Manicure with gel varnish has long been a favourite among fashionistas due to its durability and glossy finish. However, even the best quality gel-lacquer can't do without a top coat. Let's understand why you need a top for gel varnish and how to choose the best one.

Top for gel-lacquer is an indispensable product in creating a durable and aesthetic manicure. It prolongs the wear of the coating, preventing the appearance of chips, scratches and scuffs. In addition, the top smooths the surface of the nails, providing a perfectly smooth finish, and protects the nail plate from the effects of water and household chemicals.

Nail tops come in transparent (classic) or with additional effects such as matte, shimmer or tarnish. This allows you not only to keep your manicure in pristine condition, but also to add uniqueness and expressiveness to it.

There is a huge variety of nail tops on the market:

1. Glossy top - The most popular kind. It gives the nails a mirror shine and makes the manicure more expressive. This finish makes the surface perfectly smooth while maintaining the original colour.

2. Matte top - Ideal for creating a sophisticated, velvety effect. These finishes come in two types - satin and velvet. Satin ones create a soft, slightly silky feel, whereas velvet ones look more natural and luxurious, adding depth to the manicure. The matte finish works perfectly with any shade of nail polish, from delicate nudes to rich and vibrant shades, emphasising their individuality and style.

3. Top without a sticky layer - Easy to use, as it does not require additional removal of the dispersion layer after polymerisation.
This coating is more rigid, which makes it less suitable for weakened or too soft nails, as well as for application on elastic bases, as it may crack. However, on healthy or nail extensions, this top performs superbly, providing a smooth and long-lasting finish.

4. Sticky top - A top with increased elasticity and the presence of a dispersion layer offers a number of advantages. It provides a strong bond between layers of gel polish, which makes it particularly suitable for weak and brittle nails. After polymerisation in the lamp, the coating may leave a slight stickiness. To remove it, just use a lint-free cloth soaked in a special liquid and gently wipe the nails.
In addition, the top with a sticky layer has another advantage - it is ideal for fixing rhinestones and other elements of nail decor, greatly simplifying the process of fixing them.

5. Top with effect (decorative) - It can contain shimmer, flakes, foil or other decorative elements to create an unusual design.

6. Rubber top - Rubber top for gel polish is highly viscous and thick, making it ideal for levelling uneven nail plates. A quality top is convenient to use: it does not flow under the side rollers, providing neat coverage. However, it's important to remember that this top should be applied in a thin layer for optimal results.

7. Milk top - Milk top is used to create a dense milky or translucent effect, depending on the thickness of the top applied. 

This non-sticky top with a thick consistency is ideal for 3D designs. It has excellent gloss, does not form bubbles and cures perfectly. Made from American raw materials.

Features

Colour: Transparent
Effect: 3D, glossy
Special features: UV filter free.

Benefits:

- Creating three-dimensional designs
- Allows for 3D effects
- High gloss resistance
- Does not distort the colour of the coating
- Does not yellow or blue
- Convenient material lay-out
- Multifunctional application
- Raw materials from USA

A glossy layer of gel polish is easily transformed into a spectacular matte finish with Velvet Matte Top Coat! This top, created from quality American raw materials, gives your nails a velvety, corduroy-like texture after drying. It is applied as the final step in a three-phase system and leaves no sticky layer, ensuring staying power and flawless results.

Features

Colour: Transparent
Effect: Matte
Features: High staying power

Advantages:

- Applies easily and quickly
- Self-levelling
- Provides a perfect matte effect that lasts throughout the entire wear period
- Protects manicure from chipping and helps to preserve the colour of the gel polish
- Provides durability and allows your manicure to last up to three weeks
- Raw materials from USA

3. Non-sticky top with tint, Silver+Gold Foil Top, 12ml, Global Fashion - for an original manicure

A diamond top with different sized foil particles is the perfect addition to any manicure! Available in silver and gold shades, as well as an amazing mix including silver with holographic effect. It doesn't add any extra volume, but adds incredible shine and elegance to any colour. It looks great in both glossy and matt manicures and has no adhesive layer, making it easy to apply and long-lasting.

Features

Colour: Transparent with tarnish
Effect: Glossy
Special features: Different colours of titanium

Advantages:

- Easy application
- Comfortable brush
- The gloss remains glossy throughout wear
- High resistance to chipping and tsapapin.

