Those lucky enough to have ambidextrous capabilities might consider home manicures to be an absolute breeze.
But for everyone else, we consider it a small victory when we have successfully painted within the lines using the tiniest brush known to man and our non-dominant hand. After achieving this challenging feat, it’s essential that we lock in our work as quickly and efficiently as one might hit the save button on the draft of an essay for school. This can only be achieved with the help of a handy, clear and shiny top coat.
Timing is everything when it comes to applying top coats - and doing so prematurely carries the risk of ruining the painstaking manicure that you spent hours perfecting. You know the feeling: your newly varnished polish rippled because it was not quite dry enough for the top coat layer. It’s not dissimilar to having applied a full face of makeup only to swipe a blotch of mascara onto your freshly highlighted nose.
How does nail polish top coat work?
Nail polish top coats create a sleek and shiny - yet extra durable cellulose - layer on top of your nail polish to prevent chipping and scratches, while also boosting the all-round vibrancy of your manicure.
Why should I use a top coat when painting my nails?
Traditional top coats boost the staying power, vibrancy and shine of your manicure without the need for the UV lamps used in gel manicures. Additionally, fast-drying top coats help to accelerate the drying time of your manicure, making it less likely to suffer from smudges and ripples.
What’s the difference between a top coat and a base coat?
While top coats are used to give your nail an extra dose of gloss and shine, base coats are formulated to protect your nail from the varnish itself, as well as to prevent staining and to nourish the nail bed. Using a combination of a base and top coat is thus particularly important for those who are making the transition from gel manicures to regular polish and suffer from brittle, damaged nails that are prone to breakage and staining.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best top coats to complete your at-home manicure sets.
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Essie Gel Couture Clear Nail Polish Top Coat
This innovative, geometric bottle houses Essie’s professional platinum technology top coat and is equipped with a patent-pending swirl stem wide brush to make application smoother than ever. Renowned for its unbeatable gel-like effect, apply this top coat once your manicure is dry.
Buy now £9.99, lookfantastic
Nails Inc. 45 Second Rapid Dey Top Coat Powered by Retinol
If you’re on the hunt for a quick-drying top coat that is filled to the brim with nourishing, manicure-boosting ingredients – look no further than this peachy product from London-based nail brand Nails Inc.
Powered by collagen and retinol, this topcoat delivers highly reflective shine and plumps cuticles, while accelerating the dry-time of your manicure. Pair with the Nails Inc. Superfood Base Coat for your healthiest manicure yet.
Buy now £15.00, Cult Beauty
Palette Holographic Top Coat
For a non-traditional approach to top coats, the aesthetically pleasing nail brand Palette has got you covered. The plant-based formula is designed to provide a light-reflecting, kaleidoscopic finish - while strengthening your nails and ensuring they remain suitably chip-proof.
Buy now £8.00, Palette
Orly Glosser Top Coat
A cult favourite amongst manicure addicts, Orly’s Glosser top coat provides a shellac-like, impenetrable finish, which renders the nail immune to chips and scratches.
Buy now £7.40, Nail Polish Direct
Nailberry Shine & Breathe Top Coat
Though on the pricier end of the spectrum, Nailberry’s Shine & Breathe top coat is adored by professionals and home manicurists due to its unbeatable breathability, which helps nails to remain oxygenated and healthy no matter how long you leave your manicure on for.
Buy now £18.50, John Lewis
Rimmel Super Gel Nail Polish Top Coat
Not only does the Rimmel top coat deliver a gel like finish every time, it does so at a bargain price. Our one warning to bear in mind when using this product is that it may feel slightly tackier than your classic high-end top coat. Fear not for your manicure shall be protected rather than ruined - so long as you wait for it to dry before application.
Buy now £6.99, Boots
Manicurist Matte Top Coat
The only matte top coat that matters, this brilliant product from Manicurist is made from 80 per cent plant-based materials. You’ll only need a single coat to achieve a streak-free, mattified finish – meaning that this small 15ml bottle is sure to go a long way.
Buy now £14.00, Manicurist
Manicurist Top Coat Sunshine
Another option from Manicurist, this top coat works by reacting to natural UV light to speed up the drying time of your nail polish. The only catch: it must be paired with another polish from the range in order to achieve a truly gel-like finish.
Buy now £15.00, Manicurist
