Wow, congrats! That's a big first step into the open!
Smooth finish...start with freshly washed hands...apply a base coat...apply the color (better to have 2 light layers, than 1 heavy/thick one)...apply top coat.
Key tip: Try to get it right on the first pass, at most on the second pass. If you start "scrubbing" the polish on (especially if it's to smoothen out a rough spot in the polish), it will have gotten tacky and will totally FUBAR your polish.
Another tip: Allow at least a few minutes between the clear coats and the color. I apply one coat to one hand, then apply the first coat of color to the other, and by then the first hand is ready for the second coat. (I do take my time when applying, no splashing/scrubbing of the brush).
Then, DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERTIPS FOR ANYTHING for at least one-two hours. I'm told you can run ice-cold water over the nails and it'll "set" the polish, but once you start using your fingers again you'll forget how soft the polish is when it's not yet "dry".
Again, congrats on the purchase!!