| Top Coat | Nail Serum |
|---|---|
| It adds shine and vibrancy into your nail care routine — It provides a protective barrier to the nail polish. It seals the nail polished color and makes the nail polished drying process faster. | It acts as a safety barrier between nail polish and nails. It makes nail’s surface smooth and even for nail polish — Also strengths nails by reducing the risk of peeling, chipping, and staining. |
As usual, nails are a tiny part of our body. But when it comes to our health, beauty, and flawless look these play a crucial role in this world. Then for getting attention and looking fantastic over others we start to pay heed to our nail’s care. And this urge is mostly raised in the women whether Only Women!😜
For nail care we used as many answers as we can! But a large number of women don’t properly care for nails or use products without distinguishing between Top coat and Nail Serum. So, they cannot fulfill their desire and lose their heart in the world of beauty!
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To solve this major problem, this article offers a clear difference between both. Not only this but also guides to use the full formula of Manicure and which top coats and nail serums are best for you and from which you should avoid.
My Event About Nail Care: Enjoy Plus Learning
As a lead dermatologist, I enjoy sitting in the company of dermatologists. My Ideal person Dr. Dana Stern (Nail Care specialist and Dermatologist) arranged an event about nail care routine in which I was invited as a Chief Guest.
On this Occasion, she gave a comprehensive lecture about nail care, especially top coat and nail serum and all about it. Plus she shared with us a chronic issue of nails (nail fungus).
What she said about top coat and nail serum and their difference? Let me tell you!
( Here a brief summary of Dr. Dana Stern about Nail Care Routine is shared! )
What is a Nail Serum (Base Coat)?
Nail serum is a base product of your nail care manicure. Usually, it’s not shown when the top coat and colored polish process on your nails is complete but it reacts as a Grandma! 🥸 Means it acts as a safety barrier B\W nail and colored polish. It’s applied on your nail before colored polish to make your nail’s surface smooth and even for colored polish. It provides following benefits to nails:
- Strengths your nails
- Prevents nails to staining
- Reduce the risk of chipping and peeling
- Takes care of your nail’s health
- Offer long-lasting Manicure
What is a Top Coat?
Top coat is the Super Hero of Nail Care World. Without this, the story of Nail care journey is lonely. It’s referred to as a final coat in the nail care routine. It’s a glossy and radiant polish which adds a glance in the appearance of your nails — it keeps your manicure long-time due to having the following properties:
- Prevents your nail polish from peeling, chipping, and fading.
- Helps in Colored polish’s drying process.
- Promote the nail color’s vibrancy.
- Provides Glossy and sparkling touch to your nails.
After a long explanation about it, she tells a huge and clear difference between both of them.
Whats the difference between Top Coat and Nail Serum?
Which things distinguish between Nail Serum and Top Coat? Here’s a comprehensive guide is given:
- Purpose:
| Nail Serum | Top coat |
|---|---|
| It acts as a safety barrier between nail polish and nails. It makes the nail’s surface smooth and even for nail polish —- Also strengthens nails by reducing the risk of peeling, chipping, and staining. | It adds shine and vibrancy into your nail care routine — It provides a protective barrier to the nail polish. It seals the nail polished color and makes the nail polished drying process faster. |
- Application:
| Nail Serum | Top Coat |
|---|---|
| It’s to be applied before the nail polish as a foundation between nail and nail polish. | It’s to be applied as a final layer after top coat and nail polish. It adds shine and protects your nail’s color. |
- Benefits:
| Nail Serum | Top Coat |
|---|---|
| Strengths your nails Prevents nails to stainingReduce the risk of chipping and peelingTakes care of your nail’s health Offer long-lasting Manicure | Prevents your nail polish from peeling, chipping, and fading. Helps in Colored polish’s drying process Promote the nail color’s vibrancy Provides glossy and sparkling touch to your nails |
- Ingredients:
| Nail Serum | Top Coat |
|---|---|
| Enriched with nourishing components such as vitamins (e.g., biotin), essential oils (e.g., jojoba or almond oil), and moisturizing agents. | Typically contains polymers and resins that create a protective layer over the nail polish. May include ingredients for shine and quick-drying properties. |
- Appearance:
| Nail Serum | Top Coat |
|---|---|
| Base coat is clear or slightly colorful but not visible once the nail polish is applied. | It is glossy or shiny and colorless, adding a sparkle touch to your nail care routine manicure. |
In summary, while nail serum focuses on the health and nourishment of your nails, a top coat is all about protecting and enhancing the appearance of your nail polish. Incorporating both into your nail care routine can lead to stronger, healthier nails and longer-lasting manicures.
Why Is It Important To Use a Base Coat / Nail Serum and Top Coat?
Both play a crucial role in completing the nail care routine. Without one of them, nothing seems better and more protective in the nail care world. The reason is that, Nail serum makes the nail’s surface smooth and even for nail polish and reduces the staining of nails.
