Proper manicure: 3 steps for perfect coverage

Manicure is one of the first components of the image of a beautiful girl. For several years now, women around the world have been giving preference to gel polish, since the coating is resistant to mechanical and chemical influences, lasts up to three weeks and looks impressive. Today, such a manicure can be done not only in a salon, but also at home on your own, but you need to know the important nuances of the procedure. What is applied first: base or top, what are the features of these important compositions, are they interchangeable? This and much more is in the article below.

What is the difference between top and base?

Top and base are the most important products that are applied to the nail plate during the manicure process with gel-based varnish, mandatory elements of three-phase coatings. The first to introduce these compositions into use was the American brand that became the founder of gel polishes - the company Creative Nail Design.

Important! You cannot neglect the use of top and base. A coating made without the use of the first or second composition not only chips, peels off and is easily exposed to any external influences, but also harms the nail plate.

The base is applied to the nail plate first; it is a cosmetic product that performs the following functions:

• ensuring optimal adhesion of the surface of the nail plate to the first layer of gel polish;
• preventing nail staining with decorative coating pigments;
• protection of the nail plate from the harmful effects of varnish;
• leveling the nail: the first layer fills the cracks, levels out the tubercles;
• careful removal of coatings with glitter, sequins, stones and other elements that can injure the nail;
• ensuring strength;
• expressive revelation of varnish effects.

The basic composition is divided into:

• according to the ability to make nails stronger - into regular and strengthening;
• based on substances - classic, rubber, silicone;
• according to the ability to create decorative effects - watercolor, camouflage, white, black.

The top is otherwise called the finish, since it is applied at the final stage. Functions of the tool:

• color protection from fading;
• Preservation of manicure from rubbing and loss of glossy shine;
• protection of varnish from chemical (detergents, cleaners, washing powders), mechanical (accidental impacts) influences;
• providing the coating with strength, elasticity, and durability.

As follows from the definition of the first base and top layers, they differ in purpose.

Important! The base and top will fulfill their functions if: they are applied not only to the surface, but also to the end of the nail; products from the same brand are used; the sequence of actions has been followed.

When to apply nail primer?

Primer is the final stage of preparation before the base. In the sequence of application before varnish, the primer is in second place before the gel.

The technology for using the primer is as follows:

• Push back the cuticle with an orange stick.
• Treat the surface of the nail roller with a buff – a file with soft abrasive particles.
• Use a special brush to remove dust.
• Treat the nail with alcohol or a dehydrator (the first stage of degreasing).
• Take a small amount of primer from the bottle. Press the brush against its edge.
• If there is still a lot of product left on the cyst, blot it on a napkin.
• Drop the product into the middle of the nail and carefully spread over the entire surface.
• Prime the end of the nail with primer.

The composition is applied in one layer. As a rule, it is not necessary to dry the field in a UV lamp. Usually this point is indicated on the bottle.

Acid primers “harden” in 20-30 seconds. Acid-free formulas take about two minutes.

Don't forget about safety measures. Wear gloves, a mask, and work in a well-ventilated area.

Acrylic extensions appeared in the 60s of the last century. It was invented by an American dentist.

What to apply first - top or base?

Despite the fact that the level of awareness among salon clients regarding manicure procedures is growing, when a girl covers her nails with gel at home for the first time, the question may still arise: top or base - the first layer before shellac (gel polish)?

From the definition and functions of the two products it follows that they are applied strictly in a certain order, which cannot be changed. The compositions are not interchangeable.

The first thing you need to know when starting to model your nails is the correct sequence of actions. When designing with gel polish, first apply the base, then the top. The base is the first thing that covers the nail plate, the second stage is coloring, the result is secured with a finish. There is no need to experiment with the order, as this can not only ruin the manicure, but also harm the nail plate.

If, by mistake or ignorance, the girl applied the top first instead of the base, or, conversely, the base was used instead of the top, the result will not be durable, and the nail plate will not be properly protected.

Attention! The initial and third layers (base and top) are not applied only if the gel polish is classified as single-phase.

Preparing nails for applying gel polish

This is the most important stage and, alas, the most underestimated by many women. Most problems are caused precisely by incorrect technique for carrying out this step or (oh, horror!) by skipping it altogether. So…

We treat problem nails

Before applying gel polish, you just need to take care of the health of your nail plates, because gel polish will not last long on brittle and peeling nails.

