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Glossy, chip-free nails await.
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It perfectly seals your nails with an LED lamp for a long-lasting mani.
Top coats help your nails last longer and look freshly done, she adds.
Theres no shortage of top coats, which can make finding the right one overwhelming.
PHOTO: JcPenny
Luckily, Byrdie editors are no strangers to DIY manicures.
With the help of our team and professional nail experts, wetestedtop coats on our own nails.
Your nails will be dry before you even finish polishing the last fingerits seriously fast, says Santos.
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Its unique formulation truly sets this top coat apart.
Glossy, chip-free nails that last?
Remember to apply sparingly; as Santos notes, it can become thick if overused.
PHOTO: Amazon
Alyssa Kaplan, associate editor:This is the best top coat I’ve ever used.
It’s ultra-glossy and dries quickly.
Its dry to the touch in about 45 seconds.
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This quick-dry formula fully dries in five minutes, ensuring your newly manicured nails stay flawless.
Plus, the other three steps help establish great nail care habits.
This system is great for anyone with no patience for hour-long drying.
PHOTO: Target
Yes, there are four steps total, but the top coat dries in a snap.
Luckily, Essie Gel Couture Top Coat comes to the rescue.
It’s super shiny, looks just like real UV-cured gel, and lasts forever.
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Chip-resistant and long-lasting, this pick has it all down.
Plus, we love that its easy to remove with your standardnail polish remover.
Just be sure to allot enough time, as this pick isnt the quickest drying.
PHOTO: Amazon
Amanda Rosenthal, writer:It has completely changed the game for me.
My nails feel stronger and look extra lacquered and glossy.
Plus, it extends my regular manicures, sealing them in for the long haul.
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The gel-like finish gives me everything I am used to with my old gel manicures.
It smooths, adds a glossy shine, and sets your nails with a beautiful, flawless finish.
Shauna Beni-Hayes, senior editor:My favorite quality of this top coat is its glossy, shiny finish.
PHOTO: Beyond Polish
One swipe will give any nail color an ultra-shiny top finish that looks pretty and neat.
A top coat is the last step in your nail painting process.
Top coats provide a protective layer for your nail polish.
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This protection prevents polish from chipping and peeling, Haye says.
I would say yesa top coat is necessary if you want your nails to last.
Base coatsand top coats serve their own and different purposes.
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Most do not understand the difference between the two.
Prep for the nail surface using a base coat.
The top coat serves as a protection layer over the nail polish, Haye says.
She looks for top coats that give her nails that glossy, lacquered look to emulate a salon-style manicure.
She also looks for formulas that extend the wear of the polish and prevent chipping.
