These bottles of clear polish are called topcoat or topcoat for nails. It can be used to give durability to manicures: 1) made with regular nail polish; 2) gel polish; 3) after nail extensions; 4) after strengthening the nails.
This is such a variety of applications for one top coating. But, not everything is so simple, for almost every occasion you need your own type of top. Do you know how many of these species there are? There just aren’t enough fingers on your hands to count them. And how can you avoid getting confused in this case? How to choose the right type of top? And is this top necessary at all, or is it a cunning marketing ploy? Let's figure it out together.
What is a gel polish topcoat?
All types of nail toppers are divided into two large groups: tops for regular polish, and tops for gel polish. Since, as a finishing coat, for the durability of the manicure after extensions or strengthening of nails, it is customary to use a top coat for gel polish. But, in this case, you need to choose the right type of top. And there are some nuances here, which I will talk about a little later. Now let's talk about what place gel polish occupies in a manicure.
"TOP COAT" or "TOP GEL" is translated from English as "top layer" or "top gel". And this is no coincidence. Since, a top is a fixing top coating that is applied to the nails at the end of the manicure. That is, this is the same “top layer”. But this layer is only available in two gel polish application systems - two-phase and three-phase. In a single-phase system, the top is combined with a base and gel polish (that is, 3 in 1).
In general, the classic gel polish application system consists of three layers - the first layer is the base layer, the second is the gel polish itself, and the third is the top coat. This system is called three-phase.
The two-phase system consists of two layers - the first layer is gel polish combined with the base (that is, 2 in 1), and the second layer is the top coat.
Single-phase and two-phase systems were developed specifically to facilitate and speed up the manicure procedure. But the most DURABLE manicure is considered to be one performed using a three-phase system. For example, a manicure performed using a single-phase or two-phase system lasts about 1-2 weeks, and a three-phase one lasts 3-4 weeks.
Its four main functions
Now let's find out what a nail top is for and what functions it performs.
- Protection of gel polish from damage: chips, scratches, cracks, hard water, household chemicals. In addition, if the top contains a UV filter, it additionally protects the gel polish from fading in the sun.
- Adding super shine to your manicure. Without using a top coat, this is impossible.
- Reliable fixation of design elements - rhinestones, sliders, bouillons, drawings.
- It can be an additional decorative element - it will add a matte finish to the manicure, add a cat-eye or ombre effect.
When dry, the varnish coating loses its gloss and becomes dull. If you cover it with topcoat, this will not happen. With just one bottle, you can turn an ordinary coating into a glossy and attractive one.
So, the top ensures durability and protection of the manicure from various damages. If you want your manicure to be shiny and last a long time, you must use a top coat.
What is a manicure top?
Manicure fixing varnish, or top coat, is a product that protects the color and at the same time gives the manicure a super shine. The coating is produced in small volume bubbles that resemble ordinary nail polish in appearance.
The topcoat is available in several types, each of which makes the manicure durable and gives an additional effect:
- Shine;
- Matte;
- Additional decor in the form of sparkles.
Using a top coat can extend the durability of your manicure and “tame” even the most unruly nail polish. If we are talking about gel polishes, then the finish, like the base, is really necessary. A nail top coat is needed to ensure that the gel polish has a glossy finish and does not deteriorate due to mechanical stress.
Types of topcoats for gel polish
Now there are quite a few types of nail toppers:
- With a sticky layer
- No sticky layer
- Universal
- Matte
- Rubber
- With shimmer
- With cat eye effect
- With UV filters
- Hypoallergenic
- Camouflage
- Holographic
- Thermo tops
Using a top, you can give your manicure various effects or create an interesting design. You can create a glossy or matte finish. You can add glitter or a holographic effect to your manicure. Decorate the design with rhinestones or stickers.
In addition, if the top is chosen correctly, then your manicure, on natural nails or on nails after extensions, will last you a long time without cracks or chips.
The choice of top will depend on the problems that you want to solve with its help. There are a lot of options, now I’ll tell you about all types of top coatings in order. And we’ll start with the types of top coats for gel polish.
Top with sticky layer
In the classic gel polish manicure system, tops are divided into tops with and without a sticky layer. What is the difference, and why do you need a gel polish top coat with a sticky layer if there are already top coats without it? Why bother and remove this sticky layer with a special liquid at the end of the manicure if you can do without it? Now we'll figure it out.
Let's start with a topcoat with a sticky layer. That sticky layer is the dispersion. That is, a chemical reaction as a result of which, when the coating is dried in a lamp, a sticky film is formed on the surface. This film is formed when all three coatings dry: base, gel polish and top coat.
