Today I decided to answer frequently asked questions regarding the sticky layer on the base, gel polish and top coat for gel polish: what role does it play, how to remove the stickiness and is it really that important if there are tops without a sticky layer. Let's figure it out.
A sticky or dispersion layer (or simply dispersion) is the residual stickiness on the gel polish, base and top after it has been polymerized in a lamp. It is very easy to feel it with your finger if you touch the surface of the gel polish after drying (but it is better not to do this). It serves for:
- increasing adhesion between layers of gel polish: base with colored gel polish and gel polish with finish;
- giving elasticity to the gel polish coating, which is very important if your nails are flexible and bend well.
Why do you need a sticky layer on base and gel polish?
Both base and gel polish almost always come with a sticky layer (with the exception of 3-in-1 or single-phase gel polishes). If they don't have tack, or if you take it off, there's a good chance the color will chip off quickly, leaving your nails with just one base. But variations are possible with the top.
What it is
This layer is called sticky or dispersive. The name "variance" is also common. At its core, this is residual stickiness on the base, top or gel polish itself, which remains after the layer has polymerized in the lamp. Those who are especially curious can touch the nail plate after drying and see from their own experience that there is still stickiness. But it's better to take our word for it 
Sticky layer functions:
- increase the adhesion of layers (base and main coating, coating and finish);
- give elasticity to the coating (especially important for flexible nails).
Why do you need a top with a sticky layer?
- A top coat with a sticky layer is recommended if your nails are flexible and bend easily. The fact is that the finish with dispersion is itself more elastic, which allows it not to crack on bending nails, keeping the coating shiny and beautiful for a longer period of time.
- This top is also often used for different types of designs. One of the most popular is foil imprinting on a sticky layer. If you make a design on gel polish with stencils, then it is also more convenient to attach them to the adhesive layer.
Varieties of top products
The correct choice of topcoat will provide your manicure with maximum durability.
Choose from the following varieties:
- coating with and without a sticky layer. The latter is becoming extremely popular because it does not require additional treatment with a degreaser. At the same time, the nails retain the same beautiful glossy surface as when using a finish with a sticky layer;
- matte or glossy top. The choice depends on which manicure design you prefer. The matte finish looks good on plain gel polish. Keep in mind that it will make it visually a little lighter. Gloss is the perfect finish for a manicure using designs;
Using the top you can make your manicure glossy or matte
- There are also finishing products with the effect of mother-of-pearl or mica. It contains small shiny particles that can be solid or colored. The effect of use is similar to that achieved by rubbing.
Another new product is single-phase and two-phase gel polish. Single-phase is represented by only one color product, which combines the functions of base and top; two-phase, in addition to color, also contains a top coat. However, these gel polishes are rarely used because their durability is worse than that of the three-phase system.
Why do you need a top coat without a sticky layer?
- A top without a sticky layer is convenient to use for rubbing on nails (rainbow, mirror, chrome, etc.). If you do this on a sticky layer, it will simply roll into lumps. And if you remove the stickiness, then, alas, you won’t be able to rub anything in.
- The top without LS is also convenient for designs with small accessories: rhinestones, beads, seed beads, etc. It is very difficult to remove the sticky layer close to and between them!
Conclusion: if you want to create designs in different variations and with different materials, you will have to purchase both versions of the top: with and without dispersion.
Why remove the sticky layer?
The sticky layer must be removed only from the top coat when the gel polish coating has already been completed. This is done with a special dispersion remover. Sometimes it works like 2 in 1 - both for degreasing and removing stickiness. This should be done in order to give the nails a gloss and to prevent small fibers from clinging to them.
It is most convenient to remove the dispersion with lint-free wipes or cotton pads (here the liquid consumption will be high). The top should be well dried, then it will have a good gloss and there will be no cloudy stains left on it. By the way, if you try to remove the stickiness from colored gel polish, the napkin will turn the color of the gel polish, and the gel polish itself may no longer look so uniformly dense.
