Best top coat on Reddit
199 reviews from r/RedditLaqueristas, r/ILNP, r/Dashingdiva and 17 more subreddits
199 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Essie
4.3
(21)
"Essie Speed Setter is always a 10/10 for both me and my mom."
"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."
"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!"
"I love Essie Gel Couture top coat."
#2
Seche Vite
4.3
(18)
"I’m a die hard Seche Vite fan."
"Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat."
"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!"
#3
KBShimmer
4.6
(11)
"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."
"I use their Clearly on Top top coat. And it is perfect but has salon smell."
"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."
#4
Sally Hansen
4.5
(11)
"Sally Hansen insta dry! I was getting lifting and shrinkage with opi and my usual sche vite."
"I have always had success with Sally Hansen miracle gel."
"I use Sally Hansen advanced hard as nails."
"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)."
"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."
#5
Cuticula
4.6
(10)
"I swear by Cuticula's top and base coats."
"I switched to Cuticula quick drying top coat and it’s really good!"
"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."
#6
Glisten & Glow
4.6
(10)
"I use Glisten & Glow and it doesn’t smudge if I float it."
"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
Seche
4.3
(6)
"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."
"I like to use e - Seche Vite, but I like Seche Vive even better."
"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."
#11
OPI
4.2
(6)
"This OPI top coat. My nails last for weeks"
"I like the OPI infinite shine top coat for this. It’s a thinner formula so it sounds like it might be what you’re looking for!"
"They work great."
"I use OPI Nail Envy for my base coat."
"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."
#12
Orly
4.4
(5)
"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."
#13
Sweet & Sour Lacquer
4.8
(4)
"I adore and have been using Sweet and Sour Lacquer Gloss Sauce."
"My personal fave top coat is Gloss Sauce from Sweet & Sour Lacquer!"
"Sweet & Sour Lacquer’s Gloss Sauce holds up really well for me."
"I recommend Saucy Marbles from Sweet & Sour Lacquer to create clear space!"
#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
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."
#16
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."
#17
Ohora
4.7
(3)
"I really like the Ohora top coat. That’s what I use."
"Ohora does make their own gel top coat called Pro Glossy Top Gel."
"Ohora top coat is not bad, it's in the middle of my list."
#18
CND
4.0
(3)
"I use CND Super Shiney as my refresher and it seems to work well for me."
"I've tried a lot of different top coats and have finally settled on CND Vinylux."
"CND Vinylux."
#19
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."
#20
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."
#21
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!"
#22
Light Elegance
5.0
(2)
"I used light elegance super shiny and it worked great."
"Light Elegance Super Shiny is my favorite."
#23
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."
#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
Dazzle Dry
5.0
(2)
"I recently bought the Dazzle Dry base coat and it’s a GAME CHANGER."
"I use the Dazzle Dry system. It has to be used together."
#26
Tamiya
5.0
(2)
"It is hard to find a better clear coat then Tamiya TS13"
"I do usually use Tamiya ts13 & ts80 both work good"
#27
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."
#28
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."
#29
Vibrant Scents
4.5
(2)
"Both great for drying quick, hard and shiny."
"My favorite base and top coats are Vibrant Scents."
#30
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."
#31
Jin.B
4.5
(2)
"Jin B crazy top standard might be a good option."
"I recently tried Jin.B crazy top, both standard and thick. They are pretty decent."
#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
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."
#34
ORLY
4.0
(2)
"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."
#35
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."
#36
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."
#37
Cured Beauty
5.0
(1)
"IGel and Cured Beauty HEMA free are my two favorites."
#38
Vapid
5.0
(1)
"I swear by the Vapid base and top coats."
#39
iGel
5.0
(1)
"IGel and Cured Beauty HEMA free are my two favorites."
#40
Patience Not Required
5.0
(1)
"I love Patience Not Required! Didn't realize it was safe for stamping, too!"
#41
Holo Taco Long Lasting Base
5.0
(1)
"The holo taco long lasting base works well for me. My nails last about 7-8 days with minimal wear."
#42
Gelish
5.0
(1)
"I love Gelish no-wipe top coat! Cheap and does not chip."
#43
Polished for Days
5.0
(1)
"Look into the polished for days base coats."
#44
Vibrant Vinyls
5.0
(1)
"I use Vibrant Vinyls Double Bond base coat and Cuticula Limitless QDTC."
#45
Bee’s Knees Lacquers
5.0
(1)
"I really like Bee’s Knees Lacquers’ top coat."
#46
Alchemy Lacquers
5.0
(1)
"My favorite is Alchemy Lacquers Quicksilver!"
#47
Sweet and Sour
5.0
(1)
"Sweet and Sour Gloss Sauce are my go tos."
#48
Polyvine Heavy Duty Extreme Varnish
5.0
(1)
"IMO Polyvine Heavy Duty Extreme varnish in Dead Flat is a fantastic varnish for high traffic areas."
#49
Osmo Oil Polyx Clear
5.0
(1)
"Osmo oil polyx clear is my fav."
#50
Zoya
4.0
(1)
"Zoya ultra glossy top coat. Both are good."
#51
Born Pretty
4.0
(1)
"The Born Pretty top coat is excellent and affordable."
#52
Gaianotes
4.0
(1)
"I personally use gaianotes flat prem or semi gloss prem to finish it off."
#53
Halo Taco
4.0
(1)
"Halo Taco glossy. No base coat."
#54
Nails Inc
4.0
(1)
"I think the Nails Inc Better On Top is good but it's thinner so it doesn't smooth as well."
#55
Apipila
4.0
(1)
"I have been really happy with Apipila, although I use it more for magnetic manis than stamping."
#56
Cuccio
4.0
(1)
"Oh PS, Cuccio High Gloss might be what you’re looking for. Super shiny, thinner formula, dries fast but isn’t qdtc, very affordable."
#57
Venalisa
4.0
(1)
"I like Venalisa Tempered Top. It's really inexpensive, nice shine and holds up well."
#58
Neat Lac
4.0
(1)
"Neat lac or clear lac."
#59
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat
4.0
(1)
"So far I have had good luck with Essie gel couture top coat."
#60
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"
#61
Matte Top Coat
3.0
(1)
"I was using the underside method with matte top coat."
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