Before diving into a whirlwind of color, there is one simple yet essential step you should never skip: base coat nail polish. The true foundation of every manicure, it protects your nails, strengthens them and helps your nail polish last longer. But which one should you choose? What is it used for? And why is it such an essential part of your routine? Here is everything you need to know for a flawless manicure and beautifully healthy nails.
Key Points:
- The base coat is the first layer of a manicure, applied to bare nails before the color.
- It evens out the surface, protects the nail, and helps the polish last longer.
- It prevents color pigments from settling directly on the nail plate.
- It is always applied before the polish—not to be confused with the top coat, which is applied last.
- The Manucurist rule: 1 coat of base coat, 2 thin coats of polish, 1 coat of top coat.
A base is the foundation
A base coat nail polish is the essential first step to a successful manicure. Applied to bare nails before your color, it is usually transparent. Just like a makeup primer, a base coat creates an even surface and prepares the nail for color application. But its role goes far beyond simply smoothing the nail. It does so much more than that.
Protection, adhesion and longer lasting color
Applied before your nail polish, a base coat nail polish creates a smooth, even surface that helps your color grip the nail more effectively for improved wear. It also acts as a protective layer between your nail and colored polish, shielding your nails from staining pigments and from external factors, such as moisture, that can weaken them.
A base coat nail polish is step one for a flawless manicure that lasts.
Before or after your nail polish?
At Manucurist, both the Green™ and Green Flash™ manicure routines follow one simple rule: the four coat routine.
- 1 coat of base coat
- 2 thin coats of color
- 1 coat of top coat to seal in the color and extend wear
⚠️ Do not confuse a base coat with a top coat.
While a top coat is applied last to add shine and create the perfect finish, a base coat is always the very first layer before applying color. It creates a smooth surface for the best possible nail polish application. Another benefit is that it prevents pigments from bonding directly with the nail plate, making color removal quick and easy with a gentle acetone free nail polish remover.
Which base coat goes with which nail polish?
First of all, it is important to remember that you should always use products from the same range, as each formula has been designed to work perfectly together.
The right base coat depends on the type of nail polish you choose.
- With Green Flash™ Gel Polish, choose the Green Flash™ Fortifying Base Coat. Its patented KeraHCE+ technology combines Hexanal, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. This innovative complex strengthens nails beneath the color while improving the wear of Green Flash™ Gel Polish, up to 12 days with Green Flash™ Top Coat and up to 21 days with Xtrem Flash™ Top Coat. Simply apply a thin coat and cure it under an LED lamp. Let’s flash ⚡️
- With Green™ Nail Polish, use the Green™ Fortifying Base Coat. This latest version also features the patented KeraHCE+ technology to protect and strengthen nails while giving you a manicure fit for royalty for up to 7 days.
Key Points:
- The base coat protects the nail from moisture and pigments, and makes it easier to remove the polish.
- Always use a base coat from the same line as your nail polish; the formulas are designed to work together.
- With Green Flash™ semi-permanent nail polish: the Green Flash™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat, to be cured under an LED lamp.
- With classic Green™ nail polish: the Green™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat, for a 7-day manicure.
- Green Flash™ wear: up to 12 days with the Green Flash™ Top Coat, up to 21 days with the Xtrem Flash™ Top Coat.
When your base coat becomes nail care
KeraHCE+, an exclusive Manucurist innovation
The Green™ and Green Flash™ Fortifying Base Coats feature the exclusive KeraHCE+ technology, combining nail care with performance. This unique molecular complex delivers two complementary actions.
👉 It rebuilds the keratin fibres while stimulating natural keratin production.
👉 It provides effective protection against oxidative stress and dehydration.
The result: beneath your color, your nails regenerate deeply while you enjoy a stronger, shinier manicure that lasts even longer. In short, it is the perfect base coat nail polish.
Green™ and Green Flash™ Fortifying Base Coats help strengthen your nails beneath your color.
A treatment base coat for every nail type
When your nails feel tired or start showing signs of weakness, it is time to switch to a treatment base coat. Manucurist treatment base coats are packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, making them the perfect way to give fragile nails the care they deserve.
Because every nail is different, it is important to choose the treatment that best matches your needs. Our nail diagnosis will help you find the perfect formula for your nails
Need to repair damaged nails? You can rely on the S.O.S. Base Coat, the ultimate treatment for brittle, peeling or weakened nails damaged by harsh manicures. Its intensive formula, enriched with AHAs, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5 and Hexanal, restores and strengthens the nail plate. It gently exfoliates while stimulating cell renewal, rebuilding keratin fibres and regenerating the nail from deep within. After three weeks of use, fragile nails look visibly healthier and noticeably stronger.
Finally, for ridged nails, there is Active™ Smooth. Rather than being a traditional smoothing base coat, it is an all in one perfecting treatment polish that instantly blurs ridges and imperfections thanks to its formula enriched with castor fibres, Hexanal, AHAs and Vitamin E. Inspired by a CC cream, it enhances nails with a soft satin nude veil. Even better, Active™ Smooth is available in four shades, pink, beige, gold and bronze, so every skin tone can find the perfect match. We love it.
More than just the first step in your manicure, a base coat nail polish is a true essential. It protects and strengthens your nails while helping your manicure last longer. At Manucurist, every formula has been carefully developed to meet a specific nail need, combining naturally derived ingredients with high performance. So if you want healthy looking nails and a manicure that lasts, remember that every beautiful manicure starts with the right base 😉
To summarize:
- The patented KeraHCE+ technology combines hexanal, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
- It is featured in both the Green™ and Green Flash™ vitamin-enriched base coats.
- It strengthens keratin fibers and protects the nail from oxidative stress and dehydration.
- The result: stronger nails underneath your polish and a manicure that lasts longer.
- For brittle nails, Manucurist also offers targeted care base coats: Fortifying Base, S.O.S. Base, and Active™ Smooth.
