Whether you’re trying to save some money or simply too busy for the salon, we here at House of Coco love an at-home mani/pedi. We check in with Carla Opoku, founder of vegan nail brand, Cienna Rose to hear her 8 easy steps to ensure salon-quality without all those nasty toxins.

Step 1: Remove any current nail polish – nails need to be completely clean. Use an acetone free nail polish or top tip, you can also use witch hazel! Wash hands to get rid of any excess product – I like to soak hands in warm water first to help soften the cuticles.

Step 2: Clip, file and buff nails. Only file in one direction – sawing them aggressively back and forth leaves nails with a frayed edge rather than a nice clean, tidy finish. More rounded nails are the go to shape this season which is great news as it’s a shape that works well for most hands.

Step 3: It’s vital to start with a good base so that your nails are hydrated to prevent breakage and cracking. Massage a cuticle exfoliator like the Cienna Rose Brighten Up Gentle Cuticle Scrub (£10) onto your cuticles to gently push it away from your nail bed and take off the dead skin cells safely. Your cuticles protect your nails from bacteria and keep them soft so avoid cutting them. We use Glycerin, Caffeine, AHA’s and Vitamins in our gentle but effective formula.

Step 4: Wash and moisturise hands. Take the opportunity to give yourself a mini hand massage – just because you’re not at a spa doesn’t mean you can’t relax. Smear on your favourite hand cream and to finish, give each nail a swipe of nail polish remover.

Step 5: Next up, if you are pampering nails before bedtime, I’d suggest using the Cienna Rose Overnight Success Revival Mask (£10). I like to use it twice a week – it blends Pro Vitamin B5 and Star Seaweed that helps revitalise, nourish and repair dry and brittle nails while you sleep.

Step 6: ALWAYS use a base coat. Not only will a base coat protect and strengthen your nails, it will also encourage health nail growth and help your manicure last longer. Use the Cienna Rose Inner Strength Hardener Treatment (£10.50)and wait two minutes before applying any colour. Our independent study revealed that 100% of people who used the product found that their nails were harder and stronger after just two weeks of use.

Step 7: Now the fun part! The colour! To achieve the perfect coverage, apply three strokes of colour to each nail – one down the centre and one either side. Any more will lead to an uneven application that will be prone to chipping. Do a second coat after two minutes if required. We have over 30 shades from classic nudes and reds to vibrant corals, hot pinks, metallics and pretty pastels.

Step 8: Don’t skip the topcoat. This is a necessary part of your mani as it seals your colour, prevents pesky chips and gives your colour a beautiful super glossy finish. I recommend the Cienna Rose Plump It Up High Shine Gel Effect Top Coat (£10.50). It’s enriched with Pro Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Lemongrass Oil to give the glossiest finish. Reapply every 2-3 days to keep your mani looking fresh and shiny.

For more info about the products and brand behind this great advice, check out: ciennarose.com.

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