It acts as a protective barrier between nail and nail polish. While on the other hand, Top Coat acts as a final layer — protects the nail polish — adds shiny and sparkle glow in nails look — expands the long lasting of Nail Care Routine Manicure.
Due to these reasons, both are essential and play a unique role in the Nail Care Routine.
Can you Use a Top Coat as a Base Coat / Nail Serum?
No, you can’t use a top coat as a Base coat. The base coat is helpful for nail’s health and makes them strengthen while the top coat doesn’t fulfill these requirements so it cannot be used as a nail serum.
Plus, it cannot provide your nail’s polish complete adhesion and longevity as its main purpose is to shine the nails.
And the most amazing thing is that, base coat is not visible when the nail care routine is complete. So if you apply a top coat besides nail serum then what’s the benefit of this shine as after all, it’s to hide.
3 Top Coat Ingredients To Avoid
Now, if you also want to start your Nail Care Routine. You should avoid choosing Top Coats infused with these ingredients!
Dibutyl Phthalate:
It causes:
- Cause issues with fertility
- Liver issues
- It can interfere in our reproductive health.
Formaldehyde:
It causes:
Toluene:
It causes:
- Dermatitis
- Swelling
- Itching
- Difficulty in hearing and breathing
Best Nail Serums
Dr. Dana Stern told that, which Nail Serums I used — I want to share with you!
Gitti Nail Serum
It’s one of the most popular Nail serums. It’ve plant based ingredients and uses herbal formulations which increases your overall nail’s health — Plus it provides two major benefits to your nails. The 1st is to reduce nail breakage and the 2nd is to bolster nails.
Le Mini Macaron Black Jelly Nail Serum
Second Nail-Friendly Serum is Le Mini Macaron Black Jelly Nail Serum. It has a jelly-like texture which absorbs into the nails quickly. It’ve hydrating properties — Plus it repairs the damage and disgusts nails.
This is the overall lesson of Dr. Dana Stern’s speech. After completing her speech, she distributed many nail polishes among her guests as gifts. This lecture gave me the urge to start my journey of nail care. After some days, I booked an appointment for her, so that I can learn how to apply a Top coat and Nail Serum and everything which I want to know!
She gave me comprehensive guidance about my Question!
How to apply a Nail Serum?
To gain optimal results of a base coat, you’ll have to follow the following Guidelines:
Gather your supplies:
- Base coat
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton pads or wipes
- Nail file and buffer (optional)
Prep your nails:
Clean your nails first. Remove old nail polish if you’ve, and remove oil, dirt, and impurities from your nails.
Buffing:
Make your nails smooth by using a buffer, if you feel the need.
Apply the base Coat:
Apply it gently and make sure to cover all roundings of your nails. Avoid applying too thick a layer of Base Coat.
Allow to dry:
Leave it to dry for a few minutes. Usually, it takes 10-15 minutes to dry completely but some formulations may take some less or more time depending on the quality and brands.
Follow up with Nail Polish:
When the base coat is completely dry, you can apply colored nail polish on it as you want for a spark and flawless look.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to get a healthy, smart, and flawless look of your nails according to your desired colored nail polish.
How to apply a Top Coat?
To gain optimal results, you’ll have to follow the following Guidelines:
Apply colored polish:
Start to apply nail polish according to your desired color, leave it to dry for a few minutes.
Shake the top coat bottle well:
It does so because all ingredients mix well.
Apply top coat:
Apply it gently and make sure to cover all edges and corners of your nails. Avoid applying too thick a layer of Top Coat.
Allow to dry:
Leave it to dry for a few minutes. Usually, it takes 10-15 minutes to dry completely but some formulations may take some less or more time depending on the quality and brands.
Choice:
Apply the 2nd layer of top coat if you want a more sparkling and flawless look on your nails.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to get the spark, smart, glossy, and flawless look of your nails according to your desired colored nail polish.
Treating Nail Issues: Nail Fungus Serum
I noticed my cousin Sara looking down and finally learned the reason: she was struggling with nail fungus. “Don’t worry! I know a remedy,” I said, excited. I shared a recipe for a natural serum made from tea tree oil and lavender.
We spent the afternoon making the serum together, laughing and chatting. “Just apply it every night,” I advised. Sara followed the routine, and within weeks, her nails transformed—no more discoloration, just strength and beauty.
One evening, as we painted our nails, Sara beamed, “Look! They’re almost normal!” I smiled, proud of my cousin’s progress. Our bond grew stronger, and we decided to share the serum’s secret with others, helping friends in our community feel confident again.
Final Thoughts
In fact, base coat and nail coat are the key components of a nail care routine. Let suppose you apply only a base coat and nail polish, then what’s the benefit of this health of nails, without sparkle and flawless. And if you apply only nail polish and top coat then I say again what’s the benefit of this glossy of nails without health and strength.
So in my opinion, both are necessary to achieve a healthy, sparkle, and flawless look of nail care routine Manicure.
Special Thanks To Dr. Dana Stern who enabled me to write such an informative blog post for you!
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