Kinds
The choice of top coating will largely be dictated by the tasks that the master needs to solve with its help.
Topcoats fall into 3 main categories:
- With a sticky layer;
- No sticky layer;
- Matte.
In each of the categories, you can choose a material with different characteristics, consistency, UV filters, plasticity and the ability to turn blue or yellow during wear. Let's look at all types of finishes and their characteristics in more detail.
We recommend looking at the layers of coating in manicure:
Layers of coating in manicure - what are they, how to apply them correctly
How to choose finishing gel
Finish gel comes with or without a sticky layer, matte and glossy. In addition, there is a finish for gel polish, which is particularly durable and elastic. Most masters prefer finishing to gels without a sticky layer. This product has a liquid consistency and is very easy to use. After applying it there is no need to remove the sticky layer. The finishing material is polymerized without a sticky layer in an ultraviolet lamp for 3 minutes. There is no need to pre-degrease the surface before applying it.
Top material with a sticky layer is used when the nail design occupies more than 30% of the entire surface. First, all design elements are fixed using a transparent gel. Only then is a top coat with a sticky layer applied. If you do not apply a coating with a sticky layer, the three-dimensional pattern may become covered with small cracks. All top materials are very convenient and greatly facilitate the final stage of nail extension. Let's consider these options in more detail:
- Finish is gel with a sticky layer. It has a liquid consistency and dries quickly under an ultraviolet lamp. The sticky layer should not be removed immediately after application. It is necessary to wait until the coating has completely hardened. This is the only way that extended nails will have a bright, uniform appearance. To correct defects during extensions, use a thick top product with a sticky layer.
- Matte finish gel with a sticky layer. Gives manicure a matte finish. Apply to the nail surface in two layers.
- Pearl finish material. The product has small inclusions of particles of silver, gold and other colors.
The top material from Irisk is very popular among craftsmen. They do not have a sticky layer, guarantee reliable protection for your nails, and prevent cracking. Kodi Professional materials have also proven themselves to be quite good. They are used for extensions with both gel and acrylic. Lightbox topcoats add a glossy shine and provide super durability. As you can see, there are a lot of high-quality top materials; it’s worth choosing the most suitable one for you.
With a sticky layer
The sticky layer is also called the dispersion layer. After applying the finishing coating, the dispersion is removed with a special liquid, since it is a waste material. The gloss of these topcoats is not as bright and expressive as it is obtained when using materials without dispersion, which can only be said by comparison.
They are practical, versatile and suitable for all types of gel polish, with the exception of some types of designs. They are inconvenient to use for rubs and sliders. At the same time, they cope well with sand and powder textures, which are attached to the dispersion surface, and only then polymerize in a lamp.
How to remove the dispersion to maintain maximum gloss? At this stage it is important to follow the rules:
- Allow the topcoat to cool after polymerization in the lamp for 30-60 seconds;
- Use a new section of the napkin or a new napkin to remove the dispersion on each finger.
- To do this, a lint-free napkin is generously moistened in a special liquid, and then one finger is treated with it.
- Remove the dispersion using a smooth, tightening motion from the cuticle to the end of the nail, without rubbing.
- If necessary, go over the same nail again with the other side. We don’t use this napkin anymore, otherwise we will get cloudy stains and loss of brightness of the highlight on the next nail or nails.
You can use cotton pads instead of a lint-free wipe. Instead of liquid to remove the dispersion, use an alcohol antiseptic. If we take a degreaser as an analogue, it behaves more aggressively towards the coating and can make the top layer cloudy.
Examples of brands of topcoats with dispersion: Neonail Hard, Emi, Kodi, FOX, UNO.
What is a sticky layer and means for removing it
Finish for gel polish finish gel for nail extensions and its characteristics
The finish for gel polish helps to carefully and effectively fix the manicure, extend its service life, and increase the shine and shine.
Thanks to this coating, the manicure looks fresh for a long time, as if it had just been applied.
After you have covered your nails with decor and thoroughly dried all layers under an ultraviolet lamp, you can proceed to the final stage and apply the gel polish finish.
The topcoat layer is applied thicker than all other gels. This is necessary so that the coating is firmly attached to the decorative manicure and nails.
