<p>Nail SuperStore Artisan GelEfex Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nailsuperstore.com">www.nailsuperstore.com </a></p>

Nail SuperStore Artisan GelEfex Top Coat

www.nailsuperstore.com

<p>Artistic Nail Design Correction Gel Soak Off Nail Strengthener</p>
<p><a href="http://www.artisticnaildesign.com">www.artisticnaildesign.com </a></p>

Artistic Nail Design Correction Gel Soak Off Nail Strengthener

www.artisticnaildesign.com

<p>Artistic Nail Design Glossing Gel Soak-Off Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.artisticnaildesign.com">www.artisticnaildesign.com </a></p>

Artistic Nail Design Glossing Gel Soak-Off Top Coat

www.artisticnaildesign.com

<p>CND Shellac Power Polish Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cnd.com">www.cnd.com</a></p>

CND Shellac Power Polish Base Coat

www.cnd.com

<p>Christrio Velvet Matte Soak-Off Gel Top Coat <br /><a href="http://www.christrio.com">www.christrio.com </a></p>

Christrio Velvet Matte Soak-Off Gel Top Coat
www.christrio.com

<p>Christrio Permashine Base and Top Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.christrio.com">www.christrio.com </a></p>
<p> </p>

Christrio Permashine Base and Top Gel

www.christrio.com

 

<p>CND Shellac Matte Top Coat</p>
<p>CND Shellac Pearl Top Coat</p>
<p>CND Shellac Glitter Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cnd.com">www.cnd.com</a></p>

CND Shellac Matte Top Coat

CND Shellac Pearl Top Coat

CND Shellac Glitter Top Coat

www.cnd.com

<p>Color Club Foundation + Primer Base </p>
<p><a href="http://www.colorclub.com">www.colorclub.com</a> </p>

Color Club Foundation + Primer Base

www.colorclub.com

<p>Color Club Seal + Shine Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.colorclub.com%20">www.colorclub.com </a><br /> </p>

Color Club Seal + Shine Top Coat

www.colorclub.com

<p>Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.entitybeauty.com">www.entitybeauty.com </a></p>

Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Base Coat

www.entitybeauty.com

<p>Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.entitybeauty.com">www.entitybeauty.com </a></p>

Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Top Coat

www.entitybeauty.com

<p>Essie Gel Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.essie.com">www.essie.com </a></p>

Essie Gel Base Coat

www.essie.com

<p>Essie Gel Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.essie.com">www.essie.com </a></p>

Essie Gel Top Coat

www.essie.com

<p>EzFlow No-Cleanse Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ezflow.com">www.ezflow.com </a></p>

EzFlow No-Cleanse Top Coat

www.ezflow.com

<p>EzFlow Optimize It! Brightening Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ezflow.com">www.ezflow.com </a></p>

EzFlow Optimize It! Brightening Base Coat

www.ezflow.com

<p>China Glaze Geláze Gel Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chinaglaze.com">www.chinaglaze.com </a></p>

China Glaze Geláze Gel Top Coat

www.chinaglaze.com

<p>Gelish Foundation Soak-Off Base Gel  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gelish.com">www.gelish.com </a></p>

Gelish Foundation Soak-Off Base Gel  

www.gelish.com

<p>Gelish Top It Off Soak-Off Sealer Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gelish.com">www.gelish.com </a></p>

Gelish Top It Off Soak-Off Sealer Gel

www.gelish.com

<p>IBD Just Gel Polish Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ibdbeauty.com">www.ibdbeauty.com </a></p>

IBD Just Gel Polish Base Coat

www.ibdbeauty.com

<p>IBD Just Gel Polish Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ibdbeauty.com">www.ibdbeauty.com </a></p>

IBD Just Gel Polish Top Coat

www.ibdbeauty.com

<p>Jessica GELeration Finish Sealer </p>
<p><a href="http://www.jessicacosmetics.com">www.jessicacosmetics.com </a></p>

Jessica GELeration Finish Sealer

www.jessicacosmetics.com

<p>Jessica GELeration Prep Primer</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jessicacosmetics.com">www.jessicacosmetics.com </a></p>

