(Part 2) Best nail polish base & top coat products according to redditors

Products used:
Cuticula Liquid Nail Tape (Now in stock!)
Orly Tiara
Cirque Colors Hatch
OPI Dark Side Of The Mood (I believe this is discontinued)
Cat Nail Stencils
Seche Vive Top Coat
Makeup Sponges

I had that same problem too, which was extremely frustrating for me to spend so much time painting my nails. I noticed sometimes it was the brand I was using, sometimes even different colors or styles (dark vs light, matte vs. opaque, etc.). I actually bought OPI's drip dry drops (tongue twister!) and it helps using them before the top coat, and then after the top coat. They're reasonably priced on amazon and they really worked well for me :) I get my manicures to last longer that way, and when I put the drip dry drops on after my color is on, then my top coat won't make it streaky. I hope that helps!!

Product List:

• OPI Gelcolor Base Coat
  
• Gelish Mini ~ All The Queen's Bling
  
• Pretty Diva No Wipe Top Coat
  
• Beauty Big Bang Aurora Chrome Powder
  
• Beauty Big Bang White Stamping Polish
  
• Beauty Big Bang Clear Stamper & Scraper
  
• Beauty Big Bang Christmas Stamping Plate
  
• China Glaze Gelaze Top Coat
  
  Alsoooo, you can probably tell on the ring finger but whenever I use chrome powders, I end up with bumps and craters. I think it might be because the no wipe gel top coat I use is about a year old and from Amazon. I'll purchase a better one and hopefully that will make a difference. Any CCW! :)

I think /u/Sp3cia1K should be gifted for organazing the epic Amazon Bomb, Here is an item off their list

Everything mentioned can be found on amazon ☺️:

kiaitre UV LED light:
Kiaitre 72W UV LED Nail Lamp with 4 Timer Setting - 36 Lamp Beads Nail Dryer for Gel Nails and Toe Nail Curing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PN4DT3X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LS2oDbKG7PMK2

Modelones base & top coat:
Modelones Gel Nail Polish No Wipe Top and Base Coat Set（2x10ml）UV LED Soak Off New Upgraded Formula Long-Lasting and Shiny Finish ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NH0D2T5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D02oDbQFTNEAJ

Modelones gel polish in Nude:
Modelones Gel Nail Polish Set - 8 tiny bottles, UV LED Lamp Soak Off Gel Polish Varnish, 0.24 OZ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QH6H219/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_O12oDbGDG8M9V


• so first I apply a thin layer of base coat then cure it for 60 secs under the UV lamp

• then I applied a thin layer of 8035 then cured for 60 secs & repeated this step 2 more times
(Total of 3 coats)

• then apply then top coat & cure for 60 - 90 secs

When applying the color, always make sure to do thin layers as opposed to thick. Thick layers won't cure as evenly!

Glisten & Glow's "HK Girl", KB Shimmer's "Clearly On Top", and Essie's "Good to Go". As /u/Painted_Fingertips mentioned, they can still get goopy, as well. I'm convinced that happens to almost all of the fast-drying top coats. A good nail polish thinner (NOT acetone or Seche Restore!) will help you out.

http://www.amazon.com/Seche-Vite-Fast-Boxed-0-5oz/dp/B00FFCPP9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426447634&sr=8-1&keywords=6+seche


Try this one :) there is hope yet

I cobbled together a bunch of different unrelated products instead of going for the premade kits. Here is what you would need if you were interested:

• LED lamp
  
  
• base coat and top coat set
  
  
• gel nail polishes - you can also find these in Ulta or beauty supply stores like Sally's if you wanted just one or two to start out with
  
  
• lint free wipes
  
  
• structure gel - optional, but I use it because I have weak nails
  
  
• typical mani/pedi tools - emery boards of different grit sizes, buffer, nail file, cuticle pusher, cotton balls, pure acetone, makeup sponges, tiny nail art brushes, and rubbing alcohol. these are usually cheaper and easier to find in a beauty supply store or even a Target/Walmart/etc.
  
  
• nail polish remover clip things - to remove the gel nail polish
  
  All in the initial setup was under $100. Given that a glitter gel mani costs about $50-60 in my city, it paid for itself very quickly! Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your arsenal to include chrome powders, holographic powders, glitter, striping tape, stamping plates, etc.

I'm a really big fan of Mia Secrets products if we want an inexpensive expensive medium setting traditional system. I have their acrylics, gels, preps, and primers and I honestly haven't had a dud from them yet. They have this little intro kit if you want super small sizes of the bare essentials to try before committing, but I'll also show you everything I use to do a set of new nails with their system. If you go with the kit, the brush isn't the greatest...but it's better than most other kits in this price range.

• I dehydrate the nail using Mia Secrets Nail Prep.
  
• I apply my nail tip of choice and make sure it's straight.
  
• I brush Mia Secrets No Lines over the smile line of the tip and allow it to dry.
  
• I prime the nail using Mia Secrets [XTrabond]
  (https://www.amazon.com/Mia-Secret-Burn-Primer-Acrylic/dp/B00JVZGO3W/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1466043934&sr=1-5&keywords=Mia+Secret).
  
