Invest in a good base coat/top coat

Most of these you can buy in a 2-in-1 base and top coat, and I would recommend purchasing this if you dont already have it.

The best advice that anyone can give you when it comes to painting your nails:

Don't forget the base coat!!

If you have the time, apply two base coats before you do a coat of colour.

Why? When you add this extra base layer, it smooths out any bumps or imperfections in your nail, and makes the end result look much more smooth and polished than it would look without the base coat. It also adds a much more professional look, instead of the average, obviously done-at-home nail.

Once you've done the base and colour coats, it also helps to add a top coat. An added top coat actually makes a significant difference in the amount of time your nails will last before the polish starts to chip, and it will add some extra shine that gives it a finished look.

The base and top coats are something that many people skip while doing their nails at home. I recommend definitely adding these steps to your nail routine to get the best possible results!