It might hurt just a little whilst you do it if you haven't done it for a while. Cuticles are a part of your skin. They protect your nail matrix, the portion of the nail that grows, from infection. Cutting your cuticles leaves your nail matrix open to infections. It can also cause deformities in the nail, such as ridges and discoloration. Instead of cutting your cuticles, push them back to give your nail an oval appearance. It also makes it easier to create a neat polish line.

Moisturise your cuticles and skin: After exfoliating your hands, it is important to rehydrate and moisturise your soft skin. Select a thick and luxurious hand cream or lotion. Massage this cream or lotion into your hands or apply some almond oil (usually comes in a pen or a nail varnish type pot) or some clearly labeled cuticle oil and apply to your cuticles. This hydrates them and the remaining white half-dead skin will properly get dealt with.

Compiled by D Shreya Veronica