• I fill my dappen dish with Mia Secrets Liquid Monomer, ensuring there is enough liquid in the dish to submerge my brush from tip to ferrule.
  
• I drain my brush as needed to make the correct size bead then dip it into Mia Secrets Clear Acrylic Powder 3 times.
  
• I shape and buff the nail.
  
• I apply Mia Secrets Icegel top coat if my client does not want polish, alternatively I either polish the nails as normal, or use Mia Secrets UV Finish Gel if the client has paid extra for a UV top coat. (Sorry about the non Amazon link! It's not available on Amazon currently.)
  
  I PROMISE I AM NOT ENDORSED OR AFFILIATED WITH MIA SECRETS OR NAILITE WHATSOEVER. I just happen to use and love a lot of their products.
  
  
  I can also suggest Nailite's OMEGA system if you're a problem lifter. It's comparable to using CND's Retention+ liquid in my opinion.
  They sell a small kit and a large kit. I bought the large and it's an amazing value with a high quality brush to boot! I follow a similar system with it to Mia Secrets, but I'll outline the steps again.
  
  
• I dehydrate the nail with Nailite's Nail Prep.
  
• I apply my nail tip of choice and make sure it's straight.
  
• I blend the nail tip into the natural nail ensuring there are no ridges.
  
• I prime the nail with Nailite's Something Wonderful Protein Bonder.
  
• I fill my dappen dish with Nailite's Omega Liquid Monomer, ensuring there is enough liquid in the dish to submerge my brush from tip to ferrule.
  
• I drain my brush as needed to make the correct size bead then dip it into Nailite's Omega Powder 1 time and hold it there for 3 seconds.
  
• I shape and buff the nail.
  
• I apply Nailite's Wet Look Top Coat if my client does not want polish, alternatively I either polish the nails as normal or use Nailite's High Gloss Tackless Sealer if the client has paid extra for a UV top coat.
  
  If you have any questions at all about any products you may come across, tips on technique, or would like more product suggestions, etc.... I encourage you to PM me at anytime. :)

Coincidently, if you pain your nails so often that it's crazy, this is a pretty good thing to get. I mean, 4.5 ounces for about 15 bucks? Get some empty nail bottles and share with friends!

I haven’t found anything that works 💯 of the time, but I really like wildflower nails nail glue https://wildflowersnails.com/ Also if you have a Led lamp you could use the gummy jelly and shine e top coat. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MPFLY3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_eczPAb5PBRWRH
Here is a great YouTube on how to use it! https://youtu.be/qgpPfSiLjr0 hope that helps!

Ummm, I mean I dunno. I fangirl on OPI.

Try this:

Base

My current goto red

Top

1 base, 2 color, 1 top, then in the mornings reapply top - make sure to round tips and backsides.

Of course! This is a list of most the products I use:

Drill: (it is absolutely amazing!)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNKV71Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bwCpDbV82MR8J

Acrylic monomer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006CVXR10/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qxCpDbFDTH6A8

Acrylic polymer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGTQEKE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Nail prep:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079YKLFN2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Brushes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UONBO5S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hand files:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EHRGFKK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Top coat (UV light required):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B96JHV6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1BCpDbV2T3D93

Smaller version of what’s pictured:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS1UWAF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JECpDbCTC26YH

I also use little things like: tips, glue, cuticle nippers/tools, cuticle oils, alcohol wipes, acetone, etc. I hope this helps! Please note, I have been doing my nails for a long time and I have built up my collection over the years. It is expensive from the start, but always remember, everything will last you longer then the salon because you’re only doing your nails once every few weeks. Good luck!!! 😁😁😁

Base is a dip manicure from Nugenesis in French White with Detail work using Young Nails Mission Control in Over Drive, Sonic, Solar, & Mega Jam. I coated the entire nail with Cheri No Wipe Top Coat then buffed out the entire nail to achieve a matte finish. Went back and used Cheri over the color striping to get both matte and shiny!

I'm cheap so I do my own nails. I'm getting pretty good at it. I've found that, if I properly prepare the nail beds, it doesn't matter what brand of polish I use.

So I start with nice clean nails and then lay down an even thin layer of Orly Bonder. (http://www.ulta.com/bonder?productId=xlsImpprod5260125) It's like watered down rubber cement -- it's a bit tacky/sticky even when it's dry. Then any old polish, but I'm a big fan of OPI and some of the higher-end Sally Hansen products. I just pick up whatever color catches my eye. Then a topcoat of Orly Sec n Dry topcoat (https://www.amazon.com/Orly-Sec-Dry-Nail-Treatment/dp/B000PI37WK) and my nails are good for 7-10 days. They'll grow out before it chips off.

I like Pretty Diva I've never noticed it turn yellow and it applies nicely.

No. Higher price does not mean less chipping. The base coat and top coat that work for you, means less chipping. Over the past year, I have gone through at least 10 base & top coats, of varying costs. I'm pretty sure I just (as in 3 days ago) found my perfect match. I swipe my nails with rubbing alcohol, use a Sally base, polish, then a Sally quick dry top coat. I am currently sporting a manicure that is FLAWLESS. $1.99 NYC polish, and it looks like gel.