Best top coat on Reddit
193 reviews from r/RedditLaqueristas, r/ILNP, r/simplynailogical and 15 more subreddits
193 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Essie
4.6
(19)
"Essie gel couture (it’s not gel) top coat makes all the difference in the world to me."
"I use one base coat of essie Strong Start & one coat of essie no chips ahead top coat"
"My top 2 are Essie Good to Go and Sally Hansen Insta Dri."
"Two coats of the top coat make a nice shine and keep them from chipping."
"The gel couture topcoat is amazing, and you should deffo try it (if you want)"
"The matching gel couture topcoat is worth a try. The shine is exceptional."
"I swear by Essie Good To Go. It's around $8 or $9 on Amazon."
"I like Essie’s gel top coat, very shiny and little to no shrinkage for me."
"I love Essie Speed Setter!"
"The essie with pink label is fantastic."
#2
Seche Vite
4.3
(17)
"I’m a die hard Seche Vite fan."
"For top coat, the only one I ever use is Seche Vite. It dries soooo fast and it’s so shiny."
"Top Coat is Seche Vite Fast Dry 99% of the time. It goes on super smooth."
"I only use seche vite. I like how glassy the finish is and how it keeps the polish from chipping for about 2 weeks."
"Seche Vite is my go-to top coat."
"I use OPI natural base coat or ORLY bonder base coat with Seche Vite."
"Mine are OPI Nail Envy and Seche Vite."
"I kind of rotate top coats between Seche Vite, Lights Lacquer Totally Gelly, and OPI Plumping."
"I know a lot of people don’t care for Seche Vite because it causes shrinkage, but it’s my current favorite!"
"I do love Seche Vite top coat though."
#3
Sally Hansen
4.4
(11)
"I have always had success with Sally Hansen miracle gel."
"The red Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat is fantastic and reasonably priced."
"Both readily available and not too expensive."
"Try Sally Hansen miracle gel polish and top coat. I wear steel toe boots for 12 hours a day and polish lasts for weeks with no chipping."
"Easily accessible: Sally Hansen Insta-dri (red bottle)."
"Sally Hansen base coat and fast dry top coat are my favs."
"Sally Hansen Double Duty top coat, or their matte gel."
"I've been happy with the Sally Hansen Insta dri top coat (red bottle)."
"Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Top Coat (in the red bottle) is my favorite."
"ILNP Glass Candy and Sally Hansen Miracle Gel top coat."
#4
KBShimmer
4.7
(10)
"KBShimmer’s Clearly on Top is also an MVP for repeated hand sanitizer exposure."
"All three of my Holy Grail basics come from KBShimmer."
"I use KBShimmer’s top coat and just do two coats."
"KB Shimmer Clearly on Top top coat."
"KB Shimmer's top coat is awesome. My bird can attack my nails and they still don't chip."
"I like KBShimmer’s Clearly On Top."
"2 coats of KBshimmer clearly on top has transformed my nail game."
"KBshimmer Clearly on Top has the same ingredient list as HT Super Glossy."
"Several indies have very good, fairly cheap top coats. BKL and KBShimmer come to mind and both are around $6.50."
"I’ve had better luck with kbshimmer Clearly on Top and Essie Good to Go topcoats."
#5
Cuticula
4.3
(10)
"I swear by Cuticula's top and base coats."
"Cuticula Limitless. Never chips, never shrinks."
"I use Vibrant Vinyls Double Bond base coat and Cuticula Limitless QDTC."
"I’d recommend trying Vibrant Scents Fast & Hard and Cuticula Limitless!"
"My go-to qdtc has been Cuticula Limitless."
"For top coat I usually use Cuticula Limitless."
"For top coat I usually use Cuticula Limitless."
"I've had luck with cuticula limitless."
"I've had luck with cuticula limitless."
"Cuticula bc toluene doesn’t work for me…"
#6
Glisten & Glow
4.6
(9)
"Glisten and Glow and Vibrant Scents are basically the same formula."
"Glisten & Glow QDTC is my go to topcoat."
"Glisten & glow QDTC, Essie gel couture, Sally Hansen insta-dri (in the red bottle)."
"Glisten and Glow Glitter Grabber, and KBShimmer Smooth Moves, are made for this."
"I love Glisten & Glow’s Glitter Grabber for this!"
"Like seche, but less shrinkage: Glisten and Glow."
"I use multiple top coats on rotation: Glisten & Glow, Holo Taco, Cuticula, Vibrant Scents Fast & Hard and I don't see a difference between any of them."
"I like Glisten and Glow, and then I add a second top coat of ORLY’s No Chip."
"Switched to Glisten & Glow's and have only had a few instances of shrinkage."
#7
Essie Gel Couture
4.7
(7)
"Essie Gel Couture top coat."
"Essie gel couture top coat lasts forever for me."
"I previously swore by Essie Gel Setter but I've recently switched to Gel Couture and it's even better."
"Essie Gel Couture top coat is my ride or die."
"I use the white Essie bottle (top coat #2) gel couture. I it doesn’t need UV light."
