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Get a salon-style manicure at home with these polishes.
Credit:Southern Living / Brian Kopinski
Linda Vosays that a top coat is necessary to achieve a professional-looking manicure that lasts.
She prefers a glossy top coat polish thats quick drying.
That way, our guests can be on their way, she says.
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Here are the best to consider.
At 0.5 fluid ounces, a bottle of OPIs Top Coat can last for many manicures.
It also provides a gel-like finish without all the extra steps of applying gel nail polish.
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It covers in one coat thanks to a brush that contours to each nails shape.
It can provide shine and strength for up to 10 days and visibly harder nails.
The polish also includes double UV filters to help protect your nails from sun damage.
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After applying the top coat, your nails should be dry, smudge-proof, and shiny within 30 seconds.
The polish is cruelty- and alcohol-free and vegan.
While it pairs best with otherEssie nail polish products, it can be used on virtually any polish.
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A matte top coat is the only way to achieve the look.
It tones down a polishs natural shine, but it also enhances the polishs color.
A matte nail look can be elegant or moody, depending on the vibe you are going for.
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Matte nails dont leave a lot of room for imperfections, so keep this in mind.
The wide fan brush makes it easy to apply, and the polish can last up to 10 days.
It contains both a base and top coat in one polish to help strengthen and protect your nails.
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Its formulated to prevent staining, too.
The polish is made without harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, resin, and camphor.
To use it, swipe on two coats and let those dry before swiping on two coats of color.
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Its two-step system includes long wear polish that self-adheres and an epic top coat.
The formula is chip-resistant and has high shine.
It includes ingredients that promote nail health, like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and keratin.
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The longer you wear it, the stronger your nails become.
Its 100% vegan, down to the plant-based bristles on the brush.
However, most people do well with theOPI Top CoatandSeche Vite Quick Dry Top Nail Coat.
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Its what she uses in her professional nail salons.
Finish
Matte and glossy are the two top-coat nail polish finishes.
If you want to give trendy matte nails a try, go for theOPI Matte Top Coat.
Ingredients
There are two main types of top coat nail polishes: traditional and natural.
Questions And Answers
Is A Top Coat Necessary?
It depends on how you like your nails to look and how long you want them to last.
Some polishes have top coats or similar finishes built into them, but not all.
Vo believes you should always use a top coat to protect your nails.
Is Top Coat Polish The Same As Clear Nail Polish?
This is a misconception that Vo is happy to debunk.
Can You Use A Top Coat Polish As A Base Coat?
Base coats and top coats are not the same thing, says Vo.
You wont get the same results if you use a top coat first, she says.
The formula is different, and polish would come off the nail quicker.
She consulted nail expertLinda Vo, owner of Les Mains Nail Bar and La Belle Nail Bar in Atlanta.