Fortunately, the modern beauty industry offers us products that quickly and efficiently deal with poor nail condition. We strongly recommend trying the IBX complex nail plate regeneration system from Famous Names. Unlike other products that work only on the surface of the nail, IBX penetrates into the plate, exerting its healing effect on the deepest layers. The IBX system makes nails stronger, stronger and more flexible, helping to get rid of all kinds of defects.

Famous Names, IBX Duo Pack (IBX 10.4 ml, IBX Repair 7.4 ml)

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Famous Names, IBX Mini Pack

The system for restoring and protecting nails includes: IBX Repair (2.7 ml), IBX Strengthen (3.75 ml) and Dadi Oil cuticle oil (3.75 ml) as a gift.

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Famous Names, IBX Boost Duo Pack (IBX Boost Base, 15 ml and IBX Boost, 16.5 g)

An innovative system for strengthening nails and protecting artificial surfaces. The set includes IBX Boost Base (15 ml) and IBX Boost (16.5 g).

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Soften and push back the cuticle

We need to give the skin around the nail a well-groomed appearance. After all, even the most flawless manicure won’t look beautiful if it’s framed by rough, sloppy cuticles, don’t you agree?

First, choose a cuticle remover. Its beauty is that it acts almost instantly, and the choice of products is huge - from expensive to very budget ones. Whatever price category you choose, pay attention to the hypoallergenic nature of the remover and to the information in the instructions for its use: its stay on the side rollers should be limited to one minute. Of course, it would be great if the product also contains all sorts of useful extracts.

How to use the remover? Very simple! Apply it directly to the cuticle area using five fingers at once. After a minute, carefully remove along with the softened cuticle with an orange stick.

Preparing the nail plate

And now the most important thing: we need to prepare our nails to accept gel polish and have good adhesion to it.

Remove the natural gloss from your nails using a polisher. Why is this necessary? This way you get rid of the protective film that repels the artificial turf.

Use a stiff brush to brush away any remaining sawdust. And stock up on lint-free wipes. Why lint-free? Because when working with sponges, small hairs may remain on the nails, which can subsequently interfere with the strength of the connection of the gel polish to the nail, and also cause unsightly unevenness.

Why do we need sponges? In order to saturate them with disinfectant! And the disinfectant, in turn, serves to degrease the nails and rid them of harmful bacteria (which also prevent good adhesion of the gel polish and the nail).

If the nail plates are prone to increased moisture production, then you additionally need to use a dehydrator and apply it immediately after the disinfectant using the same lint-free wipes or brush (if the dehydrator is in the appropriate bottle).

Apply primer

Now our nails are ready to apply a primer - a liquid that acts as a kind of primer. The main property of the primer, in addition to additional degreasing of the nail, is drying the top layer of the plate, preparing the nail to accept the base and have excellent adhesion to it. After using the primer, the coating lasts for a very long time even on brittle and thin nails.

The acid primer is made on the basis of methacrylic acid. It is most often used for extensions with acrylic powder; it does not have a very good effect on the condition of the nails and therefore is not useful to us in the process of applying gel polishes.

An acid-free primer removes fatty deposits from the nail plate, destroys harmful bacteria that multiply under the layer of artificial material and cause diseases. It perfectly dries the nail, removes excess moisture, affects the scaly structure of the upper layers and works like double-sided tape: a covalent bond is created between the nail and the artificial material. It is great that the drug does not affect the color of the extension material and is not too dangerous for the skin, although when applied in some cases it is still recommended to avoid getting the drug on the cuticle, because redness and irritation may occur on sensitive skin.

TNL, Primer Bond, 15 ml

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ruNail, Nail Prep Dehydrator, 15 ml

Dehydrator without a sticky layer for preparing the nail plate for gel extensions.

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UNO, Rubber Base, 15 ml

Base coat, rubber base for gel polish.

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Apply the primer, wait a minute, and then you can start applying the base. Attention: a UV lamp is not needed to dry the primers!

