All about tops for nails

To create a beautiful and long-lasting finish, you need several different manicure products. Among them is the top (or top) coating. Many people in home use ignore this final coat without reason, considering it a marketing chip of the creators of nail cosmetics. Meanwhile, the top performs many important functions and is of different types and purposes. The need for this seemingly unremarkable coating is beyond doubt. We understand the features of the top and the nuances when choosing it.

A nail top looks like a regular clear polish that is used as a base for a glitter coat. This is an important finishing part of any manicure, regardless of its design and coating structure. You will choose an ordinary varnish or gel varnish, acrylic - in any case, you will need to cover the finished manicure with a top.

There are three obligatory components of any correct salon manicure: base at the beginning, base color and top coat at the end. This is why professional nail art is so long lasting and shines great. Every manicure lover can do these three steps at home. Therefore, you should not neglect the top, because it has many functions that are important for preserving the manicure in its original form for as long as possible.

Top coat is a curing agent that is most often colorless. It is applied at the very end of any manicure and is its last stage. The top is produced in bottles (like varnish) of small and medium volume. It performs two main functions: protecting manicure from external influences, prolonging its durability and decorative, creating different effects in addition to the main nail art. In addition, the top coating allows you to create some types of trendy nail art. For example, the design of "raindrops" on the nails, and also used in the creation of volumetric patterns.

You can do without a topcoat only if you use two-phase and three-phase gel varnishes. In the first case, one product combines a coloring pigment and a top coat. In the second, you will not need either a base or a top, since all the components are in shellac. This idea is good for everyday fast and long-lasting manicure. If you want to create an original nail design, this tool will not work for you.

In addition to protective functions, the top also carries an important decorative component. Today, manufacturers have created more than a dozen different topcoats with all kinds of decorative properties. Among them are tops for regular varnish, as well as coatings for varnishes and gels that cure under the lamp. Based on the wishes for manicure and design ideas, they choose different coating options.

• Top for shellac with a sticky layer. It perfectly protects the coating for up to 3-4 weeks, evens out the texture of gel polish and gives a delightful glossy shine. The composition of the coating is such that even after complete drying, some stickiness remains to the touch. It is removed with a special tool (cleanser) using a lint-free material.

• Top "quick dry". The tool helps if you need to quickly dry the coating. Apply it on a regular, not dried varnish, wait for about two minutes. It also gives the nails a brilliant shine.

• Matte top. The popular coating has not gone out of fashion for several seasons. It is not necessary to acquire a palette of fashionable coatings. The velor effect on the nails will help create this topcoat. Now any your favorite varnish or shellac can be turned into a trendy matte finish.

• Glossy top designed to strengthen regular nail polish. It will allow the manicure to last at least twice as long. In addition, the coating will shine very effectively.

• With shine. With little shimmer or chunky shiny figurines, this top will transform any everyday manicure into a luxurious festive option.

• Top with magnetic effect. Fashionable shellac for cat-eye designs isn't cheap. In addition, I would like to have several shades of this original coating. A special top will come to the rescue, which with the help of a magnet will turn any of your gel polish into a trendy manicure with highlights.

• For parties. Created a variety of tops with striking visual effects. It can be a holographic color flow or a neon glow in the dark.

• Universal top. Suitable for practical people who do not like the piling up of bubbles in the dressing table or cosmetic bag. The two-in-one product can be used as a base for varnish and topcoat.

Each professional brand has its own fixers. Several well-known brands have proven themselves best among manicure masters. Among them are manufacturers from different countries and with a fairly wide range of prices.

• Shellac CND - the leader in its field produces not only high-quality tops for a flawless, long-lasting shiny manicure. All products are also environmentally friendly, as they do not contain the three most harmful components usually found in varnishes.

• OPI Gelcolor the USA brand belongs to the premium segment and has the highest gloss characteristics. Tops also protect the coating from chips and the strongest mechanical impact.

• Kodi Professional produces a whole line of topcoats. Rubber ones are of the highest strength and are irreplaceable when creating a manicure with broths and stones. Matting tops are one of the favorite tools for creating trendy manicure among both amateurs and professionals. The 2-in-1 finish, which immediately replaces the base and top, is also very convenient.

• Pnb top quite economical, even a small package lasts for a long time. It is convenient to take it for home use. It is worn for a long time, while not changing its characteristics: it does not fade and does not acquire a yellow tint.

• Ru Nail Top Coat offers the most affordable fixers for the price. At the same time, the quality is not inferior to many foreign counterparts. The coating is shiny and lasts about three weeks. The range includes finishes with a decorative iridescent metallic color.

When creating a manicure with gel polish, it is very important to choose the top that is correct and optimal in structure and quality. The appearance of the future manicure will largely depend on him, and not on the main colored varnish. Therefore, we pay attention to the following things when buying a finishing product.

• Density. Contrary to popular belief, the top should be quite thick. So he can better fix the decorative elements of the manicure (if you use them). In addition, a top that is too liquid in structure will flow over the edges of the nail and the cuticle growth zone. This can happen during the drying process, which cannot be corrected later. Such a manicure will look untidy.
• Price quality. When choosing a top, you should not save money and buy cheap funds from unknown companies. A professional topcoat will provide a good result, as well as save you nerves, time and money for redoing your manicure.
• Rubber. Top with the addition of this element is not cheap. But it should be chosen by those who often do manicure with rhinestones and other large, heavy elements. Such a coating has high elasticity and the best strength characteristics.
• Two products - one manufacturer. Often times, manicure is frustrating because technology is disrupted. Namely: materials that are not suitable for each other are selected, which can react with each other and give an unpredictable effect. Therefore, it is better to choose all the components of the three mandatory manicure steps from one manufacturer. Or at least the main color and top of the same brand.

For a manicure to look attractive and to be worn for a long time, it is important to be able to use the topcoat correctly. First, when creating any manicure, a base is applied. Then two layers of the main coating or an additional desired decor is made. Then it is already necessary to cover the finished nail art on top with a top.

To do this, the bottle is not shaken (otherwise bubbles will form), but slightly rolled and warmed in the hands. Then open the bottle and mix its contents. We take a very small amount of a transparent finish on the brush, squeezing it against the edge of the bottle on both sides.

It is best not to replace the top with other products, as even the best manicure can be ruined. Especially if you are doing shellac on your nails. In some cases, you can cover the finished manicure with a base instead of a finish. For regular polish, you can use clear smart enamel or an extra layer of clear polish. Also, 2-in-1 products have proven themselves well, which do not require the application of a top.

If you decide to spend time on a beautiful manicure, do it with high-quality products and follow the application technology. Then the fashionable coating will delight you for more than one week.Correctly chosen top will be able to extend the life even of a coating made of ordinary varnish. Choose the top based on personal preference and your lifestyle.

You will learn more about tops for nails in the video below.