What kind of top-layer material is appropriate to "clean up" a front flower bed?

You can go several ways on this. There is colored mulch..black, brown, red. etc that is available at WalMart and other garden centers. I used the black this summer and it was ok but the color faded to gray rapidly. Mulch needs to be replaced every year or two. There is also a colored rubber landscaping material that looks much the same as mulch but lasts for years. You can also use decorative pebbles...creek rock, marble chips and brick chips..in various colors. If you just want plain old dirt, get screened top soil. The choice is yours. As to leveling, you need a yard rake..not a leaf rake..one with teeth about 4 inches long, lots of sweat and elbow grease.