THIS. Painting nails is like painting anything else - prep is 90% of the work. Note: I do not use a nail buffer at all until the end. I find that the surface becomes too smooth for polish to stick to, so I use it only for a finishing touch.

Here's my process:

1. Clean hands and nails well with a bar soap that doesn't have moisturiser. Cheap brands are best and make things literally squeak.
2. Prep the nail bed with a nailpolish remover that doesn't have moisturiser. Bonus points if non scented, as perfumes contain oils.
3. Dry them off well with a paper towel.
4. Paint one semi heavy layer of base coat.
5. Paint two medium layers of polish.
6. Paint one thin layer of top coat, wait for it to dry fully and clean up any mistakes.
7. Use the nail buffer to smooth out any imperfections.
8. Paint a normal layer of high gloss clear coat.

My usual products:

KIKO strengthening base coat
essie polish
essie top coat
Rimmel 60 second super shine top coat

My black polish is quite cute, its essie Liquorice

EDIT: I finish with essie cuticle oil after everything has completely dried and hardened.

Also, another note: As stated above, capping the nail helps prevent chipping from the tips of the nails

EDIT 2: formatting