Alternate or Substitute of Top Coat and Base Coat

There’s an unconventional approach that a top coat can serve as a base coat, while a base coat can also work as a top coat.

However, the top coats and base coats are different things when it comes to their functionality.

The base coat is a softer and stickier adhesive that bonds with the natural nail. In contrast, the Top coat is a harder and glossier substance with the purpose to seal the regular polish in place.

If you use the incorrect coating, you won’t get the same level of performance as if you applied the correct one.

Sometimes, using the incorrect coat can reduce your manicure’s lifespan and make it more prone to peeling and chipping.

Related Article: How to use and apply Nail Primer

What Can I Use Instead of a Top Coat

Though it’s best to use a top coat to seal your nail polish and extend the wear time, here are a few top coat alternatives that can be used if you do not have access to a top coat.

Top coat spray
cuticle oil
clear nail polish
hair spray
petroleum jelly

Let’s discuss them in detail.

1. Use Top Coat Spray

If you don’t want to use a top coat, fast-drying top coat sprays are the best alternate option. They will speed up the drying process and give your nail polish a more gleaming finish, similar to a top coat. Fast-drying top coats are ideal if you or your clients are in a hurry.

However, the disadvantage of these sprays is that they provide less long-term protection for your manicure than top coats in their regular form.

Fast Drying Top Coat Spray

OPI RapiDry Nail Polish Dryer

Developed with best anti-stain technology
Fast dry formula that dries nail polish to give a smooth smudge free glossy look

Check Price

2. Cuticle oil

For maximum gloss, cuticle oil can be used as an alternate top coat.

Start by Applying a small amount of cuticle oil to your nails.

Then buff them away using a high-quality finest and apply cuticle oil again.

Cuticle oil is basically a treatment for your cuticles and nails to keep them hydrated and protect them from dryness or damage. However, you can use it to provide extra protection and get more days between manicures.

Modelones 4Pcs set

Gel Base & Top Coat and Nail Primer Set with Cuticle Oil

Best quality Base and Topcoat
Nail Primer to provide optimum smoothness
One cuticle oil for nail nourishment
Healthy and no-lifting top and base gel
Goes well with any Brand

Check Price

3. Clear Nail Polish

If you have clear nail polish, you can use it as an alternative to top coat. Only a thin layer of clear nail polish can help to seal the nail polish and get a glossy finish.

Make sure to use a very thin layer on your nails. Otherwise, a thick layer can smudge and ruin your nails look.

4. Hair Spray

If a top coat isn’t at hand, try using Hair spray. It’s a super handy substitute to top coat that quickly dries nail polish harder. Hold the bottle about 10 inches away and spray a light mist over your nails.

5. Petroleum Jelly

Believe it or not, Petroleum jelly can be used as a homemade top coat nail polish hack. Though it’s not the best substitute for a professional top coat, it can protect and act as a barrier to moisture in your freshly painted nails.

Apply a small amount of jelly around the edges, then gently rub on your nails to prevent smudging and chipping.

What can I use instead of a Base Coat?

The best thing you can use as a substitute for a base coat is using clear nail polish that instantly provides a transparent and polished look. Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish to get a flawless look.

But remember, the purpose of a Base coat is to provide an extra protective layer over your natural nails from stains.

First, it helps the nail paint to spread out evenly.

Next, It also smooths out the edges and keeps nails hard so they won’t chip while applying the nail polish.

A Good base coat will protect your nails from pigments of colored polish. However, if you do not have access to the base coat, try using these alternatives of base coats for polygel.

White Solid Color nail Polish

Clear White Coat

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat

Top coat in clear white form
Alcohol free, glossy finish

check price

A white solid color nail polish can be a great substitute for a base coat. Because if you want to highlight the colour of your nail polish, it’ll keep your nails’ natural hue from showing.

Though it’s technically possible to apply white solid color nail polish as an alternative to a base coat, it’s not as effective as any professional base coat. It can be used as a color-correcting base for pure or pastel shades but cannot provide the best results as any traditional base coat.