Jessica GELeration Prep Primer

www.jessicacosmetics.com

<p>Jessica GELeration Start Base</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jessicacosmetics.com">www.jessicacosmetics.com </a></p>

Jessica GELeration Start Base

www.jessicacosmetics.com

<p>Kiara Sky Colorbase Base Coat </p>

Kiara Sky Colorbase Base Coat

<p>Kiara Sky Colorbase Matte Top Coat </p>

Kiara Sky Colorbase Matte Top Coat

<p>LeChat Perfect Match Ultra-Thin Varnish Base Gel</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lechatnails.com">www.lechatnails.com </a></p>

LeChat Perfect Match Ultra-Thin Varnish Base Gel

www.lechatnails.com

<p>LeChat Perfect Match High Gloss Top Gel Sealer </p>
<p><a href="http://www.lechatnails.com">www.lechatnails.com </a></p>

LeChat Perfect Match High Gloss Top Gel Sealer

www.lechatnails.com

<p>Light Elegance Lexy Line Base Gel</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lightelegance.com">www.lightelegance.com</a> <br />  </p>

Light Elegance Lexy Line Base Gel

www.lightelegance.com
 

<p>Light Elegance Super Shiny Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lightelegance.com">www.lightelegance.com</a></p>
<p> </p>

Light Elegance Super Shiny Top Coat

www.lightelegance.com

 

<p>Mia Secret Luxury UV Base &amp; Top Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.miasecretnails.com">www.miasecretnails.com</a></p>

Mia Secret Luxury UV Base & Top Gel

www.miasecretnails.com

<p>NCLA Gelous Top Of The Game Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.shopncla.com">www.shopncla.com </a></p>

NCLA Gelous Top Of The Game Top Coat

www.shopncla.com

<p>NCLA Touch Base Soak-Off Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.shopncla.com">www.shopncla.com </a></p>

NCLA Touch Base Soak-Off Base Coat

www.shopncla.com

<p>Mia Secret Ultra Shine UV Finish Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.miasecretnails.com">www.miasecretnails.com</a></p>

Mia Secret Ultra Shine UV Finish Gel

www.miasecretnails.com

<p>OPI ProHealth Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.opi.com">www.opi.com</a></p>

OPI ProHealth Base Coat

www.opi.com

<p>OPI ProHealth Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.opi.com">www.opi.com</a></p>

OPI ProHealth Top Coat

www.opi.com

<p>Orly GelFX Easy-Off Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.orlybeauty.com">www.orlybeauty.com </a></p>

Orly GelFX Easy-Off Base Coat

www.orlybeauty.com

<p>Orly GelFX Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.orlybeauty.com">www.orlybeauty.com </a></p>

Orly GelFX Top Coat

www.orlybeauty.com

<p>Young Nails Conversion Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youngnails.com">www.youngnails.com </a></p>

Young Nails Conversion Base Coat

www.youngnails.com

<p>Young Nails Conversion Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youngnails.com">www.youngnails.com </a></p>

Young Nails Conversion Top Coat

www.youngnails.com

<p>SuperNail ProGel Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.supernailprofessional.com">www.supernailprofessional.com</a></p>

SuperNail ProGel Base Coat

www.supernailprofessional.com

<p>SuperNail ProGel Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.supernailprofessional.com">www.supernailprofessional.com</a></p>

SuperNail ProGel Top Coat

www.supernailprofessional.com

<p>Seche Ultra-V Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.seche.com">www.seche.com</a></p>

Seche Ultra-V Top Coat

www.seche.com

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<p>Nail SuperStore Artisan GelEfex Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nailsuperstore.com">www.nailsuperstore.com </a></p>
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Nail SuperStore Artisan GelEfex Top Coat

www.nailsuperstore.com

<p>Artistic Nail Design Correction Gel Soak Off Nail Strengthener</p>
<p><a href="http://www.artisticnaildesign.com">www.artisticnaildesign.com </a></p>
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Artistic Nail Design Correction Gel Soak Off Nail Strengthener

www.artisticnaildesign.com

<p>Artistic Nail Design Glossing Gel Soak-Off Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.artisticnaildesign.com">www.artisticnaildesign.com </a></p>
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Artistic Nail Design Glossing Gel Soak-Off Top Coat

www.artisticnaildesign.com

<p>CND Shellac Power Polish Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cnd.com">www.cnd.com</a></p>
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CND Shellac Power Polish Base Coat

www.cnd.com

<p>Christrio Velvet Matte Soak-Off Gel Top Coat <br /><a href="http://www.christrio.com">www.christrio.com </a></p>
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Christrio Velvet Matte Soak-Off Gel Top Coat
www.christrio.com