The most important point is drying the finish, since the strength of the manicure, its shine and shine largely depend on the quality of this procedure. Drying under ultraviolet rays should take at least 2 minutes.
After drying, if you are using a finish with a sticky layer for gel polish, remove this sticky layer with a special tool.
If you correctly followed all the steps of creating a gel polish manicure, you will get a bright, rich and deep manicure that will look fresh, with a glossy shine for 2-3 weeks without the need for correction.
Learn to dose the finish for covering manicures and gel polish, as an insufficient amount of it leads to cracking of the manicure, loss of shine, spreading of the finish, and uneven fixation. The topcoat brush should not contain a large amount of product; squeeze the tool against the walls of the bottle to apply the required amount of topcoat.
Also, after you have dried the coating, you can no longer adjust the shape of your nails with a file, as this leads to disruption of the manicure and the appearance of chips.
Removal of the sticky layer is carried out only with the help of a special product or alcohol. Immediately after you have dried the topcoat, the sticky layer is not removed: you need to wait a little until the nail cools down and the coating is fixed.
Finish gel for nail extensions often cracks and there may be several reasons for this. First of all, you bought a low-quality finishing coating, which could have expired, or the product has insufficient viscosity.
The second reason is that you violated the stages of the manicure procedure and technology, and did not follow the technique of applying layers of decorative gel polish.
Very often, a manicure begins to crack due to the fact that you did not observe the drying time of the varnish under an ultraviolet lamp, or your lamp no longer produces the necessary intensity of rays necessary for the polymerization of gel polish.
Sometimes it happens that due to carelessness, foreign particles get into the finishing gel for nail extensions - dust, debris, which disrupt its composition and lead to the fact that the coating quickly begins to crack and chip off the surface of the nails.
If you use finishing gel for nail extensions, always choose high-quality products that will definitely provide you with a radiant and resistant manicure.
The coating is used for both acrylic and gel extensions. Thanks to this product, the manicure will look elegant, finished, and shiny. If you use a top coat, this allows you to avoid some procedures - for example, final polishing of the nail plate to level it, or applying an additional manicure fixing agent. In some cases, the finish is used as a base for gel polish.
Finish gel for nail extensions should always be used strictly according to the instructions. There are some top coats on sale today that are great for manicuring your nails. You can apply topcoat to shellac or use it with the cat eye technique, which will increase the durability of the manicure.
These gels do not require drying under an ultraviolet lamp. At the same time, they do an excellent job with the main tasks of topcoats - giving the manicure strength and shine for a long time.
The finishing coatings of the companies Irisk, Bluesky, and Lianeil are of high quality and durability.
No sticky layer
The main advantage of a coating without a sticky layer is that it saves the technician time. Immediately after polymerization in the lamp, the manicure is ready and the client can be released. There is no need to remove the dispersion. It is strictly forbidden to degrease such coatings, otherwise the gloss will become cloudy.
To further enhance the gloss, after polymerization, you can wipe your nails with a dry cotton pad as a polisher.
The second significant plus is the brightness and saturation of the gloss that the top coat gives without a sticky layer.
The finish without dispersion is good to wear and does not lose its properties over time.
Tops without a sticky layer can have different textures - from liquid to thick. They do not turn yellow, they can turn blue, especially on black.
When we cover light shades of gel polish, the bright gloss of the top coat is not a priority, since the highlight is not as noticeable as on a dark background.
Finish brands without a sticky layer: Uno Supershine, Bagheera B4, Klio Brilliant, Diva Brilliant.
Matte
The third category of finishing coatings, characterized by a matte texture.
A matte top cannot be applied over a glossy one after leveling, otherwise it will chip or peel off as a film. If it is necessary to combine materials in this approach, then after using the glossy top it is necessary to remove the dispersion, sand the surface with a polisher or buffer, and then only apply the matte finish.
Matte top is easily soiled when worn. It looks better on dark versions of gel polish, and over time it turns gray on light ones. For the latter, it is better to take more rubberized versions of top coatings with less velvety expression.
For design, fixing
Decor such as rubbing, sliders, sand, rhinestones require special top coatings. They often come with the For Sliders prefix.
