Now on the shelves of cosmetic stores you can find dozens of a wide variety of nail bases from a variety of manufacturers. It is on the transparent base that the colored varnish is applied, and then the topcoat. It protects the nail plate from the harmful effects of the polymer material, smoothes and strengthens it, and also saves it from staining and yellowing. It also ensures strong adhesion of the nail to the artificial material, which avoids chipping and cracking.
The base is applied to a thoroughly cleaned and degreased surface in a thin, even layer. Thanks to its self-leveling property, the high-quality coating will automatically distribute itself over the surface of the nail plate without bubbles or streaks. Together with an expert, we have compiled a rating of the best nail bases for 2022.
Expert's choice
BANDI base coat ULTRA CURE
BANDI Photo: BANDI
The camouflage base coat ULTRA CURE from the professional Korean nail brand BANDI solves three problems at once - it strengthens the nail plate, at the same time it is both a reliable base and a colored coating (the range includes a lighter shade of CC Nude and a darker BB Cover). The base not only smoothes and protects nails, but also moisturizes and strengthens them due to the content of sunflower seed oils, tea tree leaves, rosemary, brown algae and horse chestnut extract, as well as wheat proteins and vitamins. The durability of the coating without chips or cracks is up to three weeks; due to the nude shade, the nails look natural, healthy and shiny. This base is ideal for covering French.
Advantages and disadvantages
natural composition, base and color at the same time, durability up to 3 weeks without chipping
small selection of colors
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Popular brands
The best base and top coat for gel polish is offered by the CND company in the photo. This is a proven brand of manicure products that have earned the recognition of masters and users all over the world. The CND base is of high quality, excellent adhesion and fast polymerization. Reviews about the base coat for gel polish claim that CND is the best choice for home and salon use.
Kodi gels are no less popular. It is this manufacturer that offers a rubber coating that provides an even coating on the nail plates. Rubber reliably protects nails from staining with colored particles that are part of gel polishes.
For those who want to purchase an inexpensive but high-quality product, it is recommended to pay attention to Bluesky base coat. The product applies well to nails, dries quickly and allows you to create a high-quality, durable gel polish manicure. High quality and affordable price have made this product popular among users.
Rating of the top 10 best nail bases according to KP
ARTEX base coat Make-up Corrector Rubber
ARTEX Photo: ARTEX
Make-up Corrector Rubber from ARTEX is ideal for strengthening and smoothing the nail plate, filling all cracks and irregularities. The base is suitable for working with thin, brittle, short nails under gel polish or gel paint. Many masters use it to create nail architecture and to increase length.
The base coat of Make-up Corrector Rubber does not chip or peel, is easy to apply and level, and does not bake in the lamp. Due to the perfect camouflage nude shades, it does not require an additional color layer and is not noticeable as the nail grows. When removing the coating, it does not require preliminary washing of the surface and is easily removed with liquid within 5-10 minutes, so it is suitable for express manicure. The base coat is available in two volumes - 15 and 50 ml.
Advantages and disadvantages
suitable for brittle and problematic nails, invisible when growing, easy to remove
incompatible with other gel polishes
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Cosmoprofi Base Coat
Cosmoprofi Photo: Cosmoprofi
Cosmoprofi rubber transparent nail base eliminates all unevenness of the nail plate and creates a smooth and durable base for applying gel polish. Despite its fairly liquid consistency, the base is easy to apply and level, creates a medium-hard frame without excess volume, and protects nails from yellowing, delamination and coloring pigments. The base is mainly used on strong, undeformed nails; it does not burn when polymerized in a lamp. Polymerization in an LED lamp takes only a minute, in a UV lamp - 2 minutes. The base does not chip or crack for at least 3 weeks.
Advantages and disadvantages
does not bake in the lamp, self-levels, prevents splitting and yellowing of nails
not suitable for problematic or weakened nails
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KLIO Professional Rubber Base Extra
KLIO Photo: KLIO
The extra-thick rubber base Rubber Base Extra from KLIO Professional is ideal for problematic nails - thin, flaky, prone to brittleness. Despite the thick consistency, the base is easy to apply, it does not flow and evens out perfectly, while the nail plate looks natural, without excess volume. At the same time, the consumption of the product itself is minimal.
