Winter is here. That means paying the utmost attention to your nails. This is where your polished nails begin to chip. Even their appearance becomes dull. How do you overcome this? The trick is investing in the best nail polish top coat nail polish to ensure a long-lasting manicure and protect the polish beneath from getting ruined.
A nail polish top coat can give your nails that dream shine and finished look, but how do you find the best top coat nail polish to prevent chipping in an oversaturated market? That’s where I come in.
Having been in your situation before, I went in search of top coats and discovered the 12 best products for nail polish.
Our Top Picks
Here are our best of best nail polish top coats that you will love too.
In The Article
What Are We Looking For
Top coats provide a durable finish to your mani and enhance its appearance, but each finish differs from one coat to the other. Depending on what you’re looking for, here’s a quick guide on how to choose the right nail polish top coat for you:
Finish
Top coats can come in high-shine, matte, or glitter. High-shine top coats provide a lustrous finish, adding a glossy shine to your nails. On the other hand, matte coats result in a velvety, non-reflective finish, unlike the high-shine coat. Glitter coats are similar to high-shine except that they contain glitter particles that add an intense sparkle to nail polish.
Drying Time
Fast-drying coats have their benefits. Their drying time is significantly reduced compared to other formulas. This makes them suitable for anyone on the go. Most top coats dry fast, but some have a faster drying time than others. Most coats dry to touch in 10 minutes and harden within 30 minutes. However, a fast-drying option will take significantly less time. This option doesn’t require a UV or LED light to cure.
Long Lasting
The main reason all of are rushing to nail salons and wasting money and damaging our nails are because our polishes just don’t last as long. So, we focused on trying these top coats for making our nail polish last longer.
Best Top Coat Nail Polish to Prevent Chipping Review
Most top coats aim to protect your nails from chipping. It is what the O.P.I Top Coat will do exactly. Not only will this clear top coat protect your nails, but it will also give them a polished look.
I used this product on my nails, and it didn’t wear out after a week. It gave my nail polish a thicker film that minimizes the chances of my nails chipping. It can make a nail polish look plump with a high-gloss finish.
Did I also mention its fast drying? You don’t need to worry about smudging your nail polish if you’re in a hurry. Just apply this top coat, and you’re good to go.
This top coat is stunning and will provide that high-gloss shine you want. It works well with any nail polish brand, giving you the desired flexibility. Highly recommended!
key Ingredients
- Ethyl acetate
- Butyl acetate
- Etocrylene
What We Like
- Love the high-gloss finish
- Protects nails from chipping
- Ensures long-lasting shine
- Dries fast
- Non-yellowing
What We Don't Like
- Consistency is a bit thicker.
Londontown Kur Gel Genius Top Coat
The best nail polish top coat can give you a pro-level finish, and if you’re looking for one, consider the Londontown Kur Gel Genius Top Coat. This cruelty and paraben-free product adds a finishing touch that strikes out any imperfection in the nail polish.
Formulated with Londontown’s proprietary kur care technology, this top coat transforms your nail polish into a shiny manicure. What I like most about this coat is its fast-drying ability and non-yellowing effect. The sunlight helps to set the polish, so the color stays pigmented even after a week.
You don’t need an expensive manicure at the salon if you have this top coat. Londontown’s Kur coat is just what you need to get that salon-quality finish.
Key Ingredients
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Butyl acetate
- Rapeseed seed oil
- Sucrose benzoate
What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Ultra-glossy and clear finish
- Vegan friendly
- Delivers a pro-level finish
What We Don't Like
- It’s a bit on the expensive side.
Hermes Les Mains Top Coat
The best top coat nail polish to prevent chipping extends the wear of your mani, ensuring you stay flawless. I didn’t expect the Hermes Les Mains Top Coat to do anything less. Putting this product on will prevent premature fading and provide an extra layer of protection to ensure longevity.
What sets the product apart from the rest is the gorgeous and long-lasting shine it produces. According to some users, this product lasts for days after application. It creates natural light for a mirror with, a curved-depth finish to enhance your appearance.
If you don’t mind spending and want to look chic, look no further than the Les Mains from Hermes. It’s the top coat you can trust.
