PERFECT SUMMER NAILS, THE EASY WAY

STRAPPY summer sandals need pictureperfect toes to accompany them — and a slick of bright nail varnish is the perfect complement to a summer tan.

But you needn’t resort to expensive beauty salons, thanks to our easy guide to creating the perfect summer nails at home . . .

FIRST, remove any previously applied nail polish. Before soaking your fingernails in water, cut or file them into your preferred shape. Wet fingernails are more prone to damage, whereas thicker toenails will benefit from a soak before trimming, as it makes them softer and therefore easier to cut.

AFTER clipping your fingernails, soak your hands in warm water for up to three minutes. Then, move on to your toenails. Soak them in warm water for up to ten minutes, then trim with clippers. Cut straight across to avoid ingrown nails.

MOISTURISE your cuticles with a thick moisturiser — any will do, as long as it’s for dry skin.

USE a scrub to remove dead skin from your feet, lower legs, hands and lower arms. Rinse your hands and arms. Then use a foot file or pumice stone to remove hard skin from the soles of your feet, before rinsing off the last of the scrub.

VERY gently push the cuticle back from the nail using a wooden orange stick — available from all good chemists. Never push the cuticles too far or use too much force.

BEFORE applying nail varnish, you should remove any moisturiser from the nail itself. Oils or moisturisers will prevent the polish from sticking to the nail, so give the nail a quick wipe with nail varnish remover.

PAINT your nails with polish in layers, allowing to dry between coats. Use a clear base coat first, then apply two coats of colour, and finish with a clear topcoat. If you have a summer tan, you can get away with a brighter varnish colour — try a coral or bright pink.

ALLOW plenty of time for the polish to dry between coats. Don’t touch anything or walk around while you wait! Have a magazine or newspaper to hand to keep you entertained while you wait for the polish to completely dry, which takes at least 30 minutes.

DON’T waste your hard work. Touch up your polish every other day with a layer of topcoat to make your manicure last longer.