Once you've filed your nails, you'll notice lots of nail dust on your hands. Fill your sink with warm sudsy water and soak your nails for a few minutes. This not only removes the nail dust, but also softens up your cuticles for your next step. (Be sure to soak AFTER you've filed, not before, as soaking weakens the nail).
Taking care of cuticles
After soaking and thoroughly drying your hands and nails, massage Vitamin E oil into your cuticles. (You may also use olive oil). It only takes a little per nail. Massage until oil is soaked in. Now take your orangewood stick and gently (let me emphasize "gently") push back your cuticles. Cuticles help prevent bacteria from entering your body so keeping your cuticles healthy is a must. It helps to keep your hands moisturized in between manicures. Be sure to wash oil completely off your nails before applying polish. Oil will keep the polish from adhering to your nails.
In the Buff!
You're almost ready for polish, but if you want that "professional" look, buffing your nails is paramount. Take your white block buffer and buff each nail back and forth to smooth any ridges. This will give your nail a smoother look and make the polish adhere to the surface or your nails better.
A Splash of Color!
Now comes the most exciting part of all...COLOR! However, before you paint on that perfect shade of polish, prepare your nails by applying a base coat. A base coat is important in keeping you nails from being stained by your color. It also helps your polish last longer. Apply a thin coat and allow it to dry before applying colored polish. Applying polish from your cuticle toward your nail tip will help in keeping nail polish on the nail and off your skin. Once polish is dry, apply a thin coat of color. It may look thin but that's okay.
A thick coat of polish may bubble up or peel. Besides, you'll apply another coat after this one dries. And if it still looks too thin, don't hesitate about applying a third coat. With lighter polishes, I've found three coats are adequate, while darker polishes sometimes require only two coats. The key is to let each coat dry COMPLETELY before applying the next. If you can't wait, pull out your hairdryer and use it to dry your nails. If you find your nail polish has gotten thick, either toss it or add a few drops of nail polish remover to thin it down.
You definitely want a nice smooth look. If there is any nail polish on your fingers, carefully remove with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. After your colored polish has dried, it's time for your topcoat. A topcoat is simply a clear coat of polish to protect your color. It will ensure that your nails look better for a greater period of time. However, reapplying your topcoat every few days will help them look nicer longer.