Nail Files.

Byline: Abbie Kozolchyk PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL THOMPSON

Nail Files

Long, witchy talons, bizarre nail art, cuckoo colors: Fergie, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and other celebrities are drawn to the wacky manicure. But it doesn't have to be that way. We guarantee you a perfect ten every time.

The Finer Points

The manicurists at photo shoots and fashion shows reveal their secrets to smudge-free, long-lasting, high-shine paint jobs.

Prep School

Exfoliate your nails with a gentle buffer, says manicurist Deborah Lippmann. "The smoother your nails, the easier your polish will go on." But before you buff, cover nails with a few drops of cuticle …