Keep them at a wearable length – no more than a quarter inch. They look best that way and are less likely to break. It is recommended that trimming and filing nails into “squoval” shape – a slightly rounded square. Keep a file by the phone or next to the couch and touch-ups during downtime. Just drop by the beauty section of your favorite department or drug store to find a nail file.

Live without polish. Bare nails require little upkeep – and they can still be pretty. You a buffing block to smooth ridges and impart shine. A few back-and-forth motions twice a month (doing it too often can weaken nails) will add remarkable high gloss that mimics the sheen of clear polish.