My hands usually sport a little paint, a few new bruises or scratches from moving furniture, and in gardening season, a healthy dose of crud under the nail and on the right index finger from pulling weeds. I did a lot better at remembering to wear gloves last year though.
I keep my nails short... I don't buff. I'm just kind of low maintenance I guess. I also have really short hair - can't deal with long hair either! I try to dress nice instead, even though I usually live in jeans, I have quite the shoe collection. Jeans + heels or nice flats make jeans less...casual. I have my cake and eat it too! LOL