Top for gel polish. What is it and what is it for?

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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Reviews

Reviews, as always, are varied, so choosing one universal top is extremely difficult. There are various options from which everyone can choose the most suitable for themselves. Which top coat for gel polish should I choose? It all depends on the buyer’s priorities - durability, easy application of decor, strong nail extensions or other tasks - for each of them there is a suitable finishing top.

Experts prefer to use the entire set - base, gel polish and top - from one brand. According to their reviews, this will help avoid such troubles as varnish collecting in lumps, spreading and other processes. But recently, many companies have begun to produce universal tops that go well with products from other brands.

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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Why does the top turn yellow or blue?

Quite often, craftsmen are faced with the fact that the tops turn blue or, on the contrary, begin to turn yellow over time. One of the reasons may be the presence or absence of an ultraviolet filter in the top composition.

A UV filter protects manicure from excess ultraviolet radiation. A topcoat without a filter does not perform this function, and over time the lower layers of the coating may turn yellow. Therefore, it is better not to use such tops on light gel polishes.

But the presence of a UV filter, on the contrary, can give a blue tint. It is especially noticeable on black and red gel polish colors.

We conclude: tops with UV filters are best used on light colors, and without them - on dark colors.

Note:

yellowness can appear not only due to the lack of a filter. There are many other reasons, for example:

• using household chemicals without gloves. Aggressive substances in the composition of the products can lead to discoloration;
• smoking: tar and nicotine can make nails and skin yellow;
• using spices during cooking such as turmeric.

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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Why do you need a base?

The base may look like a classic clear varnish. However, in reality these funds have many differences. Advantages of the base gel:

1. The base coat is the basis for the future manicure.
2. This coating allows you to level the nail plate. After applying the base, the master turns the client’s hand over and looks at the distribution of the varnish. Achieving a perfectly even base layer, the master applies a colored coating.
3. Increases nail thickness. Relevant for those with brittle nails.
4. Protects nails from the negative effects of colored varnish.
5. Fights yellowness of the nail plate.

Important! When performing a French manicure, masters can replace the colored pink coating with a base of pastel colors.

Which base to choose

When purchasing a base coat, you should not rely solely on advertising. It is important to take into account the opinion of experts and simple characteristics that can be checked with the manufacturer or found on the Internet.

It is best to choose top, base and color coating from the same brand

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

1. Brand. It is advisable to choose the top, base and color coating of the same brand. Using products from one company guarantees the effectiveness of the products.
2. Consistency. The base coat can be viscous or liquid. It is easier to work with a liquid consistency and its application is not difficult. The viscous form also has advantages: it makes it easier to model the shape of the nail plate.
3. Type. If this is your first experience working with gel polishes, then it is better to choose a self-leveling base. This will make the application process easier. For more experienced users, it makes sense to use bases that allow you to level the surface.
4. Compound. This point is especially important if there is high sensitivity to various components. It is better to do an allergy test before use.

What is the best base for gel polish?

There are three main types of base coat:

1. Leveling. It has a dense consistency, with which it is convenient to level the nail plate. Hides cracks and minor imperfections well.
2. Rubber. Popular due to its good distribution over the nail. Doesn't sag, smoothes out easily. With this base it is easy to vary the application density.
3. Camouflage. Suitable for thin and brittle nails. It makes unevenness invisible and therefore becomes an ideal solution for masking dry nails.

Choose a base depending on the condition of your nails

Important! Although there are 3 types of base coatings, there are also bases with vitamins and classic ones. These bases differ in the amount of nutritional components.

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.

Types of finishing coating

Let's look at the main types of finishing tops:

• top with a sticky layer of LS (with dispersion). Used for natural and extended nails, giving them special shine and strength. Allows you to create any design and decoration;
• top without a sticky layer of BLS (without dispersion). Ideal for acrylic and gel nail extensions. It has a more liquid consistency; for natural nail plates a thicker composition is needed. Advantage - no preliminary degreasing is required;
• rubber top. The viscous composition prevents the occurrence of cracks and chips, and evens out defects and unevenness of the plate. It is protected by an elastic rubber layer;
• top base 2 in 1 universal composition. It works as a base and as a top, creating strong adhesion (adhesion) to the nail plate. Compatible with other coatings, protects both above and below.

Uno (Hong Kong)

Healthy. Manufacturers often add substances to the finishing topcoat that create interesting visual effects; they can be used to create any original design.

Key points when applying base

The main rule of caring for shellac nails is to apply a very thin layer of base.

Apply the gel with a brush in a small amount. They begin to rub into the nail from the middle.

Additional Information! The varnish coating holds well when the base layer is rubbed in more firmly. It does not affect the cuticle and skin around the nails.

The coating is performed from the central part of the nail to the cuticle, then in the opposite direction using rubbing movements. At the next stage, the nails are dried in a UV lamp. After polymerization, the sticky coating is not removed from the nails. It is necessary for strong adhesion of all layers of manicure.