Rubbing: what it is, how to use it and all application methods with step-by-step instructions
Velvet sand on nails: features, application technology, design ideas
These tops are flexible. They can be with or without a sticky layer. For example, a finish without dispersion will be required when making a design with rub-in or pigments. The best option is Alena Kapriz.
For sliders we use a final coating with a sticky layer. They are plastic and have a porous texture. Ib.Di brands are suitable. Nails, Neonail, Nollon Pro, Clio For Sliders.
For sand and powder, the consistency should be very thick, with a sticky layer. For example, the Artex Rubber Top brand is suitable. This finishing coat must be applied in an even layer without excess volume, so that it then dries well in the lamp and does not chip when worn.
Types of finishing gels
With a sticky layer
Finishing gels of this type are liquid. Their advantage is the speed of hardening; 3 minutes are enough for their polymerization. Such compositions are used not only for gel and acrylic extensions, but also when processing nail plates using biogels. Manufacturers of manicure products produce gels with a sticky layer of several types:
- with a thick sticky layer. The advantage of the composition is that it dries quickly in the lamp;
- pearl. This coating contains microscopic colored particles;
- matte. The composition gives the color coating a matte tint. The peculiarity of the application is that the finishing gel is applied in 2 layers, they dry for 2 minutes.
- coating for gel polishes. The peculiarity of this composition is its high strength. In addition, this gel finish has good elasticity.
What needs to be taken into account when applying the finishing gel is that after it dries, you need to remove the sticky layer with a liquid specially designed for this.
No sticky layer
This finishing coating is easy to use. It has a liquid consistency and dries in a lamp in 2–3 minutes. The peculiarity of applying the composition is that there is no need to degrease the nail before using it. In addition, a finishing gel without a sticky layer does not have the disadvantage of the appearance of a yellow tint, which can appear in coatings with a sticky layer.
UV filter
The criterion for the presence of a UV filter is relevant for all types of topcoat. It affects whether the finish in the sock turns blue or yellow. Knowing the presence or absence of a filter, we can choose the right topcoat for light or dark shades of varnish, so as not to get unsightly color shifts.
The presence of a filter in the finishing coating ensures blocking of ultraviolet radiation in the sun and solarium, and prevents the color coating from fading. They are suitable for light and bright shades of gel polish, for French manicure.
You can tell that there is a UV filter if your nails appear blue or blue in the lamp. The downside of these topcoats is that they can become stained in the first 24 hours after polymerization due to a chemical reaction. This is considered the norm.
How else can you tell whether a top is with or without a UV filter? This information is indicated by the manufacturer on the jar. You can ask a consultant in the store when purchasing or check the manufacturer’s information provided on the Internet or in specialized information brochures.
It is better not to apply a finish with a UV filter to dark shades of gel polish; it will have a strong blue tint.
It is better not to apply topcoats without a UV filter to light shades, as they will yellow the color of the varnish.
Hardness and softness
As with bases, tops can be soft or hard. This criterion affects whether the product will crack during wear.
Causes of cracking:
- Incorrect combination of base and top in terms of rigidity and elasticity;
- If the top layer is severely overdried in the lamp, its elastic properties “burn out”;
- Very thin layers of soft both base and top: the nail “walks”.
Soft can always be applied to hard, but hard to soft cannot be applied, hence all the problems with the durability of coatings.
How to check this characteristic? We apply a small drop of material to a plastic surface, for example, a thick film, and polymerize it in a lamp. The resulting sample can be bent and twisted, and how it behaves can reveal its characteristics of elasticity, hardness and brittleness.
Also stretchy are all tops with the definition of For Sliders. Brands: Emi, Neonail, Nollon Pro, CND, Ib Di.
They have a thick texture, are plastic, and after polymerization do not leave a pronounced gloss. At the same time, airbrushing, rubs, pigments, sliders, sequins, foil, and mica hold up well on them. They don't scratch. They often turn yellow. This type of finish is a must have in a craftsman’s kit for attaching designs to the main coating.
The topcoat marked Rubber is not elastic.
A fragile or hard topcoat on an elastic base coat and gel polish can crack, creating a web-like network in which dirt and dust get clogged. After just a few days, your nails look untidy. Therefore, it is necessary to select the appropriate material for the top coat on natural or extended nails.
