Why do you need a base and top for gel polish?

The finishing touches in a manicure are an equally important stage, on which the strength of the applied gel polish, the appearance of the nails (no scratches, chips, etc.), the naturalness of the color, and the preservation of gloss and shine depend. Based on their consistency, textural characteristics, and decorative function, several types of tops are distinguished.

Therefore, it is important to know well the distinctive features of each type and apply them correctly. The most popular of them are:

• glossy - they give the coating a spectacular shine, protect against ultraviolet radiation, and can be sticky/non-sticky;
• matte (corduroy) - highlight the naturalness of color well and emphasize the design;
• rubber - increase the elasticity of the coating, hide minor defects in the nail plate, and hold rhinestones and other decorations well.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the best finishing gels, according to reviews from professionals and clients, which have received recognition for their quality and original visual effect.

Why do you need a base and top for gel polish?

To understand the role of the base and fixer in creating designs with durable polymer coatings, you need to understand that all gel polishes are divided into coating systems. There are single-phase, two-phase and three-phase shellac systems:

• single-phase (one step) material is the easiest to apply. Do I need a base for gel polish for single-phase polymer nail decor? No, such coatings do not require the application of base and top coats. All you need is a bottle of high-quality colored gel polish. This system is less durable and is only suitable for strong and healthy nails free of aesthetic defects. Such gel polishes save the nail artist’s budget, but are not suitable for all clients. Many colors of single-phase materials from such well-known brands as Masura and Bluesky are quite dense even when applied in one layer. In addition, Masura released products of this type without a residual dispersion layer, so that after drying the design in the lamp, you can immediately do household chores, bypassing the stage of additional hand care.
• two-phase gel polish requires applying a top coat to the color coating. The base itself is not applied, since the color combines the properties of the base + color coating. These products are quite rare and not the most in demand. They are inferior in durability to the 3-stage system and require careful selection of top coat to extend the durability of the manicure.
• three-phase shellac has three stages of application: a base coat, after which a colored material is applied, and the final stage is the application of a top coat. This type of system is the most durable. Design with coatings of this type is the most time-consuming and financially expensive. And yet, it is this kind of shellac that is most popular, especially if a girl just wants to grow her nails under a strong and reliable shield made of polymer material. A three-phase shellac manicure without a base and top is impossible, since these are fundamental, mandatory products for such a design.

Why do you need a base for gel polish belonging to the 3 steps system? The use of the foundation is absolutely necessary, since it:

• promotes the strongest adhesion of the colored layer of gel polish and the surface of the nail plate (natural or artificial);
• with its texture and components, it reliably protects nails from migration of pigments and, as a result, staining and yellowing of the entire nail (classic and strengthening bases);
• allows you to eliminate aesthetic imperfections (smooth out dents, grooves, bumps), allowing you to apply a layer of gel polish evenly, without bald spots and sagging (camouflage and rubber bases);
• makes it possible to reveal the colors and effects of gel polish more expressively (watercolor and decorative, black and white bases);
• further facilitates the removal of colored textured coating with large sparkles, glitter and other decor (silicone bases) in a less traumatic way for nails;
• helps manicure become stronger and less susceptible to chipping, cracking, peeling (classic products).

Why do you need a gel polish topcoat? A good fixative solves several problems at once when creating nail art on the hands or in a pedicure. Applying a classic topcoat finishes the finished design by firmly securing the color layer. Its main functions are:

• protect gel polish from cracking, pigment fading, loss of gloss and aesthetic appearance;
• protect manicure from the harmful effects of external factors (water, household chemicals, accidental impacts, etc.);
• enhance the shine of shellac, and also (depending on the type of topcoat), beautifully change the color or shine of shellac (decorative and fragrant topcoats, matte finishes);
• give the design greater elasticity, strength, and durability (rubber tops).

A gel polish manicure without a base and top will be of less quality. After all, all the functions described above are guaranteed to be performed by the base and finish, but provided that you:

• do not change the top and base for gel polish in places, using them and applying them strictly as intended;
• be sure to seal the end of the nail both when applying the base and when applying the top;
• choose and apply coatings of the same brand, since their compositions are designed in such a way as to complement each other as much as possible.

What is a gel polish topcoat?

Top for gel polish, or Top Coat for nails, is a means for fixing a colored polymerizing coating, used when performing nail art and giving the surface a shine or a matte, velvety texture. It is used at the last stage of a three-phase or two-phase manicure, dried in a lamp, like all previous products.

In the bottle, the nail top coat looks like a clear, shiny liquid with no color. This appearance occurs with both glossy and matte products before polymerization. They should not distort the shade of the gel polish, but only give the surface of the painted nails a certain texture.