Rubber Base Extra is great for repairing, extending and leveling the nail plate, as well as for attaching rhinestones - even large ones. Separately, it is worth noting the comfortable brush - short, flat with evenly trimmed dense bristles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Levels well, strengthens nails, economical consumption, does not leak
bakes in a lamp, especially if applied in several layers to level the nail plate
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Lianail Factor Base
Lianail Photo: Lianail
The instant base for a thin coating from the Latvian brand Lianail has a fairly liquid consistency, making it easy to apply, but does not spread or weigh down the nail plate, and also levels out perfectly. There is also a base option with a thicker consistency. Suitable as a base for gel, acrylic and acrylic.
The thin coating is suitable for nails that do not require leveling. But the thick rubber base is suitable for both leveling and building up. The black matte bottle with the product itself looks very stylish and expensive, but gets dirty easily. The brush has a standard shape, the bristles are soft, the hairs are cut evenly, and it paints well near the cuticle and side ridges.
Advantages and disadvantages
comfortable brush, does not spread and does not weigh down the nail plate
small volume (only 10 ml)
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Imen base coat Rubber base
Rubber base Photo: Rubber base
The Rubber base from the famous Russian brand Imen has a medium (closer to thick) consistency, which allows even beginners to easily and evenly distribute the coating over the nail plate, without drips or staining of the cuticle and side ridges. The base is self-leveling, suitable for all types of nails, including thin and weakened ones. The polymerization time in an LED lamp is at least 30 seconds, in a UV lamp - 60 seconds (professionals recommend using a combined LED/UV lamp).
The durability of the coating with the base is excellent - at least 2-3 weeks without chipping, does not conflict with color coatings of other brands, and can also be easily removed with liquid (after cutting off the top layer).
Advantages and disadvantages
does not conflict with color coatings of other brands, easy and economical to apply, durability 3 weeks
may sag on long nails
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Luxio gel Base Natural
Luxio Photo: Luxio
Luxio gel Base Natural Camouflage Base is a classic base coat from the Canadian brand Luxio. The manufacturer describes the base as “a 100% gel that provides a durable, long-lasting, beautiful coating, protects the nail from external damage and gives a bright glossy shine.” The base has a fairly liquid consistency, is easy to apply and spread, does not have a strong chemical odor, does not cause allergic reactions, and is easily and quickly removed with liquid (Akzentz Soak Off). Separately, it is worth noting the original and very comfortable brush - narrow, short, tightly packed, with a perfect cut. This brush easily applies the material even under the cuticle and paints all corners well, without streaking. The durability of the coating with Luxio gel Base Natural is about 2-3 weeks, without chipping or peeling, and you can only count on light leveling, but building up and building the nail architecture is excluded.
Advantages and disadvantages
comfortable brush, easy to apply without smudges, lasts at least 2-3 weeks without chipping or peeling
high price, not suitable for extensions, sag on long nails
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Vogue Nails base coat Rubber
Vogue Nails Photo: Vogue Nails
Rubber base coat from the Russian brand Vogue Nails is a thick, elastic rubber base suitable for strengthening thin, soft and weakened nails, as well as for smoothing the nail plate. The line includes 12 nude translucent shades from soft pink to peach, and therefore the base can be used simultaneously as a color coating, suitable for a French jacket. Any gel polish also fits perfectly on it, does not spread, does not form bubbles and does not shrink. The coating is durable and resistant - no peeling, chipping or scratching for at least 2-3 weeks. The base is polymerized in both UV and LED lamps. The recommended polymerization time is 3 and 1 minute respectively
First of all, the original design of the bottle attracts attention - the cap is made in the form of a half-opened pink bud. The brush is quite thick, you need to try not to stain the cuticle and side rollers.
Advantages and disadvantages
compatible with gel polishes from other companies, suitable for soft and weak nails
not a very comfortable brush
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Lovely Nails Rubber Base
Lovely Nails Photo: Lovely Nails
The rubber base for nails Rubber Base from Lovely Nails has a fairly thick consistency, so even when applied in one layer it evens out all the unevenness and defects of the nail plate, strengthening and protecting against yellowing and pigmentation, and is also very economical in consumption. And if you buy a 50 ml tube, it will definitely last for a long time. Camouflage base: available in nude pale pink, beige and translucent white shades, can be used without a colored layer for a jacket - just apply the base in two layers.
The main advantages of the base: easy to apply, quickly distributed, provides strong adhesion of the gel polish to the nail plate, long-lasting and durable coating without chipping or peeling for up to 3-4 weeks (or even longer if correction was not required due to nail growth) . A convenient wide, tightly packed brush, as well as the absence of a pungent chemical odor, makes application easy and convenient even for a beginner at home.