Ingredients
- Butyl acetate
- Hydroxyethyl
- Acetyl tributyl citrate
What We Like
- Long-lasting shine
- Exotic and clear finish
- Extra protection against peeling
What We Don't Like
- It’s a bit pricey.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat
If you’re in for the quickest drying top coat, few beats Sally Hansen’s top coat. This product dries in under 30 seconds, according to the manufacturer. I tested it for a week, and it dried within a minute.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri isn’t only known for its fast drying ability. It hardens to provide adequate protection to your nail polish with its acrylic polymers. Your manicure stays fresh even after a week with the double U.V. filters.
I love how it glides on precisely, creating a beautiful and brilliant shine with the nail polish. With this top coat and nail polish, you don’t need to pay for extravagant manicures or pedicures.
Ingredients
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Vitamin E
- Lavender flower water
- Etocrylene
What We Like
- Glides on smoothly
- Dries quickly
- Great value for money
- Durable
What We Don't Like
- Only about ¾ of the bottle is used because it becomes too thick over time.
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat
Nail polish flakes when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, you need a top coat like the Essie Gel Couture to intensify your nail polish and make your mani pop.
I love this polish because of how it glides on the nail. One swipe gives your nails a polished matte finish that makes you fall in love with them. Also, it doesn’t clump like some top coats when applying it on top of nail polish.
Furthermore, it dries super quickly, so you don’t have to worry about messing up your polish. While most top coat brands recommend using their nail polish for the best result, Essie Gel Couture works with all nail polish.
This is a must-have if you’re looking beyond protecting your nail polish.
Ingredients
- Ethyl acetate
- Citric acid
- Tributyl citrate
What We Like
- It lasts long
- Glides smoothly
- Brings out the color of your nails
- It doesn’t clump.
What We Don't Like
- Sometimes, the top coat lifts the polish around the nails’ edges.
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat
No mani or pedi is complete without a smooth and durable top coat, but making sure you use the right one is crucial. With Seche Vite Top Coat, you have a quality top coat that ensures longevity and prevents chipping.
This clear coat penetrates the nail polish to form a solid coating for a flawless result and long-lasting finish. It strengthens nails and brings out a glossy finish that you will adore. Plus, it dries super fast, so you don’t need U.V. light to ensure it hardens quickly.
Furthermore, it seals the polish to prevent fading, so your nails stay fresh for several days. And if you’re a vegan advocate, you’re in luck because this product is 100% free from parabens and other harmful chemicals.
Ingredients
- Butyl acetate
- Dimethicone
- Isopropyl alcohol
What We Like
- Dries to perfection
- Made with 100% vegan ingredients
- Chip-resistant
- Long-lasting and retains nail polish color
What We Don't Like
- The smell is a bit too strong.
Revlon Top Coat Nail Polish
If you don’t only want the best top coat nail polish to prevent chipping but one to enhance aesthetic appeal, the Revlon Top Coat Nail Polish will do just that. This top coat provides a gorgeous matte finish you’d love.
Made of toxin-free ingredients, this top coat keeps your nails from chipping while keeping them healthy. I loved how my nails stayed sharper and more attractive after applying it. It didn’t smudge my nail polish because it sealed in color in 30 seconds.
Regarding longevity, rest assured your nails will stay fresh for up to three weeks. However, you must ensure your nails are cleaned, especially the beds, before applying it. You wouldn’t want the nail polish to open from there.
Ingredients
- Cellulose acetate butyrate
- Hydroxyethyl methacrylate
- Isobornyl acrylate
What We Like
- Quick and easy to apply
- Appears glossy and super shiny
- Durable
- Excellent for the price
What We Don't Like
- May cause an allergic reaction
Essie No Chips Ahead Top Coat
For nail art lovers, having an excellent top nail coat can enhance the shine of your nails. With Essie’s No Chips Ahead Top Coat, rest assured your nails will have salon-like results.
This top coat leaves you drooling over its glossy and non-fading finish. When I tested this, it glided on my nails effortlessly, and my nails looked so much better.
It doesn’t end there. It extends the wear of your nail polish, reducing the chances of applying repeatedly. And the drying time? You have no reason to complain because the top coat dries in no time.
Essie No Chips Ahead Top Coat also strengthens your nails to make them less susceptible to chipping. It is enriched with acrylic resin ingredients, which helps the top coat seal in color to protect your mani against peeling.
