Tired of your manicure not lasting and chipping within days of applying polish? A good top coat can help your manicure look better for much longer! Top coat nail polishes help protect your nails and enhance the look of your polish. Some can even strengthen brittle nails in the process.
There are many different types of top coats to choose from, which is why we put together a handy buying guide to help you choose the right one for you! Our favorite is the Dry Fast Top Nail Coat from Seche Vite. It gives your nails a super shiny finish within minutes. Whether it's matte, glossy, quick-dry, or holographic, you're sure to find a new favorite in our top 10 list!
Quick List - Top Top Coat Nail Polishes
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Having a hard time trying to figure out which top coat is right for you? We've got you covered! Keep these points in mind to help you decide.
Top coats with a glossy finish give your nails a shiny look when dry. Those with a matte finish, however, go on glossy and dry down to a flat, matte finish. Which finish is completely up to you! Glossy finishes offer a classic look, while matte finishes offer a modern aesthetic.
If you’re looking for a salon-quality manicure, go for a top coat with a gel-like finish. These top coats are made to mimic the look of a gel manicure without the UV equipment. You can get beautiful nails without the time and money required for a traditional gel manicure.
There are also products made with glitter and shimmer in all shapes, sizes and color. If you want extra fun, try a holographic top coat to add dimension to your nail polish!
Quick-dry nail products allow you to paint your nails in less time. They are suitable for both those who paint nails professionally and for people simply don’t want to wait around for their nails to dry. If you need to paint your nails in a hurry, seek a product that promises a dry time of 10 minutes or less!
If you’re not particular about how quickly your manicure dries, you can focus on other attributes of a top coat that are more important to you.
Top coats often come with extra benefits that can help with common nail concerns. Strengthening top coats help make your manicure last while boosting weak or brittle nails. They usually contain plasticizers like nitrocellulose and ethyl acetate.
Nourishing top coats are usually made with oils, like argan oil, that help penetrate and protect your nails and nail polish. Oftentimes, top coats also double as base coats and can help protect your nail beds from discoloration.
Many nail polish products have been tested on animals. If that is an important issue to you, you can look for the Leaping Bunny certification symbol for cruelty-free products.
Some nail polishes also include ingredients from animals. Common examples are carmine, a pigment made from beetles, and guanine, a shimmer made from fish scales. If you prefer to only use vegan items, make sure to check the list of ingredients!
Nowadays, a lot of nail polish brands market their products as 7-free, 8-free, 9-free, and so on. These labels indicate the number of (potentially) toxic ingrdients that aren't in their products.
Common ingredients that brands choose to avoid are dibutyl phthalate (DBT), Toluene, and formaldehyde. Many consumers select products without these ingredients just to be on the safe side!
DBT is a plasticizer that helps increase wear and flexibility, but some studies have shown that it can have a negative effect on the reproductive system. Toluene is a solvent that's added to polishes to smooth the consistency. It has been reported to cause dizziness and nausea in some instances.
Formaldehyde is often used in products as a strengthener and nail hardener, but has been known to cause irritation and other sensitivities in some individuals.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat | ![]() | A Quick-Dry Top Coat Loved by Professionals | |
2 | Sally Hansen Dries Instantly Top Coat | ![]() | A High-Gloss, Long-Wear Fan Favorite | |
3 | Seche Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat | ![]() | For a Professional Gel Effect Without Salon Equipment | |
4 | Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat | ![]() | A Quick Solution for a Chip-Free Manicure | |
5 | Deborah Lippmann Hard Rock Nail Strengthening Top and Base Coat | ![]() | A Strengthening Top Coat That Doubles as a Base Coat | |
6 | CND Vinylux Long Wear Top Coat | ![]() | For the Longest-Lasting Manicure | |
7 | Pacifica 7 Free Top & Base Coat | ![]() | 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free Top Coat for Healthier Nails | |
8 | OPI Matte Top Coat | ![]() | Try a Different Look with This Fan-Favorite Matte Top Coat | |
9 | Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Treatment Top Coat | ![]() | Protect and Nourish Your Nails with This Argan Oil Formula | |
10 | INM Northern Lights Silver Hologram Top Coat | ![]() | Striking Holo Top Coat With Fast-Drying Finish |
This top coat is a cult favorite and for good reason! Its fast-drying, high-shine gloss is sure to bring any manicure to the next level within minutes. Plus, it's made in the USA and free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates!
Some reviewers, however, take issue with the fact that it contains toluene, an ingredient that some prefer to avoid due to possible health risks like skin irritation.
