Reddit mentions: The best nail polish top coat

Nail polish can be hard since everyone has different preferences, but you could always get a fun topcoat she could add to her collection (something with different colored flecks, glitter, holo, etc). Or you could get her a display for the nail polish she has?

You can also go to a drug store and just pick a color that reminds you of her! I personally like Sallie Hansen Insta Dri because I don’t have the patience for my nails to dry, but Essie, OPI, and China Glaze are all slightly nicer brands.

But I think no matter what you decide to get her, she’ll be excited about it! It’s very sweet that you’ve noticed something she enjoys and want to show your affection by supporting it 😊

I have this topcoat and think it’s pretty fun:

https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Lights-Silver-Hologram-Drying/dp/B000PZA1MC/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=38KPAJQPIMLBR&keywords=holo+topcoat+nail+polish&qid=1555300084&s=gateway&sprefix=holo+topcoat&sr=8-6

Not sure if this would work with your budget, but there’s this shelf:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M0EM74V/ref=sspa_mw_detail_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best of luck! It’ll be great!

Just start painting your nails and you will figure out what works best for you eventually. I've compiled a list of helpful links/videos that I've found helpful for me.

Dotting Tools:

• Cutepolish's video on how to make your own dotting tool.
  
• <$2 on amazon. It might take a while to get to you if it's being shipped from China though.
  
  Stripping tape:
  
  
• $1.08 on amazon.
  The trick when you use stripping tape is to make sure your polish isn't old and too goopy, otherwise it will not be so crisp.
  
• And use tweezers like this or this.
  
  Cleaning
  
  
• You will get the hang of cleaning once you start practicing. If you get better at application you will have to do less cleaning. This will come with practice. I suck at doing nails with little mess. So I use acetone and a slanted brush. This might be a good set to get.
  
• /u/ReneeJade 's post about cleaning up with toothpicks is very helpful too.
  
  Nail Polish Brands
  
  
• This depends on how much money you want to spend. I started with Sinful Colors because no mula. But the formula is kinda bad and takes forever to dry. And Sinful Colors stain your nails really bad in my experience. Sally Hansen is pretty good for the price. I only just acquired a couple of China Glazes and Essie's. They are pretty good but I only buy it when it's less than $3. I don't have experiences with Orly, O.P.I.
  
• Julep is okay in my opinion. Personally, I feel like they're not worth the price. One of my bottles just broke when I was turning the cap. And the other one (Julep Sasha) stained my nails really bad :/
  
• There are nail polish programs like Julep Maven (who do a free first box with code FREEBOX) and other ones that I don't know about but head onto /r/BeautyBoxes to find out more.
  
  Top Coat and Base Coat
  
  
• Orly bonder is a good base coat that I use. I don't have experiences with other ones, so I can't compare.
  
• Getting a fast drying top coat is probably a good idea. I use Seche Vite but it has a really strong smell and it shrinks your polish. I'm trying to find a new one but Sally Hansen Insta Dry didn't work for me. It smudged my nail art even though it dries pretty fast. Poshe is supposed to be good but I don't have experience with it.
  
  Nail Strengthening
  
  
• O.P.I. Nail envy is a lot of people's favorites but it didn't work for me personally. Just search this subreddit with "nail envy".
  
• Quimica Alemana. This stuff has good reviews and I want to try it.
  
  Nail file
  
  
• Use a crystal one. This one has good reviews or use an O.P.I. one. I use an O.P.I, pretty happy with it.
  
  Have fun painting!

A few things!

• Most polishes need at least two coats to look good. This is especially true for white creme-finish polishes.
  
• A super common complaint in the nail polish world is how "chalky" or patchy white polishes are. This is due to the types of pigments that get used to make white/off-white polishes. So, it's not necessarily you! It very well might just be the issue with the white polishes you have in your collection.
  
• I second the recommendations to add a pearly sheer polish or a glitter topper to make the white creme look less intense. I like Great White by Sally Hansen Triple Shine.
  
• Check out your alternatives for a good white that doesn't have all the drawbacks of the typical white cremes! A lot of people love OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls and OPI Alpine Snow.
  
• The "drop of polish" method is good, but I have found that, like you, I wind up with too much polish in the end. The method you were recommended in your first post is great, but you don't have to only use one drop to make that happen -- you can simply use that route for applying the polish. Continue practicing to find out how much to wipe off the brush before you start the first coat.
  
• A quick-dry top coat like Sally Hansen Insta-dri will help you manage nails/manis that are maybe a little gooier and slower-drying than others.
  
• If you're prone to fucking up one nail like me, get yourself a nail polish remover dip-it like this. That way, you can just start over on the one fucked up nail and keep the rest of your mani in good shape.
  