Top 10 rating according to KP
Matte top Vog ue Nails Velvet
Matte top Vog ue Nails Velvet.
Photo: market.yandex.ru Top for gel polish will create a matte finish that looks discreet but elegant. Suitable for use both in the salon and at home. The consistency is medium thick, the color is opaque. When working with topcoat, it is necessary to polymerize it in a UV lamp for three minutes. After removing the sticky layer, the top will reveal its beauty. The durability of the coating is from three weeks. If you touch your nails covered with top from Vogue Nails, you can feel the “velor” effect. The quality of the product is simply excellent - the varnish does not contain harmful substances, has a convenient brush and is easy to apply. If you like a discreet manicure or are tired of a glossy finish, then you will love the top from Vogue Nails.
Beautiful matte effect, easy to use top coat
Drying strictly for at least a minute
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Lianail top coat Academy Top 4 Matte transparent
Lianail top coat Academy Top 4 Matte transparent.
Photo: market.yandex.ru Matte top coat for gel polish with a sticky layer is very popular among buyers. Its peculiarity is the presence of an antistatic effect, thanks to which dust cannot spoil the coating. The top will keep your manicure perfect for up to 4 weeks, and due to the lack of gloss, scratches will not be visible on it. Thanks to this topcoat, you can also forget about problems such as yellowing and darkening of the coating. How to use: After applying the base color, cover your nails with a matte top coat and seal the ends. In a hybrid lamp, the manicure will dry in 30-60 seconds, and in a UV lamp - in 2 minutes. Use dispersion liquid to remove the sticky layer.
Antistatic effect, protection of the coating from darkening
Presence of a sticky layer (not for beginners)
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3. Protective gel polish NANLAC Flex Nano professional
Protective gel polish NANLAC Flex Nano professional.
Photo: market.yandex.ru NANLAC Flex top coat is an elastic gel polish without a sticky layer. Its advantage is its high viscosity. There is no need to even out the coating; it will distribute itself over the nails. The top will give your manicure a beautiful glossy shine, and will also make the coating resistant to mechanical damage, scratches and chips. In addition, the top is perfect for complex designs with rhinestones or other accessories that can easily stick to it. After the top is polymerized, it forms a smooth, shiny surface. The coating contains UV filters that protect the manicure from fading in the sun and wear.
Long lasting effect, no need to level, UV filters
Doesn't lie flat
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Top without sticky layer Brilliant Beautix
Top without sticky layer Brilliant Beautix.
Photo: market.yandex.ru Top from the French company Beautix is a modern product for covering gel polish. It takes into account all the innovative developments in the manicure industry. The top has a medium-thick consistency, hardens in a UV lamp in 1-2 minutes, in an LED lamp in 30-60 seconds. The coating gives the nails a bright glossy shine that lasts throughout the entire period of wearing the manicure. The product creates a beautiful highlight, protects the coating from cracks and chips, and does not give the nails a yellow tint. The top does not become thicker over time and does not require removal of the sticky layer.
No sticky layer, does not thicken, innovative composition
Short shelf life after opening
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Monami, Super Shine top no cleance - Top for gel polish Super shine
Monami, Super Shine top no cleance - Top for gel polish Super shine.
Photo: market.yandex.ru Monami gel polish top will give your manicure a beautiful glossy finish. A convenient and high-quality brush does not deteriorate over time and allows you to carefully smooth out the varnish. The coating remains shiny throughout the entire wear time. The top does an excellent job of protecting bright colors from fading. Directions for use: prepare the nail and apply ultrabond. Apply base coat. The base polymerization time is about a minute. Apply a colored coating, dry it in a lamp for 30-60 seconds. The final stage is applying a top coat from Monami, which also polymerizes in a lamp for 30-60 seconds.
Protection of bright colors, beautiful gloss
May not be compatible with some colored gel polishes
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6. Bloom, Supershine No Wipe Gel Polish Top
Bloom, Supershine No Wipe Gel Polish Top.
