I used to do a layer of clear gel then my white, I found that whatever I did the white used to bleed and would never be crisp so I started to do clear then wipe, buff slightly then apply white, it was much better but still not good enough for what I expected soooo, I had read a post on here about using a dotting tool for whites instead of a brush and for me its fab !
I use the dotting tool to do the first layer of white, cure, then for the second layer I use the dotting tool to apply the white at the smile line but then have a brush handy to pull the gel to the free edge do it doesnt get bulky.
Works for me, but then like Geeg said there are many different ways to do things and you need to find the right way for you x