The main function of this adhesive film is to bond (glue) all layers of the gel polish system together as tightly as possible. Since the top is the last layer, of course, there is nothing else for it to stick to, so it has no direct need for an adhesive film.
But this stickiness was useful for decorative purposes. Top with a sticky layer is great for attaching foil and creating painted designs. This finish will help secure the details of the design better and more reliably, and after several days of wear, micro-cracks or chips will not appear on your nails.
In addition, a finish with a sticky layer is considered more flexible than a finish without a sticky layer. Therefore, this top is well suited for thin, soft, bendable nails.
If your nails are soft and thin, they will still bend, even with a coating applied to them. And this can lead to the appearance of microcracks, detachments, and the gel polish will begin to peel off the nail. To avoid these unpleasant consequences, pay attention to the condition of your nails when choosing a top coat. For such nails, it is better to take a top coat with a sticky layer.
How to remove the sticky layer
After we applied the top and dried it in the lamp, a sticky layer formed on the surface. Let's figure out how to remove the sticky layer from a gel polish top coat and how to do it correctly.
There are several ways:
- With the help of a clinser - this is a special means for degreasing and removing the sticky layer from nails
- Use any wet hand wipes from a hardware store - just take the edge of the napkin and gently pull off the sticky layer from the cuticle to the edge of the nail with pulling movements
- Any cuticle oil - carefully apply the oil to the nail, take a dry cotton pad, and remove the sticky layer along with excess oil, using soft circular movements until it squeaks
Top without sticky layer
Now let's talk about the top coat for gel polish without a sticky layer (Top Coat no wipe).
From the name it is already clear that this top, after drying in a lamp, does not have a sticky layer. That is, there is no need to wipe the surface of the nail to remove the sticky layer. This allows you to speed up the manicure procedure and save on the purchase of means for removing it.
This top is stiffer and less elastic. Therefore, it is well suited for nails after extensions or strengthened with gel.
If you apply it on thin, bendable nails, or on an elastic base, then the manicure may become covered with microcracks after 3-5 days. In this case, an elastic top can be applied to a rigid base.
It is worth noting that after drying in a lamp, this top gives us a very beautiful glossy finish. It is believed that its gloss is slightly stronger than that of a topcoat with a sticky layer. But this super-glossy effect wears off faster than the calm glossy finish of a top coat with a sticky layer.
Topcoats without a sticky layer are applied in only one layer, otherwise your manicure will develop chips and cracks.
In addition, nail rub is usually applied to a top coat without a sticky layer, since applying it to a top coat with a sticky layer will be very problematic. The rub may form lumps or appear in spots. You can, of course, remove the sticky layer and try to apply the rub onto the top with the sticky layer, but here you already need to know some nuances. You can find out more about this here.
Also, tops without a sticky layer are indispensable for finishing coating of convex volumetric design elements, such as rhinestones, bouillons, and modeling. Since after drying in the lamp, you will not need to try to crawl into all the bumps to remove the sticky layer from them with a napkin.
In order to find out whether your top is hard or soft, you can take a drop of top, apply it to a regular plastic bag and dry this drop in a lamp. If the drop bends, you have a soft top; if not, then it’s a hard one.
So, a top coat with a sticky layer is flexible and more suitable for natural nails. It creates an enveloping veil of protection for both the nail plate and the color coating, which will accurately and permanently protect it from chips, scratches and cracks. The shine that comes out of this coating will last as long as possible.
As for the top without a sticky layer, we immediately get a super beautiful glossy effect. But such tops are tougher and therefore more suitable for nails after extensions or strengthening.
Tops (fixers, top coat) Types, properties and differences
So, we dealt with the types of base coating in the previous article. Tops, like bases, have their differences, pros and cons.
Top (fixer, top coat) is the top finishing layer to fix the coating and protect it from chipping and fading.
A high-quality and reliable Top will protect the coating from harmful and aggressive environmental influences, household chemicals, accidental damage from impacts and clouding of the color pigment.
To begin with, let's outline the main types of Tops: - Top with a sticky layer - Top without a sticky layer (no wipe) - Top on a rubber base (rubber top) - With or without a UV filter
Now let's look at the properties and qualities of each type separately.
A top with a sticky layer is considered classic. After polymerization, it requires removal of the dispersion layer with a special means. This type of Top is most suitable for covering natural nails, because... has an elastic structure and, therefore, is retained during the natural mobility and deformation of the nails. It is not convenient to use for rubbing and sliders, but it works well with sand and powder textures, which are attached to the dispersion surface, and only then polymerize in a lamp. The disadvantages include its low resistance to mechanical damage, it quickly rubs and becomes cloudy. 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.
