[A perfume-clad envelope to Legate Guivarch, stamped STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.]

[Fabulous Secret Powers]

Legate Guivarch,

a few days ago, you asked me about an extremely important matter. As such, I deemed it prudent to inform you of it through missive. After all, such secrets shouldn't be shared with just anyone. What follows is highly confidential, and for your eyes only. Sharing it with anyone else could mean the end of your career. You have been warned. This information could be dangerous... in the wrong hands.

First of all, you shouldn't apply ink to your nails. That is complete nonsense! Don't do that! Why did you do that?!

As for the actual routine... You should clean your nails, first. Some alcohol, and a linen or a swab is all that you need! Then soak your fingers in warm water for a while.

Then you should trim your nails. You're not really the type for long nails, in my opinion. Stay with the classic oval shape! I'm avant-garde enough to go for square!

Then, buff them! Not too much! You don't want your nails to be too thin!

Then, soak them again for a few minutes! You can add some oil in the water, too... I usually have a few drops of lemon juice there. I don't know if that actually does anything, but I like the scent... You're just trying to get your nails soft so that you can push your cuticles in. That makes them look longer, and far better!

Then, you want to to apply some oil to those soft nails! Not too much! Let it dry, and run a swab across your nails.

Now we get to the really fun part! Adding the polish! I go for four layers! The base layer is there to smoothen your nails. It's transparent, and doesn't have any color. Just ask at the Souk for it, they'll know what I'm talking about... Wait for it to dry. Completely dry!

Then you go for two layers of color. Thin layers! Thin. Thick layers look absolutely awful and gaudy! The second layer is there to mostly ensure that you have an even coverage... After those two, you add the finisher: the top coat! It's there to seal in your polish, so that it lasts a long while... Sure, it might look like I add polish every day, but I only do it once a week. Surprising, I know!

As for colors... I mean, white is pretty obvious here, for you. Myself, I mostly go for black, or yellow or coral if I'm feeling more adventurous. You can add some powdered mica to the polish for more festive occasions. It'll make your nails all twinkly! That'll really draw people's attention!

I hope that this helped you! Enjoy your manicure! Oh, and you can share my "secret" routine with anyone you wish... I just think that there's always someone too curious for their own good, reading these in secret, and I wanted to waste their time. Unlike state secrets, beauty is something that should be shared with everyone!

Scribe Bashir Khatara