Base coat and top coat are two of the most useful products for a beginner to add extra flair to a home manicure in an accessible way.
Base coat goes straight onto the natural nail before colour polish, whilst top coat goes on after the colour. Both are a great option if you want to make your home manicure last longer.
What is a Base Coat?
A base coat is applied before colour polish. It can help to:
- Create a smoother surface for the polish to cling to.
- Reduce staining of the nail from darker colours.
- Make the polish look neater.
- Help your manicure to last longer.
What is a Top Coat?
A top coat is applied after the coloured polish. It helps to:
- Add shine.
- Protect the polish.
- Reduce chips.
- Smooth the finished manicure.
- Make the nails look more finished.
Do You Need Both?
You can paint your nails without base coat or top coat, but they give a better result. If you use colour polish only, you are more likely to get chipped or less smooth polish.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- Skipping base coat
- Skipping top coat
- Using top coat as a base coat
- Applying polish too thickly
- Not waiting between coats
- Apply too thick a layer of top coat
What Should Beginners Buy First?
A simple beginner set up could include:
- A base coat
- A top coat
- Quick-dry top coat (optional)
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton pads