Base coat

1. What is a base coat?

A base coat is one of the most important layers of a gel polish manicure that you cannot skip. A base coat ensures better adhesion between the natural nail plate and the artificial nails.

When using gel polish, you can apply a color immediately after applying the base coat. However, with other nail products such as gel, acrylgel, or acrylic, the base coat is used as an extra adhesive layer for a longer-lasting manicure.

A base coat evens out and strengthens your natural nail plate, ensuring that artificial nails stay on better and break less easily. It also helps prevent discoloration of your nails and adds an extra protective layer.

2. Why should you apply a base coat?

Applying a base coat is one of the most important steps of your manicure. It not only ensures better adhesion between the natural nail plate and the artificial nails but also has self-leveling properties.

In other words, the base coat evens out all imperfections in your natural nail plate, making the application of subsequent nail products easier. Furthermore, a base coat extends the life of your manicure and prevents discoloration of your natural nail plate. By using a base coat, you not only create a durable and beautiful manicure but also protect your natural nails from damage.

3. How to apply/remove a base coat

3.1 Applying a base coat

Prepare nails: Before applying the base coat, it is important to properly prepare your nails. Then apply nail prep and primer to improve the adhesion of the base coat.

Apply base coat: Once the primer is completely dry, you can start applying a base coat. Apply a thin layer and make sure your entire nail is covered.

Curing: Allow the base coat to cure under a UV/LED lamp. It is important to use the correct curing times, which are stated on the base coat packaging or on the product page of the supplier/manufacturer.

Next steps of the manicure: Now that the base coat has cured, you can proceed with the next steps of the manicure. Apply a layer of gel polish in the desired color and cure it under a lamp. Finish your manicure with a top coat for extra shine and protection.

3.2 Removing a base coat

There are three different methods for removing a base coat: filing, an electric nail file, or the soak-off method. With the soak-off method, you must first remove the top coat (file it off) before you can remove the rest. You can read more about this in our blog 'How to remove gel polish?'.

If you are not experienced in using an electric nail file, we advise against doing it yourself. This can be dangerous for your own nails or those of your clients.

4. How long should a base coat cure?

It is important to know how long to cure a base coat. This can vary depending on the nail lamp you use and the manufacturer's recommended times. Therefore, it is important to read this information carefully before you start curing the base coat.

Generally, it takes longer to cure a base coat under a UV lamp than under a UV/LED lamp. You also need to consider the wavelength of the lamp, as a lower wavelength can affect the curing of the gel polish.

As a guideline, we have listed the average curing times for a base coat below. But don't forget to check the exact times on the packaging or on the supplier/manufacturer's website.

• UV/LED lamp: 30-60s
• UV lamp: 120-180s
  
  

5. What is the tacky layer of a base coat?

When you apply a base coat to your nails, a tacky layer can form. This is because the oxygen in the air hinders the curing process of the base coat. Unlike a base coat, some top coats are designed to speed up the curing process, preventing oxygen from having time to disrupt the formation of molecule chains. As a result, no tacky layer forms; these top coats are called no-wipe top coats.

It is important to remember that you should never remove the tacky layer of a base coat. This is because it can significantly affect the adhesion of subsequent nail products, which can lead to a reduction in the durability of your manicure.

6. Can I extend my nail with a base coat?

Some base coats, such as rubber bases, offer the possibility to extend your natural nail plate using forms. However, it is important to know that gel polish is not strong enough to extend with tips. Although the extension of nails with rubber bases and forms is limited. Some base coats do offer you the possibility to extend your nails up to 5 mm.

7. Can a base coat be used as a top coat?

It is not recommended to use a base coat as a top coat and vice versa. This is because they each have their own function and composition.

A base coat has a thicker consistency and contains ingredients that give the nails extra strength. Furthermore, a base coat ensures better adhesion between the natural nail plate and the artificial nails.

A top coat, on the other hand, is thinner in texture and contains ingredients that provide a durable surface on the nails. This protects the manicure from impacts and other external factors.

It is important not to mix these products, as they each have their own function. When you use a base coat as a top coat or vice versa, this can significantly reduce the durability of your manicure.

8. What should I look for when choosing a good base coat?

If you're looking for the perfect base coat, there are several factors to consider. It's important to choose the right base, as it partly determines the quality and durability of your manicure. Below, we discuss the most important factors to consider when choosing a base coat.

8.1 Type of nail plate

An important factor to consider when choosing a base coat is the type of nail plate. There are three different types of nail plates: normal, dry, and moist.

Normal nail plate: the skin is not shiny, has a smooth surface, and is not cracked or flaked. For a normal nail plate, it is advisable to choose the Mineral Base, Expert Base or a Rubber Base.

