Have you ever spent ages painting your own nails, only for them to lose their luster and chip within a day? Or, worse, have you paid to get your nails done somewhere and faced the same less-than-stellar results? Hey, we’ve all been there and there’s no doubt about it — it’s frustrating. Thankfully, it’s an easily-avoidable situation. The trick? Using the right nail polish top coat.
“Top coat finishes the manicure and helps make it last longer, giving it that finished look, and also adds a protective layer to the nail,” says celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, whose clients include Selena Gomez, Madelyn Cline, and Anya Taylor Joy. While many polishes today claim to be 3-in-1 formulas with base and top coats built in, Kandalec says to skip this shortcut if you’re serious about a long-lasting mani or keeping the color vibrant, since more ingredients within a formula equals a more diluted (read: less effective) polish. But there are a variety of truly great top coats, says Kandalec: “Some top coats offer a thicker barrier for a gel manicure look, while others are strengthening or have non-yellowing elements.”
Best Overall
Amazon
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Because the polish is very thick, it’s easy to apply too much, which can lead to clumpy results.
The OPI Plumping Top Coat is a cult favorite among professional nail artists and everyday nail art lovers alike. After all, choosing a trendy manicure design or style only to have it chip the next day is one of the biggest beauty bummers. The volumizing formula is designed to provide a thick protective coat and dry quickly for a high-shine, gel-like finish. According to celebrity manicurist Natalie Minerva, whose clients include Pamela Anderson, Demi Lovato, and Addison Rae, it’s the best top coat for making your nails look professionally painted.
When brushing this on your nails be sure to do so sparingly. The polish is very thick, and applying too much can make nails look congealed. To avoid this, dab the excess off the brush before painting it on.
Size: 15 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: 9-free
Best Budget
Target
Olive & June Super Glossy Top Coat is my personal favorite top coat on the market. The high-shine polish comes with a wide brush that makes applying it easier than ever. It never smears my polish or nail art underneath, and it’s made my DIY manis last longer than any other top coat I’ve personally tried.
While I’ve never experienced this, it’s worth noting that the shine-level may dull over time.
Size: 14 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, 15-free
Best Splurge
Dior
If you don’t mind spending more on luxury nail polish brands, this top coat will be your new obsession. Minerva adores the Dior Vernis Cosmic Top Coat, which she considers to be “nail art in a bottle.” The limited edition top coat is filled with shimmering champagne flecks that actually enhance a milky white mani, or another rich primary color, when worn over top, and adds an ethereal quality when worn alone. As you can tell from the photo, this top coat isn’t clear, so if you’re looking for something a bit more glassy you should skip this pick.
Size: 10 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: 5-free
Best Quick Dry
JcPenny
Kandalec, Minerva, and nail artist Amy Le agree that when it comes to quick-drying top coats, nothing compares to the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. “This dries super fast, and it doesn’t smudge nail art, which is important especially when you’re doing hand-painted art,” Kandalec says.
In addition to its quick-drying benefits, Minerva applauds this top coat for its thick formula. “This makes it great for encapsulating heavy art,” she says. Meanwhile, Le can’t get over how shiny it makes nails look. “I love how this keeps your nails looking shiny over time — it’s an all time favorite of mine,” she says.
When it comes to any quick-drying top coats, Kandalec emphasizes the importance of wrapping your edges while applying. “Quick-drying top coats sometimes shrink because they dry so fast,” she explains. “Seche Vite shrinks when dry, so you have to cap the free edge [of your nail] so it doesn’t shrink away from the polish. This gives the [manicure] better protection and better wear.”
Size: 14 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, cruelty-free
Best Chip-Resistant
Amazon
CND is well known for its UV-cured gel polishes, but according to Le, the Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat works especially well on regular polish. So well, in fact, that she says it “dries to a flawless finish.” Once dry, you can expect for nails to remain chip-free and shiny as can be for at least a week, which is why Kandalec is also a fan. “It dries fast, too,” she says.
If you have brittle, damaged nails, though, it’s possible that this can make that issue worse because the formula can be drying. To combat this, smooth a cuticle oil onto your nails each night to keep the area well moisturized.
Size: 15 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: 7-free
Best Matte
Amazon
According to Minerva, the OPI Matte Top Coat is a must for anyone looking to rock long-lasting matte nails. “Rather than having [shiny nails], playing around with matte top coats can be really fun — and OPI has a great one,” she exclaims. One coat is all you need for a high-fashion matte manicure.
While thousands of shoppers swear by this top coat, some do report that the finish becomes chalky after a few days of wear. This is more likely to happen if the polish isn’t stored properly, so be sure to keep it in a cool, dry place to avoid this mishap.
Size: 15 mL | Finish: Matte | Formula: 9-free
Best Gloss
Lights Lacquer
While many high-shine top coats exist, Kandalec swears by the Lights Lacquer Totally Gelly top coat, which is designed to have a plumping effect. “I love that this is a super glossy gel-like finish for that super high-end gel mani look at home — without the use of a lamp,” she shares.
