Dec. 05, 2024
The Differences Between a Nail Polish Top Coat and Base Coat
To ensure that your manicure or pedicure lasts as long as possible, you need to take the proper steps and apply the right products. Top coats and base coats are two essential steps, but some wonder if you can use them interchangeably. To answer that question, this article will review the differences between a nail polish top coat and a base coat.
What Is a Base Coat?
A base coat is typically thick and clear and is painted onto a clean nail, acting as a barrier between the nail and the polish. Base coats also help the nail polish better adhere to the nails and act as an adhesive. Not only does it protect your nails, but it fills in in cracks and turns your nail into the perfect blank canvas for the polish. Many base coats also include nourishing ingredients in their formula to keep your nails healthy.
What Is a Top Coat?
The main job of a top coat is to provide a barrier for the color polish, making it chip resistant and preventing water from coming into contact with the lacquer. Typically, top coats offer UV protection that prevents the polish from decaying and keeps the color looking vibrant. In addition, it can also provide a glossy or matte effect, depending on which style you prefer.
Are They Interchangeable?
Ultimately, nothing bad will happen to your nail if you interchange the two, but your overall polish won’t last as long and may not look as good. This is because the lacquer will have difficulty adhering to the nail plate and won’t have the added benefit of the top coat preventing it from fading and chipping. So, in truth, base coats and top coats are not interchangeable and are an essential part of a manicure.
While the differences between nail polish top coat and base coat may not seem very important, they make a huge difference in the overall look and longevity of your manicure and pedicure. And if you’re someone with sensitive nails and skin, or you get frequent manicures, you may want to consider using a soak-off gel top coat so you can have all the benefits of a top coat without having to use harsh chemicals to remove your polish.
The Importance of Top Coat Nail Polish & Base Coat Nail Polish
Top and base coats might not seem like the most interesting steps of a manicure. However, they might be considered the most important! The beautiful and attention-grabbing colors used in a professional manicure need to be protected, as do the nails they are applied to.
This is why using a high-quality top and base coat is a crucial part of a professional nail service. If you want to learn a little more about what makes a good top and base coat, how to use them, and why they make such a big difference, keep on reading!
What is a Base Coat Nail Polish?
Let’s start with the first step! A base coat is simply the first layer applied to the nails during a manicure. There are many options out there, with some base coats boasting health advantages or added strength.
Base coats are normally clear, or slightly yellow-tinged. They don’t necessarily have a shiny finish, as other coats will be applied after to cover up the base coat.
What is a Top Coat Nail Polish?
A top coat is the last step in a manicure, as the name implies. They can be found in either shiny or matte finishes and provide additional protection, so top coats are a must in any professional manicure service.
Top coats have a bit more variety than base coats, as they are visible in the finished manicure. You can find both glossy and matte top coats, both of which are applied once the color or design is complete.
Why are Base and Top Coats Important?
Now that we’ve briefly covered what base and top coats are, you might be wondering what their specific functions are. Let’s get into some more details about these two very important manicure steps!
Nail Base Coat
Although base coats are not necessarily the most exciting part of a manicure, they are crucial to the integrity of the polish and the health of the natural nails. Here are just a few reasons as to why!
Staining: Base coats help keep the colored polishes from staining the natural nails. This is especially important with dark colors that can easily start turning the nails yellow.
Longevity: We all want our manicures to stay perfect as long as possible. Polishes will adhere better to base coats than the natural nails!
Smooth Surface: Natural nails are not usually perfectly smooth, and any ridges or bumps can show up even under coats of polish. Using a base coat creates a sleek, smooth surface that will create a beautiful surface for the rest of the manicure!
Nail Top Coat
What are the benefits of using a top coat? Let’s go over a couple of the top advantages of applying a top coat as the final layer of a manicure.
Extra Shine: Although many lacquers and gel polishes are already shiny on their own, top coats take it to the next level. You can also opt for a matte finish top coat for a different, but just as stunning, look! Some designs even make use of both at once for a unique textured appearance.
Protection: Everyday life can take its toll on a manicure — working, chores, typing, etc. A top coat can help seal in the color or design and prevent the outside elements from chipping away at the polish!
Lacquer vs. Gel Top and Base Coats
As an additional note, you might want to consider the type of polish you are using when choosing a top and base coat. Not all top and base coats are created equally or work the same way.
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