Rating TOP 10 best bases and tops in 2022

Base and top are irreplaceable elements of manicure and, perhaps, the most important. The durability of a nail design directly depends on good base and top coats. How to choose them correctly? Does quality depend on price? Can expensive products cause allergies? We want to answer all these questions and for this we have compiled a ranking of the best bases and tops in 2022!

Let's take a quick look at the definitions. Nail base is a preparation that acts as a layer between the artificial coating and the nail plate. The base also hides nail imperfections and allows the colored gel polish to lie as smoothly as possible.

Nail top coat is a gel polish fixer. As a rule, it is colorless and performs protective and decorative functions. It is applied as the final stage of manicure and is also called finishing.

We have prepared this list based on reviews from real customers, personal sales statistics of KrasotkaPro, open data from the Yandex search engine. Attention: since brands, as a rule, have several product lines, in our rating of the best we consider not a specific type, but all products from one manufacturer in the aggregate.

The criteria by which we evaluate the bases and tops of each brand:

Durability
: the base and top should last at least 2 weeks and ensure the durability of the manicure.
Comfort to use
. A consistency that is too thick or too thin can complicate the process of applying and distributing the material over the nail plate. The shape of the brush and the smell of gel polish can also make the procedure more or less pleasant for both the master and the client. You can also note the time required for removal with liquid.
Composition
: it must be safe, and the base and top must not cause an allergic reaction.
Cost
: Saving money is always good, but we're looking for the perfect example of value for money.

Point system:

By quality

2 points for comfortable use (consistency, brush = 1 point, lack of strong odor = 1 point);
1 point for every 2 weeks of durability (if 4 weeks, then 2 points, etc.);
1 point for no allergy complaints.

By cost

4 points for costs up to 300 rubles;
3 points for a cost from 300 to 600 rubles;
2 points for a price from 600 to 900 rubles;
1 point for a price over 900 rubles.

By popularity

6 points for more than 10,000 queries in Yandex per month;
5 points for 8,000-10,000 queries in Yandex per month;
4 points for 6,000-8,000 queries in Yandex per month;
3 points for 4,000-6,000 queries in Yandex per month;
2 points for 2,000-4,000 queries in Yandex per month;
1 point for less than 2,000 queries in Yandex per month.

After we cover each of the 10 best nail base and top coat manufacturers and assign points, we will collect all the data in a common table. Please note that several funds can be located in the same place at once - it all depends on the number of points.

Why do you need a top?

Applying the top is the final stage of a gel polish manicure. The so-called finishing coating. Can also be used to fix regular varnish. There is a misconception online that you can apply gel polish without using a top coat. It’s partly true, we are talking about single-phase coatings. Three-phase varnish cannot perform its functions without a base and finish. It’s even better when all the materials are from the same manufacturer.

The consistency of the top is liquid, medium and moderate thickness. The material also comes with or without a sticky layer. For girls with problem nails, a thick top coat is recommended. It will mask unevenness and provide additional protection. A topcoat with a sticky layer is suitable for lovers of rhinestones, stones, and stickers. Decorative elements are attached better, and the nails acquire a glossy shine.

Gel polish base

Top tasks:

Fixation of color coating.
Protection of manicure from exposure to water, ultraviolet radiation, and household chemicals.
Preventing chips and scratches during mechanical impact on the nail.
Protection against injuries to the nail plate - in the event of an impact or fall, it is the top coat that will suffer. In most cases, the nail plate is not damaged.
Does not allow color fading.
Gives nails a glossy shine.
The top coat comes with shimmering, matte, and wet effects. Allows you to add originality to your manicure.

Gel polish coating

Kinds

So, to begin with, we suggest understanding some types of foundation. There are three of them in total: leveling, rubber and camouflage.

The leveling base, as a rule, has a dense and durable texture, thanks to which it is possible to give uniformity to the nail plate. All cracks and other small imperfections will be hidden, and you will get an almost perfectly smooth surface.
Rubber is very popular among buyers due to its good distribution over the nail plate. The thickness and density of the coating is easy to control.
Camouflage bases are a subtype of rubber bases, but they have a more pronounced camouflage effect. If you have problematic damaged, brittle, dry nails, a camouflage base will fix everything.

What to look for when choosing

To make sure your purchase is as successful as possible, be sure to read the following tips:

One of the most important selection parameters is the compatibility of the base with the color and top. Please clarify this issue with your consultant.
The product brand is an equally important purchasing criterion. The more well-known the brand, the more positive reviews and ratings, the more likely it is that the product can be trusted. Don’t buy an unknown product from a dubious brand for little money - is it worth risking your beautiful and healthy nails for the sake of minute savings?
If you want to extend the life of the base, then pay attention to such an ingredient in the composition as hydrolyzed keratin .
Pay attention to the condition of your nails - if, for example, you have serious unevenness, then stop buying a rubber base .

Review

CND is a leading manufacturer of gel polishes and other materials necessary for a complete manicure. The quality of the product guarantees reliable adhesion of the nail to the decorative coating. Polymerization will take no more than 10 seconds. The only drawback can be considered the high cost.
KODI - an American manufacturer of gel polishes offers a rubber base for gel polish. The product ideally masks unevenness and other defects of the nail plate, allowing the varnish to lie evenly on the surface of the nail.
BS Gellak is a base coat from a Russian manufacturer. Prepares the nail plate for applying gel polish, eliminating bumps. It has a budget price (about 150 rubles).
Bluesky is a well-known brand that produces manicure materials at an average price. Smoothes the nail plate and provides protection from harmful substances contained in the color coating.

