How to Give Yourself a Quick and Easy Manicure at Home, From Jennifer Lopez’s Manicurist

It’s close to the end of week two of self-isolation, which means you might be due for a hair color and/or nail refresh. With salons closed for the unforeseeable future, now’s a great time to get creative and test some at-home beauty tricks. If your gray roots are starting to peek through, make like Kelly Ripa and opt for this $10 drugstore spray as a quick fix. And if your nails are starting to look, well, dull and chipped, allow Jennifer Lopez’s manicurist to give you the 411 on a quick, easy at-home manicure.

Tom Bachik, manicurist to the stars — other than J. Lo, he’s groomed the nails of A-listers like Selena Gomez, Lana Condor, and Kim Kardashian West — took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share some of his expert tips for how to achieve a quick, easy mani at home. Once you see his 11-step routine, you’ll wonder why you didn’t attempt it sooner — it’s that foolproof.

So, here’s the breakdown from a pro who does some of the world’s most famous nails: If you currently have polish on, Bachik recommends removing it with a lint-free cloth and your favorite remover. Once you’ve eliminated all color, it’s time to shape (here’s a handy breakdown of all the popular nail shapes you could try) with a file.

After forming the nail, it’s time to push back the cuticles (Bachik uses this Tweezerman Pushy) and remove any excess cuticle or dead skin with a clipper like this. Once you’ve cleaned up the cuticle, it’s time to buff away old cells from the nail’s surface with a file and cleanse the nail using some rubbing alcohol.

Then comes time to paint, but not before you apply a base coat, which Bachik uses to increase the wear and prevent staining from highly pigmented colors. Apply your preferred polish in thin, even coats. Bachik notes the fewer strokes, the smoother the application.

Once you’re done applying the color, clean up the cuticles with an old lip brush and a bit of nail polish remover. Finish off with a top coat for extra shine and protection, and a drop of cuticle oil to rehydrate and moisturize the nail.

In just 11 easy steps, you’ll have salon-worthy nails from the comfort of your own home. Shop all the essentials Bachik uses for an easy at-home mani.