• One other trick that can make white manis look nice and less chalky is cleaning up around the edges. I have a little (wooden, natural-hair) brush that I dip in my acetone dip-it and brush up any polish that has gotten onto my cuticles or that isn't in line. I find that having clean lines around the nail of a white mani can make it pop, even if the polish itself is difficult to work with.

Of course! This is a list of most the products I use:

Drill: (it is absolutely amazing!)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PNKV71Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bwCpDbV82MR8J

Acrylic monomer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006CVXR10/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qxCpDbFDTH6A8

Acrylic polymer:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGTQEKE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Nail prep:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079YKLFN2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Brushes:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UONBO5S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hand files:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EHRGFKK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Top coat (UV light required):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B96JHV6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1BCpDbV2T3D93

Smaller version of what’s pictured:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MS1UWAF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JECpDbCTC26YH

I also use little things like: tips, glue, cuticle nippers/tools, cuticle oils, alcohol wipes, acetone, etc. I hope this helps! Please note, I have been doing my nails for a long time and I have built up my collection over the years. It is expensive from the start, but always remember, everything will last you longer then the salon because you’re only doing your nails once every few weeks. Good luck!!! 😁😁😁

I have not used the Essie, so I can't give you a direct comparison. The Sally Hansen one is pretty good, it's not my personal favorite, but if it's all you can find then I think it will still be tons better than the OPI that you are currently using. It will give your manicure a nice hard, glass-like finish. It's looks like this and is pretty easy to identify because of it's red bottle.

This is a story from when I was 7 or 8 when I caught my brother's poop in my bare hands. He was being potty trained and liked to be completely naked when on the potty chair. He decided to run out and jump on the couch naked, then stopped and squatted. Me being 7 or 8, I think like oh no the couch will be ruined! So I dove as the poop was coming out, hands cupped perfectly, to catch this molten pile of brown soft serve. Nobody saw. Dad starts yelling at me to do something. I turn around slowly, emotionless, revealing this pile of steaming poo. Dad gags, mom is laughing hysterically, brother pooping again(this time on the couch), sister barfing, and me staring into oblivion. Eventually my mom leads me to the bathroom to dump it into the toilet and yea. It's a story my family likes to tell every so often.

I'd love this and this if I win please!

Cool story bro.

I haven’t found anything that works 💯 of the time, but I really like wildflower nails nail glue https://wildflowersnails.com/ Also if you have a Led lamp you could use the gummy jelly and shine e top coat. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MPFLY3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_eczPAb5PBRWRH
Here is a great YouTube on how to use it! https://youtu.be/qgpPfSiLjr0 hope that helps!

I'm going to cheat here if that's ok. Being a guy and all, I'm using my wife /u/jennatellya86

this nail polish on her WL is very pretty and love it!

this one is my favorite from the etsy site. /u/GemCityTiffany is very talented to make these!!!

Rainbow Sparkles

No. Higher price does not mean less chipping. The base coat and top coat that work for you, means less chipping. Over the past year, I have gone through at least 10 base & top coats, of varying costs. I'm pretty sure I just (as in 3 days ago) found my perfect match. I swipe my nails with rubbing alcohol, use a Sally base, polish, then a Sally quick dry top coat. I am currently sporting a manicure that is FLAWLESS. $1.99 NYC polish, and it looks like gel.

Glisten & Glow's "HK Girl", KB Shimmer's "Clearly On Top", and Essie's "Good to Go". As /u/Painted_Fingertips mentioned, they can still get goopy, as well. I'm convinced that happens to almost all of the fast-drying top coats. A good nail polish thinner (NOT acetone or Seche Restore!) will help you out.

This top coat has a very fine/tiny scattered holo glitter, but I’ve always loved: INM Northern Lights Silver Hologram Top Coat

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PZA1MC/

(Also available at Sally Beauty Supply, if you want a b&m store)

I cant think of any ready kits, but you could put one together for her? Ger her some nail brushes, the really thin ones for decorating, then dotting tools, as well as strips and tape, stickers, aaand some other stuff. These are all the things I have :)

