Top & Base Coat

This collection sits within Nails, and is a narrower selection within the broader Nail Polish range, focused specifically on top coat and base coat products. 

Top Brands Available in Top & Base Coat

OPI has the broadest range here, followed by Ciaté London and Sally Hansen. Bourjois and Cutex are also represented. 

Common Problems Customers Face 

• Polish chipping earlier than expected. 

• Nails staining after wearing darker or long-lasting polish shades. 

• Wanting extra shine or a quicker-drying finish. 

How This Collection Addresses Those Problems 

Here's how the range maps to those needs: 

• Reducing chipping — a top coat from OPI, Ciaté London, or Sally Hansen adds a protective layer over colour polish, which can help extend wear. 

• Preventing staining — a base coat creates a barrier between polish and the natural nail, which can help reduce staining from darker or long-lasting shades. 

• Shine and finish — top coats vary between high-gloss and quick-dry formulas, so the specific product's own description is worth checking against what you want. 

How to Choose the Right Product 

1. Always use a base coat before colour polish if staining or nail health is a concern. 

1. Choose a top coat based on the finish you want — high-gloss versus quick-dry formulas behave differently. 

1. Match brand to your existing polish where possible, since some ranges are formulated to work together, though this isn't essential. 

None of this replaces checking a specific product's own directions. 

Usage and Care Tips 

• Apply base coat to clean, dry nails before colour polish, allowing it to dry fully first. 

• Apply top coat once colour polish has dried, sealing the edges of the nail as well as the surface for better chip resistance. 

• Reapply top coat every few days if you want to extend the wear of an existing manicure. 

• Allow full drying time between every layer — rushing this is one of the most common causes of smudging and early chipping. 

Shop Top & Base Coat and More 

For colour, see Nail Polish, and for removing polish, see Nail Remover. 

Common Questions 

Do I really need both a base coat and a top coat? 

They do different jobs — base coat protects nails from staining and helps polish adhere; top coat adds shine and helps prevent chipping. Using both generally gives the best result.

Can I use top coat to extend an old manicure? 

Many people reapply top coat every few days to add shine and reduce chipping without redoing the whole manicure, though results vary depending on how worn the existing polish is.

What's the difference between this collection and Nail Polish? 

This collection is a narrower selection focused specifically on top and base coats, drawn largely from the same brands as the broader Nail Polish collection.