The best — and most underrated — thing about top-coat nail polish is that it always looks good. There’s no need to weigh undertones or self-reflect to figure out if you’re feeling dark-burgundy moody or a slate-gray neural. A single swipe of translucent gloss instantly makes any manicure or pedicure (or naked nails, for that matter) smoother, shinier, and healthier-looking. Plus, it acts as an invisible shield, protecting polish from chipping and dulling — no UV lamps required.
Whether you’re just looking to extend the life of your at-home mani by a few days, or trying to quit your $45/month salon habit cold-turkey, a top-coat polish will help you out. But instead of gazing mindlessly at the polish wall at Target, plucking the first colorless bottle you see, take a cue from those who know best. We talked to a few trusted nail pros, who gave us their favorite top-coat polishes and told us why each one is clear, liquid gold. Ahead, find your new nail topper — and a welcome three weeks before your next mani/pedi.
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After swiping on a Smith & Cult polish — like the dusty-pink Powder Posse, or Tang Bang, a rusted orange — you want that color to stay shiny and pigmented for as long as possible. Prepping and topping your manicure with the brand’s protective polishes can help you do just that. "I like to start with Smith & Cult’s Basis of Everything base coat," says nail pro Naomi Yasuda. "Then I’ll use a color polish with this top coat to finish. I find that the topper seals the polish perfectly, eliminating any pesky chipping or smudging."
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer Top Coat in Above It All, $18, available at Amazon
If you’re looking for a hard and glossy shield to make your DIY mani last as long as possible, consider investing in a translucent gel polish, like this one from Dior. "This top coat actually gives your nails the look of a salon gel manicure," says Yasuda. "It delivers a coat of protection, plus insanely long-lasting shine."
Dior Top Coat in Abricot, $28, available at Neiman Marcus
Another gel pick — this one from Chanel — creates a smooth, protective finish over your manicure. "This top coat locks in shine, extending the lifespan of your manicure by a week," claims Yasuda. Basically, a coat of this almost guarantees a three-week manicure, without shelling out $50 to stick your fingers under a UV lamp.
Chanel CHANEL Le Gel Coat Longwear Top Coat, $28, available at Barneys New York
When you’ve already spent 45 minutes filing your nails into the perfect almond tips, and painting your polish slowly and carefully so as not to touch your cuticles, you want a polishing top coat that speeds up the process. Yasuda recommends this one by Yves Saint Laurent. "One coat combines all of the benefits of a top coat — including shine and long-lasting results — with a quick-drying formula, making it perfect for when you’re looking to be done with your nails," she tells us.
Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture Nº99 Quick Dry, $19.62, available at Premium Perfumes
A welcome drugstore pick, this affordable bottle by Sally Hansen is a must-have amongst nail pros. "Not only does it dry really quickly, but it gives the nails a gorgeous glossy finish, too," says Yasuda. Sarah Gibson Tuttle, nail pro and founder of L.A.’s chic boutique salon Olive & June, raves, "This is the gold standard for shiny top coats."
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat, $5.99, available at Ulta Beauty
Tuttle loves Essie’s Gel Couture Top Coat because it has the protection of a gel polish, with a thinner consistency. "This top coat is thinner than most long-lasting polishes, which helps it better protect a fresh manicure because a thick top coat actually leads to faster chipping," she says.
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat, $11.5, available at Ulta Beauty
A retro budget-friendly option, Ardell’s Seche Vite Dry Fast clear coat is an accessible pick with its $8 price point. "Seche Vite is an OG favorite," says Tuttle. "It dries quickly and leaves nails super shiny."
Ardell Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, $3.99, available at Target
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Source: Refinery29