As a beauty journalist, experimenting comes with the job. Whether it’s testing out skincare infused with salmon sperm DNA or reviewing a questionable shade of a brand new blusher, when you spend your whole career trying new things in the name of beauty, it starts to feel like second nature.

That said, when it comes to my nails, I haven’t always been just as keen to shake things up, and have often stuck to what felt familiar and safe (i.e. a French or yet another variation of a milky white mani). In fact, there was a time when even the famed “glazed doughnut” nails or “cat-eye” designs felt too ‘extreme’ for my liking, and it wasn’t until a good two years ago that I decided to change things up a notch.

That was when I first dipped my toes into the fabulous world of nail art and discovered a brand new way to approach manicures. I still remember the exact design I went for, “aura nails,” which involved a pop of peach and pinky hues to mimic an aura reading, complete with a few astrology-inspired gems to go with it. At first, I felt a wave of anxiety-inducing thoughts: “How do I pair my outfits with it? What if the gems fall off? Will people take me less seriously?”

But despite the overwhelming feeling of it all, the truth is that, on the whole journey home, I couldn’t keep my eyes off my nails, and my grin was evidence enough. As days went on, I started to observe that my nails were the reason behind at least a few smiles a day—even on days when I didn’t feel like smiling at all. Be it after a long and dragging week at work or when I felt a bit down, a simple glance at my bedazzled nails and the playful combination of colours made it all better (even if it was for a fleeting moment). Though there wasn’t a way for me to prove it, I was convinced that my nails triggered a release of dopamine.