Base and top

Best lists

In addition to the above bases, one cannot fail to mention a couple of other wonderful tools:

Rubber – Kodi Rubber Base.
Camouflage – Klio Professional Base.
Leveling – Nano professional Nanlac Gum.

Read about them below.

Rubber – Kodi Rubber Base

A long-lasting foundation with a unique hypoallergenic composition is easy to apply using a convenient brush. Dries quickly - only 2 minutes. The base stays on the nails for a long time – up to 3 weeks. In addition, Kodi Rubber Base is compatible with gel polishes from other manufacturers. Among the disadvantages is the difficulty of removing the product; you cannot do without washing it down.

Price: from 500 to 550 rub.

base for gel polish Kodi Rubber Base

Camouflage – Klio Professional Base

Klio Professional Base is not only a foundation, but also an excellent concealer. Perfectly levels the nail plate and also has a pronounced strengthening effect. With regular use, there is a significant improvement in the condition of your nails - as a result, you get healthy, long and strong nails. Compatible with products from other brands.

Price: from 650 to 700 rub.

base for gel polish Klio Professional Base

Leveling – Nano professional Nanlac Gum

Nano professional Nanlac Gum is the case when domestic products are not inferior in quality to foreign ones. The base is suitable for owners of problem nails, as it perfectly levels the surface, hiding minor imperfections on the nail plate. Included with the jar you receive a special, comfortable brush with short bristles. Does not leave detachments.

Price: from 1050 to 1100 rub.

base for gel polish Nano professional Nanlac Gum

Application

It is important not only to choose the right base, but also to learn how to apply it.

The base is applied to previously degreased and polished nails.
It is recommended to treat your nails with a primer.
The base is distributed in a thin layer, the brush seems to rub it into the nail. The strength of adhesion to the nail and varnish depends on this.
The nails are dried under the lamp for the specified time. This usually takes no more than two minutes.
A decorative coating is applied. There is no need to remove the sticky layer.

Bluesky

How to choose a nail base

When choosing a suitable base for nails, first of all, it is necessary to assess the condition of the nail plate, whether it requires additional strengthening, and which layer - dorsal (keratin), intermediate (soft keratin) or ventral (keratin of the nail bed) will have to be worked with. Thus, plastic soft bases cause significant shrinkage and do not strengthen the nails. Medium-hard bases provide little shrinkage and good adhesion of the material to the natural nail, and such bases can also strengthen weakened and soft nails. Hard bases do not shrink and strengthen nails well, but the quality of adhesion leaves much to be desired, and detachments may appear.

The best gel nail polishes

A flawless, chip-free manicure that lasts on your nails for at least two weeks.

Application

The top coat is applied at the final stage of the manicure, when the base color has dried. The recommendations below will help you correctly complete the decoration of your nails:

The topcoat is distributed in a thick layer, unlike the base. If necessary, apply a second layer.
You need to make sure that the material does not spread beyond the nail. If this happens, use a cotton swab to remove excess.
The ends of the nails must be sealed.
Dry your nails in a lamp; the time depends on the material and power of the lamp. Usually 1.5-3 minutes.
Using a lint-free cloth, carefully remove the sticky layer, if any.

Important! Do not shake the bottle of topcoat. Small bubbles may appear on the nails, and the manicure will have to be redone.

Beautiful manicure

When to apply top shellac and how to do it correctly

If the shellac application technology was performed correctly, the varnish will last a long time regardless of external influences.
Top shellac, which experts also call the topcoat or “finish”, performs exactly this function. It should be applied at the very end of the manicure, that is, after this, the nails are sent to an ultraviolet lamp and after two minutes are lubricated with cream or oil (in order to avoid drying out the skin around the nail plate).

According to the technique of applying shellac, nothing is painted, painted or glued onto the top, with the rare exception of large rhinestones, for which the “finish” serves as an adhesive base. If large rhinestones are varnished, it will look untidy. In other cases, the rule remains unchanged.

Tips for choosing

Many newcomers look at user reviews when choosing, while others believe advertising promises. An expensive product is not always a guarantee of quality. Surely, before mastering the technique of applying gel polish yourself, you visited a nail salon. You can unobtrusively ask the master what brand of materials he uses. He will advise better than anyone which is the best top and base gel polish for a beginner.

CND

Here are some recommendations to help you make the right choice:

It’s good when the materials are of the same brand. Then even cheap products will provide a quality manicure.
When choosing, you need to study the composition - it’s good if the base contains caring components.
For those with problematic (brittle, uneven, thin) nails, it is better to choose a rubber-based base.

KODI

Which to choose

Kodi - this manufacturer considers the best glossy finish without a sticky layer. The material has a thick consistency, smoothes the nails and protects them from external mechanical influences.
RuNail is a Russian-made top coat without a sticky layer. Thanks to the convenient brush, the coating applies perfectly the first time. It has a yellowish tint, which is unacceptable for light-colored varnishes.
Bluesky is a Chinese version of the topcoat. Despite the rather low cost, it is of high quality. It is very popular among beginners and nail art professionals.
CND is a world-famous leader in the manicure market. The products are quite expensive, but the quality is also high. It is durable and economical in consumption. One of the few options that can be combined with coatings from other manufacturers. By the way, not so long ago they launched a 2 in 1 product that functions as a base and top.

We got acquainted with base and top coatings. We found out which is the best brand of top and base gel polish to choose. As it turns out, a full manicure is not possible without them. When purchasing, you should not take into account only the price - there are good products in the mid-price category. The main thing is that the varnish, base and top are from the same manufacturer, even when ordering on Aliexpress from little-known companies. Then a good result is guaranteed.