Moist nail plate: the skin is characterized by a natural high shine, moisture on the nail plate, and moist fingertips. The nails of people with moist skin are very flexible. For a moist nail plate, it is advisable to choose the Flexi Base.

8.2 Composition

In recent years, manufacturers have been paying increasing attention to the safety and composition of their nail products. An important development in this regard is avoiding harmful substances in base coats. This layer is, after all, the first layer between your nails and artificial nails and therefore comes into direct contact with your natural nail plate.

It is therefore important to know what ingredients are in your base coat. Fortunately, it is becoming easier to find safe products. Always check the composition of the base coat before purchasing it.

8.3 Consistency

Base coats differ not only in their composition but also in their consistency. Thicker bases can not only level your nail plate, but they are also used to extend or build up nails. These base coats are called Rubber Base Coats. With the more liquid variants, you cannot extend the natural nail plate, but it can smooth out small imperfections and improve the adhesion of subsequent nail products.

9. Base coats from our assortment

Mistero Milano's assortment offers a wide choice of different types of base coats. But how do you choose the right base coat? This depends on various factors such as the type of nail plate and whether you want a transparent or cover base. To make choosing easier, we provide more explanation below about the different base coats we offer.

9.1 Hype Acid Base

Hype Base is a transparent acidic base ideal for use under gels and gel polish. The base formula is developed with durability and ease of use in mind. Mistero Milano's Hype line is synonymous with light styling, while maintaining durability and high quality. You should not apply a primer under this base!

9.2 Mineral base

The Mineral base is a normal, thin base coat and therefore not a rubber base. This base coat is enriched with rose quartz, which results in a significant strengthening of the nail plate and optimal adhesion. In combination with the Mineral Top No wipe, this base forms the perfect combination for a natural gel polish manicure.

9.3 Flexi base

The Flexi base is a transparent rubber base with elastic properties. Thanks to its flexibility, this base guarantees excellent adhesion. The Flexi base adapts to the nail plate, preventing lifting. In addition, it is possible to extend your nails (up to 2 mm) with this base coat.

This base coat is highly recommended for clients with moist skin, characterized by a natural high shine, moist fingertips, and nail plates. The nails of people with moist skin are particularly flexible.

9.4 Expert base

The Expert base is a transparent rubber base with polyamide fibers that provide extra strength and superior adhesion. This base coat prevents lifting and allows you to extend your nails up to 5 mm.

In addition to the Expert Base, we also offer the Expert Base Milky. The Expert Base Milky has the same properties as the Expert Base, but has a white-milky pigment. The Milky color provides better coverage when used under light gel polish colors.

These bases are recommended for people with problem nails, as the fibers harden and strengthen the weakened nail plate. However, the Expert Bases are also suitable for people with normal skin and nail plates.

9.5 Cover Lover base

The Cover Lover base is available in no fewer than 8 shades. The base coats are specially designed for Natural Nail Treatments due to their natural color. They can also be used as a base layer under gel polish or gel. Furthermore, it is possible to extend your nails (up to 2 mm) with these base coats.

9.6 So So Hard Keratine base

The So So Hard Keratine base is part of the MAKE ME FREE collection. The special characteristic of this collection is that all products are free of HEMA and solvents. The composition minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and irritations, making these products ideal for people with sensitive skin.

This rubber base has a medium-thick consistency and allows you to extend your natural nail up to 2 mm. It minimizes heat spikes during curing and contains keratin. The keratin fibers create a protective layer on the natural nail and extend the wear time up to 4 weeks. This transparent base coat is extremely suitable for thin nail plates that require significant strengthening.

9.7 Undress Me base

The Undress Me Base is part of the MAKE ME FREE collection. The special characteristic of this collection is that all products are free of HEMA and solvents. The composition minimizes the risk of allergic reactions and irritations, making these products ideal for people with sensitive skin.

The Undress Me Base coats are available in 6 different shades. These base coats offer 70% coverage, making them perfect as a stand-alone color. This way, you can save a lot of time. The rubber bases are also ideal for people who want to create a natural look, such as with a Natural Nail Treatment. Moreover, it is possible to extend your natural nail plate up to 2 mm with these rubber bases.

10. Conclusion – Which base coat should I choose?

Choosing the right base coat can sometimes be a challenge, as there are so many different options on the market. To achieve a beautiful and long-lasting manicure, it is important to first know what type of nail plate you are dealing with and then choose a suitable base coat. A good base not only minimizes the chance of lifting but also extends the life of your gel polish manicure. It is therefore crucial to invest in a quality base coat that ensures a firm adhesion of your artificial nails to your natural nail plate. With the help of this blog, you can select the right base coat that suits your specific nail type.