A manicure surely is one of the most important things for women. The result of it is well-shaped and good-looking nails and women love it because it makes them good about themselves. It helps them feel pretty, neat and somehow refreshed. A good mani and pedi can be done both at home and at a professional manicurist, and in both cases, you’ll need a top and base coat. These coats are essential steps of the process because their purpose is to ensure your manicure looks gorgeous and lasts longer.

What Is a Top Coat?

The main goal of a gel polish top coat is to make a barrier for the nail polish, protecting it from chips. This coat also won’t allow the water to come in contact with the nail polish and make it peel. By using a quality gel polish top coat you can have peace of mind that the colour from the nail polish underneath won’t fade or decay from the UV because this base also offers UV protection.

Benefits of a Top Coat

Offers Stain Protection

Depending on the type and quality of top base you choose, you can also expect to have one that can hold up against stains from make-up, cigarette, spray tan, hair dye, etc. Stain-resistant top coats offer a great protective layer that makes it difficult for any kind of stain to stay on nails. Those of you who cook will also benefit from this manicure essential since it’ll protect the colour of your nail polish from some staining food ingredients like certain types of spices, fruit and vegetables.

It Gives the Polish a Glossy Shine

While the top coat can protect the polish from chipping, staining, peeling and fading, it can also give it an unimaginable glossy shine. The shine of this coat cannot be compared to the shine of the nail polish itself which is why the top coat is an indispensable part of the manicure/pedicure process. And in case you’re not a fan of glossy finishes, you can always opt for a matte or semi-matte top coat. They offer the same protection as glossy nail polishes.

Helps the Nail Polish Dry Faster

When short on time, you can always pick and use a fast-drying gel polish top coat which cuts the drying time without interfering with the polish’s longevity and durability.

Types of Top Coats

As you may know by now, you can choose from a glossy and matte top coat where the matte one contains finely divided polypropylene or silica particles that can diffract light, making them look matte. Both gel and UV-curable top coats form an inhibition layer that must be wiped off with the help of alcohol in order to become glossy. However, you can also choose from the large selection of no-wipe coats which are also UV-curable but don’t form an inhibition layer.

What Is a Base Coat?

Unlike the top coat which is applied over the nail polish, the base coat is applied directly onto the nail and before the nail polish. This thick and clear coat acts as an adhesive and helps the nail polish look better. It also protects the nail and fills in any cracks, making your nail smooth and ready for painting. Just like with top coats, the base coats are also available in different quality, so it’s paramount for you to choose a quality formula since they have a special nourishing formula in them to keep the nails healthy.

Benefits

Aside from helping the nail polish to adhere securely to the nails, the base coat also has some other serious benefits which make it an essential step of the manicure process.

Keeps the Nails Stain-Free

Well, it isn’t strange having your nails stained from nail polish, especially from a red one. That’s because nail polishes contain lots of pigments and dyes so they can make the natural nail get stained. On the other hand, the use of nail varnishes on your nails will make them develop a yellow tint over time which isn’t appealing at all. So, by applying a base coat, you literally prevent the nails from getting stained and obtain that unwanted yellow appearance.

Makes Nails Flexible

Quality nail base coats usually contain high levels of plasticizers which allow the nail to bend without making the nail polish chip.

Both of these nail coats are an irreplaceable part of the manicure process, so applying both of them is a must. This will not only make your gel polish last longer, but it’ll also protect your nails and make them stronger. Both of them will prevent discolouration and discourage cracking and chipping of the nail polish’s colour. In order to find ones with quality formulas, look at stores that sell only quality manicure essentials from trusted and reliable brands.