Some people are naturally gifted at growing their nails and shaping them into a perfect oval, layering on polish to glossy perfection, and adding stripes and swirls like a modern-day van Gogh. And the rest of us? Well, picture a toddler jamming her fingers into a jar of finger paint, and you get the idea. But now that blissful afternoon at the nail salon are temporarily on hold, we all need to take matters into our own hands, so we asked nail pros for their best tips for an at-home manicure. “This is a great time to practice and take your time doing it,” says Lyn Lam, co-founder of Kapa Nui Nails, a line of non-toxic, water-based polishes (we love their Sweet Wahine creamy violet polish for spring). “Don’t stress, since if you mess up, very few people will see. And if you do a great job and are proud of it, show it off on Instagram!” Ready to get started? Let's do it:

1. Get the right tools.

You probably already have emery boards, but you’ll also want to make sure you have a cuticle stick, base coat, topcoat, and a fresh bottle of polish. A luxe hand cream, a warm towel, and a pretty bowl to soak your hands in will also upgrade the experience.

2. Choose your color.

This is the fun part! You can pick any color that suits your mood and style—from a nude, pink, or lavender to a bold magenta or electric blue. If you’re a newbie to home manicures, however, Linda Sweeney, an instructor/consultant and the former owner of the Academy of Nail Technology, suggests you stick with softer, lighter colors: “Smudges, uneven coats, and puddling in the cuticle area are less obvious with lighter colors,” she says.

3. Prep for sitting still.

“The hardest part of a home manicure is sitting still for 30 to 45 minutes,” says Sweeney. But if you rush through your mani and then jump up to unpack groceries, tap at your computer, or go to bed, you’ll ruin all your hard work. Instead, plan for your mani to dry while you’re watching an episode of Tiger King, Grace & Frankie, or any other show you’re currently bingeing.