<p>Christrio Permashine Base and Top Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.christrio.com">www.christrio.com </a></p>
<p> </p>
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Christrio Permashine Base and Top Gel

www.christrio.com

 

<p>CND Shellac Matte Top Coat</p>
<p>CND Shellac Pearl Top Coat</p>
<p>CND Shellac Glitter Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cnd.com">www.cnd.com</a></p>
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CND Shellac Matte Top Coat

CND Shellac Pearl Top Coat

CND Shellac Glitter Top Coat

www.cnd.com

<p>Color Club Foundation + Primer Base </p>
<p><a href="http://www.colorclub.com">www.colorclub.com</a> </p>
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Color Club Foundation + Primer Base

www.colorclub.com

<p>Color Club Seal + Shine Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.colorclub.com%20">www.colorclub.com </a><br /> </p>
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Color Club Seal + Shine Top Coat

www.colorclub.com

<p>Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.entitybeauty.com">www.entitybeauty.com </a></p>
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Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Base Coat

www.entitybeauty.com

<p>Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.entitybeauty.com">www.entitybeauty.com </a></p>
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Entity Color Couture Soak-Off Top Coat

www.entitybeauty.com

<p>Essie Gel Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.essie.com">www.essie.com </a></p>
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Essie Gel Base Coat

www.essie.com

<p>Essie Gel Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.essie.com">www.essie.com </a></p>
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Essie Gel Top Coat

www.essie.com

<p>EzFlow No-Cleanse Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ezflow.com">www.ezflow.com </a></p>
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EzFlow No-Cleanse Top Coat

www.ezflow.com

<p>EzFlow Optimize It! Brightening Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ezflow.com">www.ezflow.com </a></p>
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EzFlow Optimize It! Brightening Base Coat

www.ezflow.com

<p>China Glaze Geláze Gel Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chinaglaze.com">www.chinaglaze.com </a></p>
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China Glaze Geláze Gel Top Coat

www.chinaglaze.com

<p>Gelish Foundation Soak-Off Base Gel  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gelish.com">www.gelish.com </a></p>
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Gelish Foundation Soak-Off Base Gel  

www.gelish.com

<p>Gelish Top It Off Soak-Off Sealer Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gelish.com">www.gelish.com </a></p>
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Gelish Top It Off Soak-Off Sealer Gel

www.gelish.com

<p>IBD Just Gel Polish Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ibdbeauty.com">www.ibdbeauty.com </a></p>
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IBD Just Gel Polish Base Coat

www.ibdbeauty.com

<p>IBD Just Gel Polish Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.ibdbeauty.com">www.ibdbeauty.com </a></p>
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IBD Just Gel Polish Top Coat

www.ibdbeauty.com

<p>Jessica GELeration Finish Sealer </p>
<p><a href="http://www.jessicacosmetics.com">www.jessicacosmetics.com </a></p>
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Jessica GELeration Finish Sealer

www.jessicacosmetics.com

<p>Jessica GELeration Prep Primer</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jessicacosmetics.com">www.jessicacosmetics.com </a></p>
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Jessica GELeration Prep Primer

www.jessicacosmetics.com

<p>Jessica GELeration Start Base</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jessicacosmetics.com">www.jessicacosmetics.com </a></p>
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Jessica GELeration Start Base

www.jessicacosmetics.com

<p>Kiara Sky Colorbase Base Coat </p>
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Kiara Sky Colorbase Base Coat

<p>Kiara Sky Colorbase Matte Top Coat </p>
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Kiara Sky Colorbase Matte Top Coat