A top without a sticky layer is different in that after drying it in a lamp there is no need to remove the dispersion. This allows you to save on related materials. It is characterized by a more liquid consistency than sticky topcoats. This type of Top is most suitable for covering artificial, extended nails, because... it has a rigid, glass-like structure. It perfectly retains its shine and is resistant to damage, but it often cracks on moving nails.
Rubber-based tops have become very popular recently. Its advantages are its thick consistency and self-leveling, which allows you not only to achieve very fashionable highlights, but also to correct defects in the nail plate (grooves, grooves).
The criterion for the presence of a UV filter is relevant for all types of topcoat. It affects whether the top is “blue” or “yellow” when worn. Knowing the presence or absence of a filter, we can choose the right Top for light or dark shades of varnish, so as not to get unsightly color shifts. The presence of a UV filter in the Top ensures blocking of ultraviolet radiation in the sun and solarium, and prevents the color coating from fading. It is suitable for light and bright shades of gel polish, for French manicure. If it is applied to a dark coating, then the color will begin to cast blue. The downside of this Top is that it can become stained in the first day after polymerization due to a chemical reaction. This is considered the norm. It is better not to apply topcoat without a UV filter to light shades, as it will yellow the color of the varnish. You can tell if there is a UV filter if your nails appear blue or blue in the lamp.
So, based on all of the above, it is obvious that, as in the case of the Base, there is no universal Top. Each master needs to have several types of Top in his arsenal and be able to choose the right one for a specific coating.
There is one very important rule that will simplify your work and tell you how to choose the right Base and Top in a coating: Soft can always be applied to hard, but hard to soft cannot be applied, hence all the problems with the durability of coatings.
You may also be interested in: BASE COAT & TOP COAT TM FOR YOU
I hope you found this article useful. I will be glad to receive any comments and additions.
Hypoallergenic top
For sensitive hand skin and girls with allergies, it is better to use a hypoallergenic nail topcoat. To understand how safe and hypoallergenic a top is, you need to look for the corresponding marks on the label: 2-Free, 5-Free, 7-Free or 9-Free. The higher the number, the fewer hazardous substances the top contains. Therefore, it will be safer and hypoallergenic.
Such tops are produced by the following companies: CND, Grattol, Gelish Harmony, Jessica Geleration and ECO Puf. In their production, raw materials that are more expensive and less hazardous to health are used, so their prices are correspondingly higher than for regular non-hypoallergenic tops.
Rubber top
Rubber top for gel polish is a top that contains rubber. Rubber is a substance that has rubber properties. Due to this, the coating is thicker, denser, more elastic and durable.
In everyday life, we often hit our nails on all sorts of surfaces. The nails of women who often do housework have to endure a lot of micro-impacts. A rubber coating more reliably protects nails from these micro-impacts, as if pushing them away from surfaces. It perfectly covers each nail and prevents chips and microcracks from forming on the nails.
Matte (satin, velvet) top
Matte nails have thoroughly settled in the hearts of all fashionistas. And for years in a row, they occupy leading positions in the charts of the most popular manicures.
Matte tops for nails come in super-matte finishes, they are called velvet tops. And less matte, with a nubuck effect on the nails. These are satin tops, also called velor or corduroy, for their softer matte finish.
Due to its strong porosity and the presence of large velvety microparticles, the velvet top feels like velvet. But, because of this porosity, it gets dirty very quickly. Therefore, a velvet top is ideal for dark shades of gel polish; it’s better not to risk it with light shades.
Satin top has less porosity and feels like nubuck. It gets dirty less, so it is very good for light shades of gel polish. It also works very well for designs as it doesn't eat up them as much as a velvet top would.
Best Matte Finish Designs
There are a huge variety of manicure options with a matte top, and each master can add something of his own. You can cover 1-2 nails or only part of the nail plate. Matte French stripes or, conversely, matte nails with a glossy strip along the edge look great.
Matteness in photos and in life gives the design nobility and elegance. On such a surface, rhinestones play with other colors, and sparkles and bouillons are better revealed. In combination with a velvet coating, sand or powder gives a more voluminous effect. The main advantage is that any color without an obsessive gloss looks luxurious and expensive.
Black matte manicure
This is one of the most popular options. Black velvet looks very noble. All types of rhinestones and beads, metal casting, foil, and glitter look perfect with this color. The matte finish perfectly sets off the ombre effect.
