Buff moves from a pro

Georgyanna GIARDINI is renowned for her buffing technique, and over the years she has tried just about every product. Here are her favorites and a quick primer for buffing at home:

Start with clean, dry nails. File nails using a very soft emery board, and shape them to mirror the shape of the fingertip. Do not file soft nails after a shower or bath, file the sides of the nails or cut cuticles. Using sharp nippers, trim dead skin or hang nails and never pull, which can lead to infection.

Apply a tiny dab of buffing cream -- so little you can barely see it -- to each nail (too much will inhibit shine). Giardini uses one by Perfect 10 of Beverly Hills ($10, [800] 448-9405).

Buff each nail left to right, never more than three swipes per nail, then move on to next finger. Giardini recommends Perfect 10’s chamois buffer.

Repeat dabbing of cream and buffing the whole hand about three or four times until you get a nice shine. Don’t expect a perfectly shimmering surface like you get with clear polish. Buffing to that degree (usually done with a machine) can damage the nail.

Finally, for the look of a French manicure, dip the brush in Georgyanna Nail Ink. A little goes a long way. Brush it under each nail to whiten the tip. It lasts about five days.