20 Best Gel Nail Base And Top Coat (2024 Update)

This duo gets the job done but not the best compared to others. The base doesn’t always lay smoothly and that really shows on the polish. The top coat takes forever to dry and even when it’s been cured it still has a tacky feeling to it which can leave marks on your polish. So you need to purchase something else to wipe on top of the final coat for the proper finish. Too much work.zena.a

DND was the first gel polish company I used. So naturally I knew nothing how about other brands. I use the top coat majority of the time when I was learning how to do nails. With that being said I loved it until I started doing more research. This top coat is not as shiny as I would like it to be, now that I have been using other brands. I have since than moved on to nailsupplyglamour top coat. What has bothered me about this brand top coat is once you use alcohol to wipe off the top layer it instantly gets dull. Now I know this is not a top coat that you need to wipe, but if you accidentally got something on it and you need to wipe it off you definitely can't use alcohol. This is definitely beginners friendly, so if you need something cheap to learn how to do nails, and need a basic top coat this is your product.kamry.m

I have since used with many other gel color brands and they work wonderfully. The top coat is NOT super-thick, like some other brands, so I use as little as possible. Also, be sure not to tilt your nails to the sides when putting into the LED/UV curing machine (doing so may result in pooled topcoat at the sides of the nail, if you have used a little too much). I typically cure my thumbs separately, so that all my fingers lay FLAT in the curing lamp. The finish is beautifully shiny and does require the sticky film to be removed with alcohol after curing the final coat. Super easy to use… with a nice slim brush (not short or thick)… Great product for the price!natasha.k

I've been using seche viet and out the door top coats exclusively for over 10 years. I never tried anything else because those did the job of being really shiny and drying fast. The problem I had was that they would dry up really quickly and were almost too thick and sometimes would shrink the polish under neath or streak. I noticed with this top coat that it's shiny but it isn't overly thick. It glides right over polish and smoothed out an imperfection without being super thick. I didn't notice any shrinking either. Also, the brush applicator is great it's a bit wider and fluffier than the average top coat brush. I really like this top coat and Im glad I took a chance, I haven't been a super fan of essie polishes in the past but I do enjoy this.Nessa

This is the only top coat I can trust to not chip on my nails. I have purchased about 3 times. I do my own mani/pedis- might get them done professionally 1-2 times per year. This gel system lasts just as long as when my nail lady uses her polishes. If I need the color to last for vacations, I use this gel system. I’m really hard on my hands, and this doesn’t chip. My pedicure will last till I remove the color (3-4 weeks). I do take care to prep the nail bed, making sure there is not oily residue. The shine from the top coat is awesome, evens out the polish nicely and really resists chipping. I would say it takes 8-10 mins to dry over the Essie gel polishes.Yessie

This top coat is pretty good! It was very easy apply, and went on very smooth. I had no issues applying it. It did take 5-10 minutes to fully dry. Within the first couple of days I was noticing that the polish under the top coat started the break apart but the top coat was still doing well. By day 3 I was starting to see some small chips on some of my nails, but one nail I had tried a different kind of gel polish from Essie (the blue/grey nail) and that one didn't have any chips yet. It is day 4 now of wearing the polishes, the blue/grey polish on my left hand (my non dominant hand) has a small chip at the side, but my right is still doing well. It seems like the polish underneath determines how well the top coat does and lasts. Some last, some don't. It's a pretty good top coat though!louise.c

The top and base coat bottles look identical to their gel polish color bottles except for the fact that the text on the bottle indicates which formula is which. Each bottle has a sticker on top of the cap that says "Base" and "No Wipe Top" so you can easily find them if you store your polishes inside a box. I used a 1 minute cure time with a UV/LED lamp for each layer of base, color, and top coat that was applied. Thin coats are key in getting the polish to last, as is doing the proper prep work to your nails (buffing and cleaning the surface) prior to any application of the formula.The base coat is slightly tacky after curing it, which helps to get the color coat to stick and not shrink. The top coat is a no wipe formula which leaves a smooth surface and a plump and glossy shine. As for the durability, a manicure done with this base and top coat along with an Aimeili color gel lasts for 14 days with minimal wear to the tips and hardly a chip in sight. Individually, the base and top coat sell for $6.99 each, but as a set, you will only pay $9.99. This is insanely cheap as you get 10 mL of polish in each bottle. Other gel top and base coats easily cost more than double that price for even less polish inside, and the ones from Aimeili are of an equal quality to them, if not better. This set is a no brainer if you deal with gels!chrissy.f

