Applying the topcoat for gel polish is the final stage of a gel manicure, which should not be neglected. Experienced nail experts are sure that it is the quality of the top that largely determines how the coating will look and how long it will last.
The top coat for gel polish has two main functions:
- increase the strength of colored gel polish and extend its wear life;
- give your manicure additional effects.
In order not to get lost in the variety of finishes for gel polish, we note that they come in:
- glossy;
- matte and similar (suede, velvet, corduroy, sand);
- satin/cream;
- mother-of-pearl;
- "cat's eye"
Manufacturers of gel polish tops
You can create a beautiful manicure only using proven products from well-known manufacturers, which will guarantee ease of use and lasting, long-lasting results. VyborExpert specialists have prepared a list of manufacturers whose products can really fill the rating of gel polish tops:
- AdriCoco - a youth brand presents a large palette of gel polishes, base and top materials, which include the most fashionable shades and have a light texture. Adri Coco's products allow you to experiment, creating a new trendy nail art.
- UNO is a young brand of quality nail products, whose company is located in Hong Kong. The exclusive formula of the brand was developed in Europe; the raw materials for creating the nail coating are supplied from Sweden, England, and Germany. Presents dense, translucent, shimmery, pearlescent shades.
- Patrisa is a large European manufacturer of nail materials, uses the latest technologies, and offers hypoallergenic, safe, natural nail products. Creates three types of gel polishes: one-, two-, three-phase.
- Kodi - a brand that appeared in 2005, introduced itself to the market as a manufacturer of high-quality and safe products. It has certificates confirming quality and is used in different European countries. In 2015 he won a gold medal at the InterCharm exhibition.
- Oniq is a manufacturer of premium gel polishes, which contain “smart” molecules that independently distribute themselves over the nail plate. Offers a palette of shades and has excellent durability for up to 4 weeks.
- F. _ O. _ X is an American brand that creates products for the manicure industry. The palette is divided into 8 collections, distinguished by its fullness, consistency, and shades. The collection includes chameleon shades that react to magnets.
- TNL Professional - the brand entered the market in 2008, and immediately took a leading position among materials in the nail industry. It has more than 7,000 items and offers products tested in laboratories in South Korea and Russia.
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What can I use to replace the liquid for removing the sticky layer?
It is not recommended to replace the liquid with anything, especially since it is not that expensive. It’s another matter if the situation is emergency and it doesn’t end on time. Then the following can come to the rescue:
- Liquid for removing regular nail polish,
- Alcohol or products with high alcohol content,
- Degreaser,
- Klinser,
- Antiseptic.
However, it is worth remembering that if you use one of these products, the technology for creating a long-term coating will be violated and no one will give you any guarantee of its long and happy existence on your nails!
I hope the material was useful and helped clear up some issues. If they still remain, write in the comments, I’ll tell you what I know. Bye bye!
Rating of tops for gel polish
All manufacturers in the presented rating create high-quality, safe nail cosmetics, which you need to get acquainted with in detail. When choosing a finish for gel polish, it is necessary to consider a whole group of criteria for each product, formed by experts based on tests and experiments. You need to pay attention to the following nuances:
- Composition – plant or chemical components;
- Texture – liquid, semi-liquid, dense;
- Persistence – the length of time the result is preserved;
- Risks – possible irritants, aggressive ingredients;
- Variety of palettes – bright, dark, light, transparent, “cat’s eye”;
- Smell – neutral, pungent;
- Brush shape – narrow, wide, curly;
- Volume – 5ml, 8ml;
- Sticky layer - no sticky layer.
To further determine which top coat for gel polish deserves to be in demand, experts conducted numerous studies and experiments and took into account the opinions of manicurists. Their opinion, as well as customer reviews about the quality of wearing gel polishes, allowed us to formulate the advantages and disadvantages of the products that are in the top of the best.
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The best matte topcoats for gel polish
You can create a long-lasting, attractive manicure only with the help of high-quality products and the professionalism of the artist. When forming the rating, experts analyzed a dozen matte gel polishes, from which they selected only 3 worthy products. They have a good composition and convenient consistency, allowing the product to remain on the nail plate for up to 4 weeks without chipping or scratching. In addition to the opinions of experts, reviews from craftsmen and clients were taken into account, which helped to compile a list of the advantages and disadvantages of all the nominated nominees.
AdriCoco Top Gel Polish Velvet
Used as a finish for gel polish, enhances the brightness of the color, creates a light velvety surface, and creates a matte effect. The product protects against chips and scratches and does not cause the gel to peel off. Resistance lasts up to 4 weeks without changing the quality of the external coating. Corduroy fishin has a residual sticky layer, which after drying must be removed with a lint-free cloth soaked in a solution to remove the dispersion layer. The top dries quickly, 30 seconds are enough for an LED lamp, and 60 seconds for a UV lamp.
Advantages
- Easy to apply;
- Good durability;
- Excellent matte effect;
- Fits well on the shape of the nail;
- Doesn't spread.
Flaws
- Sometimes it bakes while drying.
- At the end of the 3rd week it wears off on the tips of the nail.
The finish should be applied in an even, light layer, without going beyond the corners of the cuticle. If the product gets on the skin, a burning sensation may occur during the drying process of the nail. Users in reviews of the matte top for gel polish approve of the product and note its relatively high durability when worn compared to other nail cosmetics.
