Why is it that regardless of how meticulously you do your own nails (that’ll be flat surface, wide angled brush and smudge-correcting pen at the ready), they never look anywhere near as immaculate as they do post-nail bar visit? Like, ever. You start off hoping for the kind of chic, uniform mani that Victoria Beckham flashes on a daily basis, usually matched to a Gucci runway look or tonal new season Miu Miu jacket, but it ends up not far off the type of manicure your ten year-old self was capable of. Not so show-worthy.

You see, the pros do nails well for a reason. Hence, why a proper, in-salon treatment is so irresistible. They are highly skilled masters of their own craft, but more importantly, they sure do know a trick or two about essential hand and nail prep to make for a glossy, long-lasting set of nails. Like VB’s, no less. And it’s these little insider tricks that really make all the difference when it comes to faking a day-old mani when in reality it’s nearing day seven.

With this in mind, it seemed that the only way to genuinely pursue the perfect, chip-free manicure was to make a few phone calls. To said experts, that is. From LA to New York and every fashionable destination in between, these nail pros have shared their most prized and perfecting tips. Read the tips in the gallery above very closely and take note faster than a, er… fast-dry top coat.