Clean up your act
If you already have polish on, it’s wise to remove it the night before so that your nails get some time to breathe. Trim your tips and file them the next morning. The ideal time to trim your nails is right after you bathe since they are really soft at that time. You can even soak them in hot water and add in a pinch of salt if you’re doing it at another time of the day. After filing your nails, don’t cut your cuticles since they protect your tips against fungal infections.

Remove traces of polish
Before you begin, check for leftover nail paint. If you see some on the sides of your nails, the safest bet is to use a cotton bud soaked in acetone, like the Lakme Nail Polish Remover. You can also coat the skin around your nails with petroleum jelly; so that if you end up getting some of it outside the lines, you can simply wash it off.

One coat at a time
Instead of applying one thick, lumpy coat, apply a single coat on each tip. Let them dry and then apply a second coat to avoid smudges and dents altogether. If you are in a hurry and like a bit of pop, try shades of the Lakme Fast and Fabulous Range but if you prefer the matte, gel finish, go with the Lakme Absolute Gel Stylist Nail Paint. You can never go wrong with a classic red!