Top coats don't just make polish last longer by protecting against chipping and increasing intensity of color—they can also care for your nails. In order to choose the right top coat, let’s take a look at the types available and how they work.
There are two main types of top coats, the fast dryers and the glamorously glossy. Choose one based on your needs. If you’re always running late for dates, go for one that dries in a few minutes. This will prevent your polish from getting dirty or smeared, even if something brushes up against your freshly painted nails.
Recently, there’s been a surge in top coats that change the finish of your polish. You can turn a matte polish glossy or a glossy polish matte. An old polish can come back with a whole new look.
There are also top coats that give your standard polish a gel-styled finish, without you having to cure it with light. Then there are your metallic and holographic coats. Depending on your style and where you plan to go to show off your new manicure, you may want to choose more than one top coat, so you can experiment with all these different looks.
Because top coats can be applied quickly, tinted ones are also great as temporary, one-day-only looks. And you can use them to paint over your current polish to enhance them or change the color ever so slightly.
Top coats can moisturize and care for the nail. Even when they’re not smothered by polish, nails dry out, thin out, and break easily. Prevent this by applying a moisturizing top coat. While adding shine and elegance to naked nails, it'll also care for your nails.
Some ingredients you can look for proteins or botanical oils, such as sunflower oil and tea tree oil. And when all else fails, look for a nail polish package that is labelled clearly as being moisturizing or strengthening.
Below are some of the best and most interesting nail top coats. Exploring new top coats can give your manicures a more refined look and help you boost your nail health. They’re also a great way to make old polish look fresh again!
Image | 1 ![]() Sally Hansen | 2 ![]() Dr.'s Remedy | 3 ![]() Probelle | 4 ![]() Sally Hansen | 5 ![]() INM | 6 ![]() INM | 7 ![]() Sally Hansen | 8 ![]() OPI | 9 ![]() Seche | 10 ![]() Essie |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Complete Care | Enriched Nail Polish Total Two-in-One Glaze | Ultra High Gloss Top Coat Sealer | Miracle Gel Nail Polish Top Coat | Out the Door Top Coat | Looks Wet High Gloss Topcoat | Treatment Big Matte Top Coat | Gel Break Polish Protector Coat | Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat | Good to Go Top Coat |
Features | Nail Growth, Strength, and Style in One Product | Transforms Your Nails and Fights Fungus | Thick Barrier for Nail Protection | Gel Look and Durability Without the UV Light | Ultra Fast Drying for Girls on the Go | Get Rosy-Tinted and Vibrant Nails | Gives Old Polish a New Look | Improve Nail Health Between Manicures | An Easy Gel Look for Gorgeous Nails | High Shine With a Fast Finish |
Price | $11.95 | $19.95 | $8.50 | $7.46 | $4.99 | $16.33 | $5.49 | $13.95 | $5.49 | $8.33 |
Volume | 0.5 oz. | 0.5 oz. | 0.5 oz. | 0.5 oz. | 0.5 oz. | 2.3 oz. | 0.4 oz. | 0.5 oz. | 0.5 oz. | 0.46 oz. |
Finish | Glossy | Glossy | Glossy, high shine, wet | Gel-like finish | Glossy, high gloss | Glossy, high shine, wet | Matte | Glossy, high gloss | Glossy, high shine | Glossy, high shine |
Duration | 7 - 10 days | 5 - 7 days | Not provided, recommended to reapply per week | 8 days | 7 days | Not provided | 10 days | 7 days | 14 days | Not provided, recommended to reapply every 2 days |
Extras | Moisturizing, strengthening, restores flexibility | Base and top coat, anti-fungal, hydrating | - | - | Quick drying | Slight rose-tint | Quick drying | Bamboo extract, vitamins, sodium hyaluronate to protect and preserve | Quick drying, cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan | Quick drying |
Link |
$11.95
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy |
Duration | 7 - 10 days |
Extras | Moisturizing, strengthening, restores flexibility |
$19.95
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy |
Duration | 5 - 7 days |
Extras | Base and top coat, anti-fungal, hydrating |
$8.50
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy, high shine, wet |
Duration | Not provided, recommended to reapply per week |
Extras | - |
$7.46
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Gel-like finish |
Duration | 8 days |
Extras | - |
$4.99
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy, high gloss |
Duration | 7 days |
Extras | Quick drying |
$16.33
Volume | 2.3 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy, high shine, wet |
Duration | Not provided |
Extras | Slight rose-tint |
$5.49
Volume | 0.4 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Duration | 10 days |
Extras | Quick drying |
$13.95
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy, high gloss |
Duration | 7 days |
Extras | Bamboo extract, vitamins, sodium hyaluronate to protect and preserve |
$5.49
Volume | 0.5 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy, high shine |
Duration | 14 days |
Extras | Quick drying, cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan |
$8.33
Volume | 0.46 oz. |
---|---|
Finish | Glossy, high shine |
Duration | Not provided, recommended to reapply every 2 days |
Extras | Quick drying |
There are a lot of different tools and types of nail polishes you can use to make your nails beautiful for any occasion. But there are so many on the market, and without understanding how to choose the best tool that's long-lasting, it can be difficult to make a purchase. We've prepared buying guides and top 10 lists to help you through this process!
Household goods
Home electronics, PC, camera
Cosmetics and skincare
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications