I often get asked, what is the best base for gel polish? So that it stands on the nails for three months, it evens out the nail plate itself, does not cause detachments, and does not harm the nails.
I have some experience that I gained while working with some databases and now I’m ready to share it.
Here's what I'll tell you about:
- Why do you need a base?
- Differences between liquid and thick bases
- How to choose a base for different types of nails
- How to apply base correctly
- Is it possible to apply top instead of base?
- Errors when working with the database. What not to do when applying base
- Is it possible to strengthen and extend the nail plate with a base?
- Is it possible to cover nails with gel polish without a base?
- Expensive and cheap base - what are the differences?
- My rating of bases for gel polishes, and what are my plans for the future
So:
Why do you need a base?
It is the base that holds the gel polish on the nails. It acts as a layer between the natural nail and the polymer coating.
The base is in direct contact with the nail. Not gel polish, but a base. Therefore, it is very important to choose a base that will hold the gel polish firmly on the nails, but will not harm the nails.
The base coating is designed to protect the nail plate from coloring pigments in gel polishes, smooth out all defects on the surface of the nails, and ensure reliable adhesive bonding of the polymer material to the nail.
Another important function of the base is to strengthen the nail plate. The natural nail may be weak, thin, or bend and break. All this will not allow the coating to last on the nails for the required 2-3 weeks. A properly selected base will strengthen and protect even the thinnest and weakest nails.
Detachments, chips, cracks - all this can happen due to a poorly selected base.
Rules for applying gel polish
You will be interested in: Why gel polish does not dry in the lamp: possible reasons, solutions, reviews
In order to answer the exciting question of whether it is possible to apply gel polish without a base, you should learn the rules for applying the composition.
- First you need to prepare the nail plate. Shape the nail, push back the cuticle and remove the pterygium.
- Next, we buff the nail to remove excess shine and even out the nail plate.
- We remove dust and degrease the nail.
- Apply primer. The nails should lighten a little, which means that the scales have opened up to adhere to the material.
- Next, apply the base and dry it in a lamp.
- Now it's time for the color coating, the gel polish itself.
- And at the end - top coat.
Differences between liquid and thick bases
Liquid bases are highly durable. They practically do not shrink on long nails. Suitable for craftsmen with experience, because... Due to its liquid consistency, the nail plate must be leveled quickly, otherwise streaks cannot be avoided.
I remember how freaked out I was when I just started working, and not yet understanding the intricacies of choosing a base. I bought something cheap, very liquid and smelly. Later, I learned to work with liquid bases, and realized that they are not suitable for all types of nails. A strong smell is a sign of a not very good base.
Liquid base is good for strong, healthy nails. With a pronounced apex. On bendable, soft nails, the base can cause detachments and chips.
And yes, you cannot extend your nails with a liquid base.
Thick bases - they are also called Rubber (which is translated from English - eraser, i.e. these bases are elastic), and not rubber, as many masters like to call them. Due to their thickness, they are easy to work with and the leveling is perfect. Also, with the help of a thick base, you can extend your nail without any problems. Great for weak, easily bending nails. The only disadvantage of this base is that it shrinks on long nails, and the longer the nail, the more it sinks. This feature must be taken into account.
After the second week of wear, the coating begins to sag, and the architecture of the nail is disrupted.
About shellac without base and top
Is it possible to apply only gel polish without resorting to nail products such as top or base coat, the first layer before shellac? Nail service specialists will answer with a resounding “no.” Most gel polishes are three-phase products, i.e. The manicure is applied in three stages:
- base;
- color coating;
- top
Makeup base for oily skin
Without a base, coloring pigments can “eat into” the nail plate; the topcoat will protect the varnish layer itself and make the manicure strong and durable.
However, there are also single-phase gel polishes that can be applied to the nail in two layers, each of which must dry. This product looks very similar to a simple gel polish, with the difference that it contains substances that increase density and viscosity (in this way they resemble a base), and is characterized by the absence of a sticky dispersion layer (to replace the top). It can be used on healthy nails that have normal density and low fat content.
