The secret to giving yourself the best manicure is this: Sally Hansen's 'Hard as Nails'.
Paint your nails with your desired colour, let it dry completely. Then use this clear top coat... but the trick- turn on the TV to your favorite hour long tv show, paint with this clear polish, then kick back and let them dry for AT LEAST an hour. Don't let yourself get curious by touching the paint to see if it is dry... you have to wait for an hour. I know it sounds like a long time, and it is.... but this stuff is super gooey when it is drying and the slightest touch will mess it up.
For a french manicure
My secret to success... the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen. You can find it at Walmart or Target, and it comes in all different colours. For the classic french, use the white one.
Step 1- paint your nails a soft pink colour... LET IT DRY
step 2- relax, and slowly draw a white line on the tip of each nail
Step 3- Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails is your top coat... and again, let that sucker dry for AT LEAST AN HOUR, make sure to use a lot, and that you are going all the way to the end of your nails.
Tip- The paint in this nail art pen chips really really easily, so make sure to use a base and a top coat when painting to seal it in