Red
This glossy shade is quite bright and provocative. Cover it with a matte layer and see how the classic red color transforms.
Blue
Matte blue looks truly royal. In winter, all dark and rich tones are appropriate, in summer - everything from sky blue to azure.
Pink
Matte pink will be appropriate in any strict dress code, since it no longer looks so deliberately doll-like and childishly naive. A French manicure with a white glossy stripe and a powdery pink base will show its owner’s good taste and willingness to follow fashion trends.
Would you like to try one of the designs described? A small amount of Lovely matte top will be enough for several dozen manicures. Use the full potential of your gel polish collection!
Glossy top (diamond, diamond)
The glossy top gives your nails a chic, glossy finish. It can also be found under the names Super Shine (super shine), High Gloss (high shine), Ultra Gloss (ultra shine), diamond top and top diamond (Top Brilliant) - because of the super shine that it can give to the nails. Gloss always attracts attention. In addition, it protects nails from damage and gives them shine and shine.
Camouflage top
Camouflage top coat for nails is a translucent colored top coat, available in nude shades: peach, pink and milky. It is designed to create delicate nude nails.
In order to create a beautiful nude manicure using this top, it is recommended to first apply a base coat to your nails. Then cover it with a transparent top with a sticky layer. And then apply one or two layers of camouflage colored top. The number of layers of camouflage top depends on the intensity of the shade that you want to achieve as a result. It protects nails from damage, gives shine and a delicate shade to the nails.
Why choose tops without drugs?
Advantages of the BLS top without a sticky layer:
- convenient to apply;
- saves time;
- material consumption is reduced;
- The drug is easily removed if necessary.
Considering such advantages, it is possible - why do we need tops with a sticky layer, because there are strict requirements for use.
Shellac CND Top Coat (USA)
Top with UV filter
Thanks to the powerful UV filters in the top, the white color of the gel polish will acquire a boiling white hue and retain it throughout the entire period of wear. And it will give black gel polish a bluish-black tint that will delight you for up to 3-4 weeks. Ultraviolet filters in the top coat prevent the manicure color from fading in the sun. In the summer, such a top is simply irreplaceable. Also, it protects nails from damage and adds shine.
Top for securing designs
In manicure stores, you can also find tops for securing designs, such as Top for slider. In general, you can fix the design on your nails with any topcoat. But, if you need a perfect result, it is better to turn to specially designed tops.
Tops for securing designs are more elastic in composition. Therefore, they are excellent for rubbing in, airbrushing, attaching slider designs and voluminous decorative stickers. They cover and hold all types of small decor with high quality: rhinestones, kamifubuki, broken glass, etc. They self-level perfectly and align design elements underneath them, holding them as efficiently as possible.
Top with shimmer (glitter)
This top, with a transparent color base, and with a lot of reflective particles buried in it, will give your manicure a shimmering effect. The particles can be either fine or coarse, or it can be a mixture of large and small glitter. Sequins can be the same color: gold, silver, red, blue, green. Or they can be a mixture of different colors. If you want to shine brighter than the stars, feel free to choose this type of top coat. In addition, it protects your nails from damage and gives them a festive glow.
Magnetic top
Using a top coat with a magnetic effect, you can easily achieve a beautiful “Cat Eye” effect on any color of your favorite gel polish. In order to get the desired effect, you need to apply this topcoat to your nails at the end of the manicure, and before drying in the lamp, hold it over its surface with a special magnet.
Due to the presence of small metallized particles in this top, which are attracted to a magnet, you can create various interesting effects. For example, a stripe in the center, like a cat's eye, or several oblique stripes. In general, here you can experiment.
In addition, you can choose the color of these particles: gold, silver, blue, green. This effect is especially beautiful on black gel polish.
Top Coat for nails - what is it?
There are many different techniques for applying nail polish these days. However, now everything is not as simple as before. A decade ago, women took fifteen minutes to paint their nails and dry them. However, ordinary polish does not last long on nails: after a couple of days, cracks appear. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to update their manicure every day. In this regard, special products have been developed that allow the varnish to last much longer. These include Top Coat for nails. Every manicurist knows what it is, because without this product you cannot achieve the required durability.
The so-called top is a varnish fixer. It not only allows the coating to last much longer, but also gives a dazzling shine.
Typically, Top Coat nail polish is used when applying gel or acrylic. It has a fairly dense consistency, thanks to which the varnish is protected. The top evens out the coating, making it flawless and shiny.
Holographic and thermal top
A holographic nail topper will create a “rainbow glow” or “holographic shimmer” effect on your nails. These stunning shimmering glitters will make your manicure simply magical. It will look equally good on both a light and dark background.