This is my favorite at home summer color it brings out the melanin in my skin against this bold color making your nails noticeable from a distance or up close. The color is TC11 lime green with normal temp lawn green when cold. I love the transition of the colors because it mesmerizes some people when they notice the color change. Love the color changing gel soak off polishes easy to do at home it takes practice to get it right but Practice always makes Perfect. Neither of the polishes are thick they are the perfect gel consistency for your nails.petrina.a

My nail thec knows how to keep a secret. Its me Im that nail thec. This is one of my favorite top Coats. It was a random find on Amazon. Come to find out not only do they make top Coats but they also make blooming gel and all kinds of other polishes this is is definitely a company that I have a love a Box Box from Come to find out not only do they make top Coats but they also make blooming gel and all kinds of other polishes this is is definitely a company that I have a love a #voxbox from So I can use it for my business just saying.roxy.a

The only reason this gel polish doesn't get a 5 star is because it is an absolute pain to get off. I can soak it and soak it for what seems like hours and I still have to file it off or scrape with an orange stick. The colours are beautiful, it is easy to apply for a beginner and it doesnt pool at the edges of your nail. Another great bonus is that the top coat does not require alcohol wiping, so for those with tight c curved nails, like me, you get much better coverage and top coat seal!kayla.m

I recently started doing my own gel nails at home and I love this top coat. It is no wipe so you do not have a sticky residue left over. I will always recommend to friends! At home gel nails are the way to go. I have weaker nails and this helps strengthen them without the salon price.mckenna.d

Who knows when their overhead mechanism was made. I had the manual and that was no help. So the hardest part was finding the correct setup code [which I then wrote down]. But it does just exactly what it is supposed to do. But do keep your manual. Sometimes a power outage will require a reset. I know someone who bought a new one rather than pay for a repairman which would have cost MUCH more., all because didn't keep the manual.lorilohman

I was paying $90 a month on Gel nails at the salon…. Now many people find the nail salon relaxing. I do not. The minute I walk in I can’t wait to leave. And they always seem to take forever. And I just don’t care for it. ENTER modelones! I purchased an LED lamp on amazon and this kit and some diff gel colors. And OMG! Perfection. Love love love it. Seriously, give it a try. You just apply the base, cure it under the light. Apply a few coats drying under the light after each one, and then apply the top coat. Boom! All done and lasts 3-4 weeks until grown out and time to do it over. Getting it off is a task, however I have found that an electric mail file does the trick efficiently. Seriously, not only does this save money so you can spend it elsewhere 🤣 but also you can do it in the comfort of your own environment. Good yeah nail salons, forever.kirsty.c

Great gel nail polish! Not only are their base and top coats amazing but their regular gel polishes are super pigmented and are great quality. I noticed this base coat has protected my nails better than other brands. Also when using the topcoat you don’t need to use too much.chelsea.s

I had been going back and forth between gel top coats from Gelish (which you have to wipe off with alcohol after the final coat), dip powder top coats (not gel-like finish) and the polygel top coat from Makartt (the end result was very inconsistent, sometimes it dried off and you wouldn’t need to wipe off, other times it never dried but I did try using this one as a top coat for dip powder manicures so it could be it dries well with polygel only). Then I saw this set on Amazon. The reviews were not encouraging as there were many customers that had purchased other products from the same brand (PH Bond and Primer) that claimed the product had burned through their nail and had caused fungus and the skin under their nails to burn. Personally, this is my first time using this product from this brand and I am in love with the results! This is exactly what I was looking for, a base and top coat I could use for any of the different manicures I choose for the day. Cures with UV light and does not need to wipe off, this came off far more gorgeous than I thought it would look, no secondary effects and the bottles do come with a good amount. They were also relatively cheap (run for around $10-$12 for the set on Amazon). Save yourself the trouble and the money on going for the expensive ones when this brand will do the same for much less. I am looking forward to trying their color dip collection!alexandra.o

I’m torn on this base/top coat. As a base coat I think it does a great job in making sure the polish doesn’t chip or flake, but as a top coat you need to run rubbing alcohol overtop, otherwise it stays sticky after curing in the light. It does stay nice and shiny after use, but it doesn’t mention anywhere that you need the alcohol to set it, so the first time I used it I had to remove everything and re-do without a top coat, as I didn’t have the alcohol to set it!kate.m

