Choosing a base for gel polish

A high-quality shellac base allows you to create an excellent manicure. It is impossible to use shellacs without it, since the gel will lack a backing that holds the materials together. Therefore, first of all, it is worth paying special attention to the application system, which starts with the base coat. After all, it is he who is responsible for the durability and quality of the manicure. And in order for the result to be positive, you need to know the features of the product.

The base for gel polish is the initial and one of the main stages. A transparent or colored coating that evens out the nail plate, protects it from shellac pigments, and also ensures the adhesion of the colored coating to the natural nail.

Among the many bases, there are common advantages.

• Weak aggressiveness of the agent for the effect on the horny surface of the nail.
• Excellent adhesion to gel polishes from other companies.
• The thick consistency prevents the material from spreading outside the nail.
• Ease and simplicity in the application and removal of the drug.
• No burning sensation when drying in a lamp.
• Soft and flexible brush.
• Leveling and strengthening.

There are also disadvantages.

• Before applying, it is required to treat the nails with a bond of the same brand as the base itself.
• Using two thin layers.
• Thick coating can wrinkle and slip off the nail during lamp drying.
• Some bases exude a sour audible aroma.
• Inability to align pronounced nail defects.
• Some base coats are difficult to remove.
• The shelf life is six months.
• High price.

The colored base is a camouflage preparation, rather thick and viscous in consistency. There are faded colors - pale pink, sand or beige. The color scheme is selected individually. The coating perfectly evens nails, visually masks irregularities, imitating the color of natural nails.

Rubber base - allows you to use it in one layer, thanks to the components of the rubber. Quite a thick and dense product that instantly aligns the nail plate. Such a base eliminates visible defects and makes the nails hard. The adhesion to shellac is significantly better than to other substrates, and curing in the lamp is faster, reducing the time for the craftsman to work. A two-layer coating is used for very deep damage to the nail, with a rupture of the nail plate. The rubber base is considered the best base among the craftsmen.

Medicinal base with vitamins - a coating that saturates the nails with essential minerals and vitamins, tightening the nail plate. After removing the base, the microparticles contained in it leave the nails healthy, strong and beautiful. The healing coating protects against negative environmental influences, mechanical damage and evens the surface of the nail plate in the presence of small defects.

Silicone base - a base for nails containing silicones. It is hypoallergenic, which makes it indispensable for people prone to allergic reactions. On the market they are presented in the usual "gel" form and in the form of stickers.

Gel-like consistency - viscous and dense, has high plasticity. Suitable for leveling and hiding defects of the nail plate.

The base in the form of stickers is used to restore broken nails, returning them to their lost shape. A sticker is applied to the damaged nail, after which the excess of the sticker is corrected and a natural shape is given to the nail. This type of silicone base does not require curing in the lamp and is easy to remove.

Acrylic base - is a polymer powder of various shades. It is applied to the finished base using a special liquid in thin layers, polymerization takes place in a UV or LED lamp. The number of layers is determined by the master, on very thin nails it can reach up to three.

Liquid base is a water-based product with a pliable, flowable consistency. It is used on weak, broken nails, noticeably smoothes the surface and allows them to breathe. The composition does not contain harmful substances and nitrocellulose. Thinns delicate aroma, suitable for people prone to allergies.

The water base is used in conjunction with gel polishes with pearlescent effects, holographic and chrome, they evenly and easily spread on it. The base itself is difficult to apply due to the constant process of spreading, from time to time it can leave lumps and blur. The base can act as an independent coating.

A rubber base designed for fine nails. Provides a strong bond between keratin and artificial turf. Protects nails from external influences of the environment, from the penetration of saturated dyes of the colored coating. Qualitatively smoothes the surface of the nail plate.

The consistency is thick, dense, viscous, does not spread. The built-in brush is smooth and does not have protruding hairs. Convenient in the distribution of material, especially under the cuticle. The smell is light and unobtrusive.

Pole base does not cause yellowing of natural nails and artificial materials. Dries in the lamp for 1-2 minutes. The coating does not cause discomfort when drying.

As noted by the masters, the base is most suitable for short nails because of the slight spreading over the edges of the nail during polymerization in the lamp. With the addition of acrylic powder, the base can be used on medium to long nails. Does not shrink, bubble or shrink.

The rubber base does not peel off when used correctly, it can be easily removed. The durability of the manicure is about 3-4 weeks. The average price on the market is about 400 rubles per bottle.

Lovely brand was born in 2012. The manufacturer has established itself with high-quality luxury materials. The base has a dense density, is economical to use, and allows one-layer application. The base formula strengthens the structure of the nails, making them stronger, perfectly smooths the outer surface of the nails. Protects against prepigmentation of color gel polish, provides high-quality permanent adhesion of shellac to natural nails.

The base is applied in thin layers on a degreased plate previously treated with a primer. Curing in UV and LED lamp for about 2 minutes. Reviews on the Lovely base are good. Most craftsmen are satisfied with the consistency of the product, the ease of application and the durability of the product. Material consumption is minimal.

Rubber base made in Germany. The price is high, the cost of 50 ml is about 1,500 rubles.

The base is elastic, but dense, does not drip from the brush. Self-leveling, does not spread beyond the cuticle and lateral ridges. The built-in brush is comfortable to use, soft, and applies material well. When curing in a lamp on thin and loose nails, it can cause severe burning.

The Diva base does not cause yellowing, protects against mechanical defects, and has good adhesion of materials to each other. Also, a milky-white base for light and problem colored gel polishes is specially created.

