Beauty & Style
Do you really need a base coat for your nails?
If you’ve ever done your nails and debated skipping the base coat, you’re not alone. Applying a base coat can seem like an unnecessary and annoying step, especially when you need results and quickly. While it may seem like a time consuming pain to apply, including a base coat of nail polish to your DIY manicure is one of the best ways to ensure a good result. Think of it like the foundation for a house. You can’t create anything with a shaky foundation. Here are three other reasons why applying a base coat has its benefits.
- It’ll make your manicure last longer – Think of a base coat as double sided tape for your nails. These nifty products contain special chemicals to give them “stick”. This allows them to adhere to the nail below and above the polish to help prolong your manicure. Without this sticky surface for the pigment, your colour would end up chipping very quickly (as we are sure you’ve experienced!)
- It’ll prevent stains – If you’re partial to bright shades, you may have experienced the less than appealing shade of yellow they leave behind on your nail. This is due to the chemical reaction that sometimes occurs between the ingredients in your polish and your nail beds. A base coat is your best defence against staining.
- They can actually improve your nails – Gone are the days when a base coat was ‘just’ a base coat. These days, you can choose a base that suits the needs of your nails. From extra moisturising properties to ridge fillers, there’s a product on the market to help improve your talons. One thing to avoid is products that market themselves as “nail hardeners” as they usually contain formaldehyde which is best avoided.