Why Do I Need a Top Coat ?

A gorgeous manicure deserves protection! And that's exactly what the top coat does—the final step of a manicure that is too often overlooked. An invisible shield against cracks and chips, this layer of top coat is so much more than basic protection. Glossy, matte, or glittery, a top coat elevates every manicure and extends the life of your favourite shades. Here's everything you need to know about this essential step!

What exactly is a top coat?

Top coat is a clear finishing polish applied as the final step, over your colour polish. Its formula is designed to cocoon and seal the manicure or nail art. It smooths the surface and makes it more resilient, while enhancing the shade with a specific effect.

As its name suggests, it is applied as the final layer in a manicure routine, after the base coat layer and the 2 coats of colour. Once the colour is completely dry, apply the top coat in a thin layer and let it air-dry or cure under a UV/LED lamp depending on the chosen protocol.

👉 Good to know: we strongly recommend using a top coat from the same brand and product range as your nail polish. Their formulas are designed to work together seamlessly to guarantee optimal performance for both wear time and shine.

Why is a top coat essential?

When you're in a rush and your nail polish is dry and already looking shiny, it's easy to stop right there... Big mistake! Skipping the top coat means skipping out on your manicure's ultimate life insurance. Here are 5 great reasons never to forget it:

• It protects your nail polish against scratches and premature chipping, acting as a shield for your manicured nails.
• It extends the wear time of your nail polish. A well-applied finishing layer means several extra days of manicure.
• It enhances the vibrancy of colour polishes. The shade gains depth and nuance.
• It locks in nail art. Patterns, ombrés, effect powders, gems, or stickers... it seals in all your designs so they stay flawless for as long as possible.
• It creates custom finishes. A high-shine, plumped gel effect, a velvety matte look, or a glittery or iridescent finish—choose the result that matches your style!

Over a colour or a glazed effect powder, the top coat ensures your manicure stays protected.
(@bara.hoyle)

What is the difference between base coat and top coat?

You might sometimes find it hard to tell them apart, yet their purposes are very different.

👉The base coat is the first step in any manicure, the initial layer applied before your colour polish, directly onto the natural nail. Its role is to create a smooth, uniform surface that makes applying colour easier and helps it last longer. The base coat also acts as a protective barrier to prevent pigments from staining the keratin layers. Finally, a base coat can double as a treatment when formulated to nourish and strengthen the nail under the colour.

👉The top coat works on the surface. It creates a protective layer that shields colour from external aggressors and boosts the durability of your nail polish. The result: rich colour, brilliant shine, and a flawless manicure that lasts longer with less risk of chips and scratches. Plus, enjoy a range of finishes: gel-like shine, matte, glitter, pearlescent, cat eye...

Two different products, then, with two complementary and completely non-interchangeable missions—let's be clear!

Can you use a top coat on its own?

Technically, yes. Applied on bare nails, it serves as a protective shield and adds its signature glossy touch. But keep in mind, it is not designed to be applied directly onto the natural nail.

If you want to protect your natural nails while strengthening and/or enhancing them, opt for these products instead:

• Strengthening Base: a hardener polish to strengthen soft, thin nails and improve their resistance to breakage.
• S.O.S. Base: a treatment base to repair heavily damaged, brittle, or split nails by boosting cellular regeneration.
• Active™ nail care polishes combine beauty and nail care for every day, with 6 make-up effects to choose from.

Which top coat should you choose for your manicure?

At Manucurist, each nail polish range has its own complete routine. Green™ regular polish or Green Flash™ LED gel polish—that is the question! The answer will tell you which top coat you need. Here's a quick summary table to help you out:

Finish	Green Flash™ LED gel polish	Green Flash™ LED gel polish	Green™ Regular nail polish
Mirror shine	Green Flash™ Top Coat (12-day wear)	Top Coat Xtrem Flash™ (21-day wear time)	Top Coat Green™ (7-day wear time)
Gold or silver glitter	Glitter Top Coat Green Flash™ (12-day wear time)	Glitter Top Coat Green Flash™ (12-day wear time)	Green™ Glitter Top Coat (7-day wear)
Matte	coming in 2027	coming in 2027	Matte Top Coat Green™ (7-day wear time)

• The Green™ Top Coat is the finishing polish for the Green™ system. It provides a gel-like shine and flawless wear for up to 7 days. Simple, effective, essential.
• The Green Flash™ Top Coat is formulated to work with Green Flash™ LED gel polish and cures under an LED lamp. It delivers a plumping effect, intense shine, and up to 12 days of wear. In short, a professional salon finish right at home.
• The Xtrem Flash™ Top Coat is the alternative option in the Green Flash™ routine for an ultra-long-lasting, resistant manicure. Thanks to the unique Xtrem Flash™ formula, your LED gel polish lasts up to 21 days without losing its shine. It cures under an LED lamp and removes in just 10 minutes—no buffing, no acetone, unlike traditional UV gel polishes.
• Gold & Silver Glitter Top Coats are the sparkling versions of our iconic Green™ and Green Flash™ Top Coats. Infused with ultra-fine micro-glitter, they add a golden or silver shimmer to your nails, without compromising on wear time or shine.
• Matte Top Coat creates a sophisticated velvety finish on any Green™ nail polish. Look out for the Green Flash™ version in 2027, stay tuned!

As you can see, top coat, along with base coat and colour polish, is part of the essential trio for any manicure. Versatile, the role of this finishing polish is as much functional as it is aesthetic. On one hand, it protects the colour and extends its wear time, while on the other enhancing it with a glossy touch, a matte finish or glitter, depending on your mood. It would be a real shame to miss out on such an ally!