All about tops for nails

To create a beautiful and durable coating you need several different tools for manicure. Among them are top (or finish) coating. Many people in their home use neglect this final layer unreasonably, considering it as a marketing trick for the creators of nail cosmetics. Meanwhile, the top performs many important functions and is of different types and purposes. The need for this unremarkable in appearance coverage is undoubted. We understand the features of the top and the nuances when choosing it.

Top nail looks similar to the usual clear varnish, which is used as a base to cover with glitter. This is an important final part of any manicure, regardless of its design and structure of the coating. You choose the usual polish or gel polish, acrylic - in any case, you will need to cover the finished manicure top.

Mandatory three components of any correct salon manicure: the base is at the beginning, the main color and the top coating are at the end. That is why professional nail art is so durable and shines brilliantly. These three steps can be performed at home, every manicurist. Therefore, you should not neglect the top, because it has many functions that are important for preserving the manicure in its original form for a longer time.

Top coating for nails (top coat) is a fixing agent, which is often colorless. It is applied at the very end of any manicure and is its last stage. Available in top bottles (as varnish) of small and medium volume. It performs two main functions: protection of manicure from external influences, the extension of its durability and decorative, creating different effects in addition to the basic nail art. In addition, the top coating allows you to create some types of trendy nail art. For example, the design of “raindrops” on the nails, as well as used in the creation of three-dimensional patterns.

You can do without topcoat only if you use two-phase and three-phase gel polishes. In the first case, one tool combines coloring pigment and top coating. In the second, neither the base nor the top will be needed, since all the components are in shellac. This idea is good for everyday fast and lasting manicure. If you want to create an original nail design, this tool will not work for you.

In addition to protective functions, the top bears an important decorative component. Today, manufacturers have created more than a dozen different finishing coatings with all sorts of decorative properties. Among them there are tops for a usual varnish, and also coatings for varnishes and gels, polymerizing under a lamp. Based on the wishes of the manicure and design ideas, choose different coating options.

• Top for shellac with a sticky layer. It perfectly protects the coating for up to 3-4 weeks, evens the texture of gel polish and gives a delightful glossy shine. The coating composition is such that even after being completely dried to the touch, some stickiness remains. It is removed with a special tool (Klinser) using lint-free material.

• Top "quick dry". The tool helps if you need to quickly dry the coating. Put it on the usual not dried varnishes wait for about two minutes. The tool also gives the nails a brilliant shine.

• Matte top. Popular coverage does not go out of fashion for several seasons. Build a palette of fashionable coatings is optional. Velor effect on the nails will help create this topcoat. Now you can turn any of your favorite lacquer or shellac into a trend matte.

• Glossy top created to strengthen the usual nail polish. It will allow the manicure to hold at least twice as long. In addition, the coating will shine very effectively.

• With glitter. This top with small pieces of chimmer or large shiny figures in the composition will help to turn any everyday manicure into a luxurious holiday option.

• Top with magnetic effect. Fashionable shellac to create a "cat's eye" design is not cheap. In addition, I would like to have a few shades of this original coating. A special top will come to the rescue, which with the help of a magnet will turn any of your gel polish into a trendy manicure with highlights.

• For parties. Created a variety of tops with bright visual effects. It can be a holographic blend of color or a neon glow in the dark.

• Universal top. Suitable for practical natures who do not like clutter of bubbles in the dressing table or cosmetic bag. Means two in one can be used as a base for varnish and topcoat.

Each professional brand has its own fixers. Best known among the manicure masters are several well-known brands. Among them are manufacturers from different countries and with a rather large price range.

• Shellac CND - The leader in his field produces not only high-quality tops for a flawless, persistent, shiny manicure. All products are also environmentally friendly, as they do not contain the three most harmful components commonly found in varnishes.

• OPI Gelcolor US brand belongs to the premium segment and has the highest coating characteristics in terms of gloss. Also tops protect the coating from chipping and the strongest mechanical impact.

• Kodi Professional lets out the whole line of finishing coverings. Rubber are distinguished by the highest durability and are indispensable when creating a manicure with bouillons and stones. Matting tops are one of the favorite means to create a trend manicure, both among amateurs and in the professional circle. It is also very convenient to finish 2 in 1, replacing immediately the base and top.

• Pnb top economical enough, even a small package lasts a long time. It is convenient to take it for home use. It is worn for a long time, while not changing its characteristics: it does not tarnish and does not acquire a yellow tint.

• Ru Nail Top Coat offers the most affordable fixers for the price. The quality is not inferior to many foreign counterparts. The covering turns out brilliant and keeps firmness about three weeks. The lineup has finishing coatings with a decorative effect iridescent metallic color.

When creating a manicure gel varnish to choose the correct and optimal in structure and quality top is very important. The appearance of the future manicure will mostly depend on it, and not on the basic color varnish. Therefore, pay attention to the following things when buying a finish.

• Density. Contrary to popular belief, the top should be pretty thick. So he is better able to fix the decorative elements of manicure (if you use them). In addition, the top that is too liquid in structure will leak over the edges of the nail and the growth zone of the cuticle. It can happen in the process of drying, which is then not adjusted. Look such a manicure will be untidy.
• Price quality. When choosing a top you should not save and buy cheap funds from unknown companies.Professional finishing covering will provide a good result, as well as save your nerves, time and money for manicure rework.
• Rubber. Top with the addition of this element is not cheap. But it should be chosen by those who often make a manicure with rhinestones and other large, heavy elements. This coating has a high elasticity and the best strength characteristics.
• Two tools - one manufacturer. Often a manicure is frustrating because the technology is broken. Namely: unsuitable to each other materials are selected that can react with each other and give an unpredictable effect. Therefore, it is better to choose all the components of the three mandatory manicure steps from the same manufacturer. Or at least the main color and top of the same brand.

To manicure looked attractive and worn for a long time, it is important to be able to properly use the finish. First, when creating any manicure applied base. Then two layers of the base coat or additionally the desired decor is performed. Then it is necessary to cover the finished nail art from above with a top.

To do this, do not shake the bottle (otherwise bubbles form), and slightly roll and warm in the hands. Then open the bottle and mix its contents. On the brush we take a very small amount of transparent finish, pressing it against the edge of the bottle on both sides.

It is best not to replace the top with other means, as you can spoil even the best manicure. Especially if you make shellac on the nails. In some cases, you can cover the finished manicure base instead of the finish. For ordinary varnish, you can use transparent smart enamel or an additional layer of transparent varnish. Also, the 2 in 1 tools that do not require the application of a stamp have proved to be a good idea.

If you decide to spend time on a beautiful manicure, make it with quality products and follow the application technology. Then fashionable coverage will delight you for more than one week. Properly selected top can extend the life of even the coating of ordinary varnish. Choose the top based on personal preferences and your lifestyle.

You will learn more about tops for nails from the video below.