Contains many tiny particles that reflect light and shimmer in different shades. If you apply a holographic top on a black or blue background, you will get the feeling that you have space or something otherworldly on your nails.
A top with a thermal effect will also help you create a very interesting and unusual design, similar to an ombre manicure. The only condition is that the color of the gel polish should be a tone lighter than the color of the thermal top.
The gradient effect on the nails is obtained due to changes in temperature: either the environment or the fingers and nails themselves. These color shifts will change throughout the day. In warm weather the top will be colorless, but in cold weather its thermo-color will appear.
In addition, the thermal top can appear on the tips of the nails, as if it were a French effect. This happens because there is heat from the finger under the nail, but not at the tip. Therefore, the tip of the nail will be cooler than the nail itself.
Experiment and try different types of tops, so you will determine which one you are most comfortable with, and which top is best and lasts the longest, keeping your manicure in its original form.
Application technology
This product can be used not only by a manicurist, but also by the most ordinary housewife. However, it is worth knowing how to apply it correctly.
To begin with, the nail is processed, after which Base Coat is used as the first layer. In common parlance it is usually called the base. After drying it in a special ultraviolet lamp, then apply a colored gel. It also undergoes heat treatment in a UV lamp. Even after such difficult procedures, your manicure will not be reliable. A topcoat is used to secure it. It is applied in a thin layer and dried thoroughly. It is recommended to do this longer than when working with the base - at least three minutes.
Be careful: under no circumstances should the fixative be shaken! Its dense consistency has the ability to form bubbles, which are not so easy to get rid of. It is better not to twist such a bottle in your hands and try not to drop it. Otherwise, after drying, you may find small irregularities on your nails - the consequences of burst bubbles.
This product must be applied in a precisely dosed amount. If the drop on the brush is too large, this can result in uneven application of the top coat over the surface of the nail. Then the coating may harden poorly and peel off quickly.
Also, remember to never apply Top Coat Nails with an angled brush. What is this rule for? It's simple: with this brush position, uneven colors appear, for example, white spots on dark varnishes.
As soon as you touch your nail with this polish, do not smear it randomly. The correct way to apply it is from the cuticle (but without touching it), moving up to the tip of the nail, as if “sealing” it. This will help your manicure last much longer.
The most important rule is not to let this liquid spread beyond the edges of the nail plate. At first you won't notice anything unusual. But when the nail grows back after 3-4 days, the coating will begin to peel off in places where the product was applied poorly.
What is a top coat for regular varnish and its types?
In a manicure using regular nail polish, you can also use a top coat. It also serves to give durability to the manicure and protect it from external damage - fading, chips, scratches, household chemicals. And most importantly, it gives your nails a beautiful shine.
But, the top for regular polish, unlike the top for gel polish, does not need to be dried in a lamp; it dries in the open air. This is both its advantage and disadvantage. The advantage is that you don't need to spend money on a UV or LED lamp to dry your nails, but the disadvantage is that your nails take much longer to dry outdoors.
In addition, a manicure done with regular polish, without using a top coat, will last much less than a manicure with a top coat. For example, a manicure with regular polish without using a top will last 3-6 days, and with a top it will last as long as 7-10 days.
And of course, without a top coat, regular varnish will look dull and uninteresting. The top gives it an unparalleled shine.
Do an experiment. Paint one hand with just varnish, as usual, and the other with varnish along with the top coat. You will see that the manicure on the first hand will look untidy after 2-3 days, the first chips will appear, especially on the edge. And the second hand, where the top was used, will continue to please the eye.
Types of topcoats for regular varnish:
A glossy top is a top that gives your manicure an expressive shine and shine. It can be called Super Shine (Shine Gloss), Diamond Top (Brilliant) or just glossy top. Protects manicure from damage, gives shine and shine to nails.
The “quick dry” top is a top combined with drying, which helps to significantly reduce the drying time of nail polish. Works within a couple of minutes. Gives shine and shine to nails.
Top with the effect of wet nails - forms a durable, super-glossy coating on the varnish, extends its wear life, protects from scratches and chips. Creates a wet shine effect on nails.
Magnetic Topcoat is a decorative top coat that will easily allow you to create a “Cat Eye” effect on any nail polish shade. To create a beautiful design, you only need to use a magnet, which usually comes with the top. In addition, the top protects the manicure from damage and gives it shine.
Top with a matte nail effect - helps to give any color of your polish a fashionable matte finish. Protects manicure and extends wear time.
