Product Spotlight

5 Reasons You Should be Using a Base Coat

Hey OPI Obsessed, today we’re getting down to base-ics, with a refresh on all things base coats. (See what we did there?)

Is a base coat necessary for nail polish? Of course! Read on to find out more about base coat nail polishes, and some tips to ensure your mani stays on point with a round-up of 5 reasons you should be using them. 

SHOP TOP AND BASE COATS

Using a base coat nail polish actually extends wear:

Proper application of all steps is key to making nail polish last. Be sure to start with properly prepped nails and apply 1 even coat of base coat to start, for OPI Nail Lacquer application start with OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, and for OPI Infinite Shine application start with OPI Infinite Shine Primer-- this will allow additional color application layers to have optimum sticking power and ensures less chipping! Because no one likes a chipped mani.

Base coat nail polishes help to prevent staining:

Base coat nail polishes in general help prevent any staining that might occur, especially from darker nail polish shades, but certain base coats work a little extra when it comes to stain fighting. Our OPI Infinite Shine Treatment Primers are like a base coat nail polish and treatment in one! These nutrient-rich formulas like the OPI Infinite Shine Brightening Primer contain antioxidant-rich lotus flower oil and bamboo extract to help brighten nails that may already be stained and helps to prevent future staining from happening.

What is the difference between nail primer and base coat?

A true nail primer is a product that creates cross-linking adhesion and is typically found in professional product systems like acrylics for example. The acrylic product becomes ‘bonded’ with the nail primer to help provide stronger sticking power to the natural nail.

What is the difference between base coat and top coat nail polish?

Top coats like OPI Top Coat and OPI Infinite Shine Gloss are the keys to high-shine manicures. They keep color true during normal wear and ensure manicures are long-lasting.

Using a base coat nail polish can provide added strength:

Weak nails are no match for OPI Nail Envy or OPI Natural Nail Strengthener, use these in place of your regular base coat nail polish for a little extra support. The hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium in OPI Nail Envy work together to provide harder, stronger, and longer natural nails, and Natural Nail Strengthener works by building in layers of added strength and support where needed.

Base coat nail polishes can help smooth out nail surfaces:

We mentioned our OPI Infinite Shine Brightening Primer earlier, but we can’t stop there! These magical treatment primers do wonders, especially when it comes to nail ridges. Nail ridges are usually harmless and can be a sign of vitamin deficiencies (like vitamin A, B-12, protein, calcium, iron, or zinc). Another cause could be Onychorrhexis, a longitudinal ridging that can result in splits (similar to split ends in hair) at the free edge.

The OPI Infinite Shine Ridge Filler Primer helps condition and smooth the nail surface prior to Infinite Shine color application.

Use of a base coat helps to achieve full color coverage:

Thanks to all of the amazing benefits mentioned above like stain prevention, increased strength and smoothness for example, as a whole, base coat nail polishes truly are the key to allowing your nail polish’s true color to shine through

Be sure to follow any color application with a final step of top coat nail polish.