1. Choose a comfortable nail length Choose a length for your nails that allows you to comfortably do any activity while avoiding breakage. A chipped nail can sometimes be a painful experience. If you play an instrument or your job involves a lot of typing on the keyboard, a shorter nail length is the way to go. Avoid going too long.

2. Prep your nails This nails involves doing most of the things they do at nail salons. Firstly, remove any nail polish remnants using a quality nail polish remover. Next, buff your nails to smoothen the surface. Cut your cuticles, if required, to make nails look cleaner. Lastly, file your nails to the shape and size of your preference.

3. Scrub and moisturise After you are finished with all the buffing and filing, wash your hands with an exfoliating scrub to get rid of all the dust and dead skin. Apply a moisturising lotion to replenish your hands and cuticles. The lotion around your nails will help avoid any extra nail paint form sticking to your skin.

4. Never forget the base coat and the top coat A good base coat and top coat are secrets to a well-kept manicure. They not only help your nail paint last longer but also create a barrier between your nail and the nail polish, helping to avoid any staining from occurring.

5. Choose a quality polish You cannot possibly expect your nail polish to be long lasting if you opt for cheap nail paints. Do not randomly purchase a nail paint from your nearest drug or general store. Go to a proper cosmetic store, know which one works best and last longer and then pick your colour.

6. Dry in between coats Yes, it can take some time but drying of each layer of nail polish is vital. Also, make sure to let the nails dry after the top coat. This will give you a clean and and smudge-free manicure.

7. Give your nails an icy dip Dipping your nails in a cold bowl of water will help the nail polish harden and prevent any kind of smudging and damage from happening. This won’t benefit completely wet nails, so wait for your nails to semi-dry and then go for the dip.