The 9 Best Top Coats For Long-Lasting Manicure

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If you should follow the actual step towards polishing your nails, you will know that top coat is really a secret for a long-lasting mani. Just like a base coat gives your polished nails a smooth-looking appearance by filling ridges and chips — top costs also perfects your manicure by adding shine to your polished nails, adds sparkle and protects your manicure from the damaging elements while providing the perfect finishing touch.

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Infact see a top coat as armor to your manicure. It seals in top color and gives it more staying power than it would have on its own. It protects your manicure from environmental aggressors while adding a top notch glitter and shine to polished nails. A longer lasting top coat can protect your manicure for days despite exposing your nails to water and other regular activities.

After an in-depth and independent research we’ve tested and chosen 9 best top coats to perfect your mani.

1. OPI RapiDry Quick-Dry Top Coat – Best Overall.

Best top coats

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A single wipe from OPI RapiDry Quick-Dry Top Coat Will definitely protect your polished nails and prevent its color from fading with a high gloss finish. This rapid-dry formula offers a high-gloss and a shinier finish, it seals in top color, prevents chipping and protects your nails from environmental stressors.

Pros

  • Quick dry.
  • Nicely packaged.
  • Formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no-nail toxic chemicals.

Cons

  • Quite pricey (but worths your money).

2. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat – Best Fastest Drying.

Best top coats

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A crystal clear gel formula which hige staying power. This formula dries extremely fast and delivers high gloss-finish. With a single coat on your polished nails will guarantee a silky, stronger and resistant to chipping and peeling manicure. Keeping your manicure great-looking for days.

Pros

  • Formaldehyde-free
  • Dries extremely fast.
  • Contains no harmful substances.

Cons

  • Hard to remove.

3. Essie Gel Couture Top Coat – Best Classic.

Best top coats

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From a reputable brand “Essie”. We love this formula not only because of the magnificent shine it adds to your polished nails and resistant protective layers, but also because of its classic luxurious looks.
Note: (Packaging May Vary)

Pros

  • Dries quickly.
  • Formaldehyde-free
  • Contains no harmful substances.

Cons

  • Hard to remove.
  • Fragrance maybe overpowering for some.

4. ella+mila In a Rush Quick-Dry Top Coat – Best 7 Free.

Best top coats

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This “7 free” quick drying top coat seals and helps protect your polished nails and adds an ultra-glossy gel-like shine with a flawless finish that’s chip resistant and fade resistant!. Not to meantion it contains a UV inhibitor which prevents yellowing and stains.

Pros

  • Dries quickly.
  • 7 free formula.
  • formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no harmful substances.

Cons

  • None.

5. OPI Start To Finish Base Coat, Top Coat & Strengthener – Best Multi-Tasker.

Best top coats

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If you rather prefer a multi-functional top coat, then you can never go wrong with this product. This 3 in 1 formula is infused with host of nail-strengthening ingredients with long-lasting base and top coats to prime your nails prior to polishing and also seal in color with a high-gloss finish.

Pros

  • Dries quickly.
  • 3-in-1 formula.
  • Nicely packaged.
  • Formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no-nail toxic chemicals.

Cons

  • None.

6. OPI Matte Top Coat – Best Matt Finish.

Best top coats

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A perfect manicure is what every diva wants. With a top notch shine and protective layers that can keep your mani lasting for days. OPI Matte Top Coat seals in color to prevent scratches and chipping, protects the natural nail from environmental aggressors, prevents smudging and creates a velvety smooth and matte finish.

Pros

  • Matte finish.
  • Formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no-nail toxic chemicals.

Cons

  • Takes a while to dry.

7. Dermelect Expedite Protect & Prolong Top Coat – Best Organic Formula.

Best top coats

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A formula richly endowed with natural botanical not only to add shine, protect and perfect your manicure but also deliver nourishment to your nails. This formula combines ingredients like keratin protein peptide which helps increase nails integrity, strength, flexibility alongside neonyca which helps Improves nail thickness, smoothness, cohesion and moisture in combination with tremella mushroom, sunflower and vitamin E which offers antioxidant protection, hydration and nourishment to the nails.

Pros

  • Organic formula.
  • Formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no-nail toxic chemicals.

Cons

  • Takes a little longer to dry.
  • Quite pricey (but worths your money).

8. Londontown Kur Gel Genius Top Coat – Best Gel.

Best top coats

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Delivers a high-gloss gel-like finish, extends the life and shine of any polish without gel damage, leaving your nails looking extremely smooth and manicure top sealed and protected. This quick dry formula is infused with rapeseed flower oil which forms a strong protective barrier to prevent breakage and chipping.

Pros

  • Dries quickly.
  • Formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no-nail toxic chemicals.

Cons

  • Expensive (but worths your money).

9. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat – Best Budget.

Best top coats

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If you’re on budget, then, you might as well consider this product. Relatively one of the best top coats and Of course inexpensive, but definitely does the job just like other mentioned top coats. Perfects your manicure, makes it shinier with a gel-like finish.

Pros

  • Dries fast.
  • Best budget.
  • Formaldehyde-free.
  • Contains no-nail toxic chemicals.

Cons

  • Doesn’t work with other polishes from different lines.

Our Tip

We recommend you apply an additional layer of topcoat every other day for an even longer lifespan.

Possible Questions & Answers.

Q: How do I make my top coat dry faster?.

A: To fasten or hasten the drying process, dip your nails in a cold or ice water.
Or, you can as well have a mini fan, that can help your nails dry faster while working on it.

Q: How do I apply a top coat?.

A: There are actual steps to apply your top coat without ruining your nail art.

  • Step 1: Apply your nail polish.
  • Step 2: Wait till your polished nails gets dry.
    Note: Don’t apply your top coat on a wet polished-nails — else its going to drag the wet polish along with it or create bubbles.
  • Step 3: Apply your top coat the way you apply your nail polish 4-5 costs. Starting from the edge of the nails to the last edge.
  • Step 4: While applying your top coat, do not add pressure, take it easy and gentle. Keep a steady hands and be consistent till you’re done coating all nails.
UP NEXT: Oh Yes, You Definitely Need A Base Coat To Prep Your Nails Prior To Polishing.

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