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7 best bases for gel polish

Gel polish is a popular choice for creating beautiful and long-lasting manicures. But the quality of your finish depends on your base coat. This article introduces the 7 top base coats on the market today, highlighting their unique features and advantages. The featured base coats offer chip resistance, easy removal, and improved adhesion, along with non-yellowing and glossy effects. These qualities make them an excellent choice for creating professional-looking manicures that will last for weeks.

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More and more women prefer to do manicure on their own. The gel polish coating shines for a long time and remains “fresh”, nails break less. To keep the product well, you need to use a special base. This transparent or colored composition creates a lower layer that enhances the adhesion of the varnish to the plate and aligns it. Without a base, the color will quickly chip, it will become detached. It is especially important to use a transparent base on a wet and thin nail plate..

How to choose a base for gel polish

Gel Polish Base

3 groups of funds are distinguished by structure:

  1. Classic. Liquid compounds quickly spread, create a thin layer. Tough, do not sag, the form remains the original until the last day of socks manicure. Suitable to lengthen the free edge by 1–2 mm. You need to work with them quickly and dry each finger separately. Remove these basecoats with a special fluid..
  2. Rubber. The density is medium and high: with the compositions, they smooth or strengthen the nail plate, but do not grow. The base does not spread, but slowly forms an apex – a stress zone, the thickest (highest) place. Can sag in the sock, because the base is soft and flexible. Very resistant, needed for brittle and thin nails. It is better to shoot with a device or a rough file.
  3. With fiber. Thick compounds with which you can increase the corners or 1-2 mm of length. The coating is durable, gives protection to a thin nail.

The main selection criteria:

  1. Volume. Manufacturers offer jars of 30–35 ml, but for home use it is better to take a small bottle (8–11). The composition thickens and becomes heterogeneous when it is open for a long time.
  2. Polymerization. On the packaging, the manufacturer must indicate in which lamps it is possible to dry a specific product (UV, LED, CCF) and how long does it take.
  3. Consistency. Very thick (does not drip from the brush) is suitable to completely change the shape of the plate, but dries for a long time. Medium (a drop slowly slips) is optimal for a beginner: it can be used to simulate a nail calmly – the base is self-leveling. Liquid requires dexterity, creates a very thin layer, dries quickly.
  4. Manufacturer. A product of a trusted brand is safer, less likely to cause allergies, often of a higher quality than a product of an unknown company. This is especially true for companies from China, deprived of certificates and licenses.
  5. Colour. Transparent compositions are denser, with high durability. Camouflage substrates (with pigment) are often self-leveling, more fluid, can replace the color coating. Means mask plate defects, are needed for French (French manicure).

Rating of bases for gel polishes

The highest quality products of large professional brands: Kodi, UNO, Grattol, BeautiX, CND. Their minus, in addition to cost, is in a complex texture: not all of these tools are suitable for a beginner to work with. In the budget price category up to 300 rubles, domestic and Japanese manufacturers CosmoLac, Tertio, Haruyama have proven themselves excellently. TNL is gaining popularity: at low cost, the brand offers products of decent quality, but these compounds often cause allergies.

7. Lovely, Base Gel Polish

Camouflage base coat Lovely

A good thick base coat for gel polish from the rubber category is suitable to remove any irregularities in the nail plate. The consistency is very dense, does not spread, the apex forms slowly. Cons: the base is not flexible, not suitable for square nails, prone to twisting. When the ends begin to deform during regrowth, the base coating may move away – it will cause detachment. In other cases, the product sits firmly for up to 4 weeks, especially on the oval and almonds..

Durability also depends on the length of the free edge: with 1-3 mm, the base holds well, if it is more, wearing a manicure will turn out only 2.5-3 weeks. In the lamp, it starts to bake, but slowly: you can manage to take out your hand before it becomes very painful. Packaging – a bottle of 12 ml and a large jar of 50. In addition to the transparent composition, there are camouflage: cold pink, beige, milk, with a shimmer. Polymerization time – 60 seconds in LED.

Price

690–1590 rub.

Benefits:

  • without smell;
  • does not cause allergies;
  • significantly strengthens;
  • comfortable thin brush;
  • many shades of camouflage.

disadvantages:

  • the apex in the toe sags;
  • very thick – it’s hard for beginners to work.

6. UNO, LED / UV Base rubber

Rubber from UNO

Remedy from a professional company from Hong Kong. The format is a 15 ml bottle, the brush is short and small, ideal for creating architecture. The consistency is dense and dense, keeps its shape, does not numb. Evens out slowly. The grip on the nail is high, the resistance even on a wet and soft plate exceeds 2 weeks. 30 seconds cure in LED lamp, 2 minutes in UV.

The sticky layer is weakly expressed, color compositions easily fit without bald spots. The base does not conflict with products of other companies. When applying, it is better to seal the ends, otherwise detachments may appear. In addition to the transparent version, the lineup has camouflage compounds in 7 shades of pink and beige, including milk. Vials of smaller volume (8 ml), and the brush is longer. The consistency is more fluid. You need to keep in the lamp for 60 seconds due to pigment.

Price

650 rub.

Benefits:

  • can work without primer;
  • it is convenient to align any nails;
  • resistance to 5 weeks;
  • suitable for gel for building;
  • holds rhinestones tight.

disadvantages:

  • bakes heavily in the lamp;
  • sags apex;
  • causes allergies.

