7 best base coats for nails that'll extend and perfect your at-home manicure
As with many beauty treatments, the most important part of the process is the prep work. The most radiant, natural-looking makeup looks require a cared-for and hydrated canvas upon which to apply moisturiser and primer, while a blow-dry will look a million times better if hair is conditioned and protected from high heat.
The same can be said for your nails. The neatest and longest-lasting manicures are those built on solid foundations: softening and trimming the cuticles with cuticle oil, removing your previous nail varnish choice with one of the best nail polish removers, lightly buffing the nail bed and shaping the top of the nail with a glass nail file and, perhaps most importantly, applying a good base coat.
Think of base coat like a primer
When it comes to choosing the best base coat for nails, "it's exactly like discovering a good primer," explains Natifa Mai, nail technician and author of So You Wanna Be A Nail Tech?. "Once you use one, you think to yourself, what on earth have I been doing all my life! The same goes to using base coat under your nail colour. Buying a good base coat is a one off, small expense that changes your entire nail polish look and longevity."
Celebrity nail artist Lucy Tucker agrees; "Base coat is one of the most important parts of a manicure, it creates a primer for the nail. Without it, nails would go yellow, dry out and the nail polish would get stuck in all the little groves, which is then hard to remove."
Base coat can fill ridges for an even, glossy finish
According to Natifa, base coat is far from a superfluous extra step; "Base coat can fill any ridges in the nails and it helps the colour adhere to the nails," she says. "It’s kind of like baking a cake, without first greasing the pan. It can be done without it but you just wouldn’t, especially if you actually wanted the cake to look good."
Remember to wash your hands and buff nails before applying your base
As for application tips? "My advice is before you even apply base coat, wash your hands, don’t apply hand cream, then buff the nail slightly with a buffer to take off the oil on the surface of the nail. This will prevent the polish from sliding off and chipping really fast," she says.
Always seal your edges
Another key tip; "Also remember to seal in the edges of the nail with base coat and when painting by lightly brushing the tip of the nail," says Lucy. "This will really help to prevent chipping." Noted!
[/h2]Check the benefits of your base coat[/h2]
Not all base coats for nails are made equal, so we've tried and tested the most popular on the market to curate a list of the seven very best base coats for nails that'll help your manicure go the extra mile. There's Nails Inc.'s Gel Rehab (think of it like an intensely moisturising mask for your nails - packed full of ingredients like keratin-rich spinach, seaweed extract and peptides to repair and strengthen the nail bed, helping to smooth and brighten) and the Jessica Rejuvenation Base Coat For Dry Nails. Perfect to restore dry and damaged nails (especially those who have been wearing gels and extensions), this base coat contains hydrolysed keratin, soy, wheat protein, aloe vera, vitamin E and jojoba for a cocktail of moisture replenishment.
Scroll for our full edit of the best base coats in the business.
Best base coat for nails: Nailberry
Nailberry Strengthen & Breathe Oxygenated Base Coat, £17.28, Amazon
Not only is this base coat able to strengthen nails but it's also totally breathable to keep them in top condition for the entire duration of your manicure.
Opaque base coat for nails: Jessica
Jessica Rejuvenation Base Coat For Dry Nails, £11.25, LookFantastic
Perfect to restore dry and damaged nails (especially those who have been wearing gels and extensions), this base coat contains hydrolysed keratin, soy, wheat protein, aloe vera, vitamin E and jojoba for a cocktail of moisture replenishment.
Save when you shop for base coat for nails with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best base coat for nails: OPI
Nails Inc Gel Rehab, £15, Cult Beauty
Think of this base coat like an intensely moisturising mask for your nails - it's packed full of ingredients like keratin-rich spinach, seaweed extract and peptides to repair and strengthen the nail bed, helping to smooth and brighten.
Save when you shop for base coat for nails with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best base coat nail polish UK: Chanel
Chanel La Base, £22, John Lewis
Enriched with argan oil and a Vitamin E derivative, this base coat strengthens brittle nails, and protects them from stress factors, helping to prevent discolouration.
Save when you shop for base coat for nails with these John Lewis discount codes.
Safe base coat for nails: Dior
Dior Base Coat Abricot, £22, Feel Unique
This luxurious formula nourishes and hardens the nail bed to boost your manicure's staying power.
Save when you shop for base coat for nails with these Feel Unique discount codes.
Best base coat for nails: Essie
Essie Nail Care Here to Stay Nail Polish Base Coat, £8.99, Look Fantastic
Developed with impressive colour-adhesive technology, this base coat clings onto your chosen colour for a long-lasting manicure.
Save when you shop for base coat for nails with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best base coat for nails: John and Ginger
Kure Bazaar Clean Base Coat, £15, John & Ginger
This 85% natural formula is free from toxic chemicals like Formaldehyde and provides a clean, matte effect that is so chic, it's tempting to skip the colour all together.
