Nail polish can hide a multiple of nail imperfections such as discolorations and ridges or uneven surfaces. But nail polish is one of the main culprits in causing nails to yellow or stain and an uneven or rough nail surface will only lead to early chipping and peeling of your nail polish.

There are a few simple tricks that can make nails brighter and smoother, and you don’t need to go to a nail salon.

To whiten nail tips, try soaking in lemon juice. Some women swear by effervescent denture cleaner tablets and still others use a whitening toothpaste, rubbed onto the nail. All of these methods work, it’s a matter of preference. One method I don’t recommend is soaking nails in a mild bleach solution. The bleach smell is hard to get rid of and it can be damaging and drying to skin. If you use the lemon solution, just be careful you don’t have any open cuts around your fingertips or you can expect a bit of stinging. Cutting a lemon in half and sticking your fingertips directly into the lemon for a few minutes also works.

Buffing the nails will smooth out uneven spots and give nails a high shine. Use a buffer specifically designed for the task. A buffer block with 4 sides is an excellent tool. Buff nail from cuticle to tip. Remember you are buffing for shine and smoothness, not trying to remove layers of nail. That will only leave nails thinner and more vulnerable to breaking, chipping and staining.

After whitening and buffing, you can apply a couple of coats of a shiny, clear top coat or apply one coat of a sheer pink or peach and follow with top coat. You will have an instant French manicure and a healthy, shiny look for nails.

Colored eyeliner is back in style and when you choose the right color for yourself it can be very effective. Light pastels and metallics are fine for evening when you want a dramatic look, but other colors can be employed for a subtle daytime look.

Choose rich, muted colors. If you have brown or hazel eyes, green is a wonderful choice but go for an olive shade. If your eyes are blue or grey, try navy rather than a bright blue. A dazzling cobalt blue may draw your attention but will drab out your eyecolor instead of enhancing it. Purple comes in several deep, muted shades - just avoid anything too pinky.

They key to color is subtlety. Use a soft pencil and smudge slightly, choose a color that brings out your eye color. Add to your color collection as you find the right shades and free yourself from the basic black and brown.

Nails can be difficult to keep in good shape. We use our hands all the time in little ways we don’t even think will damage the nail. But housework, daily chores, even opening soda cans can damage nails.

Keeping nails short or medium length makes them easier to protect. Don’t file the sides of the nails, this weakens them. Do file nails in a blunt or square shape.

And it’s important to give nails a break from polish. Keeping polish on all the time doesn’t allow the nail to breathe. Dark polishes can stain nails if left on for a long time, but even light polishes can yellow nails. Take nail polish off, use a cuticle cream and let your nails breathe for a few days before your next manicure. Your nails will thank you for it.

It’s Friday and you’re dragging. You do all the right things to perk up your face and your look but you need a boost, both mentally and emotionally.

What fragrance you wear can affect how you feel. Different scents have different effects on mood and energy.

To dispel the Friday “blahs” try something with a citrus-y base. Citrus scents boost energy and enhance mood. Choose something with lemon, lime, grapefruit, or orange in its formula.

Cool Citrus Basil by Bath & Body Works is a blend of basil and citrus with a hint of sun. On any day, it will leave you pleasantly fragranced and refreshed.