My manicure assistants, part one: base and top coats

Main types of funds

The base for nail polish should be chosen taking into account the characteristics and needs of the nails. A moisturizing base is suitable for dry nails that are prone to brittleness, as well as those that are too hard and thick. This product will make the nail plates more flexible, help them withstand some pressure and not break.

Strengthening base contains beneficial ingredients that make nails stronger. Ingredients may include gelatin, silicon, herbal extracts or proteins. Women say in their reviews that the base for the polish makes their nails strong and healthy. Bases that accelerate growth are also sold. Such funds can be used either independently or as a basis.

The “sticky” base improves the adhesion of the surface of the nail plate and the decorative coating. Some of these products are designed for use with gel polishes. The leveling base fills small irregularities on the surface of the nail, as a result of which further coating is applied and distributed evenly.

The final choice depends on the condition of the nails. If they are in order and nothing bothers you, then you can choose a universal foundation, strengthening or moisturizing.

About Shellac

Of course, a manicure made using polymers looks amazing: super-shine, beautiful designs, a dense coating that lasts flawlessly from three to ten weeks. Basically, until the manicurist cuts it off. This pleasure is quite expensive. But today Chinese gels have appeared, cheaper. The shellac application procedure is completed by a master within several hours. To maintain the integrity of the coating, you must not work with water for 12 hours.

Can every woman afford such luxury? In fact, dedicate the whole day just to manicure? And is it worth throwing away a lot of simple varnishes in wonderful colors? Many girls who are fond of shellac complain about the negative effects of polymers on the nail plate.

Anny: six in one

This product does not contain harmful elements in its composition. The brush for applying the foundation is very comfortable, moderately elastic, smooth, and distributes the base evenly. It dries for quite a long time, but makes the nail glossy, so it can be used as an independent product. The base must be applied in very thin layers and dried well, otherwise bubbles may appear.

Dior Firming Foundation

This milky-peach base for varnish has a liquid consistency, due to which it is easily distributed over the nail plate and leveled independently. The result is a thin coating with good gloss and a pleasant natural shade. The base evens out the nail plate well. It dries quite quickly on the nails - about three minutes. When using a nail polish base with a strengthening effect, nails begin to grow faster and stop breaking. The colored varnish applies very well to the base and lasts a long time. This varnish base has earned only positive reviews.

First way

One of the successful ways of combining different coatings was carried out as follows:

• the natural nail plate is degreased with a primer;
• paint your nails with regular polish;
• dry it thoroughly in the air;
• cover with top gel;
• Dry the top under an ultraviolet lamp.

This combination of coatings lasts on the nails for quite a long time, up to thirty days. No chips or cracks.

Nail surface corrector

Based on the results of application, the OPI corrector fully complies with the properties declared by the manufacturer. The product is translucent, slightly milky in color. The corrector mattifies, but it is not recommended to use it without colored varnish, because while filling all the unevenness efficiently, the product only emphasizes them. But when applying a layer of colored coating on top, the nails look perfect.

Which base to choose

Today there are many options for this material from different manufacturers. Over time, each master selects the most suitable option for himself and subsequently uses only it to a greater extent. In order to decide which base to choose, you should first familiarize yourself with the top best options that are in greatest demand today.

Kodi Rubber Base

A popular brand today produces a rubber-based base. The material is in great demand among craftsmen and clients.

Kodi Rubber Base

Advantages:

• High durability;
• A truly unique composition that has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other drugs;
• The drug has no color, the mass is completely transparent;
• The brush is comfortable, which allows the master to carry out all the work easily, even with little experience in this field;
• You can easily level the nail plate and hide small defects in the base of the nail;
• The composition is designed in such a way as not to cause an allergic reaction;
• Another positive quality of the base is the fact that it can be used with gel polishes from other manufacturers;
• There are no cracks, various chips and such unwanted detachments on the surface.

Flaws:

• The consistency of the material can be called quite thick. May make it difficult for newbies.

The material is applied only in a thin layer or in a drop. Drying in a UV lamp will take about two minutes. When using an LED lamp, drying occurs in 30 seconds. The cost depends on the volume, 7 ml will cost about 450 rubles, for a 14 ml capacity you will need to pay about 600 rubles, this format is sold without a brush. The price will directly depend on the place of purchase.