VERY shiny, durable gel polish if done correctly. In between salon sets I did my own nails at home with this polish… even my nail tech asked me what polish I used because of how shiny it was. Does not crack, fade or chip. I’ve used it consistently for almost a year. I’m glad they sell this set separate because I have all the colors although the photo is a dip powder. The ONLY NEGATIVE is that the bottle is way too small!!!!Tae

I originally got these with the whole set including lamp and when I ran out I just never invested in more. When I decided to go back to gel nail polish, I was ecstatic to see this set was sold. It doesnt have the little liquid stuff to clean your nails, but I just use alcohol. These are great products and are a huge contribution to helping me create a salon worthy manicure at home. Im gonna have to find more colors.Gross

This duo gets the job done but not the best compared to others. The base doesn’t always lay smoothly and that really shows on the polish. The top coat takes forever to dry and even when it’s been cured it still has a tacky feeling to it which can leave marks on your polish. So you need to purchase something else to wipe on top of the final coat for the proper finish. Too much work.zena.a

DND was the first gel polish company I used. So naturally I knew nothing how about other brands. I use the top coat majority of the time when I was learning how to do nails. With that being said I loved it until I started doing more research. This top coat is not as shiny as I would like it to be, now that I have been using other brands. I have since than moved on to nailsupplyglamour top coat. What has bothered me about this brand top coat is once you use alcohol to wipe off the top layer it instantly gets dull. Now I know this is not a top coat that you need to wipe, but if you accidentally got something on it and you need to wipe it off you definitely can't use alcohol. This is definitely beginners friendly, so if you need something cheap to learn how to do nails, and need a basic top coat this is your product.kamry.m

I have since used with many other gel color brands and they work wonderfully. The top coat is NOT super-thick, like some other brands, so I use as little as possible. Also, be sure not to tilt your nails to the sides when putting into the LED/UV curing machine (doing so may result in pooled topcoat at the sides of the nail, if you have used a little too much). I typically cure my thumbs separately, so that all my fingers lay FLAT in the curing lamp. The finish is beautifully shiny and does require the sticky film to be removed with alcohol after curing the final coat. Super easy to use… with a nice slim brush (not short or thick)… Great product for the price!natasha.k

So far, so good! It is rather fast-drying, especially for as thick and gel-like as it is. It's definitely not as thick as a layer of gel in the salon, but I'd say a little thicker and richer than regular nail polish and top coat. I love that it's versatile enough to wear over any polish. Currently have it over a ColorStreet set. Pro tip – I put them on for a week, file down a bit, and apply top coat for the second week. Brilliant!Emily4280

Easy to work with. Goes on smoothly and is nicely thick on the nail. Self-leveling which minimizes unwanted visible brush strokes. Reapply every other day or every three days max. Gives me a cushiony gel manicure look with lots of shine but removes easily with nail polish remover. Wipes off; no soaking or scrubbing necessary. It also dries down fairly quickly.Happy lady

I actually like the Seche Vive a bit better than the Seche Vite. It is thicker, which I like, but truthfully you probably only get to use half the bottle because it becomes very viscous and hard when you get down to the bottom. I usually pick Seche up on sale or at an off-price retailer, so I don't mind that I am unable to use all the product. It gives a plump, gel effect and lasts longer than any other topcoat I've tried. Plus, it has an unmistakable, glossy sheen that other topcoats can't compete with. Word of warning- it is POTENT stuff- I can't paint my nails with this near my spouse or he complains of being woozy from the chemical smell. *rolls eye* the things we do for beauty!aly.s

Ho Ho holy moly! This is an AMAZING polish! Most glitter polishes (which is the version I’m reviewing) smear when you put them on or don’t show up at all. This Deep Sea Diamonds polish shows up and then some! It not only has small glitter but bigger pieces as well which makes it super sparkly! I’m wearing it over a darker color but you can definitely wear this on its own. Two coats is all you need but you can get away with one. The formulation is on the thicker side which helps keep the glitter in tact. Add a quick dry top coat and you’re done! Highly recommend! If you follow me, I’d like to first say thank you so much! I always follow back but Influenster puts a limit on following at 500. I hope you still enjoy my content! ☺️ For more beauty, fashion inspo and monthly beauty giveaways, please follow me on Instagram at @luxuryisthyname or visit my website at Luxuryisthyname.com! Stay beautiful! ❤️ #manicam #mymakeupbag #beautyblogger #glamgame #holidaylook #nails #datenight #fashionistaheather .s

