The Importance of Base Coat and Top Coat for Healthy, Long-Lasting Nails

A polished manicure is more than just color—it begins and ends with the often-overlooked essentials: base coat and top coat. These two subtle steps form the foundation and finish of every elegant nail look, especially for women who see their beauty rituals as sacred, intentional pauses in a fast-paced, city-centered life. From protecting natural nails to sealing in shine, base and top coats are the quiet heroes behind every flawless manicure.

Check out sundays nail care essentials.

This article includes:

base coat
top coat
can you use top coat as base coat
non toxic nail polish
how to make nail polish last longer

Interested in more nail care tips? Check out 6 Expert Tips To Cut Your Nail Polish Drying Time.

Let’s Get to It!

Why You Should Never Skip a Base Coat

The base coat is your nail’s first line of defense. Applied directly onto bare nails, this layer creates a smooth canvas that grips color better and protects against staining—especially from deep, pigment-rich polishes like classic red or moody navy.

But it does more than shield. A quality base coat nourishes your nails, often infused with strengthening ingredients like biotin, vitamin E, or keratin. These fortifying elements help prevent breakage and peeling, promoting long-term nail health beneath the art.

For those who live a hands-on lifestyle—typing, city commuting, yoga classes, or dishwashing—the base coat creates a flexible buffer between your nail and life’s little abrasions. It anchors your manicure, quite literally, setting the stage for staying power and vibrancy.

Check out sundays B.01 Hydrating Base Coat.

The Top Coat: Your Manicure’s Protective Armor

A top coat is the invisible armor that seals in color, adds shine, and prevents chips. Whether you prefer a glossy glass-like finish or a modern matte effect, the top coat defines the final look while safeguarding it from daily wear and tear.

Top coats are formulated to dry faster than polish alone, which reduces smudging during those crucial post-manicure minutes. They also repel moisture and environmental damage—key in humid summers or cold, dry winters in places like New York City.

Some modern formulas even offer UV protection to prevent yellowing or fading over time. For busy women who balance careers, social lives, and self-care, reapplying a thin layer of top coat every few days can extend the life of a manicure well into week two.

Check out sundays T.01 Protective Top Coat.

Choosing the Right Base Coat and Top Coat for Your Nail Ritual

Just as you tailor your skincare to the season or your wardrobe to the occasion, your base coat and top coat deserve the same thoughtful attention. Each formula has a purpose—and choosing the right one turns your manicure into a customized act of care.

B.01 – Hydrating Base Coat
Perfect for dry or brittle nails, this moisturizing base coat smooths the nail surface while locking in hydration. Ideal for everyday use or during colder months when nails are more prone to peeling, it creates the perfect foundation for your polish while helping prevent stains from richly pigmented shades.
B.03 – Nail Strengthening Base Coat
Infused with Vitamin E, Argan Oil, and Amino Acids, this formula is a go-to when your nails feel weakened or stressed—post-gel, postpartum, or after excessive hand washing. Designed for longevity and resilience, it grips polish while feeding your nails essential nutrients, all in a professional-grade, 10-free, vegan formula.
B.04 – Ridge Filler Base Coat
If you notice texture or vertical ridges on your natural nails, this base coat smooths everything out, offering a soft-focus canvas for polish. It’s a favorite for minimalist manicures where the finish needs to be pristine and polished without heavy layering.
T.01 – Protective Top Coat
Your classic high-gloss finisher. This formula locks in color, enhances vibrancy, and prevents polish from chipping or dulling. It’s the top coat for everyday wear or events where you want that polished, just-stepped-out-of-the-salon look.
T.02 – Fast Drying Top Coat
The go-to for women on the move. Whether you’re squeezing in a mani between meetings or right before a dinner date, this fast-drying top coat seals polish in minutes. Bonus: it offers UV protection, acting like sunscreen for your nails to prevent fading and discoloration.
T.03 – Matte Top Coat
For when you’re feeling playful or understated. This velvet matte top coat instantly transforms any polish into a satin, powdery finish while still protecting the color underneath. It’s perfect for fashion-forward looks, editorial nail art, or minimalist styles with edge.

Adding these versatile formulas to your nail wardrobe ensures you’re always equipped to treat your nails with the intention, protection, and polish they deserve.

Check out our nail care essentials.

Final Thoughts on Base Coat and Top Coat

The best beauty is built on care, and that care begins at the base and ends at the top. Whether you’re after a polish that lasts, nails that stay strong, or a moment of mindful self-indulgence, the base coat and top coat are essential tools in your clean beauty ritual. They may be invisible layers, but their impact is undeniable—securing your manicure and supporting your natural nail health with every brushstroke.

Next, check out Why Do My Nails Grow So Fast?.

more from sundays:

FAQ: The Importance of Top Coat and Base Coat for Healthy, Long-Lasting Nails

1. What is the difference between a base coat and a top coat?

A base coat and top coat may appear similar in texture, but their ingredient profiles and functions are distinctly different. Base coats are typically formulated with ingredients like cellulose, nylon, keratin, or calcium to fill ridges, promote adhesion, and reinforce the nail’s structure. Some include nourishing additives like vitamin E or biotin to condition and strengthen.

Top coats, on the other hand, are designed for durability and shine. They often contain acrylic polymers, nitrocellulose, and plasticizers that create a hard, glossy, chip-resistant finish. Many also include UV filters to prevent polish from yellowing or fading.

2. Can you use base coat as top coat and vice versa?

While base and top coats may look similar, they serve different purposes and have unique formulations. A base coat is designed to bond polish to the nail and often contains strengthening ingredients, while a top coat is formulated to harden, add shine, and protect against external damage. Using one in place of the other compromises performance—base coats may not seal or shine like a true top coat, and top coats don’t adhere well to bare nails. For best results, use each as intended.

3. How often should I reapply top coat?

For long-lasting results, reapply a thin layer of top coat every 2–3 days to maintain shine and protect against chips.

4. How do you make nail polish last longer?

Start with a clean, dry nail surface, apply a nourishing base coat, use thin layers of polish, and always finish with a top coat. Avoid soaking hands in hot water immediately after polishing, wear gloves when cleaning, and reapply top coat every few days. Keeping nails filed and free from snags also helps prevent early chipping. With mindful application and care, your manicure can last a full week or more.

5. Do base and top coats help weak or brittle nails?

Absolutely. Many base coats include strengthening agents that support nail health, while top coats add an extra layer of protection from daily wear and tear.