CND Base Coat

High quality material, in great demand. Today, this particular brand is subject to counterfeiting, so when purchasing, you should be very careful not to buy low-quality products at a high cost.

CND Base Coat

Advantages:

• The base can be combined with gel polishes from other manufacturers;
• Holds color coating well;
• The brush is quite soft and flexible to work with.

Flaws:

• The material has a slight sour odor;
• Due to its liquid consistency, using a base makes it quite difficult to level out various types of unevenness and other defects of the nail plate;
• Quite a high cost of the material.

Polymerization can be carried out either in an LED lamp in 30 seconds, or in an ultraviolet device in two minutes. Before applying gel polish, you do not need to remove the sticky layer of the base. The cost of 12 ml is approximately 1,700 rubles.

Gelish Base Gel Foundation

The base coat is used by both beginners and experienced craftsmen.

Gelish Base Gel Foundation

Advantages:

• Distinctive qualities include excellent adhesion to other materials;
• The material is moderately thick and does not spread;
• It is quite convenient to carry out the work using a soft but short brush;
• Very easy to apply and also easy to remove.

Flaws:

• The base must be applied in a thin layer in two coats. You cannot apply a thick layer because it will wrinkle when drying in the lamp.

Polymerization takes place very quickly, 10 seconds in an LED lamp and one minute in a UV lamp are enough. The average cost of the base is 1500 per 15 ml.

OPI Gel Color Base Coat

Many positive aspects distinguish this base, which is why it is widely used by nail industry professionals.

OPI Gel Color Base Coat

Advantages:

• Among the main ones, one can highlight non-aggressiveness towards one’s nails;
• The consistency is normal, it is applied very easily and the work resembles the use of regular varnish;
• The base can be combined with gel polishes from other companies;
• The drug adheres very well to the natural nail plate and gel polishes;
• The consistency makes it possible to hide small irregularities in the nail plate;
• It is very easy to remove the material;
• There is no burning sensation when drying under lamps.

Flaws:

• Before applying it, it is imperative to use a bond of the same brand, which will slightly increase the time it takes to complete the work.

Drying will require 50-60 seconds in a UV lamp and 30 seconds in an LED lamp. The cost of 15 ml of material is on average 1300 rubles.

Bluesky Rubber Base Cover

Most often, the base is used to create a French manicure, this is due to the camouflage qualities of the material.

Bluesky Rubber Base Cover

Advantages:

• You can choose the shade of the base at your discretion, the line is quite extensive;
• The thick consistency prevents the material from spreading while working.

Flaws:

• The base is quite difficult to remove and during operation there is a possibility of injuring the nail plate;
• The consistency of the material is quite thick, and the work is a little complicated by the inconvenient brush;
• The base has a relatively short shelf life - only six months.

Polymerization occurs in the usual mode for two minutes in a UV lamp and about one minute in an LED lamp. The cost of the material is quite low, which attracts a large number of buyers. On average, for 10 ml of material you will need to pay only 300 rubles.

Beautix Royal Base

The base is made on a rubber base, which is very popular today. The birthplace of drug production is France.

Beautix Royal Base

Advantages:

• The material is characterized by excellent self-leveling properties;
• A very convenient brush does not cause any difficulties while doing the job. With its help, you can completely cover the entire nail plate without any obstacles.

Flaws:

• The base is not compatible with all modern gel polishes. Some brands bleed when used.

Polymerization requires 30 seconds in an LED lamp and two minutes in a UV device. The cost can be classified as average; for 15 ml you will need to pay on average about one thousand rubles.

Ingarden Ideal Nails

The base is made on a rubber base, which makes it very popular among craftsmen of various levels.

Ingarden Ideal Nails

Advantages:

• With its help, you can even out even significant defects in the nail plate;
• The product is characterized by an almost complete absence of odor;
• The consistency is quite thick, but despite this, it is very easy to work with even for beginners;
• The base can be stored for three years; all the qualities of the product are preserved throughout the entire period;
• The brush is quite neat and easy to work with.

Flaws:

• When dried in a lamp, the base causes a burning sensation, so it is not recommended to use it when working with clients who have very thin nail plates. This will cause significant discomfort or even pain.

Drying takes the same time as other representatives: in an LED lamp - 30 seconds, in a UV lamp - one minute. The cost of 11 ml of this product is 600 rubles.

Entity Base Coat

The base of this manufacturer is used by both experienced craftsmen and beginners. With its help you can create a manicure that will look great for two weeks.