This is probably one of my favourite nail polishes. I love the shade of green and the non-goopy application of it. It’s also lasted longer than any of the other expensive polish brands I own (all the ones that promise no chips for two weeks and then they chip next day no matter how careful you are). I’ve gotten a bit less than a week’s wear out of it, but even now it’s only a couple chips on a few fingers, which is to be expected because I’m a mom of young kids, so I am constantly doing something with my hands and washing them. I see other reviewers mentioning how sheer applications are, which is true, but it just means you need a couple extra coats, which honestly isn’t a big deal; I find that most polishes, no matter how much coverage they give you, need additional coats anyways. Personally, for me, this polish is a win!Rebekah

When I use this polish along with the Miracle Gel top coat, I get a solid week out of the nails before I get any chipping. Usually I only have to repaint them when the nails are growing out too much. Dries quickly, so apply quickly and carefully. This is a great middle ground between regular polish and real gel, meaning it is great for home use. You can get thick coverege that hides your ridges without needing to buff your nails if you do 2 color and 1 top coat. I'm in the process of replacing all my existing polishes with Miracle Gel versions.LH

Metallic polishes have always been my go to colour since aged 12 when my older sister told me these were easier to apply without looking blotchy. Whether or not this is true I still do not know 15 odd years later, but my habit has been set! Game of Chromes is a beautiful colour. Normally I avoid a polish this gold out of fear of it looking tacky, but there are a number of subtones to the colour that tone it down and cause it to look a mixture of silver, bronze and gold depending on how the light shines. Very much a statement polish still, but one that looks like it has been chosen by an adult! The polish is opaque enough that one coat will give you sufficient coverage, but I opted for two to get that added sparkle. Note you need quite a long drying time in this case. I tend to only use polish on my toes, and therefore I can't provide helpful comments on how resistant the polish is to daily chores such as washing up and typing. However it has lasted amazingly well on my toes compared to previous polishes I have used. Two weeks later and, except for my nails having grown a little, looks like I applied it yesterday. To be picky, the brush was slightly too large for my nails. My little toe nails needed more of a dot than a stroke! Certainly I would have struggled to do an accurate job on my fingers. However, this is common for me and I would rather the brush spread too far than did not cover my whole nail as it's not that hard to pick off the bits that get on the skin if needed. The polish did go on smoothly and very streak free. As mentioned before, I did two layers and it took a while for the first one to dry enough to attempt the second coat so had to flap round the house wiggling my feet like a mad lady for a while. The top coat was very good and seemed to really meld with the colour polish. Note that you get best results using this in sunlight as that sets the polish in the same way a UV lamp does for normal gel nails. Not the easiest when you're doing this on your toenails and don't have a garden, but I managed! Overall I'm very happy with this polish and think it's great to not need to go to the salon for a long lasting finish.yelitza.s

If you enjoy using any of the beautiful gel polish from Sally Hansen then you will definitely love using their gel polish base coat. As this base coat help bind or adhere the color better to our nails. For me I think it helps not protect our nails but also help the nail color last longer as well. I also think it is a must when I am doing my manicure with my Sally Hansen Gel Colors to start with their Gel Polish Base Coat Nail Polish for a great and lasting overall manicure 💅.ingrid.c

Can someone send me this 😜 I think that they are realy good 😚 these colors looks very beutiful and prety 😍and if someone has something for manicures please sent me i would be weary greatful for it love yaa ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️viktoria.v

Obsessed with this product. I started doing my own gel manis at home over quarantine and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to going to a salon. Colors are super vibrant and last a good two weeks, most of the time longer. Have to soak off this product, but worth it.kaylea.p

The bomb ! I do my nails at home and keep this on hand for a perfect glossy top coat. It's easy to work with. I've been using this product for 3 years now. It's makes your nails look professional. You need a nail lamp to cure it. A great product for all my nail techsalyssa .w

I use this with my dip powders instead of dip liquid (to avoid dip flu). Works great! I do need to cure a little longer with the darker colors though. Top coat stays super shiny for the full two weeks. No chipping or fading!Katie

Very shiny finish. I love shiny, if you don't like super shiny, this is not your top coast. To get that professional result, remember thin layers. Love that Sally's has these products so I can do this self care activity on my own. I call it my mini art debut every manicure.Janet C.