Size: 13 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Cruelty-free, vegan, 12-free
Best Drugstore
Amazon
Designed to keep nails shiny and protected for up to eight days, the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat is a favorite among editors, artists, and nearly everyone else who loves a manicure. “I love the gel-like finish for long-lasting wear,” says nail artist Hannah Lee.
The only downside of this drugstore staple is that it can disrupt polish underneath. We recommend using it only on solid color manicures rather than overtop nail art — because watching your meticulously painted art smudge would be devastating.
Size: 15 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: 3-free
Best Gel Dupe
Target
Le, who is known for her beautiful nail art, recommends the essie Gel Couture Top Coat for ultra long-lasting gel-like durability and shine. “This top coat will make your manicure lasts for up to 14 days, basically equivalent to a salon gel manicure,” she marvels. “You don’t need a UV lamp and you can remove it like regular polish. It’s a game changer!”
While you can use it over any polish, you’ll get the best results when you use essie Gel Couture Polish, so you may need to shell out some extra money for a long-lasting at-home mani.
Size: 14 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, 8-free
Best Strengthening
Sephora
If you have weak, brittle nails, Le recommends NAILS INC. Retinol 45 Second Top Coat, which she assures us does, in fact, dry within 45 seconds. “It’s powered by hardening retinol, which is great for weak nails,” she adds.
To ensure it delivers the best results, it’s important to wrap your edges. After all, as a quick-drying polish, the formula shrinks down, which can lead it to peel and chip more quickly.
Size: 14 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, cruelty-free, 21-free
Best 2-in-1
Amazon
If you don’t want to spring for a base coat and a top coat, Lee says that Sally Hansen Double Duty Base and Top Coat is a great option. “This is a long-time favorite because it’s a base coat and top coat in one — it has great drying time and gives you a nice chip-free manicure,” she exclaims.
Though some shoppers claim that it bubbles, there’s an easy way to prevent that: For best results, wipe off excess product on the edge of the bottle. That way you can apply in thin layers, avoiding bubbling in the process.
Size: 13 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Contains vitamin B5, panthenol, and nylon fibers
Best Long-Lasting
Amazon
Essie has a wealth of high-quality nail polishes and top coats. According to Kandalec and celebrity manicurist Rita Remark, Essie Gel-Setter is hard to beat in terms of longevity.
“This is my all-time favorite,” Remark shares. “It’s super glossy and ideal for adding a gel-like finish to your mani. It’s also incredible for encapsulating nail art without smearing it.” Plus, it’s made with an anti-chip formula that’s designed to shield nails and enhance longevity with just one coat. Just make sure you allow adequate time for it to fully dry (around 15 minutes) otherwise smudges and dents can appear.
Size: 13.5 mL | Finish: Glossy | Formula: 8-free, vegan
What to Keep in Mind
- Finish: The finish of the top coat you choose will determine the overall finish of your manicure. So, it should go without saying, but if you want a glossy manicure, don’t opt for a matte finish (which are harder to find, anyway) and vice versa.
- Certifications: Top coats can carry a number of certifications, including vegan, cruelty-free, five-, seven-, eight-, 15-, and 21-free. Where vegan formulas are made without any animal byproducts and cruelty-free formulas are made without harming any animals, five-, seven-, eight-, 15-, and 21-free formulas refer to being made without common nail polish toxins, like ibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and/or xylene. Ultimately, these ‘free’ formulas are better for your nails.
Your Questions, Answered
Do I need a top coat for nail polish?
TL;DR: Yes.
For starters, Kandalec says that top coats speed up overall manicure drying time. Beyond that, Minerva says that, “Top coat is essential to a long-lasting manicure. Not only does it help it last longer by encapsulating the color, but it provides a glossy outer coating that’s critical to finishing a nail look. Your manicure will lose its longevity if you do not add top coat.”
What does top coat do for your nails?
In addition to making your nails look extra shiny, Minerva says that top coats are protective. “It creates a barrier between the nail color and your daily activities, helping to prevent chipping,” she explains.
Is top coat healthy for nails?
Generally speaking, yes. For the healthiest top coats for your nails, look for formulas free of common toxins, like ibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and/or xylene. A simple way to do so is to look for five-, seven-, and eight-free certifications (though, some polishes nix even more questionable ingredients).
Is top coat the same thing as a clear coat for nail polish?
No. Clear nail polish could just as easily be a base coat or strengthening treatment. “Most base coats are clear as well but tend to have a bit more of a rubberized finish for the color to lay on the nails more durably; they also have less sheen,” Minerva says. “Top coats are typically thicker and also have a high gloss finish.”
That said, it’s important to look for formulas specifically marketed as top coats. “Clear coat can be worn alone and is meant to compliment the natural nail; it’s not formulated to protect against chips and peeling,” Lee says. “Top coat, on the other hand, is formulated to protect the nail color from chips, peeling, and fading so you can achieve a long-lasting mani.”
Why Shop With Us
Rebecca Norris has covered beauty for nearly 10 years. For this story, she chatted with celebrity manicurists Julie Kandalec, Rita Remark, and Natalie Minerva, as well as nail artists Hannah Lee and Amy Le, to determine the best nail polish top coats of 2024. In doing so, she was able to determine what makes a high-quality top coat, and which are worthy of getting added to your nailcare routine.
