HOW TO DIY A YOUR-NAILSBUT-BETTER MANICURE

With an Instagram following of more than 100,000, Georgia Rae’s signature look is minimal but never dull. Here’s how to get it.

‘I love the clean, polished look. It’s elegant, goes with everything and is often longer-wearing. This manicure has three key elements: a clean cuticle, nourished skin and a thin coat of a sheer nude polish. At one time, “nude” was a one-shade-suits-all, but there are so many now, some with slightly more pink, peach or brown undertones that suit everybody. My favourite shape, and the one that suits most hands, is a soft square. Use a thin emery board to file, first to the length you’re happy with, making sure they’re even, and then go down the sides of each nail, ever so slightly shaping them inwards to give the illusion of a longer nail bed. Finally, take the file along the free edge and corners, stopping to assess from different angles until you have your desired shape. Cuticle care is important. My best advice is to adopt a regular hand care routine to stop dead skin building up: exfoliate weekly, then use a towel to gently push back cuticles and a nipper to get rid of any dead skin, finishing with cuticle oil and moisturiser – you can apply a cuticle oil daily before bed, too. When it comes to painting, ensure the whole nail is covered by starting in the middle and applying as close to the cuticle as you can. Next, take the brush down the sides. Use a fine nail art brush to fill in any hard-to-reach places, then continue with the second coat. If you’re having problems with streaking, use a lighter pressure with your brush to glide it over your nail, and wait 10-15 minutes between coats. Finally, use a gel-effect top coat for that plump, high-shine finish.’