I love using Gelish gel polish in general but this top coat is not the easiest to use. Do not get me wrong, the top coat is still strong and the brush makes it easy to apply. My only issue is that this top coat seems to only harden after wiping with alcohol which is fine but it just adds another step to the whole process. I have another top coat that is a no wipe top coat and I enjoy the easy finish. I wish it had specified that it required wiping so I would have known before buying it. So overall, it is a clear, strong top coat and just needs to be wiped with alcohol to harden.alejandra.o

I use multiple brands of gel polish and have found that Gelish soak off base and top coat work the best for me. It’s a slightly more heavy duty duo than some of the other brands I use and they work absolutely fine when using along side another brand of gel polish such as shellac, alessandro lac sensation, Gelish itself and other brands that I have trialled in the past. The mixing of brands does not effect the end result I just feel personally these are slightly more reinforced and allow a longer lasting result. So if you wanted to know whether you can use them along side another brand you absolutely can with no side effects. Perfect and I repurchase over and over. In the U.K. you can only purchase these products via professional beauty wholesalers or via their website; I think you have to provide information on your qualifications in order to purchase which is great for professionals as it stops unqualified people from using professional products wrongly. My favourite brand for top and base soak off products. I would never look at trying any other top or base products as these work so well for me! So yes, I highly recommend to all professionals.danielle.s

I *love* this color. Very smooth coverage in one coat, and even better color payoff with two coats. It is a nice teal color in bright lighting, and looks like a dusky evergreen in low lighting. I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried this color. It is definitely a new favorite!Jessi H.

The color is amazing. It is like graphite—almost black with a subtle slate shimmer. However, I find this color tricky to work with. It shrank up during the curing process, and it took four thin coats to build up the color. This left me with a thick manicure that was a bit sheer toward the cuticle and free edge. I definitely think this is a good color for your collection, but I think it will take some practicing to get the right coverage.Jessi

I really like compact foundations and this one does not disappoint. I ordered Candlelight and it was perfect for my light/medium freckled skin. I'm 64 and have dry skin. This felt very moisturizing and comfortable on my face. Good coverage, but I did have to put a setting powder on to make it last 8-10 hours.Jobono

Russian Navy is such an OPI classic colour. The sapphire blue is perfect for Autumn/Winter seasons. It isn’t a garish blue that we wore when we were 12, but a sophisticated colour to wear daily. When used in conjunction with the Infinite Base Coat and Top Coat, this product lasts and lasts. The shine is non stop and the durability is almost rival to a professional gel nail manicure!courtney.k

I actually like this green. It can be wore mutiple ways. I did one finger with one coat of the Green Come True, and then did 2 coats on the other finger. Each finger swatch is gorgeous either way. I am venturing out different colors, paint styles, what fits me etc. This one next to Evny The Adventure. So far are my favorite green colors. Both rockable colors, not jaded colors at all.lucario.i

I have been a fan of this nail lacquer since my husband got me some by accident for a gift. I fell in love quickly with it and the color and how it shined. So I went and got this color and I have fallen in love with it. Now my husband knows I love purple but I also love green he got me a green one and now I have this one. Let me tell you it drys super quick with out a uv lamp but with it it takes seconds. The colors are amazing and I am about to go buy it in all my favorite colors. I will also say I am recovering from surgery and this color nor the application process didn't disappoint me and as it was an abdominal surgery so stay bent over a long time is not an option. So this nail product just became my favorite go to's so I suggest giving the a try..stacy.s

This gel-setter top coat really shines! It takes my nails to a new level and makes the color pop. I naturally have ridges in my nails and this top coat makes my nail beds perfectly smooth. The formula looks thick but it’s really not. I paint two coats of my nail color, then one coat of this gel-setter top coat. It dries super fast and is strong. This is better than gel nails in my opinion, this won’t damage your natural nail bed.RebeccaS

I am so disappointed I spent any money on this. I figured I would give it a try because I like the polish as a whole and I wanted to give my nails a break after having the professional done. After less than 24 they are chipped and peeling like crazy. I figured with the “gel like finish” it would be sturdy then everyday activities. I’d also like to add I have already repaint my thumbs before this picture was taken. So don’t waste your time or money on this top coat.Hazel95

I received this gel setter in hopes of it doing a better job at keeping my color from chipping. Within 3 days it has started to chip other than the short life, it is a amazing setter! For it to be gel it does set very quickly. Within a minute it was completely dry and non tacky. It doesn’t leave a lingering smell like the off brand gels so either. It’s shine is fantastic! I will definitely be buying more colors from this brand!BloodedLycan