Help me - nail novice

[ThisFenceIsComfy]

So I have to go back to work and need to keep my nails presentable. Trouble is when my nails are longish, dirt gets in them and they aren't white, more see through.

How do I keep them nice at home? I can't afford to go to a nail salon.

Glass nail file and buffer from Leighton Denny.
Moisturise your cuticles and make sure they are not raggy.
Base coat and top coat applied well.

Buy yourself a good nail set with cuticle trimmers in, wash and moisturise regularly, keep your nails filed and tidy with no ragged bits, and don't have chipped polish. Ever.
Oh and nail oil for your cuticles is priceless as it makes them look tidier with no snaggy bits.
Even if I don't have a coloured polish on I'll have a French manicure effect pale polish on my fingernails. Looks like I've made a huge effort but really only takes half an hour.

YY to cuticle oil (dadi oil is lovely, so is burts bees cuticle balm), leighton denny glass file is fab. For a quick french manicure that can easily be updated, try a white nail pencil (e.g. rimmel) applied to the underside of the nails plus a glossy top coat (I like a transparent pink one e.g. dior nail glow, but you can do a pale nude polish instead if you prefer, vanilla, beige, rose or apricot). Takes 2 minutes to update it very day as needed.