UV TopCoat is a topcoat that can only be dried under an ultraviolet lamp, and LED is not suitable for them. But there are means that work with any “stove”.

Since there are topcoats for regular varnish, they should be distinguished from polymerizing ones. The latter are labeled Top Gel Polish.

What is it used for when covering nails?

Nail top is needed for several reasons:

• levels the surface if, after drying the flower bed, errors are found on it;
• gives a bright shine that lasts until the manicure is renewed, or a matte, velvety finish;
• protects the coating from scratches, the influence of water, and household chemicals;
• makes it more durable for 2-4 weeks;
• can be used to secure design elements - sliders, foil, sparkles, small rhinestones;
• does not allow the color to fade under the influence of sunlight.

How is it different from the finish?

Top is no different from finish; these are two names for the same product. Liquids are so called because they are applied at the end of the nail design process. They should be distinguished from the base, which, on the contrary, is used first and is placed on the bare nail plate.

Why is it used for regular varnish?

The finish for regular varnish is necessary for the same reasons as for gel flower beds. But still, the main task is to preserve the coating for as long as possible and prevent chips from appearing on it. Topcoat also makes regular polish look shinier.

Top for gel polish: which one is better to choose, main types

To say with confidence which gel polish top coat is better, you need to know where and what it is used for:

• when performing a pedicure, a gentle one is necessary so as not to harm the nails;
• for weak bending plates on the hands, you need a product with good adhesion;
• To increase the speed of manicure, liquids without a dispersion layer are more suitable;
• for hard nails you need an elastic finishing agent;
• To secure design elements, thick, special strength is required.

Gel polish tops come in several types:

• according to the external effect they are divided into glossy, matte and with sparkles of different sizes;
• the texture is thick, medium consistency and liquid;
• according to properties - with and without a sticky layer;
• according to their intended purpose, they are divided into those created for gel polishes, including “cats”, “chameleons”, or for fixing a design;
• by composition - silicone and rubber.

With sticky layer and without sticky layer

Finishes with a sticky layer appeared earlier, but many masters prefer to use only them, due to a number of advantages:

• excellent adhesion to gel polish, which allows you to successfully use products for problem nails;
• elastic structure after drying, preventing damage to bending or rigid plates;
• it will not allow cracks to form on the coating;
• the ability to securely fasten decor;
• high durability of the coating, no chipping or peeling during long-term wear.

It is easy to determine the dispersion of the finish - just touch the coating after drying. The finger will stick to it. To eliminate this property, the coating is wiped with a cleaner or alcohol.

A top without a sticky layer is needed for the same purposes as its predecessor. But these funds have their advantages:

• After drying, they are more rigid, meaning they are applied to nails that are hard or prone to brittleness, but do not bend. On the latter, such a finish may crack.
• They allow you to shorten the stages of manicure without compromising its quality and save money. You won't have to waste time on erasing the sticky layer and money on a cleanser.
• They are convenient for applying rubbing and making marble designs “wet”. With a product that has residual stickiness, both are problematic.

These topcoats are simple to use: they are applied to the surface of polymerized gel polish and dried.

Shiny, glossy and matte

A shiny or glossy finish is the most common type of topcoat. Such products add shine and provide the opportunity to make the surface of the nails as smooth as possible, as can be seen from the oval highlight. After drying, the plates appear damp. The shine is noticeable in any light.

Nevertheless, the main property of these products is their strength, “portability”. If the gloss does not fade within 2-4 weeks, the coating remains intact, without defects, which means the finish is of high quality.

Matte tops are:

• satin, without a bright shine, but with a slight shine, not “rubbery”, as if they were covering the nails with powder;
• velvet, that is, soft, porous, very pleasant to the touch;
• corduroy, characterized by a complete lack of shine.

In the bottles and immediately after application, all products shine. Dullness appears after drying.

These tops make the manicure very elegant and unusual, but have a drawback - they get dirty easily on light shades. This is especially true for corduroy finishes.

Thick and liquid

An important selection criterion is the consistency of the finish, which determines the ease of application and the quality of the coating:

• A thick top can be with or without a sticky layer. The product is easy to apply even to an inexperienced technician, avoiding streaks. But some of them require leveling with a thin brush, otherwise there will be bumps and depressions on the nails. It is not always possible to apply such a topcoat under the cuticle. And in this category there are finishes like chewing gum, stretchy and uncomfortable to use.
• Liquid topcoats usually have no residual stickiness. They must be applied very carefully, otherwise streaks cannot be avoided. But you can put it in a thin layer and don’t need to level it. Liquid finishes also dry without problems, even under a low-power lamp, without bunching up.

Most companies are aimed at producing medium-thick products. They are comfortable to apply, do not form clumps and do not smear onto the skin.

