Base and top: what is it and what is first applied before a manicure?

In the modern world, a long-lasting coating is more of a necessity than a tribute to fashion. A manicure that can be corrected every few weeks is convenient and saves time and money. Moreover, many people prefer to make gel polish on their own, acquiring all the materials necessary for this.

First of all, you need to know that neither the base nor the top coat are optional or replaceable nuances. If you neglect any of the stages of a correct manicure, its durability will be short-lived. The following sequence of application is established by the rules of nail art:

• basic coverage;
• pigmented (color);
• design (optional);
• top.

First, they cover the nails with a base, not only with a stand, but also with a regular manicure, because it:

• evens out nails, penetrating into all microcracks and microdepressions, filling them;
• protects the plate from an aggressive pigment layer;
• qualitatively strengthens the free edge of the nail, the nail itself;
• provides adhesion between the colored layer and the plate itself.

How to use initial coverage correctly:

• the base is applied after trimming or hardware manicure, sanding free edges, ends, removing grease and gloss;
• do not forget to remove the resulting dust with a cloth or brush;
• be sure to degrease the plates well with special means;
• only after that the base layer is applied, as evenly and thinly as possible;
• seal the ends and edges with the base;
• then the nails are dried in a special lamp, the stickiness is left for adhesion.

This process is final after the composition is created and it only needs to be fixed.

It is needed to:

• protect the colored coating from external factors, mechanical and chemical damage;
• to give a spectacular, beautiful shine and shine to the manicure;
• if you choose a special finish, it can give a shimmery or mirror effect;
• fix decorative elements.

What rules must be followed when applying the topcoat:

• the finish is superimposed on the sticky surface of the color;
• the top layer must be thicker than the base layer, however, you should observe the measure, otherwise the coating will be uneven;
• we must not forget about sealing the marigolds, while the brush should be wrung out;
• cover the entire surface of the painted nail, without missing a millimeter;
• you need to dry the finish in a special lamp for a certain amount of time;
• then the sticky layer is removed, nothing is applied on top, except for rhinestones;
• when finished, use cuticle and skin oil.

The correct choice of materials is one of the main secrets of a long-lasting coating that will delight you for more than one week. Ideally, funds of the same brand are selected. They are great for each other, do not conflict, however, there are brands that fit many pigment coatings. If there is a need to save money, it is best to do it on colored gel polish - you need to buy the highest quality base and top. After all, it is they who provide protection, durability and shine.

Be sure to study the composition and reviews, additional properties will only be a plus. Modern formulations often take care of nails, treat them. Choose your products carefully - for example, for thinned and brittle nails, you need a thicker, denser base coat. Do not miss such a nuance as convenience: if in the reviews they write that the brush is uncomfortable, it is difficult to work with the consistency, then it is better to prefer another option. It will not be easy to handle such materials on your own.

For an overview and comparison of the base and top from different manufacturers, see the next video