Most people cut the nails back and forth using an emery board and deeply cut the nail from the left and right corner. So the nails are most likely to get split and worn out. Use the board from the left to the center by sawing back and forth a few times. Then move it from the center to the right a few times. To get the right texture and a smooth layer on the nail use a metal file.

Trim fingernails and shape with a nail file, for these metal nail files or emery boards are generally used, but professional manicurists usually use fine glass files. To file properly, its' necessary to start with the file at the outer edge of the nail, and move towards the center. Nail filing should not be done in a saw-like motion.

In a rotating motion use your thumb to massage cuticle cream into the rough skin at the sides and base of the nails. Soak your nails in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticle. Clean your nails thoroughly using a nailbrush. Wrap the end of the orangewood stick in cotton and apply cuticle remover to the blunt end. Use it to loosen dead skin from around the nails.

Apply petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lotion on hands. Cover with gloves and leave on for about 5 minutes. Paint nails. Make sure to apply at least to coats of nail polish and a top coat of clear nail polish to give it more shine. Give it enough time to dry.

If your timing is perfect, you will be finished cutting the cuticles on that hand before the first hand gets wrinkled from being in the warm water too long. (Tip: Don't try to hurry the cuticle trimming process to make your timing work. Instead try to remember to check on the soaking hand half-way through the course of cutting cuticles. If the water is cold or the hand shows hints of wrinkling skin, that's your cue to stop the soaking operation and pat hand dry with hand towel, apply some lotion and go back to the trimming procedure.)

The cuticle acts as a seal between the finger and the nail. Gently exfoliating the dry, rough, cuticle skin layers by actually sloughing off the dead outer layers exposes new and vibrant skin. This new healthy skin protects the nails matrix which is the growth center of the nail and should be treated with care.

Spread over hand cream to your nails and wipe them in. Let it there for three to four minutes. Wipe down nails using a tissue to eliminate surplus. Apply an even and thin clear base coat. Place a tip guide unto your nails. This will wrap your nail's lower portion. Then follow the curvature of your nail tip's white color.

Put on white or neutral polish to the uncovered tips of the nails and dry. The portion that will be painted white must be kept thin. Going too broadly on the white paints will make your fingernails appear stocky.