What's the best way to apply nail polish so it will last?

I don't know the best brands, and I think that the time a polish lasts depends at least a little bit on how much it is opened and closed. The best thing to remember about applying polish is that very thin coats are better than heavy. If you put on a big thick layer it's more likely to get messed up. Build a foundation with a base coat then do a couple of very thin coats of your color and then follow up with a top coat to protect it. And make sure it's absolutely dry before you do anything with your hands because that will mess up even the very best manicure. Good luck!