"For me the Essie Gel Couture topcoat works really well."
"I wear flakies a lot and have never had issues with Essie Gel Couture!"
#8
Mooncat
4.3
(7)
"I like Mooncat's top coat. It dries super fast and is glossy af."
"I’m really liking mooncat speed demon right now."
"I use a sally hansen drugstore primer after prep, and then mooncats speed demon topcoat."
"I've been using Essie First Base and Mooncat Speed Demon"
"Mooncat's Speed Demon is mine, after a lot of trial and error."
"Usually Mooncat top coat."
"Mooncat- Speed Demon top coat."
#9
Essie Gel Setter
4.8
(6)
"Essie Gel Setter. I’m in US but it’s on Essie Canada’s website."
"Essie gel setter is my go to bc I also like the puffy clear glossy effect."
"I use Essie Gel Setter (not a gel polish!) and put my finger back in the magnet."
"I use Orly Bonder for a base coat and then Essie Gel Setter for the top coat."
"Personally I’d recommend Essie Gel Setter or Speed Setter."
"Essie gel setter works quite well for me! dries quickly and feels hard."
#10
Orly
4.5
(6)
"I use orly top2bottom for a top coat. Mostly cause it's what's around, but I've had zero problems with it."
"I'm an Orly Bonder base coat girl. I swear by it."
"The secret to long mannies lies in topping it off with orly’s shinning armor."
"I like Orly's base and top coats."
"Orly bonder, any quick dry top coat, and the normal nail prep."
"I'm using the Orly bonder (I know some people have issues with it so YMMV) and the Essie gel effect top coat."
#11
Seche
4.5
(6)
"Decided to try it instead of dealing with a return and I’m never going back."
"I really like seche vive, sally hansen miracle gel, and Mooncat base coat."
"For top coat I swear by Seche Vive (not Vite). I love how thick and glassy it looks."
"A top coat that dries candy sugars hard is recommended, for example Seche Vite/Vive."
"I’ve had decent luck putting seche vive (the blue bottle) on top of stamping."
"Seche vite."
#12
Vibrant Scents
4.5
(4)
"Both great for drying quick, hard and shiny."
"I’d recommend trying Vibrant Scents Fast & Hard and Cuticula Limitless!"
"Vibrant scents is my favorite so far!"
"My favorite base and top coats are Vibrant Scents."
#13
OPI
4.3
(4)
"This OPI top coat. My nails last for weeks"
"They work great."
"I’ve done a simple just one coat of opi top coat and they’ll last me 3 weeks."
"I use OPI! I can get my DD nails to last two weeks."
#14
DND
5.0
(3)
"I like the DND ones or the kokoist ultra glossy top coat"
"DND!"
"I use DND base and top. My nails take a lot of abuse at work and no chips or peeling."
#15
Glisten & Glow Top Coat
4.7
(3)
"Get the Glisten & Glow top coat. 10/10 shine and manicures last forever."
"I saw Glisten and Glow top coat and base coat recommended repeatedly."
"I’ve used G&G for years. It’s my go to."
#16
Seche Vive
4.7
(3)
"Seche Vive (not seche vite) has been my favorite so far and looks pretty gel like."
"Two coats of Seche Vive works wonders for me!"
"Have you tried seche vive (the blue bottle)? i’ve found it’s similar to vite."
#17
ORLY
4.0
(3)
"Orly Bonding Base + Seche Vive have been working well for me."
"A pretty common sandwich in the subreddit is ORLY Rubberized Bonder base coat with Seche Vite on top."
"ORLY clear coat, i got it from winners."
#18
Beetles
3.7
(3)
"Beetles uv no wipe top coat."
"I’ve heard Beetles is good."
"I did use Beetles for a Lily and Fox set I tried.. didn’t even last 3 days."
#19
Kbshimmer
5.0
(2)
"I have ordered the KBShimmer Smooth Moves!!"
"I like Kbshimmer’s Smooth Moves and then a layer of top coat over that."
#20
Light Elegance
5.0
(2)
"I used light elegance super shiny and it worked great."
"Light Elegance Super Shiny is my favorite."
#21
Cuticula Limitless
5.0
(2)
"I love Cuticula Limitless but I found painting with chip resistant brands is really key."
"I use Cuticula Limitless or Sally Hansen Insta DRI."
#22
CND Vinylux
5.0
(2)
"CND Vinylux long wear top coat. This combo can make my regular polish manis last up to 2 weeks!"
"I use the CND Vinylux top coat over all my polishes and love it!"
#23
Sweet & Sour Lacquer
5.0
(2)
"My personal fave top coat is Gloss Sauce from Sweet & Sour Lacquer!"
"Sweet & Sour Lacquer’s Gloss Sauce holds up really well for me."
#24
Glisten and Glow
5.0
(2)
"I use Glisten and Glow ridge filling base coat and their quick dry top coat!"
"I love Glisten and Glow topcoat."
#25
Manucurist
5.0
(2)
"Manucurist Green Flash Top Coat - HEMA FREE"
"Manucurist Sunshine Top Coat - HEMA FREE / No lamp needed, it hardens with natural UV light from the sun."
