The most frustrating thing about painting your nails – apart from not being able to touch anything for half an hour – is when they chip the very next day. Making your home manicure last is all about keeping your hands healthy as well as perfect painting. Here’s our guide to keeping your talons looking sleek for weeks.

You will need:

Cuticle pusher – we like Eylure’s Elegant Touch Expert Cuticle Pusher

Base coat - we like Ciate’s Underwear base coat

Top coat – we like Sally Hansen’s Salon Manicure Top Coat

A corrector pen – we like Nails Inc’s Corrector Pen

Nail file/buffer – we like Champneys 6 way nail file and buffer

Before you start:

Put on some hand cream – relaxing your hands and cuticles means you'll be painting them when they're at their best, but make sure it has all absorbed before starting your manicure.

Take off your old nail polish, cut, file and buff your nails – your nails need to be a smooth surface ready to receive polish without creating lumps and bumps.

What to do:

1. Appy a base coat. Cover your nails all over even if you don’t like to paint up to the edges as it won’t show up, and it will make it easier to paint over.

2. Paint your first layer on. The easiest way to make sure it’s even is to paint three stripes, one down the middle and two either side

3. Dry your nails. Waiting between coats will stop them binding together and forming a gloopy mess. Essie Weingarten, of Essie nail polish, recommends waiting two minutes between layers.

4. Apply more layers, and finally a top coat. A clear, strong top coat will help protect your nails against chipping

5. Wait for your nails to dry. Dipping your nails in cold water can help the polish seal and dry a little faster. If possible, wait for up to half an hour before using your hands for anything that might damage the polish.

How to give yourself a long-lasting manicure