Ingredients
- Ethyl acetate
- Nitrocellulose
- Argania spinosa kernel oil
What We Like
- Quick-drying
- Long-lasting
- Produce great shine
- Glossy finish
What We Don't Like
- The content in the bottle gets thicker over time.
CND Vinylux Longwear Top Coat
CND Vinylux Longwear Top Coat creates a shield that protects your nail polish from chipping. It goes smoothly on nails and produces a beautiful shine.
The coat is a bit thicker than most top coats, but it does an amazing job, especially in strengthening the nails.
What I like about this top coat is how fast it dries and cures. It gets more durable with exposure to sunlight and provides a long-lasting wear.
It lasts longer than most top coats I’ve used. Although I noticed some scuffs after about two weeks, that’s not terrible at all. Because it cures quickly, it doesn’t smudge.
It’s vegan-friendly and free from harmful ingredients. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect any adverse skin reaction.
Ingredients
- Natural resins
- Isopropyl alcohol
What We Like
- Vegan-friendly and non-toxic
- Dries and cures quickly
- Produces a flawless finish
- Extends your nail polish’s wear
What We Don't Like
- Long wear may cause damage.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Top Coat And Base Coat
Deborah Lippmann is one of the best in brand out there. I have been using their nail polish and the top and base coats. The top coat is extremely smooth to apply and the color lasts unto 2 weeks.
The top coat liquid is neither too watery not too thick. So, it makes just the right amount of thickness when you apply on your color for long lasting finish.
The bottle also lasts you like forever, so even if its on the expensive side, its well worth the money. Usually the base coat and top coat is sold together, and I suggest using them together for the best result.
Ingredients
- Ethyl acetate
- Nitrocellulose
- Camphor
- Isopropyl alcohol
What We Like
- Vegan and Cruelty free
- Polish lasts more than a week.
- Quick drying
- Gives your nails a glossy shine
What We Don't Like
- Don’t use under fans, it dries and hardens pretty fast.
- Expensive
Essie Good to Go Top Coat
Sometimes, smoothing out imperfections can be a little tricky, and they can make your nails look ugly. With the Essie Good to Go Top Coat, you can smoothen out those streaks and give your nails a high gloss, flawless finish.
Probably one of the best value top coats in the market, this Top Coat is a chip-resistant coat that will seal your nail polish and extend the wear. It dries in no time and lasts pretty well.
I love the fact that it’s not tacky. The smell is also nice. It’s not as offensive as some you’d find in the market.
Ingredients
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Ethyl acetate
What We Like
- Lasts long on nails
- Good consistency
- High gloss, clear finish
- Excellent value
What We Don't Like
- You need to reapply often to extend the polish.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat
The best top coat nail polish to prevent chipping allows you to indulge in nail art sessions without sweating. It is what the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat will do. You don’t need to visit a salon frequently for a mani when you have this.
This nail coat will give your nails a shiny finish and protect the polish against peeling. Sally Hansen claims the top coat can last for eight days. The miracle gel coat dries immediately, making it perfect for people on the go.
Ingredients
- Butyl acetate
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Triphenyl phosphate
What We Like
- Lovely finish
- Straightforward to apply
- Dries instantly
What We Don't Like
- Application dries out which gets stuck in the mouth and the mound comes with the applicator.
Frequently Asked Questions
When choosing a top coat nail polish to prevent chipping, consider the formula’s durability, drying time, and compatibility with your base coat and nail polish. Look for products that offer long-lasting protection and fast drying to save time.
To extend the lifespan of your top coat nail polish, apply thin, even layers and seal the edges of your nails to prevent premature chipping. Additionally, reapplying a fresh top coat every few days can help maintain the protective barrier and prevent chipping.
For optimal results, wait until your colored nail polish is completely dry before applying the top coat. Gently glide the brush over the nail without applying too much pressure to avoid smudging the color underneath. Finish with a cap seal to further protect the edges.
While many top coat nail polishes are designed to be versatile, it’s ideal to choose a top coat from the same brand as your nail polish for maximum compatibility. This can help ensure that the products work seamlessly together to prevent chipping and enhance the overall finish of your manicure.
But You can actually use Sally Hansen Miracle gel Top Coat on most nail polish brands. This is tried and test by Pink April Diary Editor in chief.
For more on nail care , please read:
- How to fix dry cuticles
- How to do gel nails at home
- How to remove gel nails without acetone
- Best classy nail ideas
