1. What is base coat?

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

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

A base coat evens out and strengthens your natural nail plate, which makes the artificial nails stay in place better and less likely to break. It also helps prevent discoloration of your nails and adds an extra layer of protection.

2. Why do you need to 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 any irregularities in your natural nail plate, making it easier to apply subsequent nail products. In addition, 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 it also protects your natural nails from damage.

3. How to apply/remove base coat

3.1 Apply base coat

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

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

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

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

3.2 Removing base coat

There are three different methods to remove a base coat: filing, a milling machine or the soak off method. With the soak off method you first have to 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 a nail drill, we recommend that you do not attempt to do this yourself. This can be dangerous to your own nails or those of your clients.

4. How long should base coat cure?

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

In general, a base coat takes longer to cure under a UV lamp than under a UV/LED lamp. You also have to take into account the wavelength of the lamp, because a lower wavelength can affect the curing of the gel polish.

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

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

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

When you apply a base coat to your nails, a sticky layer can form. This is because the oxygen in the air hinders the curing process of the base coat. In contrast to a base coat, some top coats are developed to accelerate the curing process so that the oxygen does not have time to disrupt the formation of the molecular chains. As a result, no sticky layer is created, these top coats are called no wipe top coats.

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

6. Can I extend my nails with 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 be extended with tips. Although extending nails with rubber bases and forms is limited. Some base coats do offer 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. In addition, 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 bumps and other external factors.

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

8. What should I pay attention to when choosing a good base coat?

When looking for the perfect base coat, there are several factors to consider. It is important to choose the right base, because it 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 does not shine, has a smooth surface and is not cracked or flaked. For a normal nail plate it is recommended to choose the Mineral Base , Expert Base or a Rubber base .

Dry nail plate: the skin looks flaky, the nail that grows under the surface of the gel tends to curl. In addition, a lot of dust is created when working with a milling cutter. With a dry nail plate, it is advisable to choose the 2in1 base coat .

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

8.2 Composition

In recent years, manufacturers have increasingly focused on the safety and composition of their nail products. An important development here is the avoidance of harmful substances in base coats. After all, this layer forms the first layer between your nails and the 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. Therefore, always check the composition of the base coat before you buy it.

8.3 Consistency

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

9. Base coats from our range

The Mistero Milano range 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 will explain the different base coats we offer below.

9.1 Base & Top

The Base & Top Lucido is a special product that can be used as both a base coat and a top coat. This multifunctional application makes the product very attractive to many nail stylists.

As a base coat, this product provides superior adhesion to the nail plate. When used as a top coat, it offers high abrasion resistance and scratch resistance to mechanical damage. This makes the product very suitable for customers who regularly perform manual labor. It is also an excellent choice for pedicures. After curing, Base & Top leaves a sticky layer that can be easily removed with a cellulose swab and cleaner.

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 for an 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, this base coat allows you to extend your nails to a limited extent (up to 2 mm).

This base coat is highly recommended for clients with moist skin, which is 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 makes it possible 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 base coats are recommended for people with problem nails, because the fibers harden and strengthen the weakened nail plate. However, the Expert Bases are also suitable for people with normal skin and nail plate.

9.5 Cover Lover base

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

9.6 Perfect Color base

The Perfect Color bases are rubber bases that can be used as both a base coat and gel polish color. These base coats are available in 2 different shades, pink and lilac. These rubber bases are similar to the Cover Lover Bases, but have a less natural color.

The Perfect Color base coats are specially developed for performing Natural Nail Treatments, but can also be used as a base layer under gel polish or gel. In addition, it is possible to extend your nails with these base coats (up to 2 mm).

9.7 NeOne base

The NeOne bases are base coats that can be used as both base and gel polish color. These base coats are available in 4 vibrant neon shades, light pink, dark pink, green and orange.

The NeOne bases offer a coverage of approximately 90%. Thanks to the medium thick and self-leveling consistency, these bases are ideal to cover any imperfections on your nails such as discoloration, damage or nail deformations.

9.8 So So Hard Keratin base

The So So Hard Keratin base is part of the MAKE ME FREE collection. The special feature of this collection is that all products are free of HEMA and solvents. The composition minimizes the chance 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 2mm. 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 reinforcement.

9.9 Undress Me base

The Undress Me Base is part of the MAKE ME FREE collection. The special feature of this collection is that all products are free of HEMA and solvents. The composition minimizes the chance 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 a coverage of 70%, 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. In order 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 bond between your artificial nails and your natural nail plate. With the help of this blog, you can select the right base coat that suits your specific nail type.