Users love that it's durable, easy to use, and easy to remove. Its quick dry time makes it an excellent choice for those on-the-go, and reviewers only needed a thin coat for great coverage.
This top coat is one of the highest-rated top coats on Amazon. It's a base coat, top coat, and strengthener all in one! This finishing polish dries quickly for those that don't have a lot of time to spend on their nails. It also helps that it's pretty affordable.
Reviewers say they love it because it's quick and easy to use. Some find the thick consistency to be difficult to work with. They also warn that it can smudge multicolor designs, but many others find that it keeps their single-color manicure chip-free for more than a week.
This top coat is popular among professionals and hobbyists alike for its salon-quality finish. If you want a gel manicure look without the UV lights, this top coat is for you!
Because of the toluene it contains, some have mentioned an unpleasant, paint thinner like smell upon application. One also said that though they had issues with the top coat peeling off easily, customer service was helpful in refunding her purchase.
However, we love that you can transform your nail art into a long-lasting, chip-free manicure in just minutes. Users like the high-gloss finish and that they can wear their polish longer without touchups.
Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Top Coat performs like a professional product at a fraction of the price. This glossy top coat works well with any type of polish, and the formula applies smoothly.
A few reviewers had issues with the formula thickening after they got about halfway through the bottle. Some also wish it was a little more chip-proof.
Overall, reviewers say that it dries almost instantly and that they're able to get back to their regular activities in less than ten minutes. Many say this is now their go-to top coat! They also love that their manicures don't chip or peel as quickly as other top coats.
If you're not careful, some nail polishes can discolor your nail beds. This strengthening top coat from Deborah Lippmann doubles as a base coat to keep your nails looking healthy and vibrant.
Users report that they have stronger nails and fewer chips, even after their first use. However, others say overuse can lead to your nails becoming brittle. Regardless, if you're looking for a quick fix for weak nails, this is the top coat for you! Plus, unlike other products, it's free from formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP.
If you want your manicure to last ten or more days, this is the top coat for you. CND's Vinylux Long Wear top coat keeps polish intact and provides a beautiful, glossy finish.
Plus, it has a wide brush for easier application, and it comes with vitamin E, keratin, and olive oil to give your nails some extra nutrition. However, some users mention that this product does take a little longer to dry.
Reviewers can't believe how long this stuff really lasts and some say it even improves the vibrance and beauty of their nail polish.
Calling all clean beauty lovers! Pacifica's 7 Free Top & Base Coat is a vegan and cruelty-free option that helps your manicure last and protects your nail beds. It's made without 7 chemicals that are often found in other nail products, making it a worry-free choice!
It's praised for its custom wide brush that makes application a breeze, though some say that if you use too much product, it tends to peel. Users also mentioned that it has helped keep their nails healthy and that they feel safe using a product free from potentially harmful ingredients.
If you're looking to change up your manicure, consider swapping a glossy nail for a matte one. OPI's Matte Top Coat seals in color with a smooth, flat finish. The brand's site says it looks especially wonderful over dark shades of polish.
A few reviewers had issues with their polish getting smudged when the top coat was applied, but overall, many reviewers say the results look professional!
Reviewers say that it lasts a surprisingly long time, given that matte top coats are porous and don't tend to hold up to their glossy counterparts. They love that it's easy to apply and dries relatively quickly.
If you're looking for a top coat that will protect and nourish your nails, look no further! Sally Hansen's Color Therapy is made with argan oil to keep cuticles soft and nails strong.
Some reviewers have mentioned that this product can lift color if you apply it before your nail polish is dry. But, users who work with their hands a lot have reported that this top coat has helped rescue their damaged nails and cuticles. It even stands up to hand sanitizer!
The INM Northern Lights Silver Holo Top Coat provides a fast-drying finish with a striking silver holographic effect. This top coat adds a shimmering layer to any nail polish, enhancing its overall look. Customers appreciate its quick-drying formula and the dazzling holographic shine, though some mention that it can be a bit thin and may require multiple coats for full coverage.
Looking to up your manicure game? Get professional-looking nails in the comfort of your own home with these highly-rated products!
No. 1: Seche Vite|Dry Fast Top Nail Coat
No. 2: Sally Hansen|Dries Instantly Top Coat
No. 3: Seche|Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat
No. 4: Sally Hansen|Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
No. 5: Deborah Lippmann|Hard Rock Nail Strengthening Top and Base Coat
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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