Tough as Nails

Nail Tips

Nail 911: Ridges

"As we age, some of us develop nail ridges, just as we get eye wrinkles," Weingarten says. Choose a ridge filler, such as Deborah Lippmann Ridge Filler Base Coat ($18, deborahlippmann.com) to even the nail surface and make polish last longer. Avoid buffing nails, which thins them out. "And keep nails hydrated by drinking a lot of water, because dryness can cause ridges," Weiss-Fischmann says.

Nail 911: Yellowing

"Nails are porous, so they absorb polish pigments, especially opaque ones, and can become stained," Weiss-Fischmann explains. "Soak fingers in denture cleanser tablets dissolved in water to whiten them quickly," she suggests. Prevent yellowing with a base coat, like Zoya Anchor Base Coat ($9, zoya.com).

Whip Your Tips into Shape

"To workout-proof your nails, follow the shape of your cuticles and round the edges with a file so there are no sharp corners," Essie Weingarten says. "Your nails should be no longer than your fingertips." Bonus: "Matching your nail shape to your cuticle shape has a slimming effect on your hands," Jan Arnold notes.