Photo: market.yandex.ru The Russian-made top will give your nails a “wet” effect and a bright, intense shine. The main properties of silicone top are elasticity, good solubility and medium consistency. The product is suitable for beginners, as well as those who apply top coat without leveling. Thanks to the high-quality composition of the top coat, the coating remains glossy for a long time, does not turn yellow or rub off. Its advantage is also the absence of a sticky layer. The gel polish top hardens in a UV lamp in 2 minutes, in an LED lamp in 1 minute.
Low price, high-quality composition, no sticky layer
May not be compatible with some colored gel polishes
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Top for gel polish In'Garden X-Top
Top for gel polish In'Garden X-Top.
Photo: market.yandex.ru The top coat from In'Garden not only gives your nails a bright glossy shine, but also protects your manicure. Your nails will be flawless, because the top protects them not only from chips and scratches, but also from peeling. The bright highlight obtained with the help of the product will not add a yellow tint to the nails and will not fade even after three weeks of wear. An important advantage of the top is its cost-effectiveness - it is applied in a thin layer, ensuring minimal product consumption. The top coat has a medium consistency and does not have a sticky layer.
No sticky layer, beautiful glossy effect
More suitable for complex designs
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Diva, Matte top — Matte top for gel polish with a sticky layer
Diva, Matte top - Matte top for gel polish with a sticky layer.
Photo: market.yandex.ru The top coat from Diva is intended for colored gel polishes. The finish of the product is matte. The top does not impart yellowness to light shades of varnishes. If desired, the coating can be leveled; the top does not create sloppy stripes when applied. The velvet effect is very durable - lasts up to 4 weeks of wear. You can use the top when creating complex designs, if you need to make only individual elements matte. Has a sticky layer. It does not get dirty if you take proper care of your manicure - periodically clean it with soapy water and a brush.
Lasting matte effect, does not get dirty
Consistency too thin
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Louis Philippe, Top Coat no wipe
Louis Philippe, Top Coat no wipe.
Photo: market.yandex.ru Top from Louis Philippe will give your nails an elegant shine. The gel polish coating has a medium consistency. The top protects nails from scratches, chips and cracks, as well as from fading. Does not impart a bluish tint to dark varnishes. Inelastic. If necessary, alignment can be done. There are no UV filters in the composition. Does not lose shine over long periods of wear, maintaining a beautiful highlight for up to 4 weeks.
Beautiful shine, protects the coating from scratches
No UV filters included
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KLIO Professional Brilliant Top
KLIO Professional Brilliant Top.
Photo: market.yandex.ru KLIO gel polish coating allows you to give your manicure a lasting glossy shine that does not reduce in intensity until the manicure is removed. The consistency of the product is liquid, there is no sticky layer. Does not yellow when using light gel polishes. Does not require leveling, which makes working with it easier and faster. It is recommended to dry it in a UV lamp for 3 minutes, in an LED lamp for two minutes. The top protects your manicure from scratches and chips. The coating does not need leveling.
No sticky layer, no need to level the coating
Inconvenient brush, fluidity
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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!
What are finishing gels?
Finish gel is used for the final top coat of nail extensions. It serves to secure extended nails, giving them a natural shine and creating a finished look.
Finish gel is used for both gel and acrylic extensions. One of its important advantages is increasing the lifespan of the nail and consolidating its design. This eliminates the need for polishing the nail and additional application of a fixative. Also, the finishing gel can replace the base for the varnish.
Gel nail extensions come in three types: single-phase, two-phase and three-phase, respectively. The phases correspond to the stages of the master’s work when extending an artificial nail. At the first stage, the material goes through the stage of adhesion to the nail. The second stage is giving the required shape to the nail. At the third stage, fixation and giving shine to the nail occurs. The finish gel also takes an active part in this.
The choice of finishing gel should be taken seriously. A low-quality gel will completely negate all the work of the master. Your nails will have a yellowish appearance and will look untidy. In addition, over time, nails crack and may even break off. So when choosing, rely on the experience of the master or use only proven quality brands.