Advantages and disadvantages
incredible durability of the coating, economical consumption, strengthens the nail plate, suitable for French
bakes strongly in the lamp, can only be removed by sawing it off
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UNO LED/UV Rubber Base
UNO Photo: UNO
Another popular nail base for both professionals and home use is Rubber Base from the UNO brand. A couple of years ago, this base was one of the five most popular products for nail services and has not yet lost its popularity. UNO Base Strong has a medium-thick consistency, is perfectly leveled, does not shrink on long nails and does not bake in a lamp. Due to its dense texture, it is well suited for flexible, soft and brittle nails, strengthening them and smoothing the surface. Thanks to its fairly thick consistency, it does not flow onto the cuticle or onto the side rollers, but is quite easy to apply and distribute. It is worth noting the comfortable elastic brush with an even cut, as well as the fact that the base is easily soaked and removed with gel polish remover. Does not contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate and camphor, which has a positive effect on the health of the nail plate.
Advantages and disadvantages
safe composition, does not burn in the lamp, suitable for all types of nails
The price is quite high, there is a risk of running into a fake
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Base options for gel polish
Depending on the structure of the database, there are the following types:
- Rubber. Today it is the most common base coat because it has the ability to smooth and strengthen the nail plate. The texture of the rubber base for gel polish is very thick. Craftsmen often use additional brushes to apply it and carefully level it. The colored varnish is placed very carefully on the rubber base, which allows you to achieve the right highlights. Popular representatives with the maximum number of positive reviews include – Kodi, TNL rubber 10 ml.
Rubber base for gel polish
- Silicone. An unusual and interesting option, presented in the form of a sticker. It is fixed to the nail, the structure allows it to adhere to the surface as firmly as possible. It has an undoubted advantage - neat and gentle removal without damage. When working with it, you need to know that peeling it off and reattaching it won’t work.
Silicone base for gel polish
- Acrylic. Presented in the form of fine powder and thick acrylic mass. They are used for leveling, strengthening, lengthening, and obtaining a smooth, uniform surface.
Strengthening nails with acrylic powder
- Water-based gel polish. This water option is suitable for women who are allergic to standard bases, or for pregnant women. The water base is used only for regular varnishes; gel polishes will not stick to it. This feature must be remembered if you choose the foundation yourself.
Water manicure with gel polish
- Base for spreading gel polish. To carry out complex designs involving wet painting techniques, a special base is required. On the one hand, one should not slide towards the periphery, otherwise you will not have time to complete the drawing. On the other hand, create a backing to ensure that a drop of colored varnish spreads in the desired direction.
Gel nail polish Miis Base
Knowing the features of each base option, you can choose the most suitable one. Professionals working in the direction of nail art often have several types in their arsenal (rubber, acrylic and spreading).
How to choose a nail base
When choosing a suitable base for nails, first of all, it is necessary to assess the condition of the nail plate, whether it requires additional strengthening, and which layer - dorsal (keratin), intermediate (soft keratin) or ventral (keratin of the nail bed) will have to be worked with. Thus, plastic soft bases cause significant shrinkage and do not strengthen the nails. Medium-hard bases provide little shrinkage and good adhesion of the material to the natural nail, and such bases can also strengthen weakened and soft nails. Hard bases do not shrink and strengthen nails well, but the quality of adhesion leaves much to be desired, and detachments may appear.
The best gel nail polishes
A flawless, chip-free manicure that lasts on your nails for at least two weeks.
How to apply
Having purchased a basic set for gel polish coating, it is recommended to study the method of using each product included in the kit. Remembering that without a high-quality base it is impossible to get a long-lasting manicure, after mechanical treatment of the nails, we proceed to applying the base. The course of applying the base layer should be taken from the middle of the nail. Using gentle, rubbing movements, carefully apply the base to the entire surface of the nail plate. The quality of the manicure as a whole depends on how evenly the nail is covered with the base. If the base composition includes medicinal components, it may have a specific odor. However, the aroma quickly dissipates, so there is no need to worry that the finished manicure will emit an unpleasant odor.
For a perfect gel polish manicure, it is recommended to purchase the Bluesky base coat and top coat from the same manufacturer. Only in this case can you be sure that the two components will polymerize and fix the gel polish. After applying the base to all nails, you need to thoroughly dry the layer in a lamp and, without removing the sticky film, proceed to decorative finishing. This will ensure reliable adhesion of the layers and the integrity of the manicure.
