Not now! What about my nails?

When my best friend still lived nearby, I never had to think twice about my nails. She ran her own beauty therapy business, and I was one of her most loyal – and spoiled – customers. I had the luxury of fresh, glossy nails whenever I wanted. It was the dream setup: she got a loyal client (me), and I got flawless nails without lifting a finger. Then she moved to Massachusetts. And suddenly I was left staring at my bare, unpolished nails thinking: "Not now! What about my nails?"

After a brief mourning period, I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands –literally.

I’ve always loved painting. I left school with an A* in Art and Design at A-Level. So, picking up a tiny brush and working with colours is basically second nature to me. Swapping canvases for cuticles – challenge accepted.

I ordered some gel nail varnish and a UV lamp, set up a little mini salon at home and started painting my own nails like they were mini works of art. Honestly, it turns out painting nails isn’t that different from painting a canvas, it just comes with more glitter and fewer messy paint palettes.

Of course, I still treat myself every now and then to a professional paint job. Nothing beats the luxury of a professional manicure and pedicure. It's my little vacation ritual at The Nail Bar in Newbury. I get fresh glossy nails and toes and an hour or two of feeling utterly pampered.

So, while I may have been pushed into DIY nails out of necessity, I’m loving it. I get to flex my inner artist at home, and still enjoy the salon indulgence when it feels right. Best of both worlds – because let’s face it, life’s too short for boring nails.