Entity Base Coat

Advantages:

• The material provides excellent adhesion to gel polishes and nail plates;
• No detachment will form for two weeks;
• The consistency of the drug can be called moderately dense, it is very easy to work with;
• Interaction with gel polishes from other manufacturers is very good.

Flaws:

• The only disadvantages include the relatively high cost.

A distinctive feature can also be called very fast drying in an LED lamp, it will take only ten seconds, when using a UV lamp you will have to spend no more than one minute. The price of the product is quite high; for a container of 15 ml you will have to pay 1250 rubles.

Extra Rubber Base from Klio Professional

It is not as popular as its more famous analogues, but it already has its fans.

Extra Rubber Base from Klio Professional

Advantages:

• The base is characterized by a fairly high density, but at the same time plasticity;
• She is simple and easy to work with, regardless of experience level;
• Due to the consistency there is the possibility of self-leveling;
• The base is the key to the high durability of the decorative layer;
• Even after some time, chips or cracks do not appear;
• Removal work is just being carried out.

Flaws:

• The thick consistency may cause some difficulties for beginners when first using it.

It polymerizes in an LED lamp for one minute and takes two minutes to dry in a UV lamp. The cost is in the average range. For a container with a volume of 15 ml you will have to pay 650 rubles.

Base and top coat

Orly nail care product is universal. This is both a base for varnish and a topcoat. Decorative varnish fits well on it, and the nails themselves are not painted. The polish dries faster and lasts longer, and the nails themselves become glossy. This remedy is praised by many women. Those who have already tried coverage from Orly once do not want to go back to cheaper (although the base is quite budget-friendly, especially considering that this is a two-in-one product) bases.

Coating layers

To obtain a beautiful and high-quality coating, it is necessary to follow the correct sequence and technique of applying materials. There are several important points to pay attention to:

Coating layers depend on:

• From the original nail architecture. If the nail plate is flat or has flaws, then the leveling layers will be denser to raise the architecture, making nails with a curve, that is, a beautiful arch. And vice versa, if the nail is without flaws, with the correct bend, then it will be enough to apply one thin layer of the base material.

• Depending on the consistency and density of the materials used. More fluid varnishes with a medium consistency produce thinner, more elegant layers. Thicker materials adhere more tightly.
• From designrequiring fixation. The more different designs are combined on the nails, which need to be covered and secured with a top coat, the thicker the nails will be, which means, initially, the base needs to be made elegant.

Sealing the end of the free edge of the nail plate is done in the following cases:

• In various reinforcing systems, if required by the application technique prescribed in the instructions for use;
• On thin nails, if you want to protect and strengthen the free edge of the plate;

• If desired, especially if it turns out neatly. But it is best to make beautiful and correct architecture and refuse to seal it. This will make your nails look neater and more aesthetically attractive.

Coverage depth . To prevent the layers of decorative manicure applied to it from creating an unsightly “step” when a natural nail grows, you need to consider the following:

• If the sinuses are narrow and low, then the base and color are combined with the roller.
• If the sinuses are open and deep, then the base is applied by pushing it under the roller by 0.5-1 mm, and the color by 0.5 mm. We lay out the top end-to-end with the roller.

There are three main products that we apply in strict sequence - base, color and top.

Under gel polish

The base for the base of gel polish is not a product that is suitable for use with a regular decorative coating. The corrector base has received good reviews, as it provides strong adhesion and evens out the nail plate. This is Komilfo Gel Base Coat.

The product can be applied in a thin layer over the entire surface or spot-on to correct imperfections. Using this base, you can extend broken corners or the nail itself up to 1 mm. The product is sawed off (like gel polish), so that your nails can be given the desired shape. Nail base for gel polish is sold in five-milliliter bottles without a brush (it is convenient to apply the one used for acrylic).

Tips for choosing bases for manicure

It’s hard not to get confused in the variety of bases, so experts in the field of nail service recommend adhering to the following rules when choosing a base:

1. Select the base, main color coating and top coat of the same brand, since these products are effective only when used in combination.
2. Give preference to formulations with caring and medicinal components - silk, proteins, vitamins A and E.
3. Pay attention to expiration dates - expired material loses its properties and can harm the condition of the nail plate.
4. For nails with unevenness, it is better to choose a thick base that can perfectly hide all defects.