UNO Led/UV Matte Top Coat
The matte finish is the top coat for gel polish, applied in one layer, dries in an LED lamp for 30 seconds. It fits perfectly on the nail plate, protects the gel from chipping, and does not roll off during the drying process. It has a convenient thin brush, with which you can carefully apply the product to the plate without going beyond its area, without affecting the cuticle. The texture is moderately dense, does not spread, and is instantly fixed. After drying, the top gives a slight matte finish and does not have a sticky layer. The shelf life of the gel, like all tested products from the rating, is up to 4 weeks.
Advantages
- The density is moderate, does not spread;
- Neat, comfortable brush;
- Beautiful matte effect;
- Levels the nail plate well;
- High durability.
Flaws
- You need to get used to the texture; it may go beyond the edges of the plate.
The finish is applied in one layer and dries instantly, after drying no bubbles or lumps form, the plate is leveled. It is very important to move the product well along the corners of the nail, otherwise the gel will gradually wear off during wear. Reviews say that a good top coat for gel polish from UNO can be a good competitor for expensive products of similar effect.
Patrisa Nail Top Velvet
The velvety matte top is characterized by a moderately dense texture and is evenly distributed over the nail plate. It is applied in one layer, does not create gaps, does not roll, does not flow into corners during drying. The durability of the coating in relation to other products from the rating is slightly lower, on average it is 3 weeks. The fixative is economically consumed and can be used both as a coating after applying the second layer of gel polish, and as a finish for vinyl stencils. Available in volumes of 8 and 16 ml.
Advantages
- Sticks well to the plate;
- Does not spread;
- Convenient brush;
- Value for money;
- Excellent matte effect.
Flaws
- Sometimes it is erased before the specified period.
The transparent top is easy to use; not only experts, but also beginners in this field can carefully apply it to the nail. It is evenly distributed over the plate and does not require lengthy leveling. Drying takes 30 or 120 seconds, depending on the nature of the lamp.
The reviews mainly talk about the merits of the product, noting the low price, economical consumption and beautiful matte shine after drying.
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Decor and effects
A brief overview of tops with different inclusions and effects:
- the effect of wet varnish with a UV filter allows you to create optical effects such as a reflector that enhances shine and protects colors from fading;
- matte top is popular, with a velvety texture. Softens the rich shade of gel polish; based on the number of matting particles, tops are divided into satin and velvet;
- aquarium effect. Special particles create shimmer in the top and deepen the base color;
- top with cat eye effect. The translucent top contains magnetic particles that react to a special magnet. A shining strip appears on colored gel polish, looks chic against a dark or black background;
- pearl tops. The composition contains inclusions of tiny particles of silver, gold, pink, blue and other shades, as well as various sparkles.
Top Canni (China)
Healthy. Combining the main tone of gel polish and finishing tops with various effects allows you to create unusually original, fresh manicure options.
Which top coat for gel polish is better?
The durability and beauty of a manicure depends not only on the artist, but also on the quality of the chosen product. Experts have given a rating of gel polishes that will cope with their purpose and provide the nail with a decent finish for at least 4 weeks. The rating is filled with matte and glossy series; the choice should be based solely on everyone’s wishes. After conducting a comparative analysis between the funds, narrower candidates can be proposed from the entire rating for selection:
- AdriCoco Top Gel Polish Velvet is a matte top coat with a velvety finish.
- Patrisa Nail Top Velvet – matte finish with a loose texture.
- Kodi Rubber Top Gel is a glossy rubber-based topcoat.
- FOX Top Strong - glossy finish with a sticky layer and good composition.
A beautiful and durable manicure requires choosing a high-quality gel polish fixer with a natural composition that does not cause allergies or irritation. The given rating and customer reviews will help you navigate your choice.
Line of LS coatings
What do manufacturers offer, what is the range of topcoats with drugs? Let's get to know them in a short review:
- Kodi Professional Rubber Top (USA). The top is viscous, elastic, good strength, odorless, easy to apply;
- Shellac CND Top Coat (USA). Thick composition, does not spread, hypoallergenic. Pleasant glossy shine, long service life, difficult to dry in a lamp;
- TNL Rubber (Korea). Budget-friendly, long-lasting top coat, weakly hides defects, liquid consistency. Holds any decor well, has filters to protect against fading and yellowing, with a mirror shine;
- top Canni (China). The finish has a liquid consistency, perfectly evens out the coating, very durable, creates a glossy, long-lasting shine, a comfortable brush;
- Uno (Hong Kong), Top Super Shine or Matte Protects against cracks, sun damage, and extends service life. The formula is easily soluble - the finish can be removed quickly, the mirror shine remains for the entire manicure period, a convenient brush;
- IBD (USA) Just Gel Top Coat. Long-lasting finish, thick consistency, self-leveling. Transparent top, does not become cloudy, strict requirements for lamp drying, elastic brush;
- MollonPro (France), Smooth Finish or Top HybridShine. An ideal top for slider design and modeling, the consistency is medium viscosity, does not spread, and is easy to apply. After removing the drug, a bright shine and a light pleasant aroma are created;
- Beautix (France) Top Brilliant. The structure is liquid, but the top is elastic. Good protection against deformation and color fading. Produces a glossy shine, economical consumption, quick drying in a lamp, hypoallergenic finish.
Kodi Professional Rubber Top (USA)