#26
ILNP
4.5
(2)
"I’ve had a lot of success with the ILNP top coat."
"I've had great results with ILNP's top and base coat."
#27
Ohora
4.5
(2)
"I really like the Ohora top coat. That’s what I use."
"Ohora top coat is not bad, it's in the middle of my list."
#28
INM
4.5
(2)
"I am ride or die for INM Out the Door top coat. It's glossy, fast drying, and cheap."
"For top coat, INM Out the Door, Olive Ave Polish Quick Dry Top Coat, and the Poshe Super Fast Drying Top Coat."
#29
KBShimmer Clearly on Top
4.5
(2)
"KBShimmer Clearly on Top, Vibrant Scents Fast & Hard and Cuticula Limitless all fit those requirements."
"KBShimmer’s Clearly on Top is my holy grail."
#30
Cuticula Top Coat
4.0
(2)
"Cuticula’s is great!"
"Cuticula does have UV protection, so solar nails won’t change if you use it."
#31
CND
4.0
(2)
"I've tried a lot of different top coats and have finally settled on CND Vinylux."
"CND Vinylux."
#32
Gelish Top It Off
4.0
(2)
"Gelish Top it off is great."
"Try brands like Gelish Top It Off or CND Shellac Top Coat."
#33
Holo Taco
4.0
(2)
"A top coat that dries bit "gummy" is better, for example Holo Taco Glossy Base"
"I’ve been using holo taco’s long lasting base and glossy taco for a couple months now and have had great results with them."
#34
Vibrant Scents QDTC
3.5
(2)
"G&G and VS both dry incredibly fast and hard and give a nice glossy finish for me."
"I usually do a coat of Vibrant Scents QDTC and then a layer of Seche Vite."
#35
Matte Topcoat
3.0
(2)
"A layer of matte top coat under my glossy top coat seems to work well on most glitters."
"Personally, matte topcoats tend to peel or pop off (with the polish) on my nails in less than two days."
#36
Arobell
5.0
(1)
"As someone with presumably oily nail beds, the best base coat I have found so far is Arobell Uñas De Herro."
#37
Sweet and Sour
5.0
(1)
"Sweet and Sour Gloss Sauce are my go tos."
#38
Vibrant Vinyls
5.0
(1)
"I use Vibrant Vinyls Double Bond base coat and Cuticula Limitless QDTC."
#39
Polished for Days
5.0
(1)
"Look into the polished for days base coats."
#40
DRK Nails
5.0
(1)
"DRK Nails makes a special top coat to use with magnetic polishes."
#41
Venalisa
5.0
(1)
"Venalisa!"
#42
Dazzle Dry
5.0
(1)
"I recently bought the Dazzle Dry base coat and it’s a GAME CHANGER."
#43
Lit Gels
4.0
(1)
"Lit Gels just released their own HEMA free one!"
#44
Gaianotes
4.0
(1)
"I personally use gaianotes flat prem or semi gloss prem to finish it off."
#45
Halo Taco
4.0
(1)
"Halo Taco glossy. No base coat."
#46
Maybelline
4.0
(1)
"Maybelline 3D gel effect."
#47
Alclad
4.0
(1)
"Alclad Aquagloss and Winsor & Newton Galleria Matte."
#48
Tino Vo
4.0
(1)
"Make sure it's Teflon matte."
#49
AK Interactive
4.0
(1)
"I have some AK Interactive Ultra Matte I've been playing with."
#50
Alice & Bella
4.0
(1)
"I use Alice & Bella and I like it."
#51
Zoya
4.0
(1)
"I get a good week out of OPI Natural Nails base coat + 2 coats of Zoya Ultra Glossy Seal before I start seeing chips."
#52
Sally
4.0
(1)
"I use the same Sally top coat too."
#53
Apipila
4.0
(1)
"I have the Apipila Smudge Free top coat and thought the wear time was great."
#54
Starrily
4.0
(1)
"What works best for me is Starrily Guardian."
#55
China Glaze
4.0
(1)
"I bought China Glaze before I was using Holo Taco."
#56
Quo
4.0
(1)
"Quo is my backup when I run out of HT."
#57
Mission Models
4.0
(1)
"I use mission models gloss clear coat with their polyurethane additive."
#58
HT
3.0
(1)
"Had a bottle of my favorite top coat (HT Glossy Taco) but no base coat, and my manicure didn't last more than three days"
#59
LA Colors
3.0
(1)
"I use whatever top coat I can find at Dollar Tree, which is usually LA Colors."
#60
Morgan Taylor
3.0
(1)
"I got a bottle of Morgan Taylor Need for Speed at some point."
#61
Reject Top Gels
3.0
(1)
"Most top gels aren't very durable but are otherwise great - so I use them for swatches."
#62
Future
2.0
(1)
"You're unwilling to try new things if you're still using Future in 2024."
#63
Bonding Base Coat
2.0
(1)
"I would recommend against a bonding base coat because when it chips it will take the top layer of your nail off."
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