The base can be worn for up to 4 weeks. With prolonged wear, the base does not chip, cracks do not form, allowing you to calmly grow nails along with the coating. Removing the product is difficult, it takes more time to soak and remove the coating.

Suitable for strengthening and straightening all nails. Protects nails from the effects of fungal diseases, ultraviolet radiation, from pigmentation of colored gel polish. Can be used to build up a free edge up to 3 mm. The brush on this base is pretty comfortable. It is made of black synthetic material, soft, moderately elastic, well trimmed, medium length, well revealed.

The base is not thick, but closer to liquid. Heavy to level, spreads quickly, which requires application in several coats, and high speed distribution is necessary. Bloom base scent is light, chemical, but not uncomfortable.

Basecoat color - natural pink, opaque. Under artificial lighting, it tends to beige, in daylight it is cast in a pink tone. Ideal for creating a French or classic neutral manicure. The wear resistance is up to one month.

Reviews state that this database is pretty good.The color well camouflages irregularities on the surface of the plate and allows you to perform a manicure in one step. The durability is excellent, as with most bases of other brands. The only thing is that the average consistency of the product can cause inconvenience to use. It is worth paying more attention when applying, as the product can easily go beyond the nail area. Bloom's base pairs well with other brands.

Rubber base coat, dense base for gel polish. It is applied in one layer, has the property of self-leveling. Like all bases, it protects nails from damage, weather and fungal diseases.

The consistency is very thick, easy to use, but due to its density it is difficult to stain the area near the cuticle. Not suitable for thin nails - causes increased flexibility. For problem hands, choose the Gloos Hard base.

The smell at the base is strong, tart. The durability of the manicure is excellent, up to 4 weeks, without detachments, chips or cracks. It causes a burning sensation when polymerized in the lamp.

Reviews for this database are mixed. Among the pluses, the craftsmen highlight the good qualities of the material, its durability and ease of use. The surface is smoothed in one layer, which determines an economical consumption.

Of the minuses, first of all, they point to the smell. When working with a mask, it does not cause any discomfort. The acidic environment of the Gloos base conflicts with color gel polishes, partially erodes the shade. Red color can go to orange, pink becomes beige and sandy.

To preserve the appearance and characteristics of the bases, it is necessary to follow the application technique. Failure to comply with the procedure leads to the formation of cracks, chips on the coating, the durability of the manicure decreases.

• Hand preparation. A classic or hardware manicure is performed. The cuticle and pterygium, dead skin on the fingers are removed. Using a buff or an abrasive file, the upper layer of the nail plate is polished.
• Then the nail is degreased and a special primer is applied.
• Apply a thin layer of the chosen base using the built-in brush or your own synthetic one. Spreading and contact of the product on the skin and side rollers is excluded. The excess is removed with a napkin or stick.

• Polymerization of the first layer in a UV or LED lamp.
• If necessary, the procedure is repeated until the required number of layers is reached.
• A colored coating is applied and also polymerized in the lamp.
• All layers must be fixed with a topcoat with the selected effect (matt, gloss, and others).
• Removing the sticky layer with a degreaser and a lint-free cloth.

When buying a base for gel polish, there are some factors to consider.

• You need to know the compatibility of a particular base with the selected color coating and top. One brand produces all of its products compatible with each other, but when purchasing materials from different companies, there is a possibility that the durability of the manicure will not meet the declared characteristics.
• Popular brands are more credible than brands that have emerged more recently and do not have a lot of reviews. However, this does not mean that the quality of budget brands is worse than that of other famous brands.
• The pricing policy is based on the level of the brand's popularity, which is not an indicator of the best product quality.
• Hydrolyzed keratin in the bases allows you to extend the wear period of the manicure.
• Rubber bases are suitable for those who need to hide defects and irregularities in the nail plate.
• Flaky and brittle nails prefer bases that are rich in nutrients and camouflage.
• Allergy sufferers should choose only specially designed hypoallergenic bases!

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the proposed options do not guarantee a long-lasting manicure, but are alternative ways to replace the base under the gel polish.

• Vinylux. This coating is a two-layer colored lacquer technique and a topcoat. Gel polish and top are included. Due to the lack of a base coat, a manicure made with a Vinylux coating is distinguished by a short manicure wear period - up to a week.
• Long-lasting gel polishes. They are an improved formula for conventional varnishes. The manufacturer recommends following the application technique, which consists in using a base, degreaser and finishing top. There is no drying in the lamp. To date, persistent gel polishes are able to compete with shellacs.

• Varnish sticker. An innovative tool in nail design. The stickers resemble holographic foil. Ease and ease of use allows you to perform manicure at home, creating a high-quality finish. The selected sticker must be glued to the nail and, using a stick or soft napkin, smooth its surface, removing irregularities and air bubbles. The stickers have a wide range of designs and colors. The produced form is suitable for any nails; excess stickers are removed with nail scissors or a nail file. Durability - about a week.
• Decoupage - these are colored napkins with various designs that are simply glued to the nail. Ordinary varnish acts as a base for them. Excess napkins after drying are removed with a file, at the same time shaping the nails. To increase the durability of the manicure and give a glossy shine, a transparent topcoat is used.

The bases themselves are presented in a wide range and with different requirements and indicators, which can cause difficulties in choosing. It is worth giving preference to well-known and long-established brands. The products do a good job with the main problems and meet most of the declared characteristics. Some subtleties of use do not affect the durability and longevity of the manicure, and also do not have a harmful effect on the nails.

In the next video, you will find an overview and comparison of different bases for gel polish.