<p>LeChat Perfect Match Ultra-Thin Varnish Base Gel</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lechatnails.com">www.lechatnails.com </a></p>
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LeChat Perfect Match Ultra-Thin Varnish Base Gel

www.lechatnails.com

<p>LeChat Perfect Match High Gloss Top Gel Sealer </p>
<p><a href="http://www.lechatnails.com">www.lechatnails.com </a></p>
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LeChat Perfect Match High Gloss Top Gel Sealer

www.lechatnails.com

<p>Light Elegance Lexy Line Base Gel</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lightelegance.com">www.lightelegance.com</a> <br />  </p>
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Light Elegance Lexy Line Base Gel

www.lightelegance.com
 

<p>Light Elegance Super Shiny Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lightelegance.com">www.lightelegance.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
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Light Elegance Super Shiny Top Coat

www.lightelegance.com

 

<p>Mia Secret Luxury UV Base &amp; Top Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.miasecretnails.com">www.miasecretnails.com</a></p>
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Mia Secret Luxury UV Base & Top Gel

www.miasecretnails.com

<p>NCLA Gelous Top Of The Game Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.shopncla.com">www.shopncla.com </a></p>
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NCLA Gelous Top Of The Game Top Coat

www.shopncla.com

<p>NCLA Touch Base Soak-Off Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.shopncla.com">www.shopncla.com </a></p>
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NCLA Touch Base Soak-Off Base Coat

www.shopncla.com

<p>Mia Secret Ultra Shine UV Finish Gel </p>
<p><a href="http://www.miasecretnails.com">www.miasecretnails.com</a></p>
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Mia Secret Ultra Shine UV Finish Gel

www.miasecretnails.com

<p>OPI ProHealth Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.opi.com">www.opi.com</a></p>
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OPI ProHealth Base Coat

www.opi.com

<p>OPI ProHealth Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.opi.com">www.opi.com</a></p>
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OPI ProHealth Top Coat

www.opi.com

<p>Orly GelFX Easy-Off Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.orlybeauty.com">www.orlybeauty.com </a></p>
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Orly GelFX Easy-Off Base Coat

www.orlybeauty.com

<p>Orly GelFX Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.orlybeauty.com">www.orlybeauty.com </a></p>
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Orly GelFX Top Coat

www.orlybeauty.com

<p>Young Nails Conversion Base Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youngnails.com">www.youngnails.com </a></p>
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Young Nails Conversion Base Coat

www.youngnails.com

<p>Young Nails Conversion Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.youngnails.com">www.youngnails.com </a></p>
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Young Nails Conversion Top Coat

www.youngnails.com

<p>SuperNail ProGel Base Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.supernailprofessional.com">www.supernailprofessional.com</a></p>
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SuperNail ProGel Base Coat

www.supernailprofessional.com

<p>SuperNail ProGel Top Coat</p>
<p><a href="http://www.supernailprofessional.com">www.supernailprofessional.com</a></p>
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SuperNail ProGel Top Coat

www.supernailprofessional.com

<p>Seche Ultra-V Top Coat </p>
<p><a href="http://www.seche.com">www.seche.com</a></p>
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Seche Ultra-V Top Coat

www.seche.com

Top Coats and Base Coats: How Are They Different?

A manicure without a base or top coat lacks strength and resistance to wear. Although they aren’t necessarily visible, both base coats and top coats are essential to any quality manicure. Despite misconceptions that the two are similar, Light Elegance president Jim McConnell explains that they actually have very different properties: A base coat is typically a thin building gel with a high strength and toughness to allow for polish or a gel system to perform better on the fingernail, while top coats are usually formulated for scratch-resistance and gloss.

“The two products don’t have very much overlap in the resins and other chemicals, and they have different raw materials in the formulations for their specific functions,” McConnell says. “If the base coat is not tough, it will crack and the enhancement system will fail. Top coats must be able to withstand chores like cooking and cleaning, which are damaging to the fingernails.” 

McConnel suggests testing out both top coats and base coats before buying in bulk, especially for two-in-one types of products: “It is very possible that a great all-in-one product will be found on the market,” he says, “but always test it thoroughly and make certain you are pleased with its performance.”

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