The Best Nail Polish Top Coats for Flawless Finish
The top coat is the final touch that transforms a manicure into a masterpiece. This essential element delivers unmatched durability to our nails. Whether you seek a mirror-like gloss, a matte finish, or a quick-dry solution, there are top coats to suit every preference. Join us as we uncover the best nail polish top coats for gels and lacquers to ensure your manicure looks flawless for every occasion.
Top Coats for Gel Polish
Are you looking for the perfect top coat for professional results? Mixing and matching different brands is tempting, but it’s best to pick a gel brand and stick with it. Then, you can say goodbye to cracks, shrinkage, flakes, or peeling!
LAVIS Gel Polish Diamond Top Coat
LDS Gel Diamond Top
If you want polishes that both beginners and pros love, they’re right here. The good news is that LAVIS and LDS top coats are compatible and interchangeable. Both maximize the color and glossiness of your manicure and guard against damage for three weeks or more. There’s no need to cleanse with alcohol after application as they are non-wipe top coats. Plus, a single layer is all you need for a salon-quality finish.
LAVIS Matte Top Gel
Sometimes, a satin finish fits the vision better than glossy. We love the LAVIS matte top gel because it diffuses the light and brings a unique feel to polish colors. Like its shiny counterparts, it protects nails for over three weeks.
Valentino Non Wipe Matte Top Coat
Valentino also offers a non-glossy finish for your manicures. It shields your hard work for two weeks of hassle-free wear.
OPI Gel Top
Did you know that OPI only sells its gel top coats to professionals? It’s hard to come by! It offers 21+ days of protection with plenty of shine. Moreover, it cures in only 30 seconds in an LED lamp. However, you must cleanse it after curing as it has a sticky inhibition layer.
What is an inhibition layer? It’s a feature of some gel polishes that improves adhesion between coats. It feels tacky to the touch. If you are doing chrome nails, you’ll need to remove it before applying the powder. And we find that having to wipe top coats is annoying. Call us biased, but we prefer the non-wipe LDS and LAVIS top coats that speed up the process.
DND Daisy Soak Off Gel Polish Top Coat & Base Coat Refill
If you do gel manicures frequently, it’s nice to have refill bottles like this one. DND promises a beautiful finish for two weeks or more when you use their glossy top coat.
Gelish - No Cleanse Top Coat
Gelish’s handy top gel offers extra benefits. You can use it for gels, acrylics, hard gels, and Poly Gel. No matter what you paint it over, it cures in 60 seconds to a mirror finish. The downside is that it’s so durable you’ll need to file it down before soaking off the polish.
APRES - Non-Wipe Glossy Top Gel Coat
You’ve heard about Gel-X nails. Now, meet the top coat that existed before they did. Aprés created this super shiny gel finish to harden nails and guard against yellowing and chipping.
SNS Gel Star - Base & Top Coat
Did you think that SNS only did dip powder nails? Surprise! They also have beautiful gel colors and this mirror finish top coat. It’s formulated to last up to 14 days and still come off quickly.
Kiara Sky Ultimate Base & Top Coat
Kiara Sky’s top coat also promises to guard your mani for two weeks or longer. It’s compatible with gels, dip powder, and acrylics. Just cure it for 30 seconds and go.
That’s a wrap for the best gel polish top coats. Let’s move on to regular nail polish top coats.
Top Coats for Nail Lacquer
Lacquer is convenient when you want to change up your look more often. But it's hard to get more than a few days of wear out of most brands. The solution is to use a top coat. And the good news is that many lacquer top coats are compatible with multiple brands of polish.
Seche Vite Top Coat
If you hate waiting for nail polish to air-dry, you need this top coat. The fast-drying formula penetrates lacquer to create a durable finish that prevents smudges and chipping. It’s ideal for oily nails. In fact, it can be used directly on natural nails and over other enhancements like stickers.
Out The Door Fast Drying Top Coat
Similar to Seche Vite, this quick-dry top coat has acrylate to form a protective layer in only 45 seconds. It makes polish or natural nails extra glossy and guards against damage.
OPI Nail Polish Top Coat
OPI offers a shiny top coat for their line of lacquers. However, this non-yellowing polish is not a fast-drying formula.
Essie Nail Polish Couture - 1098 TOP COAT
If you want nail polish that looks like a gel manicure without needing a nail lamp, try Essie’s Gel Couture. The two-step system requires this top coat for a flawless finish. It’s 8-free and vegan with an ergonomic brush for easy application.
Hoof Lacquer - Top Coat
Yes, this top coat was designed to make show horses’ hooves shiny. It’s UV-protective and moisturizing for nails. It contains aloe, lanolin, and protein for stronger keratin. Unfortunately, it also has formaldehyde resin.
Blossom High Shine Top Coat - Yellow
Those seeking nail perfection without scary chemicals will appreciate Blossom’s glossy top coat. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free.
Conclusion: How to Apply Top Coat like a Pro
The key is gently brushing on the top coat like you're floating it on water. Use a generous amount and allow the polish to flow across the nail. Cover the nail's free edge first, then do a stripe down the middle of the nail. Brush each side. Finish by smoothing the surface, and enjoy that glossy shine!
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