Thanks to gel polishes, girls can enjoy a long-lasting color coating for 2-3 weeks, rather than having to do a manicure every 3 days, wasting their precious time. But is just one gel polish enough to achieve such long-lasting wear?
Not really! To achieve a lasting result, we DEFINITELY need a base and top. We discussed what a top is and which option to choose in the article “Top for gel polish. What is it and what is it for? Well, now we’ll look at what a base is, why it’s needed and how to choose it?
What is a nail base and what is it for?
Gel polish base is a product that acts as a layer between the artificial coating and the nail plate. It is necessary to use a base when working with three-phase gel polishes (read more about three-phase gel polishes).
The base coat is primarily designed to provide reliable adhesion between the natural nail and the gel polish. But besides this, the base performs several more important functions:
- protects the nail plate from coloring pigments;
- smoothes the nail plate, thereby hiding its defects and imperfections;
- strengthens the nail plate: thanks to the base, owners of thin and brittle nails can wear artificial coating for 2-3 weeks;
- Using the base, you can make additional extensions to the nail plate, for example, the corners.
It is the base that comes into direct contact with the nail, so it is important that it not only provides a durable coating, but also does not harm the natural nail. The webinar “Chemistry of acrylates: all about materials” from the ParisNail school will help you understand the composition of artificial coatings.
NOTE! One of the reasons for the appearance of detachments, chips and cracks is an incorrectly selected base. The condition of the nail plate is different for everyone: for some it is strong, while for others it is thin, soft and plastic. You cannot use the same base for absolutely all nails. It is necessary to analyze the condition of the nail plate and pay special attention to the choice of base coat.
What role does the base play?
The base is the key to a good and long-lasting manicure. It is designed to ensure the best adhesion of the gel polish to the surface of the nail plate. The base protects the possible negative effects of gel polishes on the natural structure of the nail. As a rule, it has no color and fits well on the nail, leveling and slightly strengthening it. Some manufacturers create rubber bases that have greater viscosity and replace the procedure for strengthening nails with gel. Rubber bases are denser than regular bases, but their purpose is the same - to ensure the best adhesion of the gel polish to the surface of the nail and protection from the negative effects of product components. Some bases have slight shades of pink and beige. Craftsmen can use the base as an independent coating that does not require additional application on top of colored varnish.
Which gel polish base to choose?
What types of nail bases are there? What are their fundamental differences? Which one to choose? Let's figure it out.
Today there are 3 main types of base coatings:
- hard,
- elastic,
- camouflage.
Hard bases
A solid base is a base that almost does not bend after polymerization. Most often, solid bases are characterized by a liquid consistency. Due to their liquid consistency, such bases are more suitable for experienced professionals, since leveling the nail plate with them must be done quickly, otherwise streaks will appear. You won't be able to grow your nails with a hard base!
for ?
Hard bases are suitable for healthy, strong nails. On soft, bendable nails, such bases can cause chips and detachments.
Hard base Strong No. 3 light pink Bloom 30 ml
Hard base Strong No. 2 warm pink Bloom 30 ml
Hard base Strong No. 5 natural beige Bloom 30 ml
Elastic bases
Such bases have a thick consistency, after polymerization they are plastic and bend.
Elastic bases are great for beginners: they are easy to work with, as they do not spread, and the alignment is perfect. Using elastic bases you can extend your nails.
Rubber base Kodi 12 ml
Rubber base Lux Rubber Base UNO 15 ml
Rubber base for gel polish Rubber Diva 30 g
for ?
Elastic bases are great for soft, highly flexible nails. But on long nails they sag over time (we will discuss what this means below).
ADVICE! Sometimes it is not very clear from the name of the base whether it is hard or elastic. To determine the type of base, you can do the following: apply a small drop or strip of base to the surface of a transparent plastic bag and put it in a lamp to polymerize. If after polymerization the drop (strip) bends, it means you have a plastic base in your hands. If you can’t bend the drop and it cracks, then the base is solid.
Camouflage bases
Camouflage base is a base coat and camouflage in one bottle. Their main feature is the lack of transparency and the presence of a natural shade. It can be milky, pinkish, natural beige. There are a huge variety of shade options. Manufacturers even add shimmer to the bases!
Camouflage base Coat Tender OneNail 15 ml
Camouflage base Rubber Base Glitter 4 Grattol 9 ml
Base Camuflage BEIGE UV/LED by Mystique 15 ml
for ?
Camouflage bases are an ideal option for creating a French manicure! Also, this is an excellent option for office workers whose dress code does not allow the use of bright colors of artificial turf.
Rules for applying gel polish.
- The first step is to treat the surface of the nails, do a trim or classic hardware manicure, and walk over the surface of the nails with a special buff that allows you to polish the nail plate.
- Next, the nail is degreased with a special product and a base for gel polish is applied.
- The next step is to apply colored gel polish and create a design on the nails. This stage takes the longest time in the entire procedure, as it requires high-quality application of the material and good drying in a UV lamp.
- After applying the color, it is necessary to secure the result with the last coating - a top coat, which protects the entire material from environmental influences.
Gel polish is a very popular procedure among girls who want to make their nails beautiful and well-groomed. In order for your manicure to please you for a long time, you need to carefully choose a master who uses only the best materials in his work.
Frequently asked questions about databases
- Is it possible to apply gel polish without first applying a base?
- This is possible only if you use single-phase or two-phase gel polish, but above we already talked about the disadvantages of such coating systems. In case of using a three-phase system, the use of a base is MANDATORY! Otherwise, the gel polish simply will not stick to the nails and will stain them with its pigment.
- Can I use a top instead of a base?
- No, it contains a different chemical formula, and the coating will not last long. And tops usually have a more liquid consistency and this will cause streaks to appear.
- Is it possible to increase the length with a base?
- With the help of a thick base, we can only extend the nail, for example its corner! It will not be possible to increase the full length with a base. For these purposes, nail extension materials are used.
If you cover your nails not with a top coat, but with a first base coat, will the gel polish stay on? - Questions and answers
It won't shine. Cover it if you want, of course, but then it’s still topomcatena ****1
Other interesting questions and answers
What kind of manicure do men like?
I always dreamed of answering this question truthfully