The base coat is specially designed to improve nail adhesiveness, prevent staining and create a clear base for the nail polish.

A Good base coat may contain some extra ingredients to strengthen the natural nails, which the white color polish may lack.

So, if you want to try the white color polish as a base coat substitute, remember that it won’t provide the protection and longevity as an original base coat.

What can I use as a dip powder base coat substitute?

There are a few options that you can consider as dip powder base coat alternatives; the options can provide a great level of adhesion and longevity as the actual base coat for dip nails and can be a great help for dip powder manicures.

Clear Nail Polish: you can provide a solid base coat using high-quality, clear nail paint. Remember, the Dip powder should be applied only after each coat has dried completely.
Gel Base Coat: Instead of a dip powder base coat, you can use a gel base coat as a substitute. Apply a thin layer of gel base coat, cure it under a UV or LED lamp according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then proceed with the dip powder application.
Nail Primer: nail primers are commonly used for acrylic nail adhesion; apply a thin layer of nail primer to your natural nail, let it dry a bit, and then apply dip powder application.

Clear or Transparent Nail Polish

Using clear or transparent nail polish as a base coat is a common practice and an easy alternative to any standard base coat. Clear paint polish can act as a protective barrier between nail paints and natural nails and helps prevent stains.

Remember to apply a thin and consistent coat of clear nail polish to obtain a polished appearance, leaving a space between the polish and your cuticles at both ends of your nails. And make sure it’s completely dried before applying nail polish.

Can you paint nails without top coat?

Yes, it can be done, but not recommended by experts. A top coat is a protective layer over your natural nails, making your nail polish last longer without chipping. If you avoid using a top coat altogether, it’ll affect the longevity of your manicure.

Can I skip top coat?

Skipping the top coat means skipping a protective shield on your nails, which will affect the appearance and wear. It allows the polish to stick to the nail and gives the polished nails a uniform surface.

Can I use a top coat as a base coat?

While the top coat and base coat look alike, both have been designed differently. Therefore, the experts don’t recommend using a top coat as base coat though they both use similar materials, however, in different proportions. For instance, a base coat would contain more plasticizers and sticky resins, whereas a topcoat would include more film formers.

Conversely, using a top coat as a base coat isn’t recommended because it’s thicker, takes longer to dry, and lacks the properties of a basecoat to hinder the oils from your natural nails fully.

Should I use a nail polish remover before applying Base coat?

Yes, you can use nail polish remover before a base coat, as both work together to prepare your nails for the next manicure.

Can I apply gel polish without a base coat?

Base coats are essential for a long manicure. Applying a thinner basecoat should be done with gel polish. The base coat also helps the gel polish remain on the nail to avoid premature shedding. or you can also apply a nail primer before gel polish if you do not having a base coat as a substitute.

Is there any 2 in 1 base and top coat available for nail polishes?

As a professional, I don’t endorse any specific brands, but it’s quite certain that 2-in-1 base and top coat products aren’t hard to find in the market.

However, considering the functionalities of both top and base coats, the base coat tends to be softer and stickier, allowing it to bond with the nail properly.

In contrast, the top coats are bit harder and glossier than base coats and act as a protective barrier on nail polishes.

Combining them both in a single product might result in compromising on any of their individual properties

Is the top coat and Clear polish the same?

The top coat and clear polish may look the same but are differently formulated. The top coat is chemically composed to provide superior shine, protection, and longevity to a manicure, In contrast, clear nail polish is a basic transparent polish with minimal additional features.

Are the top coat and base coat the same?

Base coat and top coats serve different purposes and have different textures. Base coat come in thicker and sticker-density that help the nail polish stick better with the nails; they also have an extra quantity of resin to strengthen nails. Whereas the top coat’s function is to provide a protective shield to the nail polish, they come in thinner consistency to maintain a smoother and durable layer on top of the nails.

Other Articles: What is Rubber Base Gel?

Alternate or Substitute of Top Coat and Base Coat