5. In’Garden, Ideal Nails

Ideal Nails by In’Garden

Camouflage rubber base is available in beige and light pink shades, and for lovers of the classics there is a transparent one. The format is an 11 ml bottle with a brush or a large 30 ml jar with a screw cap. The brush is medium in width, completely lies on the narrow little finger. The end is convenient to pass through the cuticle area and sides. All hairs lie evenly, do not deform over time, elastic – it is easy to squeeze gel polish.

Shades at the base are close to neutral, with a milky nuance, in 2 layers overlap the free edge. They can be worn as an independent coating. The product does not create streaks, does not flow due to the consistency of medium density, holds the apex well. The stated resistance is up to 4 weeks, but in the reviews, women indicate that they do manicure more often because of nail regrowth. The tool is suitable for beginners – it is easily self-leveling and creates perfect glare.

Price

595–990 rub.

Benefits:

  • no discomfort in the lamp;
  • universal colors;
  • large volume bottle;
  • very faint odor.

disadvantages:

  • cost.

4. CosmoLac, Rubber Base Gel

Product from CosmoLac

Budget, but very high-quality base for gel polish from a domestic manufacturer, which is produced in a classic bottle of 7.5 and 14 ml in a jar of 30 ml. The base is rubber, the consistency of medium density, easily leveled, but not numb, does not create bald spots. Suitable for beginners, does not require speed in work. You can cure in UV lamps and LED – 2 minutes or 30-60 seconds. On tight nails, the coating holds without primer.

Apply Rubber Base Gel can be thin or thick, if necessary, make 2 layers one after another, use for strengthening. Deformation within 2-3 weeks does not appear. In the reviews, some masters mention persistence up to a month. The product is multifunctional: it holds a large design (stones, sliders), is mixed with acrylic powder for corner extension. The smell is not too pronounced.

Price

200-625 rub.

Benefits:

  • does not bake;
  • high durability;
  • can be removed with a remover;
  • easy to work.

disadvantages:

  • bubbles heavily.

3. BeautiX, UV Base

UV Base by BeautiX

French basecoat for soft and hard gels. The main plus is the ease of application: the consistency is liquid, lies evenly on the nail, but can be spread by a layman. It is important to quickly cover the plate and send it to the lamp. It is better to do each finger separately. The composition is grasped in 30 seconds in a 24 W LED, but for maximum drying, it is advisable to withstand a minute.

The brush is wide and flat, the hairs are elastic, the cut is even, draws a clear line at the cuticle and on the sides. Packaging – 15 ml bottle. For home use, this is too much: the remains of the product will thicken after 6-7 months. Persistence of manicure – 2-3 weeks, even on soft nails. You can remove the coating with a file or liquid (it will take 15 minutes to soak under the foil). The plate remains intact.

Price

890 rub.

Benefits:

  • suitable for all lamps;
  • aligns well;
  • does not bake;
  • easy to take off.

disadvantages:

  • need to adapt to the texture;
  • thin and brittle nails require combining the base with acrylic powder.

2. Grattol, Rubber Base Gel

Rubber Base Gel by Grattol

A popular gel polish base from a German manufacturer. This is the best tool in the middle price category, which is suitable for beginners and masters. Consistency of moderate viscosity, self-leveling quickly, if you turn the nail plate down. It is suitable for strengthening or easy modeling, but even 1-2 mm of the free edge cannot be built up.

The brush is narrow, by the end it can expand, work conveniently. The smell is weak, quickly disappears. The coating lasts 3-5 weeks, does not give chips and detachments. Does not numb, does not shrink, is friends with other gel polish firms. On sale are standard 9 ml bottles, professional 20 ml jars. In the LED lamp, the base needs to be dried for 1–1.5 minutes due to the high density. Means works only with acid-free primers.

Price

395-650 rub.

Benefits:

  • does not cause allergies;
  • easy to lay down;
  • holds rhinestones firmly;
  • thin brush;
  • does not create bubbles.

disadvantages:

  • a thick layer bakes in a lamp.

1. Kodi Rubber Base

Kodi Rubber Base

The best base for gel polish has not lost ground since 2015. The product is available in classic 8 and 12 ml bottles with a brush and in a jar (35 ml). It is not suitable for beginners, because you need to apply it very carefully, do not level it many times – after drying there will be bubbles. Learn better at other bases. Kodi is ideal in experienced hands: of medium density, does not frown, does not go off the edge inside the lamp, holds an apex, does not sag in the sock.

Color is transparent, without extraneous shades. The brush is flat, medium width, allows you to work with small nails. Dry the product in the LED lamp for 30 seconds. The product is friendly with all gel polishes, worn for 2–5 weeks. The Rubber Base range also offers camouflage bases: beige dark and natural, pink cold and neutral. Color formulations are available in 12 ml format only. Specifications are not dependent on shades.

Price

480–1200 rub.

Benefits:

  • durability;
  • excellent alignment of the plate;
  • hold on to rhinestones;
  • economical consumption.

disadvantages:

  • bad smell;
  • fakes often appear.

Product comparison table

Title A type Volume ml Shades
Lovely, Base Gel Polish Rubber 12, 50 Transparent, 4 camouflage
Kodi Rubber Base 12, 35
In’Garden, Ideal Nails 11, 30 Transparent, beige, light pink
CosmoLac Rubber Base Gel 7.5, 14, 30 Transparent
Grattol Rubber Base Gel 9, 20
UNO, LED / UV Base rubber fifteen Transparent, 7 camouflage
BeautiX, UV Base Classic Transparent
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Comments: 1
  1. Logan Simmons

    What are the most recommended bases for gel polish? I’m looking for the best options to ensure a long-lasting and flawless manicure. Any suggestions or personal experiences will be appreciated!

    Reply
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