The finish can be used to highlight and level, although it is better to use the base for leveling. The top eliminates all color unevenness and creates a perfect highlight.
Base coatings: types, selection criteria, review of the best
If you apply a lot of topcoat, bubbles will form at points of large accumulation of the layer, and the area may turn yellow more intensely.
Top 10 brands
Let's look at the most popular options for top coatings, which are used by professional craftsmen and recommended for beginners. We remember that the arsenal should have several options for tops for combination with different types of bases, for dark and light shades, as well as for use as a base for designs, for example, rubs, sliders, sand or rhinestones. Let's consider coverage according to the main criteria:
- Hardness or softness;
- Presence or absence of a dispersion layer;
- Blue or yellow to choose from when applied to dark or light gel polish;
- Manufacturer;
- Price category.
Kodi Professional Rubber Top Coat
Soft coating with a sticky layer. When applied, the blueness is medium, it is better to apply it to dark shades of gel polish. The coating has a liquid consistency, can spread, and is not suitable for top leveling. It is recommended to apply a thin layer and quickly send for polymerization.
It has a pronounced shine. Combines well with gel polishes from other manufacturers. Available in 8, 12 and 14 ml containers.
It has a good, comfortable brush with soft, elastic hairs. The length allows you to cover a nail of medium length and width well, and paint it over from the first application of the product. The smell is moderate, slightly sweet. Manufacturer: USA or Ukraine. The cost is about 450 - 500 rubles per 8 ml.
Klio Professional Brilliant
Has medium softness. Without a sticky layer, it can be used for fixing rhinestones, sliders, and applying rubbing. Turns yellow when applied to light and medium shades of gel polish. The coating can be purchased in a volume of 15 ml, which is economical for salons and professional professionals with a large and stable flow of clients.
The brush is comfortable, medium length, the hairs are well distributed over the surface of the nail when applying the material. Consistency – medium-liquid. It is convenient to apply in a thin layer and does not create excess volume. Not suitable for upper leveling of the nail plate. The cost varies from 600 to 700 rubles. Manufacturer – Russia.
Lianail All Stars
Claimed as a top for rhinestones. Characterized by medium hardness. The coating is without a sticky layer, which makes it ideal for working with lay-out designs and rubbing in.
The product turns very yellow, which will be noticeable after some time on light shades of gel polish. Looks very impressive with dark or black coatings. Gives nails a matte texture. Compatible with other brands of varnishes. Has a convenient brush for application.
Bottle – 10 ml. Cost - 400 - 500 rubles. Manufacturer – Russia.
Ib Di Top Coat for Nails Wraps
Claimed as a coating for sliders. Has medium-soft hardness. If your nails are soft, it is better to strengthen them with a base. Product with a sticky layer. It turns yellow when worn for a long time, it is better to combine it with dark and very dark shades of varnish.
When fixing sliders, it is recommended to apply two layers, carefully sealing the ends. The brush is long and comfortable. The consistency of the product is medium thick. Levels out well after application.
Comes in a 15 ml container. The cost is about 700 rubles. Manufacturer – Russia.
Mollon Pro Professional Top Coat
Soft top with a sticky layer. It turns yellow when worn for a long time, and turns a little blue on dark colors. Suitable for polymerization in hybrid lamps. The product has a medium consistency, can be applied in a thin or medium layer, and does not spread. Gives a nice bright highlight. Virtually no bubbles.
Additionally strengthens the nail plate and protects the coating from scratches. The formula is claimed to be environmentally friendly. Does not contain formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate. Recommended for allergy sufferers.
Allergy to manicure: how to determine the cause, remove symptoms and how to replace gel polish
The brush is soft, medium padding. Convenient to distribute the coating. The finish does not have a strong odor.
Comes in a 12 ml bottle. Manufacturer – France. Cost - 650 - 700 rubles.
Uno Lux High Gloss Top Coat
Medium hard finish. No sticky layer. The finish gives a very high gloss that can be difficult to rub in. In this case, it is better to treat your nails while the top layer is still wet.
It may turn a little yellow with prolonged wear on light gel polishes and turn very blue on dark gel polishes. A high content of UV filters is declared to protect the color from fading, which is important in the summer season.
