If you already take care of your hands and feet, you may only need to apply lotion before doing your nails. At a minimum, wash your hands or feet and apply lotion. After applying a moisturizing lotion, take a towel and rub it well across each nail. Also use the towel on your hands. This will remove any oils on your nails so the nail art stays in place when you apply it later. Next, you should trim your nails into the shape you want them for your nail designs. Usually, people follow the natural shape of their nails whether that is square, round, or triangular. A nail file can shape and trim your nails easily without removing too much of your nail.