Prior to this very long and unexpected time at home I rarely painted my nails on my own. I actually recently pared down my personal collection of nail polish that I started back in middle school to just include a few neutral colours for emergency situations. It's not that I don't like having my nails done, it's just I had relied on weekly or bi-weekly salon manicures to keep my nails covered in a fresh coat of nail polish.

Even at the salon, with a whole wall of nail polish shades to choose from, I always stuck with two colours: a light, nude pink in the spring and summer and deep red in the fall and winter. It didn't really experiment with my nails or try out new trends like super buzzy neon manicure [1]; I liked to keep it simple.

But then COVID-19 happened and my nail routine completely shifted. Not only was I breaking out my at-home nail kit [2] on a weekly basis (if not more), I also found myself gravitating toward the brighter nail polish colours. You see, there is psychological proof that certain colours can boost your mood [3], promote relaxation, and help you feel more uplifted and happy. That's exactly what my weekly DIY [4] manicure became: a mood-boosting self-care activity.

Keep scrolling to see two months worth of bright and sunny at-home manicures.

Week 1: Pastel Pink Nail Polish

Nails.Inc Everyday Self Care Plant Based Vegan Nail Polish

Nails.Inc Everyday Self Care Plant Based Vegan Nail Polish [5] ($10)

Week 2: Dusty Blue Nail Polish

Trust Fund Beauty Let's Do Lunch

Trust Fund Beauty Let's Do Lunch [6] ($15)

Week 4: Bright Pink Nail Polish

Trust Fund Beauty Do You Know Who My Father Is

Do You Know Who My Father Is [7] ($15)

Week 5: Pearlescent Purple Nail Polish

Essie UV Got Me Faded

Essie UV Got Me Faded [8] ($9)

Week 6: Bold Purple Nail Polish

Olive &June Bold & Unshaken

Bold & Unshaken [9] ($8)

Week 8: Skittle Nail Polish

Olive & June Bright & Focussed

Olive & June Bright & Focussed [10] ($8)

Olive & June Wild & Free

Olive & June Wild & Free [11] ($)8

Olive & June Grateful & Kind

Olive & June Grateful & Kind [12] ($8)

Olive & June JM

Olive & June JM [13] ($8)