In conclusion
To choose the best base, you need to study user reviews and recommendations from experts. This information will help determine which remedy is best. For the first steps, you can purchase an inexpensive but high-quality Bluesky base coat. If you need to hide imperfections in your nail plates, the best solution is to use a rubber product. Rubber allows you to apply the base in an even layer and at the same time reliably protect your nails from the harmful effects of the chemical components of the gel polish. You can choose a manicure set; it includes all the necessary compositions that are required to work with gel polishes.
What types of nail bases are there?
Nail bases are divided into several types. The first criterion is hardness - bases can be hard, medium hard and elastic. After polymerization, solid bases provide a rigid, stationary coating, hold their shape well, and do not bend or crack. Hard bases are good for long nails because they strengthen the “stress zone” and also help level the nail plate.
Medium-hard nail bases partially retain the mobility of the nail, but may crack. These bases are well suited for short and strong nails.
Elastic nail bases form a flexible layer, ideal for weak, soft and thin nails, as well as for leveling the nail plate.
Nail bases are also divided into transparent and camouflage. Transparent bases do not contain any pigment and are suitable for any color coating. Camouflage bases have color (as a rule, neutral shades - milky, soft pink, beige, peach), so they do not require a mandatory color coating and are ideal for French and nude-style manicures.
The best nail polishes
Natural natural fashion is replacing long extended nails
Popular questions and answers
Nail artist Anastasia Garanina will tell you why the base can chip or whether it is possible to use a top instead of a base .
Is it possible to apply gel polish without first applying a base?
- This option is only possible when using single-phase or two-phase gel polish, otherwise all the colored pigment will go into the nail plate, and the coating itself will not last very long - chips and detachments will appear in a few days.
Can I use a top instead of a base?
— Top is a finishing coat that protects the brightness of the color from fading and also adds shine. That is, the top and base have completely different tasks; the top cannot help but strengthen the nail plate, level it, or protect it from pigment penetration. So you won't be able to use it instead of a base.
Is it possible to increase the length with a base?
— You won’t be able to fully extend your nails with a simple nail base; there are special materials for this. But you can slightly lengthen the nail or its corner using an elastic base.
Why does the base bake in the lamp when drying?
— During polymerization, a chemical reaction occurs in the lamp with the release of heat - hence the feeling of pronounced heat or even burning. Whether the base will bake (gel polishes and top coats do not suffer from this) depends on several factors. For example, the more photoinitiators in the base that are responsible for its hardening, the larger the oven will be. That is, the faster the base polymerizes, the more heat is released. The master may apply a thicker layer of material than required, or the nail may be too thin and weak - all this also affects the intensity of the sensations. Therefore, it is important not to endure unpleasant sensations, but to immediately inform the specialist about it in order to avoid burns. Also, instead of one thick layer of base, it is better to apply two thin layers, and also reduce the lamp power if it begins to burn noticeably.
Why does the base chip?
— Almost all professional bases provide high-quality adhesion of gel polish to the natural nail, so you don’t have to worry about detachments and chips for several weeks. However, in some cases, chips may still appear. For example, if the technique of applying the base is broken, or the nail plate is too thin and very soft (in this case, pre-strengthening the nails with acrylic powder will help). If you often work with water and household chemicals - for example, you actively wash dishes every day or carry out wet cleaning without gloves, the base may also last less.
What is base alignment?
- Not everyone can boast of perfectly straight nails - there are often bumps, dents, and depressed areas. Using a nail base, you can level the surface of the nail plate, making the coating more durable. For leveling, a base of thick or medium consistency is suitable (liquid will spread), which is applied in 2 thin layers and polymerized in a lamp.
Why do you need bases for gel polish?
A manicure done with gel polish is the most durable option of all. That's why they love him. However, gel polish itself is not able to stay on nails for 3-4 weeks. A properly selected base helps him with this. We will talk about what this material is in this post.
Is a base always needed?
The modern cosmetics industry is constantly evolving, trying to meet the needs of its customers. Some people want to save time on the manicure procedure, while for others the durability of the result is more important. Therefore, there are 3 systems for applying gel polishes:
- Single-phase. It involves the use of “3 in 1” type products - base, gel polish and top in one bottle. This system is cheaper and reduces the coating time, but it also lasts up to 2 weeks.
- Two-phase. Performed using gel polish and top coat. There are not many two-phase gel polishes on the market that combine the properties of a base and a color coating. And they are not particularly popular.
- Three-phase system. This option, in fact, involves using the base as a separate product. A manicure performed using this system is the most durable and long-lasting.
Gel polishes designed for a three-phase system cannot be applied directly to the nail. Without a base, they simply won’t stick, and they will also saturate the natural nail with colored pigment.