Rules for applying base and top

The base is applied according to the following rules:

• the first coating (base) should be as thin as possible so as not to enlarge the nail;
• a small amount of gel is collected onto a brush and applied to the nail plate, starting from the middle. The base is not just covered, it is, as it were, rubbed into the surface;
• the initial coating is applied to the front surface and end;
• the base is thoroughly dried in an ultraviolet or LED lamp;
• The sticky layer is not removed - it is needed for adhesion to the next composition.

Warning! Before applying the first layer (base), the nails are prepared by performing hygienic manicure procedures: the outline and length are drawn up, the cuticle is removed, and the surface is polished. This is done for the purpose of optimal adhesion to the base.

Girls who do their own manicure sometimes use gel instead of a base, making it the first layer. This is allowed if the gel can be used as a single-phase gel.

Rules for applying the finish:

1. The top is applied after colored varnish.
2. The finishing layer is thicker than the first base layer.
3. The brush must be squeezed out thoroughly.
4. The end of the nail is sealed, carefully painting hard-to-reach areas at the base and sides.
5. The final topcoat is well dried in a lamp, otherwise the manicure will quickly lose its shine and will not be resistant to external influences.
6. The sticky layer of the top is removed with a special product.

Attention! After removing the sticky layer of top coat, nail technicians advise applying a special oil to the cuticle, which will moisturize delicate skin damaged by the use of drying agents.

Experts warn that rearranging the stages will ruin the result. The sequence “first top, then base” is unacceptable.

When performing a manicure with gel polish for the first time, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the training videos.

Base coat

First, cover the nails with a base not only with a holder, but also with a regular manicure, because:

• qualitatively strengthens the free edge of the nail, the nail itself;
• ensures adhesion of the painted layer to the plate itself.
• smoothes nails, penetrating all microcracks and microcavities, filling them;
• protects the plate from the aggressive pigment layer;

How to use primer correctly:

• only after this the base layer is applied, as uniform and thin as possible;
• seal the ends and edges with base;
• the base is applied after a haircut or hardware manicure, smoothing free edges, ends, removing fat and shine;
• Be sure to thoroughly degrease the plates using special products;
• Then the nails are dried in a special lamp, leaving stickiness for gluing.
• do not forget to remove the resulting dust with a cloth or brush;

See also:

Matte manicure Looks expensive, noble, elegant

After this, you can move on to upholstery and color design.

What happens if you apply a top coat instead of a base?

Nail technicians do not advise swapping the first and third stages or using products not intended for one or another action and remind you that the rule for shellac coating is first the base, then the top. This sequence preserves the technology, ensures the nails are healthy and look beautiful.

If you apply a top coat instead of a base, the varnish will not obtain the necessary degree of adhesion to the first layer and will come off the nail in the lamp or during wear. The manicure product may harm the plate.

Reviews of top and base two in one

Reviews about the 2 in 1 product are not the same: for some masters this composition suited their work, for others it did not. Below are some reviews.

Anastasia, 28 years old, St. Petersburg

I went to the store to buy a Kodi base and top. It turned out that the base composition was not available, only the finishing one was available, and I needed both. The consultant suggested Kodi 2 in 1. I usually distrust this kind of product, but there was no choice, I had to take it. I bought the composition for the first and last time, after work it turned out that my fears were not in vain. One of the disadvantages of the process is that the texture is too liquid, it applies poorly, and flows under the cuticle. As a result, I encountered detachment for the first time. Even though my practice is small - 1.5 years, but this has never happened before. The advantage is that the brush is easy to use. I discussed this issue with a neighbor who works in a salon; she used the same composition. She says that perhaps I came across a fake, because, having previously encountered the same Kodi two in one, she was pleased, the product was applied well. My conclusion is that I won’t buy it again, the price did not justify the quality.

Kristina, 34 years old, Stavropol

I purchased Base Top Gel Cody and decided to test it to form my own opinion. I liked it both as a base and as a finish, it applies smoothly. No complaints about either the first purpose or the second. I will buy more, it's convenient.

Victoria, 24 years old, Vitebsk

For the first time I tried Koto from two-in-one formulations. The company is not promoted, the price is reasonable. Decent product for this price. The consistency is moderately liquid and applies evenly. With nails coated with this base-finish, my girls walk comfortably for 3 weeks. The downside is that it does not smooth out the surface of the nail, possibly due to its watery texture. Among the advantages: first - the price; large volume, easy application, durable coating. For problem-free nails, it is quite suitable as the first and last layer.