All about makeup

1. The most flattering nail shape is not long or short or square, it's "squoval" -- not quite square and not quite oval. Get the look yourself by filing nails into a shape that mirrors the curve of your nail base. Square tips can make fingers look chubby, according to nail guru Deborah Lippmann in InStyle Magazine.
2. To ensure your nails are the same length after filing, line each nail up with its counterpart.
3. Don't shake the nail polish bottle, instead roll it between your palms. This mixes the polish without causing air bubbles.
4. Before polishing clean nails, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and swipe across nails. This will remove any excess oils or soap than can cause peeling once polish is applied.
5. One trick for applying nail polish: Hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger while resting your forefinger on the top of the cap.
6. To get the best results, apply thin layers. Start with a thin layer of basecoat, then apply a thin layer of polish down the middle then one on the left and one on the right. After the first coat dries for a couple minutes, repeat, then follow with a thin layer of topcoat.
7. Once your pedicure or manicure is complete, run an orangewood stick dipped in nail polish remover along either side of nail to fix any mistakes.
8. Speed up the drying process by aiming a blow-dryer at toes (set on cool) for a minute at a time. Be sure to keep the dryer at least 12 inches from your feet.
9. Gotta leave the house before your pedicure is dry? Apply cuticle oil over the polish. This will keep anything from sticking to your polish. See my list of the best cuticle creams.
10. Stained nails? Remove the yellow easily by following the directions in How to Get Rid of Nail Stains.
11. For an extra spa feeling to your home pedicure, nuke a damp towel in the microwave for a couple minutes, slather feet in moisturizer and wrap them in the warm towel.

Protecting Your Manicure

1. A fresh swipe of topcoat every other day on your manicure and once a week on your pedicure will keep the polish from chipping. Check out 8 Secrets to Making Your Manicure Last Longer.
2. When it comes to chipped polish, a nail buffer is your best friend. Repair a chip by smoothing the ragged edges with a buffer (the more smooth the chip is, the better the fix is). Fill in the chip with polish. Once it's dry, apply a coat over the entire nail.
3. Don't file nails after a shower, when they are too soft. File in one direction only to prevent tears.
4. For a pedicure, use a special pedicure nail clipper made for clipping toenails. The straight-edge works better for feet because they don't allow nails to become curved, which can lead to painful ingrown nails (been there, done that). You can round the edges slightly with a file.
5. Since cotton balls can leave behind fuzzies, consider a cotton band like Miss Webril (about $6 at beauty stores) instead. For stubborn polish that stains, press the cotton on the nail for several seconds before wiping off. Don't be stingy with the polish remover, says Baek in InStyle magazine. The more nail remover you have on the cotton, the easier it will be to remove.
6. Protect a manicure by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning and gardening.
7. If you suffer from dry cuticles, keep cuticle oil in your bag or on your desk at all times. Cuticle oils tend to be more effective than creams.
8. Nail-biter? Get a manicure every week for 12 weeks. According to Baek in "Confessions of a Beauty Editor," if you can commit to 12 weeks, you won't bite your nails. It tastes gross and you'll also think twice because of the cost of getting nails done. Baek says many women backslide in week 3, but she suggests persevering.

• Dab concealer under your eyes and let it sit for almost two minutes before blending. This allows it to fully set into the skin.
   
• For lush lashes all day long, layering is key. Start with a base, likeMaybelline Great Lash to prime and add volume, then work in a layer of curling mascara like Diorshow.
   
• Primer is an often overlooked, but key step. Smashbox’s Photo Finish with UV for eyes and face is a great option as is Urban Decay’s Primer Potion.
   
• To get eyeliner that lasts, try applying shadow with a thin brush, or stick to one of these: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eyeliner Gel or Ulta Automatic Eyeliner.
   
• Invest in a long-wearing lipstick like Maybelline’s SuperStay 14-hour lipstick, or one of NARS’ matte shades, which stay on forever and offer great pigment. No matter the formula, use a brush, then blot, and then repeat two to three times to make sure the color doesn’t budge.
   
• Dust a little loose powder under your eyes before you run out the door. It’ll lighten your under eyes, absorb any oil throughout the day, and help keep your eyeliner and mascara from running.
   
• Last but not least, use a setting spray like Urban Decay’s All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray on your face once you’ve finished applying all your makeup. 

And speaking of school, help us build one! All month we’re donating 15% of proceeds from our shop to Pencils of Promise, so get shopping!