What is a gel polish base?
The base is a product that plays the role of a protective layer and reliable adhesion between the natural nail and the artificial coating. It performs several functions at once:
- Protects nails from penetration of coloring pigments;
- Smoothes the surface of the nail plate and hides its imperfections;
- Strengthens thin and weak nails, allowing the coating to last twice as long;
- Allows you to build up small areas of the nail. For example, corners.
Please note that you cannot increase the full length with the base. For this you will need special materials.
Bases differ from each other in their composition and properties, so they need to be selected individually for the type of nails and the goal.
Types of bases for gel polish
As we have already noted, bases have very different compositions, and, accordingly, different consistency when applied and hardness when hardening. Based on the last characteristic, 3 main types can be distinguished:
Hard bases
Hard bases include those that practically do not bend after polymerization. They are more suitable for strong, strong natural nails. As a rule, solid bases have a more liquid consistency. You need to work with it quickly, so this type of database is best used by experienced craftsmen.
Among the products of the UNO Lux brand, the solid base is UNO Lux Ultra Care with a gentle, hypoallergenic composition, suitable for sensitive nails. If you are one of those people who often “cook” their nails during polymerization, then the UNO Lux Ultra Care base is just for you.
As for the UNO brand line, it is worth highlighting the classic UNO Classic base and the new UNO Strong base, which is perfect for long and fragile nails. The hardness of the base is medium, which allows it to be used to strengthen thin nails.
UNO, Base coat for gel polish
Uno Lux, Base coat for gel polish Base Ultra Care
UNO, Base coat for STRONG gel polish
Elastic bases
Bases of this type, as the name suggests, remain plastic and bend after polymerization. They are suitable for soft, bendable nails. In addition, elastic (medium-hard) bases have a thicker consistency and are easier for beginners to work with.
In the UNO family of products, there are several medium-hard bases: UNO Rubber and a new product from the UNO Elastic brand. Both bases are completely safe for natural nails and easy to use even for beginners. UNO Rubber has long established itself as an impeccable base for thin and fragile nails. UNO Elastic contains UV filters for weak, thin and filed nails. In terms of consistency, UNO Rubber is thick, while UNO Elastic is medium-thick.
UNO, Rubber base coat for RUBBER gel polish
Uno Lux, Rubber Base
UNO, Base coat for gel polish Elastic
Camouflage bases
These bases differ primarily in the presence of color. As a rule, they have a natural, nude shade, but there are bases of rich pink color and even bases with shimmer! Such coatings are great for French manicure, and also help save time - such a base can be worn without colored gel polish.
UNO, Camouflage base coat No. 07 for Color Rubber Base gel polish
UNO, Camouflage base coat No. 13 for Color Rubber Base gel polish
UNO, Camouflage base coat No. 05 for Color Rubber Base gel polish
Base and top: 2 in 1
I would also like to highlight a product from the UNO Lux line – UNO Lux Base Top 2 in 1. This is a universal product that can be used both as a base and as a top coat! UNO Lux Base Top 2 in 1 is well suited for normal, non-weak fingernails and toenails. It has a medium viscosity, convenient for both experienced craftsmen and beginners.
Uno Lux, Base Top 2 in 1
Why does the base “bake”?
During polymerization, the order of molecules in the base changes. This process is accompanied by a chemical reaction that releases heat. And the faster the material polymerizes, the more heat is released. Therefore, quickly hardening bases bake harder. The intensity of heat generation (and therefore “burning”) is also affected by:
- color – camouflage bases, as a rule, bake less than transparent ones;
- nail thickness – thin nails react more sharply to the process;
- thickness of the material layer - the thicker the base is applied, the more heat will be generated. To avoid this, it is better to apply 2 thin layers alternately than 1 thick one;
- lamp power - the more powerful the lamp, the faster the heat generation process occurs;
Sources
- Marketing research of product buyers. Alexandrova V. Yu, Bolshakova Yu.S., Uskova A. A. Collection of scientific articles of the 9th International Youth Scientific Conference. Kursk, 2022, pp. 11-16.
- Features of brand promotion in the NAIL industry. M. S. Kaliev, N. P. Sokhatskaya. Bulletin of Atyrau University of Oil and Gas named after. S. Utebaeva No. 1 (57) 2021.
- Analysis of criteria for choosing products for a nail salon. Alexandrova V. Yu, Bolshakova Yu.S., Uskova A. A. Collection of scientific articles of the 9th International Youth Scientific Conference. Kursk, 2021, pp. 39-43.
