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Luckily,giving yourself an at-home manicureis an affordable alternative when you just can’t swing it.

Here’s what you better know to avoid smudging your carefully-painted nails.

A woman painting her nails at home

Shockingly, it involves applying fewer coats of polish than you may think.

That is why too many coats can fail or at the very least, smudge more readily."

Most importantly, practice patience.

Woman applying a top coat of nail polish

As is true for any jot down of paint, thinner layers will harden faster.

Wipe off excess polish before going in with the applicator brush.

If you’re particularly averse to waiting, invest in a fast-drying polish.

Woman blows on her wet nails

To decrease the risk of smudging, tackle one hand at a time.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that certain shades of polish dry faster than others.

Whichever way you choose to proceed, remember that patience is key.

The best way to ensure a smudge-free finish is time.