A universal top is a universal 2 in 1 or 3 in 1 product; it can act as a base for varnish, as a top coat, and as a care product. May contain various nutritional components, oils and vitamins. Protects manicure from damage, cares for it and adds shine.
A top with glitter (glitter, shimmer) is a top with small or large sparkles. It can be with sparkles of the same color, different colors or with a holographic effect (Holographic Top). It looks very beautiful, both on colored varnish and on bare nails. Extends wear time and gives nails shine.
Top with gel polish effect – a transparent top that creates additional volume with the effect of a gel coating. Advantages of this top: 1) nails look as if they were covered with gel polish; 2) This top is used without lamp. Protects manicure from damage and gives them shine.
A top with a UV filter is a top that protects the color of your manicure from fading in the sun. In summer it is simply irreplaceable. Protects manicure from damage and gives it shine.
How to use nail top
Basic rules for applying and using gel polish top:
- The top is applied strictly after gel polish.
- Before using the top, to stir it, you need to take the bottle and gently roll it between your palms for 1 minute. Under no circumstances should the bottle of top coat be shaken or shaken, as this may cause the top coat to bubble when applied to the nails.
- All topcoats are applied from the cuticle to the edge of the nail plate with light movements, holding the brush parallel to the nail. Don't put too much pressure on the brush. Then the top will lie beautifully and evenly.
- Be sure to seal the end and sides of your nail when applying top coat, this will help make your manicure last longer.
- The drying time for the top in UV, hybrid or LED lamps is indicated by the manufacturer on the bottle with the top. Always follow this time exactly. The top should not be under-dried, otherwise it will release toxic substances that can enter the stomach. And if the topcoat is too dry, it can lead to cracks and chips in your manicure.
If you want to give your nails a well-groomed look and protect them from harmful influences, but you don’t like colored polish or the situation requires you to follow a certain etiquette, you can apply the base directly to the top. It will be minimalistic and stylish.
Basic rules for using and applying top coat for regular nail polish:
- The top is applied after the colored varnish has completely dried, as the last layer.
- You don't need to shake it before use, otherwise it may leave bubbles on your manicure.
- You can coat your nails with top coat 1 or 2 times, if desired, the main thing is to thoroughly dry each layer in the open air.
How to apply top coat, rules and secrets of use
Varnish products are applied to the manicure in a thin layer after the color has completely dried. If you use top drying, then you need to cover the nail without waiting for the varnish to dry.
A good topcoat for gel polish will perform its functions perfectly if it is applied following certain rules:
Applying top coat
- Preparation of the product - before starting work, you can roll the bottle in your palms and carefully mix the composition;
- Movements with the brush should be made parallel to the nail plate, covering it with a thin layer of the composition;
- The amount of product on the brush should be minimal;
- The coating is distributed over the entire nail, including the end part;
- Reapplication is carried out only after the previous layer has dried in a UV lamp.
Tips and life hacks for using top
- It is advisable to use all gel polish system products of the same brand. Since sometimes, when using a top brand of a different brand than the base and gel polish, the top may conflict with the gel polish and roll off in the cuticle area. Or on your nails, chips can begin to form very quickly.
- Chips and cracks can also form due to too thin layers of base and top, that is, the nail will “walk” because it is not strengthened enough.
- To prevent the top with a sticky layer from becoming cloudy, after drying your nails in the lamp, you need to let them cool for literally 2 minutes, and only after that you can remove the sticky layer with a special product. Then the top will not become cloudy.
- Since all tops are relatively liquid, unlike bases, they cannot be used to greatly level the nail plate. You can only slightly smooth out the surface of the nail. To do this, you need to coat your nails with top coat 2 times, and after each application, dry each layer of top coat well in a lamp.
But, the more layers of top coat you apply to your nails, the harder it will be to remove the gel polish from them later. The main alignment is still best done using a nail base.
- If the gel polish top has thickened, it can be diluted with a fresher or new top. You can also try putting the bottle of top coat in a container of hot water for 5 minutes, gently mix the contents with a brush and start applying it to your nails. But, there is a possibility that the top will lose its former durability, or become cloudy and will not shine as before.
- If you accidentally applied a base instead of a top coat, then the next day you can take a file with a hardness of 180 grit, and with its help, carefully file off this layer, and then apply the top coat to your nails.
Applying a base instead of a top coat is almost pointless, since when you remove the sticky layer from the base, the coating will remain cloudy.
- Be sure to follow the order of applying products to your nails: first comes the base, then the gel polish, and then the top. The durability of your manicure depends on this.
