There's more to nail care than just painting on some polish and occasionally putting on some top coat. You've got to pamper your nails on a regular basis to keep them healthy and strong.

1. Apply a top coat to your nails every two days. Not only does this add shine, but it also does a great job of strengthening your nails.
2. Apply cuticle cream to the base of your nails on a daily basis. This will stimulate circulation, promote quicker growth, and even prevent hangnails from forming.
3. Always apply a base coat before putting on nail polish. Not only will this strengthen your nails and allow the polish to go on smoother, but it will also prevent staining.
4. Never cut your cuticles or hangnails. This can lead to infection. Instead, soak your hands in soapy water for about five minutes and then push them back with a padded manicure stick. If your cuticles grow at a super fast rate, consider using a cuticle softener or a cuticle removing liquid. These are medically safe ways to control the growth.
5. Never saw at your nails in a back and forth motion when filing them down. Starting from the back and going to the center, make long sweeping strokes.
6. Moisturize your hands each day with a rich hydrating lotion. The overall appearance of your nails can be diminished by coarse looking hands.
7. Prevent bubbles from forming on your nails by being more patient. Bubbles occur when you try to apply a second coat over a still drying first coat. Bubbles also occur when the application is too thick.