As the new academic year begins, it’s the perfect time to refresh nails. Whether you're buried in books, typing away on your laptop, or simply enjoying some downtime between classes, having a stylish and long-lasting manicure can add a bit of joy to your routine, and protect your nails from damage. Here are some nail care tips and colour inspiration to help you start the semester on the right foot—well, hand. Nail Care Basics: Setting the Foundation Proper nail care ensures that your manicure lasts and keeps your nails healthy. Hydrate Regularly: Applying cuticle oil daily helps keep your cuticles soft, prevents hangnails, and makes your nails stronger, making your nails look healthier overall. Never Skip the Base Coat: A base coat protects your natural nails from staining and creates a smooth surface for your gel polish, which helps your manicure last longer. Seal with a Top Coat: A good top coat is key to making your gel manicure shine and last. It seals your polish, preventing chips and adding a glossy finish. Give Your Nails a Break: Between manicures, give your nails a few days or weeks to rest. This helps avoid overexposure to nail products, which can sometimes weaken the nails. Look 1: Aura Nails – Subtle and Stylish Aura nails are a great choice if you’re looking for something that’s both unique and versatile. Start with a light purple base, in shade 'Karma'. This soft, calming colour provides the perfect backdrop for a hot pink ombré aura in shade 'Pretty in Pink', which can be gently blended from the centre of the nail outward using our 'Ombre Nail Art Brush #12'. The result is a look that’s understated yet eye-catching, ideal for everyday wear with just a touch of individuality. If you fancy being arty and going a step further, why not add some stars with shade 'Oat Milk' and our 'Nail Art Liner Brush'? Look 2: Simple White Chrome – Clean and Polished For those who prefer a minimalist approach, a white chrome nail is both simple and sophisticated. Begin with 'Oat Milk', a milky white gel polish that serves as a perfect base colour. Once cured for 60 seconds, apply a chrome powder over the top to achieve a smooth, mirror-like finish. This look is versatile enough to complement any outfit and works well in both casual and more formal settings. Pro Tip: To achieve the best chrome effect, apply the chrome powder directly on top of a cured top coat layer rapidly whilst the nails are still warm from being under the UV lamp. Don't forget to then add a final top coat and cure again for 60 seconds. Look 3: 3D Nails – Texture with a Twist For something more adventurous, 3D nails offer a creative outlet. Start with the shade 'Ghosted', a soft and ethereal base colour, then add a splash of 'Swiftie', a pinker hue, to create contrast. To create the 3D effect, you'll need some 'Polygel' (Recommended for professional use only) and a 'Nail Art Brush' to assist in application. After curing for 60 seconds between each layer of gel, finally apply chrome powder on top for a metallic sheen that enhances the 3D elements. This look is perfect for anyone who wants to make a bold statement and isn’t afraid to experiment with textures. Pro Tip: When working with polygel to create 3D shapes, use a slip solution to keep the gel smooth and easy to shape. Once cured, finish with chrome powder for an extra dimension.