Additional Information. Such varnishes are applied in a thinner layer, but removing them is a little more difficult.
Professionals also use single-phase varnishes in their practice, most often for pedicures.
Why does the coating sags?
Gel polish bases consist of polymer chains that are formed as a result of a polymerization reaction. This process is completely completed only after a few hours or even days. When polymer chains are formed, the molecules come closer together, the distance between them decreases and they take up less space. This is how the material shrinks. Polymer chains have formed, but this is not the end of the polymerization reaction and not the end of the shrinkage of the material. This is clearly visible on the nails 2 weeks after application of the coating. The material begins to sag. This is especially noticeable on the free edge of the nail. The shrinkage causes the tip of the nail to twitch, which visually increases the dip. It is because of the shrinkage of the material that the natural nail curls. The percentage of shrinkage will be different in different materials.
Some people are indifferent to this, but personally I really don’t like it.
I don’t cover my own nails with gel polish, and just like everyone else, I go to a nail technician. I love when nails have a little volume. I had to spend about 8 months to find a master who takes into account the shrinkage of the material when working and correctly selects the base for my nail type.
Gel polish - what kind of system is it?
There are two gel polish systems: three-phase and single-phase. What does this mean?
A three-phase system consists of three components, each of which is placed in a separate container.
- A base that provides adhesion to gel polish.
- The color coating itself.
- The finishing coat, also called the topcoat, which secures the coating.
This coating is durable and will provide you with a beautiful manicure for three weeks. But you should remember that all these steps must be followed and under no circumstances interchange them. Is it possible to apply gel polish without a base in a three-phase system? No, this should not be done under any circumstances.
A single-phase system is also called “three in one”. One bottle contains all three components at once - base, color and fixative. This is a kind of express option. But it has significant drawbacks. It is not suitable for everyone, its durability is much shorter than that of a three-phase system and, most importantly, you cannot design it. So this option is definitely not suitable for lovers of rhinestones, sliders and sparkles.
It turns out that gel polish without a base can only be applied if you use a single-phase system.
How to choose a base for different types of nails
In fact, there are no bad or good bases; there are bases with different physical properties and purposes. It is important to use them correctly. The fact is that each person's nails are unique in their own way. The master’s task is to understand which nails are in front of us and to choose the right base for these very nails.
For example, it is not advisable to apply liquid bases to thin nails, because... They become very hard when cured. As a result, the native nail under the coating may bend or deform, but the hard coating cannot. Therefore, the coating begins to chip and peel off.
On thin nails it is better to apply a rubber-based base. After hardening, such a base can bend slightly along with the natural nail - this will allow you to wear the coating longer.
When the client comes next time, everything is simpler: we see the results of wear and the choice of base becomes obvious. We carefully examine the nail to see if there are any detachments or chips. Where do they start from the cuticle or the end of the nail. The identified problems are like a map that shows us the structural features of these particular nails.
Errors when working with the database. What not to do when applying base
- Applying too thin a base layer. It will cause all the irregularities and grooves on the nails to come out. A thin layer will affect the wear of the material. An unstrengthened nail will quickly begin to chip and crack.
- A base layer that is too thick , especially at the ends of the nail, will give unnecessary volume to the nail. And your nails will look like “pies”.
- Insufficient drying time for the base. Drying your nails for less than 15 seconds in an LED lamp is a mistake. The base on top will grab, but not on the inside. And by the way, there is a misconception that you can dry the coating later. There is a standard polymerization time: in a UV lamp 2 minutes in an LED lamp 30/60 seconds, depending on the material.
By the way, I found a very detailed video on this topic on YouTube.
How to choose gel nail polish
Choosing the right gel polish is a fairly simple process if you know what points to pay attention to. When buying in a store, you cannot determine criteria such as durability or ease of use from the packaging. For this reason, we advise you to first try a specific company with a friend, a familiar nail artist, or watch a video review.
