if you’ve ever wondered what a base coat or top coat actually do, and found yourself finally asking the cosmos: is base coat necessary for nail polish? (spoiler: yes) and do you need a top coat for nail polish? (also, yes), consider this a cosmic invitation to leave your (potentially) very damaging claw and paw faux paws in the past.
we know, we know: you want to skip them. you’re a busy cat or kitten. but trust us: the real secret to making any mani last is truly never skipping out on your base coat or top coat.
below we’re enrolling you in the ultimate crash course on all things base coat and top coat, including, yes, why using a base coat and top coat is necessary.
WHY DO YOU NEED A BASE COAT
think of a base coat as a protective barrier for your nail. base coats protect your nail from damage and staining and create a super smooth and optimal foundation for your lacquer to adhere to. meaning: a better-looking and longer-lasting manicure and a happier nail in the long run. all of our base coats are also formulated to help strengthen your nail while they protect.
WHICH MOONCAT BASE COAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR NEXT MANICURE?
THE ULTIMATE SMOOTHER: GETTING EVEN NAIL PRIMER
got ridges or staining? or just looking to build the smoothest foundation? our GETTING EVEN NAIL PRIMER is a lightly-tinted ridge filling base coat that’ll be your claws’ perfect match. its buildable, lightly-tinted base color also makes it a perfect starting layer for creating negative space nail art or pairing under any of our intentionally sheer shades.
THE STRENGTH BOOSTER: HARDCORE BASE COAT
want to give your nails a little extra TLC with each manicure? our HARDCORE BASE COAT is infused with garlic extract (but we promise it doesn’t smell like it) to help strengthen your nails to prevent damage and growth. while one base coat is def enough, you can layer our GETTING EVEN NAIL PRIMER ~over~ our HARDCORE BASE COAT, if you feel your nails could use an added strength boost plus some tinting, ridge filling, or smoothing.
WHY DO YOU NEED A TOP COAT
a top coat prolongs the wear of your mani by preventing chips, and helps protect your nail from breaks and tears in the process. our top coats will also give your finished mani a salon-like shine, whether you opt for a super glossy layer of SPEED DEMON TOP COAT or a velvety layer of our MATTE MADE IN HELL.
every lacquer is a little different. some lacquers dry down semi-matte and need a top coat to give it that glossy look we all expect and love. other lacquers are filled with iridescent flakies or holographic glitter that give it a little texture that can be evened out and given an added boost of reflective shine with the aid of a glossy top coat. thankfully our quick drying SPEED DEMON TOP COAT won’t make you wait too long - bc, yes, we know, patience is a virtue.
want a hack to prolong the wear of any manicure? just reapply your top coat every couple of days.
A BASE COAT + TOP COAT ARE A TRULY DYNAMIC DUO
while your lacquer might get all the love for a standout mani, by protecting your nails, creating the perfect foundation, and prolonging your wear, your base and top coat are really the unsung heroes of any long lasting manicure.
realizing you may have a few basics to pick up? conjure endless salon-caliber manicures at home with the help of our matte and glossy top coats, strengthening base coat, and best nail ridge filler primer here.
