Here at CF, we’ve done tons of posts on nail polish – from explaining the different types of nail polish finishes, to the latest polish trends, unique nail art techniques, and even unusual uses for your favorite polishes. We’ve also done a basic manicure tutorial to get you started.

Even though we’ve covered tons of nail-related topics, there are still many more that we’d like to explain in-depth. So each week, we’ll have an entire post dedicated to nail polish – from the hottest colors of the season, to fun nail art techniques, to info on the must-have nail products of the moment.

This week, I want to talk about one of my favorite nail products – the base coat. I love me some base coats, and they are totally underrated when it comes to DIY manicures.

Table of Contents

Top 3 Reasons to Use a Base Coat:

• It will extend the life of your manicure. I’ve noticed base coats help more with this than top coats – they really work to keep your polish chip-free. With a good base coat, you can go a week without a chipped nail, no lie.
• It gives the polish an even surface to adhere to. By using a base coat first, you will prevent your polishes from getting streaky and eliminate those “ridges” that can sometimes appear on your nails.
• It will help prevent dark colors from staining your nail beds. We’ve all experienced the yellow nails that often follow dark nail polish – this phenomenon can be prevented with the right base coat. And with deep fall colors coming into season, it’s more important than ever to use one.

How many coats of nail polish are necessary?

The best way to keep your manicure looking beautiful and shiny for days or even weeks on end? Apply one coat of base coat – it’s the key! Then follow up with two coats of polish. If you want even more durability and boldness, we recommend using three thin layers: white as a base layer, followed by a colorful polish (your color should go second because it will pop over the white). Finally, complete your mani with a top coat.