Base Coats: To Remove Or Not?

Base coats are applied to nails before adding coloured polish. They are usually clear but can be tinted to conceal nail imperfections. Base coats improve the health of your nails and their natural colour, and ensure your manicures last longer. They also act as a barrier to prevent stains and marks. However, some types of base coats can be challenging to remove.

Base coats are used to conceal nail imperfections and enhance the natural colour of nails

Base coats are an essential step in achieving a long-lasting manicure. They are usually clear but can sometimes have a hint of colour to conceal nail imperfections such as ridges, stains, or yellowing. Like a foundation or corrective cream used in makeup, a base coat can be used to conceal minor flaws in your nails and enhance their natural colour before applying a nude polish or opting for a natural look.

Base coats also act as a protective barrier between the nail and the coloured polish, preventing stains and damage. They provide an even surface for the polish to stick to, ensuring better adhesion and helping to prevent chipping and peeling. This is especially important when using highly pigmented colours, as the base coat forms a barrier that preserves the nail's natural colour and prevents staining.

In addition to their protective and aesthetic benefits, base coats can also be formulated with active ingredients to improve nail health. These include hydrating, strengthening, and nourishing components such as pistachio resin, avocado extract, spinach and green tea extracts, vitamins, and antioxidants. These ingredients not only enhance the appearance of your nails but also promote their overall health and well-being.

By applying a base coat, you can improve your nails' health, enhance their natural colour, and ensure longer-lasting, more vibrant manicures. It is a crucial step in achieving the desired look and maintaining the health of your nails.

They act as a barrier to protect nails from external aggressors, stains and marks

A base coat is an essential step in any manicure as it acts as a barrier to protect nails from external aggressors, stains, and marks. It provides a clear protective layer between the nail and the pigment of the polish, preventing staining and discolouration. This is especially important when using highly pigmented colours, as these could leave traces on the nail when removed.

Base coats are formulated with active, hydrating, strengthening, or nourishing ingredients to care for the nail plate. They can improve the health of your nails and their natural colour, ensuring your manicures last longer. Some base coats are packed with ingredients to address a number of nail issues, such as dryness, unevenness, or weakness. Ridge-filling base coats, for example, provide a thicker base to even out ridges or indentations in the nail before the colour is applied.

Base coats also create a sticky layer for the nail lacquer to adhere to, helping to prevent chipping and peeling. This is because they contain an extra boost of cellulose chemicals to give them "stick". Without this sticky, elastic surface for the pigment to adhere to, your manicure would chip much faster.

Overall, a base coat is a crucial step in achieving a long-lasting, salon-quality manicure. It protects the nail from staining and discolouration, while also providing a smooth, sticky surface for the nail polish to adhere to.

Base coats create an even surface for nail polish to adhere to, helping it last longer

Base coats are essential to achieving a long-lasting manicure. They create an even surface for nail polish to adhere to, helping it last longer.

Applying a base coat to bare nails before your coloured polish can improve the health of your nails and their natural colour. It can also provide protection from external aggressors and humidity, which can weaken nails.

Base coats act as a barrier between the nail and the coloured polish, preventing marks and stains. They also ensure better adhesion to help prolong the colour and its radiance.

Base coats are particularly important when using very pigmented colours on your nails, as they could leave traces when removed. The layer of base coat forms a barrier between the nail and the colour, preserving the nail's natural colour.

Some base coats are formulated with active, hydrating, strengthening or nourishing ingredients, which care for the nail plate.

Zoya Get Even Ridge Filling Base Coat, for example, fills in uneven nail surfaces with a dense fibre-like formula that grips the nail plate and creates a smooth surface to ensure longer polish wear.

They are particularly important when using highly pigmented colours to prevent staining

A base coat is an essential step in achieving a long-lasting manicure. It creates an even surface for the polish to adhere to, preventing it from chipping and peeling prematurely. However, its importance is heightened when using highly pigmented colours.

Highly pigmented nail polishes can leave traces of colour on your nails even after removal. To prevent this, a layer of base coat is necessary. The base coat acts as a barrier between the nail and the coloured polish, preserving the nail's natural colour. It absorbs stains before they can penetrate the nail, ensuring your nails remain stain-free.

Some base coats are specifically formulated with stain-reducing properties, such as the Starrily Guardian Stain Prevention Base Coat. This product is applied in 2-3 coats over the nail to provide maximum protection against stains and chips. Similarly, the Glisten & Glow Base Coat is known for its stain-preventing properties, creating a sticky base for the nail polish to anchor to, improving the longevity of the manicure.

Additionally, base coats can be used to conceal minor flaws and imperfections in your nails, such as ridges, stains, or discolouration. They can fill in ridges and even out the nail surface, providing a smooth canvas for your chosen nail colour.

By using a base coat, you can enjoy highly pigmented nail polishes without worrying about staining your nails. It adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring your nails remain healthy and stain-free.

Base coats can be formulated with active ingredients to moisturise, strengthen and nourish nails

A base coat is a clear nail polish designed for adhesion to human nails. It is applied to bare nails before coloured polish to enhance and conceal minor flaws. It also acts as a foundation for your polish by providing an even surface for the colour to adhere to easily.

Base coats also have plasticizers, which are chemicals that introduce flexibility. This is important because you want a layer that will bend with the natural nail and not break. Base coats also need cellulose chemicals to create that double-sided sticky layer that adheres to both the natural nail and polish. The natural cellulose fibres help the polish cling to the nail bed, conforming to the tiny crevices and bumps.

The solvents in the base coat act as transporters for other chemicals you want to function on the nail. These functional chemicals are dissolved into the solvents because they are not able to stand alone as a liquid.

Frequently asked questions