Mastering an at-home manicure means more than choosing the right nail file or polish. It starts with using the best base coats. Samantha Jade is a New York City nail artist who explains that base coats protect your natural nails and many have nourishing & strengthening benefits. They also protect your nails from yellowing and staining caused by certain polishes. Base coats improve polish adhesion & help manicures last longer with fewer chips. The challenge is that there are dozens of base coats on the market.
Each one promises different benefits depending on your nail type & concerns. To find the ones worth your time we tested over a dozen formulas and narrowed them down to the best six. Our top pick is Essie Strong Start Nail Treatment Strengthening Base Coat because it works as both a nail strengthener and a base coat. We also found effective options for stained nails and peeling nails. Our list includes products for gel manicures and long-lasting wear. Several drugstore finds made the cut too.
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Best Overall Nail Strengthening Base Coat
Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein has used Essie base coats for years & considers this strengthening formula one of the best options from the brand. The product protects nails and creates a smooth glossy surface that works well on its own or underneath regular polish. Biotin in the formula helps make thin nails thicker while glycerin adds moisture to dry spots. The base coat also stops polish from staining your nails which makes it our number one choice.
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Best Choice for Healthy Natural Nails
If you like keeping your natural nails with little or no polish, a nourishing base coat can really help. This pink formula helps restore dry and brittle nails using peach extract glycolic acid and plant collagen. These ingredients work together to gently remove dead skin cells while making nails look fuller & thicker. The result is nails that appear smoother, shinier and healthier overall.
Top Treatment for Brightening Nail Stains
This brightening treatment helps restore your nails to their natural color if they have turned yellow from wearing dark polish. The formula reduces discoloration and makes nails stronger with peptides. You can wear it by itself for a milky look or put it under colored polish for extra protection. It also stops pigmented nail polish shades like blacks blues and reds from staining your nails in the future.
Best Solution for Peeling Nails
This strengthening base coat reinforces weak areas and shields nails from additional damage. The formula includes proteins and hydrolyzed wheat protein that strengthen thin and fragile nails while creating an even surface for applying polish. Chamomile flower extract adds a pleasant shine to your nails. You can also use it as a topcoat to simplify your manicure routine.
Best Base and Top Coats for Gel Nails
Getting a professional gel manicure at home requires a good gel base coat & top coat. This combined product applies a thin protective layer to your nails that hardens under UV light. It stops your gel polish from chipping or changing color & is available in different finishes like matte or glossy. You can also apply it as a final layer to seal in your nail color.
Most Long-Lasting Nail Base Coat
If you want a long-lasting gel manicure at home this base coat keeps color in place & protects your nails from stains and dryness. It creates a smooth & slightly fuller finish and sets in only 60 seconds. This reduces the time you spend on your manicure without making it less durable.
