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Soak hands in warm water. Then, use a nailbrush to get the dirt out from under your nails and a nail pusher to rid nail beds of excess tissue. Using sharp objects will damage the skin area where your nail meets.

Do not cut cuticles. Instead, the nail pros at Creative Nail Design suggest pushing back cuticles with a metal or wooden nail pusher, otherwise the cuticle would become thick. Only cut hangnails.

Apply polish remover before doing your nails even when not removing old polish. It removes any grease allowing your polish to last longer. Choosing a remover that is non-acetone or has built in moisturizers, like SpaRitual’s Conditioning Lacquer Remover, to help limit damaging nails.

Always use a base coat and a top coat to ensure your that polish lasts. Applying a top coat every couple of days will ensure polish stays on even longer.

It's inevitable that you'll wind up with some polish on the skin around your nails. Use a wooden nail stick or Q-tip to swipe away the excess.

Creative Nail Design Nail Enamel in Bed of Roses ($6; creativenaildesign.com

Dashing Diva Nail Colour in Anna Banana ($8; dashingdiva.com)

Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Fuchsia ($18; esteelauder.com)

Orly Nail Lacquer in Plum Noir ($7; orlybeauty.com)

OPI Nail Lacquer in Red Hot Ayers Rock ($8; opi.com)