This week, Lorena Marquez, Nail Pro Cup Champion 2005 and education director at the International Nail Manufacturer (INM) in Los Angeles, shares her secrets for getting the most out of your fancy nail work.

Always use the best base and topcoat. Look for ones that help to strengthen your nails as well as protect them, like INM's Protect. Apart from adding a beautiful, shiny finish to your nails, it will make them stronger, too.

If your job or lifestyle involves putting a lot of stress on your hands, ask your manicurist to file your acrylic nails slightly thicker than usual. That way, they will be more durable and won't budge no matter what.

Have a regular fill every two to three weeks so your nails will always look new and fabulous.

If quality is what you are after, don't settle for cheap work. A strong chemical odour is the best way to distinguish bad nail salons from more reputable ones. It usually means that the salons are using cheaply produced nail glue, which can be harmful to your health if inhaled long enough.

If you have doubts about the salon's hygiene and the products are not reputable, walk away. You will most likely need to find a better salon to undo the damage anyway.

Rangsita Sirivanich

The Nation