Base Coats Are the Foundation of a Flawless Manicure

The best base coat will not only make your manicure last longer, but will also keep your nails strong, healthy, and chip-free. A good base acts like a protective foundation, reinforcing weak or brittle nails while increasing polish adhesion and keeping your manicure in perfect condition for days. It can also prevent peeling, cracking, and splitting. This is especially important if your nails are easily damaged (or if you don’t like gel manicures). Whether you’re dealing with thin, brittle nails, oily nail beds (yes, that’s a thing, more on that later), or just want your polish to last more than a day, the right base coat is an unsung hero that deserves a place in your DIY manicure routine. To find the best option, allure Our editors tested tons of samples and reached out to nail experts to find out what formulas are included in the kits.

our top base coat

Best overall: OPI natural nail base coat

Why it’s worth it: Winner of the 2025 Best of Beauty Award, OPI’s Natural Nail Base Coat quickly became an editor favorite during testing. There’s a good reason for that. Its glossy formula not only creates the perfect base for your polish, but also prevents discoloration (when used alone) and extends the life of your nail polish (when applied under color). We found that with continued use, our nails became stronger and healthier, making this base coat a rare all-in-one. Strengthens, protects and prolongs polish wear, and Achieves salon-grade shine.

Best peel off: Olive & June peel-off base coat

Why it’s worth it: Olive & June’s peel-off base coat does exactly what it promises. You can remove any nail polish, whether it’s gel, applied or not, without using acetone. But don’t worry. The color does not fade even after a day or two. If you apply only to the center of the nail (leaving a small border bare), the edges of the polish will stick. When you’re ready to remove, use a cuticle pusher to lift around each nail to easily remove the polish. Bonus: Contains glycerin to moisturize your nails and prevent the dryness often found in gel polishes and acetone. “People will now [peel off their gels] You might want to give them products that prevent damage anyway,” says New York City-based manicurist julie kanderec said before allure.

Great for minimizing chipping: orly bonder base coat

Why it’s worth it: Another Russell favorite, Orly’s Bonder Basecoat, is a must-have for anyone who’s worried about the longevity of their lacquer or has oily nail beds (yes, that’s a problem, she says; it makes nail polish come off faster!). Russell says the formula is a rubber base coat designed to dry to a slightly sticky finish, which helps the nail polish adhere to your natural nails, making it last longer and preventing it from chipping or cracking. Nail artist living in Los Angeles alex jacno Think of it as double-sided tape for your base coat.

Strongest enhancement: Nail Essentials Instantly Artificial Super Hard Base Coat by ASP

Why it’s worth it: If your nails are weak and brittle, consult a nail specialist. julie russell We are confident in Nail Essentials by ASP Artificial in Flash Super Hard Base Coat. “It hardens the natural nail and adds reinforcement to prevent breakage,” she says. Thanks to hydrolyzed keratin, a protein that penetrates your nails to strengthen and smooth them, this base coat is like a mini nail rescue. If your nails are in the worst condition, take a break from getting a manicure and apply them every morning. You’ll have strong, healthy nails again before your next salon visit.

Best undercoat: ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment

Why it’s worth it: UV rays and gel polish can damage your nails over time, causing them to become dry and thin. If your nails are damaged, a strengthening base coat (hello, ASP) is key, but you can also use an undercoat (which you should apply). below Use your base coat) for extra TLC. The ePhD Bond Repair Nail Treatment is Jachno’s favorite. “Consider this the most beneficial step before a base coat,” she says. “It hydrates the nail bed, supports growth, and makes nail polish last longer. I’ve never used a better treatment. I use it on all my clients.”

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FAQ

What is the difference between base coat and undercoat?

Jacno says base coats are “special products designed to adhere to your natural nails and create a foundation for polishes and gels.” She says base coats reduce wear time, prevent stains, and support nail health. The term undercoat is a little broader and refers to “what’s applied underneath the color,” Yakuno says. “This may include treatment layers such as nail treatments, primers, bonding treatments, and nail dehydrators used during prep,” she says. In other words, the undercoat is what prepares and protects the nail, and the basecoat is what holds the polish in place.

Do nails need a base coat?

To prevent nail polish from wearing off, Russell always recommends using a base coat. “It’s literally designed so that the nail polish sticks to your natural nails,” she says. Therefore, most base coats also promote nail health, so omitting this will only do you harm. “Some gel polishes have a built-in base coat, so it’s an option in that case,” she adds.

What ingredients should I look for in a base coat?

“Look for ingredients that support bonding while protecting your natural nails,” says Yakuno. Russell points out that polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is essential for grip and chip resistance, while hydrolyzed keratin stands out for reinforcing weak nails. “Fortifying and conditioning ingredients such as calcium, protein, and vitamin E can help repair the nail plate,” adds Jachno.

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How to test and review products

when allure Once we test a product, our editors look at it from all angles to ensure we can best serve you. We check ingredients, scrutinize brand claims and, when appropriate, research peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product included in each review, we rely on experts in fields such as dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine to help vet ingredients and formulations.

For our list of the best basecoats, we considered each product’s performance across five main categories: product ingredients and effectiveness, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. All products have been determined to be outstanding in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers, editors, and contributors, with special consideration by board-certified dermatologists. For more information about our reporting and testing process, please visit our complete review process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

Beautiful items are purchased individually. You might be looking for a face cream to combat stubborn dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be looking around for the latest products to hit the hair market. No matter what you are looking for or your personal needs and concerns, allure We want you to love whatever we recommend in our stories. To achieve that goal, we believe it is essential to have a diverse team of writers and editors, as well as a wide range of external testers and industry experts that we engage on a regular basis.

After all, can it be done? Really Can you say that a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 if the testers only asked for opinions from people who haven’t yet reached 30? Can you honestly think that a high-end diffuser that has never been tested on curls is worth your hard-earned money? We are proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin colors, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds. That means you can get a fair review of every beauty product in your beauty closet.

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Upgrade your at-home manicure set with these editor-approved additions.