Before you embark on a whirlwind of colours, there’s one simple but essential step not to forget: the base coat. The true foundation of your manicure, it protects and strengthens the nail and extends the tenue of your polish. But which one should you choose? What should you use it for? And why is it so essential? We’ll tell you everything you need to know to ensure a perfect manicure and radiant nails!
A base is the base
The base coat is an essential first step for a successful manicure. Applied to bare nails before polish application, it is generally transparent. Like a makeup primer, the base coat evens out the surface and prepares the nail for colour. But its role doesn’t stop there… it’s much more than a simple corrector!
Protection, polish adhesion and tenue
Applied before polish, the base coat provides an even surface that improves polish adhesion and helps it last longer. It also acts as a protective layer between the nail and coloured polish, shielding nails from pigments that could stain them and from external aggressors (such as moisture) that can weaken them.
The base coat is step number 1 for a flawless, long-lasting manicure.
Before or after polish?
At Manucurist, Green™ or Green Flash™ manicure routines follow one simple rule: the 4 coats:
- 1 coat of base coat
- 2 thin coats of polish
- 1 coat of top coat to seal in the colour and extend tenue
⚠️ Don’t confuse base coat and top coat!
While the top coat is applied last to add shine and ensure a perfect finish, the base coat is the first layer applied before any polish application. Thanks to it, you get a smooth surface for optimal polish application. Another advantage: it prevents pigments from adhering directly to the nail plate, allowing for easy colour removal with a gentle acetone-free remover.
Which base for which polish?
First of all, it is essential to use products from the same range, as the formulas have been designed to work in symbiosis.
The choice of base coat therefore depends on the polish being used:
- With a 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. An innovative complex that helps strengthen the nails under the colour and increases the wear of Green Flash™ polish (up to 12 days with Green Flash™ Top Coat, 21 days with Xtrem Flash Top Coat). For application, apply a thin layer and cure under an LED lamp. Let’s flash ⚡️
- With a Green™ classic polish, use the Green™ vitamin-enriched Base Coat. With this new version, the Green™ Base Coat now also benefits from the patented KeraHCE+ technology, which protects and strengthens the nails for a queen-worthy manicure lasting 7 days.
When base becomes treatment
KeraHCE+ technology, a Manucurist innovation
The vitamin-enriched Green™ & Green Flash™ Base Coats feature exclusive KeraHCE+ technology, combining care and performance. A unique molecular complex that delivers a dual action:
👉 it restructures keratin fibers and stimulates keratin production,
👉 it provides effective protection against oxidative stress and dehydration.
Result: beneath the layer of polish, your nails regenerate deep down, and you enjoy a long-lasting, glossy manicure. In short, it’s the perfect base coat!
The vitamin-enriched Green™ & Green Flash™ base coats to strengthen your nails under your color.
A treatment base for everyone
When your nails are tired and showing signs of weakness, it’s time to turn to a treatment base. Manucurist’s treatment bases are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, perfect for giving fragile nails a boost!
Depending on the nature of your nails, it is important to choose the base best suited to them. Our nail diagnosis will help you determine which one meets your needs.
Need to restore soft, thin nails? Choose the Strengthening base. Enriched with AHAs, PHAs, and silicon, this treatment base strengthens nails from within and forms a protective shield that protects them from everyday knocks. Bonus: it can be used as a base coat under Green™ polish. After 2 weeks of use at a rate of 2 applications per week, a test conducted by Manucurist on a panel of 30 people revealed that:
- 100% of volunteers found their nails stronger and protected.
- 90% of volunteers found their nails harder.
Need to repair damaged nails? You can count on S.O.S. Base, the ultimate base coat for treating brittle, splitting, or weakened nails damaged by harsh manicures. Its treatment action restores and strengthens the nail plate thanks to its formula, highly concentrated in AHAs, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and Hexanal. It exfoliates while stimulating cell regeneration, restructuring keratin fibers, and deeply regenerating 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 technically a smoothing base but rather a perfecting treatment polish that instantly smooths and conceals ridges and imperfections thanks to its formula enriched with castor bean fibers, Hexanal, AHA, and vitamin E. Like a CC cream, it enhances nails with a satin nude veil. The “good news” is that Active™ Smooth comes in 4 shades (rosy, beige, golden, bronze) to suit all skin tones. We love it!
Much more than just a polish base, the base coat is a valuable ally: it protects and strengthens your nails while extending the life of your manicure. At Manucurist, each formula has been designed to meet every need, with natural, high-performance ingredients. So, for beautiful nails and a long-lasting manicure, remember that it all starts with the base 😉