How to choose top and base
In order for the base composition and finish to fully perform their functions, which means extend the life of the manicure and protect the natural nail, you need to take the trouble to choose them correctly, in accordance with the brand of gel polish. If you prefer shellac, you also need to choose the appropriate products. General rules and knowledge of several nuances will help you:
- If you use shellac, Cody, Bluesky or CND are suitable - they are “friendly” with almost all gel polishes. A product from another company may conflict.
- It is preferable to buy the base and top from the same company and, accordingly, gel polish.
- If you are somewhat limited in funds, buy colored polish at a cheaper price, but you should not skimp on the top and base. The fact is that, as we found out, they are responsible for the durability and shine of manicure.
- Experts claim that all additional tested liquids in the middle and high price categories have more or less good characteristics. However, some may have additional properties. For example, sometimes they are enriched
hydrolyzed keratin. This will give you the advantage of additional care for the plates and prolongation of the durability of the manicure due to the increased acquired solidity. If you have thin nails, it is recommended to apply a similar strengthening product yourself. - If the plates are uneven or damaged, it makes sense to use a thicker base for better strengthening.
- If the plates are thin, use a thick topcoat. As for specific manufacturers and product names, be guided by whether the product is suitable for your gel polish. This can be clarified with the seller, on official websites, or in the instructions. Tools from Kodi and Bluesky are considered more or less universal.
- The ease of use of a particular product also plays an important role. The bottle should be elongated so that a large amount of product does not remain at the bottom due to the impossibility of quickly removing it with a brush. It must be sustainable. The brush itself should be dense, thick, evenly or slightly rounded, the bristles should not bristle, the handle should fit well in the hand. After all, it must be applied quickly and carefully.
You cannot replace the base and top with anything, no product will work instead of them, and they differ very much, so you will have to make a choice. And it’s not a fact that it will be correct right away.
In any case, you need to consult with a master or a competent seller, or a consultant. Or remember our recommendations and then go on a successful shopping spree.
How can you replace nail topcoat?
When performing manicures with gel polish, masters do not recommend replacing the top coat with some other product. Since this can affect the durability of the coating and its quality.
For example, if you cover gel polish with a base instead of a top coat, then when you remove the sticky layer, the surface may become cloudy and your manicure will be ruined. In addition, the base is not intended to protect the manicure from damage or fading in the sun. Therefore, the duration of wear can be significantly reduced.
There is also an option to replace the topcoat with a topcoat that is used to fix regular nail polish. This option is possible. Please note that you do not need to dry this top in a lamp; it is simply air dried. But, you must understand that the durability of such a coating will not be long.
But replacing the top coat for regular polish with a top coat for gel polish is definitely not worth it. Since this top coat will remove regular polish and your manicure will be ruined.
Of course, these options can be used in emergency situations. For example, when the top is unexpectedly lost, dried out or runs out. But, it is better to use a gel polish top coat as a finishing coat, or in order not to bother with different jars, you can simply purchase a single-phase system.
Below I’ll tell you about the 7 best top coats for nails. And in this video you can see which budget top to choose for a beginner for manicure with gel polish.
The gel polish top is bubbling. Who is to blame and what to do
Air bubbles in gel polish are a serious problem, since they do not disappear during polymerization and look sloppy on the surface of the material, like garbage. They appear due to sudden movements of the brush in the bottle, forcing air into the material. If you do not want to have aesthetic defects in the coating, then get used to smooth and neat, precise movements. Do not throw the brush into the bottle, do not shake the gel polish, do not stir it right before use.
There are materials that are more prone to the formation of bubbles; you should be extremely careful with these. There are less sensitive exceptions, but even with them you should not allow yourself unnecessary sudden movements. Check for bubbles before polymerization and, if found, carefully burst each one. To do this, lightly poke the bubble with the tip of a thin brush or orange stick.
TOP 7 best finishing coatings for nails
Each brand has its own top coatings, in different price categories and with different characteristics. To find the most suitable coating for your taste and budget, you just need to try several different ones and choose the golden mean for yourself. Now let's look at several popular tops for gel polish and regular polish, both among masters and among ordinary girls.
The best top coats for gel polish
UNO Top Coat – Glossy top coat for gel polish with a sticky layer
Volume 15 ml
Average price 590-650 rub.
UNO nail top reliably fixes the color of gel polish, maintaining its brightness and strength. It also protects your manicure from color fading, scratches or chips. Even after several weeks of wear, your nails look well-groomed and flawless. UNO brand products do not harm natural nails. This is a brand that produces high-quality products for the nail industry.
- Elastic top
- Doesn't lose its shine throughout the entire wear period.