4. Gold reflective top, 12 ml, Global Fashion - for a shiny manicure

Reflective diamond top with golden glitter is not just a trend, but a real bestseller of the brand! The Reflective Glitter Top reacts to direct artificial light, emitting a bright glow. During the day it gives nails a soft and subtle shine, while in the darkness its glow becomes more intense, creating a stunning reflective glow! The master can vary the density of glitter application, adjusting the level of shine depending on the desired effect.

Features

Colour: Transparent with glitter
Effect: Glossy
Features: Reflective effect

Advantages:

- High quality
- Raw materials from USA
- Perfect shine throughout the entire wearing time
- Chip and tzapapin resistant
- Fast drying

Milk Top Coat for nails gives an elegant finish, creating a delicate and sophisticated shade. Its texture gives your nails a natural glow while maintaining their natural colour and adding sophistication to your manicure.

Features

Colour: Milky
Effect: Glossy
Features: Milk effect

Benefits:

- Persistence and durability
- Easy application
- Perfect shine throughout the entire wearing time
- Chip and tzapapin resistant

When choosing a top coat, it's important to consider a few key factors, as it's the finishing touch that affects the final look of your manicure.

1. Brand

It is better to favour trusted brands that ensure the durability and safety of their products. It is also important to carefully study customer reviews - this will help you choose a really high-quality product.

2. Consistency

If you don't have a lot of experience, it's better to avoid too liquid finish - it can smear on the nail plate and create a sloppy effect. To assess the consistency of the product, just take the brush out of the bottle and pay attention to the way the top runs down it.

3. Quality

Buying a branded top and base from an unknown manufacturer for 50 lei is not the smartest idea. Choose your products responsibly, because the top is used quite economically, and one bottle is usually enough for a long time. The main thing - pay attention to the expiry date, so you don't end up with a product that will dry up in a month.

4. Effect

For nail design, you don't necessarily need to buy gel polish with glitter, tint, shimmer and multicoloured particles. Instead, you can choose a top with interesting effects, for example, with light-reflecting particles, and apply it on the same colour gel-lacquer of different shades. This approach will allow you to create a new, unique nail design every time. Do not forget that the top performs not only protective, but also decorative function, so choose it depending on what effect you want to get on your nails.

5. Compatibility

Previously, there was an opinion that the base and top for gel varnish should be from the same brand, so that their formulas perfectly match and the manicure lasts longer. However, if you choose quality products, there is no need to limit yourself to the products of one manufacturer.

It is important not only to choose a quality nail top, but also to know how to use it correctly.

1. Before using the top it should be carefully stirred, but in no case do not shake the bottle - otherwise bubbles may appear, which will spoil the perfect smoothness of the coating. It is best to roll the bottle between the palms of your hands. Top is applied at the very end, after the gel-lacquer, applied in one or two layers, completely dried in the lamp.

2. Use a small amount of product on the brush to apply a thin and even layer, avoiding dripping onto the cuticle and ensuring a neat finish.

3. To properly topcoat your nails, apply a drop of finish to the centre of the nail and at the base of the nail, then smoothly spread it with the brush to the free edge, trying to create an even layer.

4. Apply the topcoat to the end areas of the nail plate, starting at the base and spreading it thoroughly over the entire surface. Be sure to seal the edge of the nail finish - this will provide additional protection against chipping and splitting, prolonging the durability of the manicure.

5. If the top has a liquid consistency, after application, turn your finger pad-side up and hold it for a few seconds so that the product is evenly distributed. If necessary, use a brush to gently touch up the topcoat.

6. If the product gets on your skin, gently remove it with an orange stick.

7. Top does not air dry and requires drying in a UV lamp. The curing time depends on the type of finish and the characteristics of the lamp. Usually the required time is indicated on the packaging, but on average 90-120 seconds is sufficient for drying the top.

8. If you are using a top with a sticky layer, allow the finish to cool slightly for a minute and then gently wipe your nails with a lint-free cloth dampened with clincher.

If you don't have a clear preference yet, when choosing, focus not only on the popularity of the brand, but also on real user reviews. They often contain information that the manufacturer will not share.  Quality and safe can only be an original product.  Therefore, before buying, compare the prices of tops in different shops, and if somewhere the price is two or three times lower, it should arouse suspicion.

A pungent and unpleasant odour can indicate low-quality ingredients or a fake product. If you prefer a manicure in light or bright shades, choose tops for gel-lacquer with a UV filter. Such a top will not only protect the decorative coating from burning and yellowing, but also prolong the durability of the manicure, keeping it bright and fresh.

Read also: Nail Extension Forms: Features, How to Choose, and Which Forms Are Best for a Manicure