It comes in a 15 ml bottle, a fairly large volume that is convenient for the salon, and with a large flow of clients at the master’s home. Consistency – liquid. Does not self-level well; two coats may be required.
Cost - 600 - 700 rubles. Manufacturer – USA.
Vogue Nails Extra Top
Hard coating without a dispersion layer. A little yellow, not blue. Contains UV filters to protect color from fading. Polymerizes in hybrid lamps. Self-leveling.
It has a comfortable brush of medium length and padding. Texture – medium-liquid. Not suitable for plate alignment.
Comes in a volume of 10 ml. Cost – from 500 rubles. Manufacturer – Russia.
TNL Professional No Wipe Top Coat
Medium hard in terms of characteristics. No sticky layer. Holds rhinestones, rubs and sliders perfectly. The sock turns yellow after some time. Does not bluish on dark shades.
Consistency – medium liquid. Economical in consumption. It has a densely packed and flexible brush of medium length. The smell is not strong, light. Self-leveling. Gives excellent gloss. It is enough to apply one layer. It fits well under mirror rubbing and holds rhinestones for the entire period of wear, up to 3 weeks.
It has an economical cost - 300 rubles, and at the same time is not inferior in quality to more expensive analogues. Comes in a volume of 10 ml. You can take 50 ml in salon packaging. Manufacturer: Russia and South Korea for different lines.
Artex Artylac Rubber Top Wipe Off
Medium hardness with a sticky layer. It turns very yellow on light gel polishes and slightly blue on dark ones. Texture – medium thickness. Comfortable brush of medium length, densely packed.
Self-leveling. Gives perfect bright highlights. Contains UV filters to protect color from fading. Recommended as hypoallergenic.
Comes in bottles of 15 ml. Cost – from 800 rubles. Manufacturer – England.
Bagheera Nails B-5
Medium soft without a sticky layer. May turn slightly yellow after application. On dark shades there is a pronounced bluish tint. Bagheera Nails differs from the popular B-4 in its lighter, more flexible consistency.
Comes in bottles of 16 ml. Gives a very pronounced beautiful highlight on the nails. Self-leveling. Not suitable for fixing rhinestones and rubbing. Polymerizes in UV and LED lamps. Cost – from 800 rubles. Manufacturer – Russia.
Now, when selecting a top coating, you will have a number of criteria that you should focus on. If you have any questions, write to us in the comments.
3.6 / 5 ( 7 votes)
Features of using colored gels in the design of extended nails
Speaking about nail extensions, one cannot help but dwell on their design, because here the flight of imagination can be endless. The differences between the design of extended nails and natural ones are that some materials are not applicable in one case, others in another. This is the material we will be talking about here – colored gels. They are used only in the design of extended nails.
Colored gel is not much different from the gel used in extensions - transparent or camouflage. Features may be in color transmission and polymerization, since due to the presence of pigments in the composition of colored gels, the hardening time in an ultraviolet lamp may be longer. Depending on the color density, you can also find different colored gels: they can be very rich and bright, or they can be translucent - the so-called stained glass gels.
Colored gels in nail design
One of the most commonly used techniques when designing extended nails using colored gels is to gradually fix the pattern or transitions in a lamp. This allows you to make the boundaries of the junction of colors as clear as possible.
It is very easy to stretch with the help of gels in this way - when one color turns into another, or even a third. At the same time, the transitions look very natural and smooth, creating a harmony of design.
Interesting effects can be achieved when working with “wet” gels, as well as with a sticky layer. By the way, I would like to talk separately about the stickiness of the colored gel. It can be very saturated or not, contain pigment or not. This property of the colored gel determines its adhesion to other materials used in extensions and further wear. This factor also affects the design possibilities: for example, if the residual stickiness of a colored gel is high, it will be difficult to draw thin and clear lines on it, as they will blur.
Colored gels are most often used to create a basic background with various transitions or joints, and then drawing is done on them. However, you can also use them to make your own drawings.
The great thing about colored gels is that they can be used in the design of not only nails grown using gel technology, but also on acrylic ones. It does not create additional load, but harmoniously complements the design.
Therefore, any professional craftsman always has a set of colored gels on hand to complete the design. This allows you not to limit yourself in the choice of colors for the backing and jacket, and also makes the design more interesting and effective.
Tatiana Samal
