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AS much as we love a gel manicure, there's no denying that they can be an absolute PAIN to remove.

And considering how the coronavirus lockdown is preventing us from visiting our local salon anytime soon, one savvy beauty fan has revealed how we can get our battered gel nails looking as good as new.

Olivia Smalley posted a video showing how she fixes her battered gel manicure
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Olivia Smalley posted a video showing how she fixes her battered gel manicureCredit: Instagram/omgartistry

Earlier this year,  showed her 175,000 followers how to cover up any nail regrowth using a glittery polish.

After filing her nails down a little at the top, Olivia then painted a layer glittery gold Essie polish over the bottom of her nail and onto her cuticles.

Carefully layering the chunky glitter pieces over the regrowth gap, she added: "You could stop here - but I'm going to go even more."

As well as adding a second layer of glitter over the gap, Olivia also went onto the nail to create an ombre effect.

The star covered the regrowth in chunks of glitter
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The star covered the regrowth in chunks of glitterCredit: Instagram/omgartistry
Oliva created an ombre effect with the glitter
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Oliva created an ombre effect with the glitterCredit: Instagram/omgartistry

What's more, the glitter pieces also create a seal around the bottom of the nail which stops it from chipping.

Showing off the finished look (which took hardly any time at all), Olivia said: "So there you have it.

"Now I'm okay with my growth - and it actually looks very beautiful. Very shiny."

Since posting the video on her Instagram page, Olivia's hack as racked up over 11,000 "likes" and hundreds of comments from fans who have pledged to try it themselves.

Although the exact Essie shade Olivia used isn't available in the UK, they have plenty of other glitter alternatives
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Although the exact Essie shade Olivia used isn't available in the UK, they have plenty of other glitter alternativesCredit: lookfantastic
  • Essie Glitter Nail Polish in 'Congrats', £7.99 from Look Fantastic -

One wrote: "Genius. Why hasn't this been a thing forever?"

Another gushed: "Thanks! Super helpful this week."

A third added: "Amazing!! My nails are so grown out right now, I need to try this!!"

Although the exact Essie shade Olivia used isn't available in the UK, the US brand has a range of other options - including this multicoloured glitter version called Congrats. *Adds to basket*

In more beauty news, Kate Middleton’s favourite salon revealed how you can get her signature bouncy blow dry at home.

And Lush has created a SINGING soap record which plays Happy Birthday twice to remind people to wash hands amid COVID-19 crisis.

Plus this shopper bagged almost £50 worth of makeup for just £1 in Boots – with items costing just 20p.

How you can get Kate Middleton's signature bouncy blow dry at home