Do you enjoy doing your nails at home but avoid colored polish because it’s hard to apply neatly without going over the edges? We understand — it really takes patience and skill. 

Removing excess nail polish with a cotton pad or an orange stick dipped in acetone often turns into a long and frustrating process. Sometimes, it’s easier to leave your nails bare.

But there’s one little trick that can completely change your at-home manicure experience. Remember this simple method: it allows you to apply polish perfectly, right up to the cuticle, without a single smudge on the skin around the nail.

1. Take a small hair clip (“crab” clip) from your makeup bag.
2. Before applying nail polish, attach the clip to your finger so that it gently pushes back the cuticle, freeing up more space on the nail plate.
3. Carefully apply a base coat, then your favorite nail color, and finish with a top coat, keeping the clip in place for optimal results.
4. Once the polish is completely dry, gently remove the clip from your finger and repeat the process on the other nails.

Read also: Why do bubbles appear in nail polish, and how can they be prevented?