A top coat helps keep your manicure looking nice by preventing nail color from smudging, chipping, and fading. Manicures only last a few days on their own, but a top coat effectively extends the life of a manicure for much longer. There are many different types of top coats available which range from no-chip to fast-drying. Most top coats impart a glossy finish while others provide a mattifying effect. To ensure a top coat suits the needs of your nails, you’ll want to consider its drying time, the amount of protection it provides, appearance, as well as its longevity.
Nail Protection
Daily activities leave polished nails vulnerable to potential damage. A top coat’s main function is to protect your nail color from smudging, fading, chipping, and denting. While some lower quality top coats provide an attractive finish, they offer no real protection to nails. A quality top coat should protect nail color with a durable, damage-resistant finish.
Drying Time
Waiting for a top coat to dry is as exciting as watching paint dry. Top coat finishes which take longer to dry may set as hard and are more likely to smudge. However, there are some products which dry faster than others in order to save you time. The best nail top coats dry within one minute and some fast-drying top coats can even deliver results in as little as 30 seconds.
Appearance
Since a top coat completes a manicure, its appearance can determine the overall look of your nails. Lower quality top coats tend to take on a yellowish tinge which is especially visible on whites, pastels, and other lighter-colored nail polishes. The consistency of the top coat can also affect its appearance; for example, thicker top coats tend to wrinkle and dent. A quality top coat keeps its original finish without becoming discolored or the texture altering.
Longevity
The amount of time a top coat remains on nail polish determines the length of your manicure. Lower-quality top coats tend to chip off faster than quality top coats, leaving nail polish exposed and susceptible to damage. Although the longevity of a top coat depends on application techniques, the best top coats will last a minimum of 10 days.
Top Coat Types
Clear Top Coat
As the most commonly used type of top coat, clear top coats are extremely versatile and enhance the look of all nail polishes. These top coats are known for their glossy finishes which provide manicures with a polished look. The best clear top coats dry rapidly and protect nails against damage such as chipping, denting, and discoloration.
Matte Top Coat
Mattifying top coats provide a flat, smooth finish over your existing nail color. They’re ideal for when you want to add an interesting texture to your manicure and change it up from the usual glossy finish. Matte top coats provide the same protection as glossy top coats against fading, chipping, denting, etc.
No-Chip Top Coat
All it takes is one small chip to ruin a manicure. Small chips lead to larger chips and then soon nail polish is nearly completely stripped off a nail. No-chip top coats prevent chipping by providing a durable, chip-resistant finish over your nail polish. These top coats are ideal for individuals who put their nails through a lot of wear and tear.
Fast-Drying Top Coat
When saving time is your highest priority, fast-drying top coats are ideal. These top coats impart a glossy finish while sealing nails and protecting them from damage. Fast-drying top coats provide the same benefits as standard top coats, only dry faster.