Base coat: what is it and how to use it properly?

Before diving into a whirlwind of colors, there's a simple yet essential step you can't miss: the Base Coat. The true foundation of your manicure, it protects the nail, strengthens it, and extends your polish wear time. But which one should you choose? For what use? And why is it so indispensable? Here is everything you need to know for a flawless manicure and radiant nails!

Key takeaways:

• The base coat is the first layer of a manicure, applied to bare nails before the colour.
• It smooths the nail surface, protects the nail and extends polish wear.
• It prevents colour pigments from settling directly on the nail plate.
• Always apply it before nail polish, not to be confused with the top coat, which goes on last.
• The Manucurist rule: 1 layer of base coat, 2 thin layers of nail polish, 1 layer of top coat.

A base is basic

The Base Coat is the essential first step for a flawless manicure. Applied on bare nails before polish, it is usually clear. Just like a makeup primer, the Base Coat evens out the surface and preps the nail for color. But its role doesn't stop there… it's so much more than a simple corrector!

Mission: protection, adhesion, and polish wear time

Applied before polish, the Base Coat creates an even surface that enhances polish adhesion and ensures longer wear time. It also acts as a protective barrier between the nail and colored polish, protecting nails from pigments that could stain them and external aggressors (like moisture) that weaken them.

The Base Coat is step 1 to a flawless, long-lasting manicure.

Before or after nail polish?

At Manucurist, Green™ or Green Flash™ manicure routines follow a simple 4-coat rule:

• 1 coat of Base Coat
• 2 thin coats of polish
• 1 coat of Top Coat to lock in color and extend wear time

⚠️ Don't confuse Base Coat and Top Coat!

While the Top Coat goes on last to add shine and ensure a flawless finish, the Base Coat is the very first step before applying any polish. It creates a smooth surface for optimal polish application. Another perk: it prevents pigments from adhering directly to the nail plate, ensuring easy color removal with a gentle, acetone-free remover.

Which base for which polish?

First of all, remember that it is essential to use products from the same range, as formulas are designed to work in synergy.

The choice of Base Coat type depends on the polish used:

• If you're using Green Flash™ semi-permanent polish, you need the Green Flash™ vitamin-enriched Base Coat. Its patented KeraHCE+ formula combines hexanal, vitamin C and vitamin E. This innovative complex helps strengthen nails beneath the colour and extends the wear of Green Flash™ polish (up to 12 days with the Green Flash™ Top Coat, 21 days with the Xtrem Flash™ Top Coat). Apply a thin coat and cure under an LED lamp. Let’s flash ⚡️
• If you're using Green™ regular nail polish, choose the Green™ vitamin-enriched Base Coat. This new version of the Green™ Base Coat now also features patented KeraHCE+ technology, which protects and strengthens nails for a queen-worthy manicure that lasts 7 days.

Key takeaways:

• The base coat protects the nail from moisture and pigments and makes colour easier to remove.
• Always use a base coat from the same range as your nail polish: the formulas are designed to work together.
• With Green Flash™ semi-permanent nail polish: the Green Flash™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat, cured under an LED lamp.
• With classic Green™ nail polish: the Green™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat, for a 7-day manicure.
• Green Flash™ wear time: up to 12 days with the Green Flash™ Top Coat, up to 21 days with the Xtrem Flash™ Top Coat.

When the base becomes nail care

KeraHCE+ technology, a Manucurist innovation

The Green™ & Green Flash™ Vitamin-Infused Base Coats feature exclusive KeraHCE+ technology, combining care and performance. A unique molecular complex delivering a dual action:

👉 it restructures keratin fibers and stimulates keratin production,

👉 it provides effective protection against oxidative stress and dehydration.

Result: under your layer of polish, your nails are deeply regenerated and you enjoy a strong, glossy manicure for longer. In short, it's the perfect Base Coat!

Green™ & Green Flash™ vitamin-infused base coats to fortify your nails under color.

A treatment base for everyone

When your nails feel tired and show signs of weakness, it's time for a targeted treatment base. Manucurist treatment bases are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, perfect for revitalizing fragile nails!

It's important to choose the base coat best suited to your nails. Our nail diagnosis will help you find the right one for your needs.

Need to regenerate soft and thin nails? Turn to the Strengthening Base. With a formula enriched with AHAs, PHAs, and silicon, this treatment base strengthens nails from within and forms a protective shield against daily wear and tear. Bonus: it can be used as a Base Coat under Green™ polish. After 2 weeks of use with 2 applications per week, Manucurist's test on a panel of 30 people showed:

• 100% of testers found their nails stronger and protected.
• 90% of testers found their nails harder.

Need to repair damaged nails? You can count on the S.O.S. Base, the ultimate base to treat brittle, splitting, or weakened nails damaged by aggressive manicures. Its treatment action restores and solidifies the nail plate thanks to its ultra-concentrated formula with AHA, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and Hexanal. It exfoliates by stimulating cellular regeneration, restructures keratin fibers, and deeply restores the nail. After 3 weeks of use, fragile nails are visibly stronger and healthier!

Finally, for ridged nails, there's Active™ Smooth. It’s not just a smoothing base, but a perfecting treatment polish that instantly blurs ridges and imperfections thanks to its formula enriched with castor plant fibers, Hexanal, AHA, and vitamin E. Like a CC cream, it enhances nails with a satin nude veil. The best part? Active™ Smooth comes in 4 shades (rose, beige, gold, bronze) to flatter every skin tone. We love it!

Much more than just a nail polish base, the Base Coat is a precious ally: it protects and strengthens your nails while extending your manicure. At Manucurist, every formula is crafted to deliver a targeted solution with clean, high-performance ingredients. So, for gorgeous nails and a long-lasting manicure, remember that it all starts with the base 😉

To sum up:

• Patented KeraHCE+ technology combines hexanal, vitamin C and vitamin E.
• It features in both the Green™ and Green Flash™ vitamin-enriched Base Coats.
• It strengthens keratin fibres and protects the nail from oxidative stress and dehydration.
• The result: stronger nails beneath the colour and a manicure that lasts longer.
• For fragile nails, Manucurist also offers targeted treatment bases: Strengthening Base Coat, S.O.S. Base Coat, Active™ Smooth.