Why Do I Need a Top Coat ?

A beautiful manicure needs protection! And that’s exactly the role of the top coat, the final step of the manicure, sometimes wrongly overlooked. An invisible shield against everything that causes cracks and chips, this layer of top coat is much more than just protection. Glossy, matte, or glittery, the finishing polish also enhances each of your manicures and extends the life of your favorite polish colors. We tell you everything about this must-have!

What exactly is the top coat?

The top coat is a transparent finishing polish applied as the last layer, over the color polish. Its formula is designed to wrap and seal the manicure or nail art. It smooths the surface and makes it more resistant, while enhancing the shade with a specific effect.

As its name suggests, it is applied as the last layer in a polish application routine, after the base coat and the 2 layers of color. Once the color is completely dry, apply the top coat in a thin layer and let it dry naturally or under a UV/LED lamp depending on the chosen protocol.

👉 Good to know: we strongly recommend using a finishing polish from the same brand and product range as your nail polish. Their formulas are designed to work in synergy and ensure optimal performance in terms of tenue and shine.

Why is the top coat indispensable?

When you're in a hurry and the polish is dry and already shiny, it's easy to be tempted to stop there... Mistake! Skipping the top coat means depriving your manicure of its life insurance. Here are 5 good reasons never to forget it:

• It protects your polish against scratches and early chipping and acts as a shock absorber for your polished nails.
• It extends the tenue of the polish. A well-applied finishing layer means several extra days of manicure.
• It adds brilliance to color polishes. The shade gains nuances and depth.
• It secures nail art. Patterns, gradients, effect powders, gems or stickers... it seals all your creations so they stay intact as long as possible.
• It creates effects for a custom finish. Shiny and domed gel effect, velvety matte finish, glitter or iridescent effect, you choose the finish that will personalize your manicure!

On a color or a glazed effect powder, the top coat ensures the protection of your manicure.
(@bara.hoyle)

What is the difference between base coat and top coat?

Sometimes you have trouble distinguishing them, yet their goals are very different.

👉The base coat is the first step of any polish application, the initial layer applied before the color polish, directly on the natural nail. Its role is to create a uniform surface on which the color layer will be easier to apply and will have better tenue. The base coat also acts as a protective layer to prevent pigments from penetrating the keratin layers. Finally, the base coat can also become a treatment when formulated to nourish and strengthen the nail under the color.

👉The top coat acts on the surface. It forms a protective layer that preserves the color from external aggressions and improves the resistance of the polish. The result: an intense color, exceptional shine, and a flawless manicure that lasts over time, reducing the risk of scratches or chipping. Plus, a variety of possible finishes: gel shine effect, matte finish, glitter, pearly, cat eye...

Two different products with two complementary missions that are not interchangeable at all, let's be clear!

Can you use a top coat alone?

Technically, yes. Applied on bare nails, it acts as a protective shield and provides the glossy touch that characterizes it. But be careful, it is not designed to be in direct contact with the natural nail.

If you want to protect your natural nails while strengthening and/or beautifying them, choose the following products instead:

• The Strengthening Base: a hardening polish to reinforce soft and thin nails and improve their resistance to breaking.
• The S.O.S. Base: a treatment base to repair very damaged, brittle, or split nails by stimulating their cellular regeneration.
• The Active™ polish treatments that combine beauty and daily nail care, with 6 make-up effects to choose from.

Which top coat to choose according to your manicure?

At Manucurist, each polish range has its own complete routine. Green™ Polishes or Green Flash™ LED semi-permanent polishes, that is the question! By answering it, you can know which top coat to use. We summarized it all in a table to make it clearer:

Finish	Green Flash™ LED semi-permanent polish	Green Flash™ LED semi-permanent polish	Green™ Classic nail polish
Mirror shine	Top Coat Green Flash™ (tenue 12 days)	Top Coat Xtrem Flash™ (tenue 21 days)	Top Coat Green™ (tenue 7 days)
Gold or silver glitter	Glitter Top Coat Green Flash™ (tenue 12 days)	Glitter Top Coat Green Flash™ (tenue 12 days)	Glitter Top Coat Green™ (tenue 7 days)
Matte	coming in 2027	coming in 2027	Matte Top Coat Green™ (tenue 7 days)

• The Green™ Top Coat is the finishing polish of the Green™ system. It offers a gel-effect shine and impeccable tenue up to 7 days. Simple, effective, essential.
• The Green Flash™ Top Coat is designed to work with the Green Flash™ semi-permanent polish and must be cured under LED lamp. It creates a slight natural dome, intense shine, and ensures tenue up to 12 days. In short, a professional finish at home, nothing less.
• The Xtrem Flash™ Top Coat is the other option in the Green Flash™ routine for a long-lasting and ultra-resistant manicure. With the unique Xtrem Flash™ formula, the semi-permanent polish lasts up to 21 days without losing its shine. It cures under LED lamp and removal takes only 10 minutes, without filing or acetone, unlike traditional UV gel polishes.
• The Gold & Silver Glitter Top Coats are variations of the iconic Green™ and Green Flash™ Top Coats in glittery gold or silver versions. Infused with ultra-fine micro-glitters, they add a golden or silver iridescent touch to your nail polishes, without compromising tenue or the shiny effect.
• The Matte Top Coat creates a sophisticated velvet finish on any Green™ nail polish. Available in Green Flash™ version in 2027, stay tuned!

As you might have guessed, the top coat, along with the base coat and color polish, is part of the essential trio for any polish application. Versatile, the role of this finishing polish is as much functional as it is aesthetic. It protects the color and extends its lifespan on one hand, while enhancing it with a glossy touch, a matte finish, or glitter, depending on your current desire. It would really be a shame to miss out on such an ally!