Gel polish is a favorite among people who do their own manicures or want a long-lasting look. It doesn’t chip as easily, comes in every finish you want, and always looks stunning. What about the base coat, though? Does gel polish need a base coat? What happens if you don’t apply the base coat?
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Does Gel Polish Need A Base Coat
Yes, gel polish needs a base coat. This is a must have step in every manicure with gel polish. You need one for several reasons, and you may wind up messing up your manicure if you skip this crucial step.
Adhesion
The base coat for a gel polish manicure helps the polish adhere to the nail. It creates a layer between the nail and the polish to make the manicure last longer. Those who don’t use a base coat risk their manicure chipping faster and barely lasting a week.
Protective Barrier
The base coat also serves as a protective barrier between your nail and the rest of the world. Gel nail polish can get water underneath it, trapping water between the nail and the polish. Over time, this causes nail fungus.
Gel nail polish is also packed with pigment that can stain your nails. The base coat ensures your nails don’t get stained from nail polish. While all gel polishes won’t stain your nails, it can be hard to tell which ones will, so it’s best to use a base coat.
Smooth Base
Nails aren’t perfectly smooth. The base coat can help fill in tiny spots to create a smooth canvas for your gel polish. The smooth canvas works similarly to primer with makeup; your polish will look better, be even, and last longer.
Make Sure To Cure It
The steps in a gel manicure are intended to work together, so completing each step is essential. You should always prepare your nails before starting your manicure. Then, make sure to cure your nails after each step, including the base coat.
Our favorite base coats:
Gel Manicure Tips And Tricks
Ensuring your gel manicure has a base coat is important, but it’s far from the only thing you need to know. There are quite a few tips and tricks that can make sure your manicure holds up like it’s supposed to.
File The Top Layer Of Your Nails
Gently rub a nail file over your nails where you would normally apply nail polish. This makes your nails feel a little rough instead of smooth. The rough texture helps gel nail polish adhere better to your nail.
Having a smooth texture means the nail polish won’t stick as well to your nail. Instead, it can lift off your nail, leading to you needing a new manicure or getting nail fungus.
Don’t Overcure
It can be tempting to leave your nails under the LED light for a little longer or ensure your gel polish is completely cured. However, that’s not a good idea. You’ll over-cure the nail polish, which can make it lift off your nails within a few days. Instead, follow the directions on your nail polish or LED light.
Proper Application
Proper application is just as important as preparing your nails before you start your manicure. Apply gel polish in thin coats. Coats that are too thick will peel off within a week.
Always cap the edges. This technique involves putting a thin layer of nail polish along the edge of the nail to help create a seal. It’s something nail salons always do to help your manicure last longer.
Lint Free Cloth
You’ll always need a lint-free cloth for a DIY gel manicure. Using a regular towel because you don’t have a lint-free one handy can result in tiny hairs getting stuck in your nails. You can purchase a lint-free cloth almost anywhere. For a more affordable option, try cutting paper towels into smaller squares.
Does Gel Polish Need A Base Coat
It can be tempting to skip this step because it seems pointless if your nails are smooth. However, skipping a base coat can make the nail polish chip and lift off your nails sooner. Once the nail polish begins to lift off your nails, water can get trapped underneath, leading to nail fungus.
It’s best to grab a base coat with next day delivery and complete all the steps of a gel manicure. Check out the rest of the site to learn more!
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