With shimmer

Finishing products with shimmer are also transparent, like all others, but they contain glitter. The decor can be small, large or different sizes in one bottle.

Such tops are often used for single-tone, covering the nails completely. They will help hide the unevenness of the plate and imperfections in laying the base. This is especially true for pedicures, because covering the toenails eliminates the need for straightening.

Silicone, rubber

Silicone top is a relatively new product, but has already become popular due to its properties:

• flexibility, which is useful for mobile nails, protects them from breaking;
• thickness to avoid streaking during application;
• bright shine;
• leveling properties;
• Possibility of use for securing rhinestones and other volumetric elements.

The finish created on the basis of silicone also has disadvantages:

• lays down in a thick layer, which is not always beautiful;
• it is difficult to hide it under the cuticle;
• you need to wait longer for the liquid on the nail to level out.

For these reasons, beginning craftsmen prefer rubber tops, which are easier to apply, hold more securely, and shine brightly. They can be spread thinner or thicker. And the application process is faster than with silicone.

Finish to secure the design

Finishes for fixing rhinestones, beads, foil, sliders are denser, more elastic, and firmly hold the decor on the nails. At the same time, a quality product in this category should be:

• not too thick so that “pies” do not form on the plates;
• transparent and does not change color over time, which is important for preserving decor shades.

Self-leveling topcoat

The self-leveling topcoat is characterized by:

• they can hide bumps and holes formed as a result of not entirely successful use of the base and flower bed, or cuts;
• after application, you must turn your hand over with your palm facing up so that the product spreads evenly on the plates;
• More often you have to dry each nail separately.

Typically, these finishes have a thick consistency. Therefore, they sometimes have to be smoothed with a thin brush, especially in the area of ​​the cuticle and side ridges.

How to choose the right one

You can choose a good top if you take into account several criteria of the product, but also the characteristics of the nails:

• for those that bend, you need an elastic finish, a hard one will crack;
• for hard plates, a flexible top is more suitable, otherwise there is a risk of breaking them or “earning” onycholysis;
• if you have little experience in performing manicures, it is better to take products without stickiness so that the process does not take too much time and the quality does not suffer;
• you need a comfortable brush, rounded, quite long, corresponding to the width of the plates and not shaggy;
• for problem nails, from which the coating quickly comes off, a finish with a dispersion layer is suitable, it is more reliable;
• Shine and dullness should be maintained for 2-3 weeks of wearing the design, including on the tips.
• It’s better to choose medium-thick products so that they don’t run and you don’t have to spend a long time distributing them with a thin brush;
• It is important that the nails do not get hot during drying.

The products must be truly transparent and not distort the shades of the gel polish. This is especially important when using light flower beds, where halftones are of great importance.

Matte finish for gel polish

A high-quality finishing coat for gel polish with a matte effect is one of the following:

• Vogue Nails,
• Grattol Top Gel Matte Velvet,
• LiaNail A Top 4-10,
• ONIQ 909 Top Point.

Finishes of this type often become dull over time, defeating the purpose of the design. Or the nails look “rubbery”, and this is also not aesthetically pleasing.

Vogue Nails

The finish of Vogue Nails after two applications leaves the effect of corduroy nails. It is quite thick and has a milky tint that does not cover the color of the gel polish. It is not easy to apply the product in an even layer. But the effect exceeds all expectations - the nails look velvety and are pleasant to touch. And the top lasts until correction, eliminates chipping and detachment, and does not turn into an “unfinished” glossy finish.

Grattol Top Gel Matte Velvet

The matte finish from Grattol also gives the effect of velvet nails. It is thick without any residual stickiness. You need to apply the product in a layer of medium thickness, which is problematic due to the awkward brush. But if everything works out, your nails will remain velvety for 3-4 weeks.

The only drawback is that the product can come out in stripes. Leveling requires skill; it is advisable to have an auxiliary thin brush.

LiaNail A Top 4-10

Top from LiaNail gives the effect of evenly lying powder on the nails. The product itself is thick and cloudy, but it does not spoil the color of the gel polish. Unlike the previous product, LiaNail A Top 4-10 has a wide, comfortable brush and self-levels. Therefore it is easier to apply.

The product lasts a long time, remaining as matte as on the first day. After drying, the sticky layer needs to be removed, and this is its only drawback.

ONIQ 909 Top Point

ONIQ 909 Top Point gives a satin effect on nails. It retains the color of gel polish and has a comfortable consistency. The coating looks matte for a long time and remains pleasant to the touch. The tips do not rub even after 3-4 weeks of manicure wear. There is no sticky layer.

The disadvantage of the product is that it is somewhat difficult to apply - the top coat may come out in stripes. And it also does not level the nail plate, as it is laid in a thin layer.