- Compound. First of all, this criterion is related to the composition. It is desirable that it includes strengthening components. It should also be relatively easy to remove from nails without damage. This is a very important indicator for the base coat, since it is in direct contact with the nail plate and is often difficult to remove with improvised means.
- Originality. Non-original products are made from low-quality raw materials without any certification. This leads to the fact that the nail plate deteriorates and it is extremely difficult to restore its original appearance. Also, counterfeit products often cause allergies, which have a cumulative effect and appear after some time.
- Persistence. Indicates how long the polish will last on the nails without chipping. This also includes the preservation of the original appearance. How quickly the gel polish becomes dull, loses its shine and neatness of appearance is also very important. This is especially true for unusual types of coating: matte, glitter, translucent, etc.
- Ease of use. Doing a manicure on your own nails is always extremely unusual, so convenience plays an important role. The brush should be the right width and length for you, and the consistency should be thick enough for even application. Even something as small as a smell can cause discomfort, especially for girls with sensitive mucous membranes of the eyes or nose.
Before purchasing, it is best to consult with a nail service specialist, or go to him for a manicure. This way you will not only see your reaction to the composition and consistency, but you will also be able to see the application technique. Buy products only from trusted stores, or make sure the seller has a quality certificate.
Useful materials to choose from
Expensive and cheap base - what are the differences?
Despite the fact that there is nothing natural in both the cheap and expensive bases and there is only chemistry, there is still quality. A cheap base may have a sharp, unpleasant odor, the quality of cleaning of the main components, as a rule, cheap materials are very acidic. Which negatively affects the condition of the nails. An allergy to the material is possible. In expensive bases, there is most often no smell, the materials undergo stricter quality control, there are risks of allergic reactions, but they are minimized.
My rating of bases for gel polishes, and what are my plans for the future
During my career I have tried many base coats. And I decided to make this mini review:
Bluesky
A popular database on AliExpessa. You can also find it in any nail supply store. When I first started getting involved in the nail industry, this base was the first one that fell into my hands. But I’m very glad that I experimented only on myself. I left it for the tips. + Low price - Liquid (some people may like liquid bases, but for me this is the biggest and fattest minus!) - Strong smell - Does not strengthen - Does not even out
Kodi
My second purchase. Perhaps the most popular base among masters. But now there are a lot of fakes for it, plus the base is quite aggressive for nails. + Amazing wear + Thick + Good strengthening + Excellent leveling + Excellent retention of rhinestones + Average price - Has a strong smell - Burns when cured
Supernail by Arnelle
Thick, suitable for a beginner! It sticks to any nails, but can cause small detachments if the nail is very thin and weak. Gives a slight shrinkage. + Thick, you can level it as much as you want and it won’t bleed + Average price + Neutral odor - It bakes during polymerization
My love from Arnelle
Good base, medium consistency, easy to level! For me it's the perfect base for short nails, but also suitable for long nails. Gives a slight shrinkage. + Good wear + Quickly evens out + Has a neutral smell + Average price - On very thin and wet ones, may cause peeling - Stings during polymerization
In fact, all bases bake during polymerization. This is fine. I talked about this in detail in the article why gel polish bakes.
In addition to the brands listed above, I was given several bases to test from new brands that are just entering the market, but for now I have chosen the Arnelle base. I also use their top coat and gel polishes.
I plan to purchase Beautix and Gloss base and top in the future. Fellow craftsmen highly praise these companies
please rate the article, I tried 
( 4 ratings, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Top best gel polishes
There are a huge number of brands of gel polishes. It’s easy to get lost in them, especially for a beginner. We present the ten best product manufacturers.
Each manufacturer has its own pros and cons. Price, consistency, brush, durability, color palette and other characteristics.
Which option to choose for your nails is a purely individual matter. It all depends on your desire, capabilities and time. Having considered the question of whether it is possible to paint gel polish without a base, we figured out that this cannot be done if it is a three-phase system. And with single-phase it’s very possible.
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