Experts Confirm: Nail Polish Lasts Way Longer With These Base Coats (2025)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, this affordable two-in-one formula from Sally Hansen is a great option. This small but mighty bottle will help your nails look like a pro did ‘em. The thick formula smooths the nail plate, grips colored polish (hello, longevity), and even serves as a glossy top coat. Best of all: This fast-drying formula is made for multitaskers and busy people on the go, so you’ll notice fewer chips without added time spent doing your nails.

Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No

Essie’s aptly named Strong Start base coat does just that—it gives your manicure the best chance to last for days. This strengthening base coat is infused with biotin, creating the ideal base for your manicure. It also helps nails resist peeling, chipping, and breakage. Not only does this accomplish the short-term goal of a sleek at-home mani, but it can also help strengthen nails over time.

Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Translucent white | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As far as base coats go, this price tag is no joke. But if you’re looking to treat yourself to a luxury product, the Hermes Enamel Base Coat won’t disappoint. It checks all the boxes, from beautiful packaging (yes, it comes in a little orange box!) to a smoothing and protective formula that promises to make your manicure last. Additionally, it features a translucent white finish (unlike most base coats) that enhances the appearance of the natural nail—some reviewers even mentioned they would wear it on its own due to its striking beauty.

Size: 0.4 oz | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for a nail primer to help fill in ridges, Butter London has the base coat for you. It layers on a protective shield that smooths the nail's surface, making it easier to apply polish. The formula also deposits a matte finish that prevents chipping. Inside the formula, you'll find horsetail extract (to help nails grow) and hydrolyzed silk (for that super sleek look). It also dries quickly, which is always a plus in our book.

Size: 0.4 oz | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you find your nails to be particularly weak or brittle, it’s time to book a flight to Londontown. The Kur dual-action base coat fortifies and primes your nails for a smooth polish application. Formulated with biotin, antioxidants, and vitamins, this formula will help strengthen weak nails on top of a cute at-home mani. We can’t get enough of this base coat, as it keeps manicures as fresh and chip-free as they are on the first day of application.

Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Ten Over Ten strengthening base coat is formulated to specifically prolong polish adhesion and prevent cracks thanks to its shiny ridge-filling benefits. Formulated with horsetail leaf extract to help fortify brittle nails and vitamin E to nourish, it’s no wonder that this is a beloved base coat. Tip: Use as a base coat (you can layer up to two coats of regular polish on top), or apply it alone for a targeted treatment. And since the formula deposits a muted-pink color, it’ll look like you have a shiny, put-together nude manicure.

Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Highly pigmented nail polishes are beautiful and vibrant, but they can stain nails if you don’t protect them. To keep that dreaded yellow tint at bay, OPI is here to help. Simply apply a coat before your next mani, and it’ll help fend off any discoloration from forming. Plus, it offers a nice adhesive foundation for polish to stick to. (Bye, chips!) We also love that it dries quickly, so you won’t have to wait long before going in with your color polish.

FAQ

• Why use a base coat with regular polish?

  A base coat can truly make a difference in getting a more professional-looking manicure at home. “One must use a base coat with regular polish to provide better adhesion to the nail so that the polish will last longer,” shares Dr. Valenty. Casto says a good base coat can also help smooth imperfections, like ridged nails, to create a better base before applying regular polish.

• Can you use a base coat as a top coat?

  Some two-in-one formulas are available; however, base coats and top coats are generally intended to serve different purposes. “Typically, top coats do not have good adhesion to the nail but must have hardness with a durable, glossy finish,” says Dr. Valenty. “An ideal base coat has strong adhesion to the nail and, if necessary, can fill in ridges or strengthen the nail for polish.” If you want to make at-home manis a consistent part of your beauty routine, it’s best to shop for these formulas separately.

• How long should you leave on a base coat before applying nail polish?

  Casto says allowing two minutes for dry time after you finish applying a base coat to your second hand is a good idea. She shares that most base coats are designed to dry quickly, but the time may vary between brands. Dr. Valenty adds, “Applying the polish when the base coat is still wet will slow the solvent evaporation from the base coat and could lead to bubbles forming on the top layer.” Resist the urge to race through the process and allow proper drying time.