- Good volume/price/quality ratio
- Does not harm natural nails
- Very high quality composition
- Easily removed without files or sanders in 5-7 minutes
BlueskyTop Coat – Glossy top coat for gel polish without a sticky layer
Volume 10 ml
Average price 150-180 rub.
Bluesky nail top simplifies the process of creating a manicure, as it does not require removing the sticky layer. In addition, it not only provides manicure protection from chips and scratches for three weeks, but also gives a fashionable glossy effect.
- Hard top
- Doesn't lose its shine throughout the entire wear period.
- Attractive price
- Removed using a special gel polish remover
Kodi Rubber Top - Rubber top for gel polish with a sticky layer
Volume 8 ml
Average price 500-550 rubles
Rubber top coat for nails Kodi (Kodi) provides strength, beautiful shine, and also protects against cracking and peeling; a manicure with this coating will last for 2-3 weeks. Can be used to nourish nails, as the unique formula, with moisturizing and nutrients, eliminates the effects of negative factors and does not dry out nails.
- Elastic top
- Doesn't lose its shine throughout the entire wear period.
- Contains moisturizing and nourishing components
- Doesn't dry out nails
- Removed using a special gel polish remover
Ice Nova Top Shimmer - Top for gel polish with shimmer without a sticky layer
Volume 10 ml
Average price 350-400 rubles
A top with shimmer gives the manicure a velvety and shimmering effect. Protects gel polish from chips and scratches, does not have a strong odor after drying in a lamp. When applied to light shades, it creates a delicate glow effect, and on dark shades it leaves reflections of different colors.
- Hard top
- Creates a velvety and radiant effect
- No pungent odor after drying
- Removed using a special gel polish remover
Applying a nail top coat
The base and finish for gel polish are considered the basic elements of a competent manicure. The finish raises many questions for beginners, unlike the base. The main tasks of top coating include:
- the finish for gel polish adds gloss to the manicure;
- topcoat increases the life of the nail;
- fixes rhinestones and sparkles more firmly;
- A range of topcoat coatings help make nails matte.
Coat is necessary for more than just a regular manicure. For example, finishing gel for nail extensions is present in the work of many masters, and even experienced girls are not always clear about its main tasks.
Why do you need a top for nail extensions?
First of all, such a topcoat will help protect the work of the master. Most often, for these types of work, a coat with a sticky layer is used. After all, extended nails are the least resistant to minor mechanical damage. A finish without a sticky layer is used less often in this case. Gel polish also helps to consolidate the work of the master and extend the life of the extended nails. However, there is a downside to this method. For the best effect, you must use an ultraviolet lamp. And this, as you know, is unsafe for the nail plate and health in general. Therefore, experienced professionals do not advise getting carried away with the nail extension procedure, resorting to it only in extreme cases.
Finish coating for gel polish
Top coatings for gel polishes are a universal and affordable product. However, it must be remembered that the gel polish coating should not be applied at random, but following the established rules:
- A thick topcoat for gel polish is applied after the last layer of the base polish has dried. In the case of the coat drying type, it can be applied a couple of minutes after the last coat of varnish.
- Many beginners are faced with the appearance of characteristic bubbles after applying the top coating. They sometimes spoil the entire design, but are a characteristic feature for varnishes of this type. Pro advice is that the bottle should not be shaken before use. If the topcoat nail coating contains glitter or other decor, rubbing the bottle between your palms will help distribute it evenly throughout the bottle.
- Don't get too carried away with the thickness of the top layer. Coat is applied to the nails so that there is enough layer to cover the plate evenly. The method is the same as with regular varnish: starting from the cuticle level, or slightly retreating from it and down the nail.
- When applying top gel polish, it is important to maintain the correct position of the brush. Do not hold it perpendicularly or press too hard. This way you can avoid streaks on your nails.
- When using a standard topcoat coating on nails, you can use additional drying, for example, in the form of a spray.
Many people believe that the types of coats for gel polish and regular ones are very different.
Top coat for regular varnish
Coat for regular varnish is slightly different from the finish for gel analogues. Firstly, their structure is less dense, which makes application much easier. Secondly, they do not need to be dried using ultraviolet light; it is enough to allow time for natural drying. If top is purchased with a built-in drying function, the process will be even faster than ultraviolet treatment. Experts do not recommend applying a pattern to the top for gel polish. Due to different textures, the manicure can not only deteriorate, but the structure of the nail plate can also be damaged. Nails may become more brittle, stains and other imperfections may appear. However, there are no serious prohibitions on such technology. But it is best to use a different finish for each type of varnish to avoid health problems.