http://www.sallyhansen.com/nails/nail-color/stickers/salon-effects-real-nail-polish-strips
http://www.sallyhansen.com/nails/nail-color/stickers/salon-effects-french-mani
http://www.sallyhansen.com/nails/nail-color/nail-art
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nail+tape
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nail+art+brush&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Anail+art+brush
http://www.amazon.com/Dotting-Marbleizing-Manicure-Pedicure-Ounce/dp/B004OHQR1Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152335&sr=1-2&keywords=nail+art
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGZQ5QO?psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/MASH-Nail-Art-Practice-Fingers/dp/B00683JILU/ref=pd_sim_bt_11?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z58JZWJE6CZHDAXPFA0
http://www.amazon.com/Rhinestones-Piece-Nailart-Manicure-Wheels/dp/B005BF1M10/ref=pd_sim_bt_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z58JZWJE6CZHDAXPFA0
http://www.amazon.com/Color-Starter-Design-Nail-Basic/dp/B00HPZDMX0/ref=sr_1_12?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152335&sr=1-12&keywords=nail+art
http://www.amazon.com/3d-Pieces-Rhinestone-Nails-Cellphones/dp/B007TL60IE/ref=sr_1_15?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152335&sr=1-15&keywords=nail+art
http://www.amazon.com/SHANY-Cosmetics-Decoration-Bottles-Tweezer/dp/B009LYB2E4/ref=sr_1_14?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152335&sr=1-14&keywords=nail+art
http://www.amazon.com/Designs-French-Chevron-Teardrop-Stickers/dp/B00DHQCJTO/ref=sr_1_11?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152335&sr=1-11&keywords=nail+art
http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Drawing-Brushes-Marbleizing-Dotting/dp/B00A363EPO/ref=sr_1_9?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152335&sr=1-9&keywords=nail+art

a little drier may come in handy too, as nail art is layered and can take a long time to dry http://www.amazon.com/PROMOTION-USpicy-SEASHELL-Portable-Manicure/dp/B005WQB6G4/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152565&sr=1-1&keywords=nail+dryer

As well as one of these quick dry drops or sprays

http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Polish-Quick-Lacquer-0-3oz/dp/B0012LIHUG/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152601&sr=1-2&keywords=nail+quick+dry
http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Rapidry-Coats-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B000NGH3X8/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1417152601&sr=1-3&keywords=nail+quick+dry

Shop around and you'll find them for lower prices.

If you have time, buy them on eBay, that's where I always get them. They get shipped from Chine or Hong Kong and super low prices. I've bought 5 nail dotting tools for 1-2$, including shipping, and lots and lots more. A 12 wheel of nail decals, stickers and whatnot, for 99 cents.

I had that same problem too, which was extremely frustrating for me to spend so much time painting my nails. I noticed sometimes it was the brand I was using, sometimes even different colors or styles (dark vs light, matte vs. opaque, etc.). I actually bought OPI's drip dry drops (tongue twister!) and it helps using them before the top coat, and then after the top coat. They're reasonably priced on amazon and they really worked well for me :) I get my manicures to last longer that way, and when I put the drip dry drops on after my color is on, then my top coat won't make it streaky. I hope that helps!!

I had the same problem, and the issue was the top coat. I was using sally hansen double duty, and it just refused to dry, leaving me with the same fabric texture from my pillow.

Switching to sally hansen insta dri really helped my polish dry much faster, like within 15-20 minutes I can do whatever I want without worrying about my polish smudging.

It's something that you're going to use for every manicure, so it's worth it to get a top coat that you like and that works well. Also, sometimes drugstores have sales or coupons that can get you a better price, so check the weekly circulars for deals.

Hope this helps!

Ilovethedaisypup ! I just revamped my routine thanks to r/skincareaddiction so now I...

AM: Splash with water, use clean and clear dual action moisturizer, spot treatment.
PM: CeraVe foaming cleanser, St Ives No Scrub Pads, spot treatment, sometimes Proactive lotion and then CeraVe in the tub cream.

thanks for doing this!

Textured polishes are very thick, so sponging wasn't really an option. I wiped as much as I could off of the brush, and applied the polish carefully over the stencil. I love how it turned out! and after it dried, it was like having 3d leaves on my nails!

Products used:
China Glaze Sea Spray
Seche Vive
Zoya Chita
Monstera Stencil

I’m in love with this top coat as of late.

https://www.amazon.com/Seche-Vive-Effect-Coat-Ounce/dp/B01CW9UUQK

As a rule, the morning after I give myself a manicure, I apply a second coat of whatever top coat I use. I find it helps.

use THIS

-fixes dull/fingerprint/uneven areas
-dries to touch in 2 min
-it literally looks like a flow of liquid glass that instantly makes your manicure look professional.
-make my nails last for 5+ days without any chipping/flaking/dulling

Also, try Essie brand nail polish...the stuff is a bit pricey ($8) but it's so nice and I swear even my non-dominant hand can paint like a professional due to the smooth polish consistency.

PROOF <--This is day 3 (and my job requires me to open and close prescription pill bottles all day so I would say this is pretty impressive)

edit: for pic

http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Designer-Series-Top-Coat/dp/B000O7T9XI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373152349&sr=8-1&keywords=opi+designer+series+top+coat

I got as a gift from ThingAboutDaisies, and it is amazing. It was designed to go on as a top coat over the DS OPI's, most of which are holo. :D

Ummm, I mean I dunno. I fangirl on OPI.

Try this:

Base

My current goto red

Top

1 base, 2 color, 1 top, then in the mornings reapply top - make sure to round tips and backsides.

I like Pretty Diva I've never noticed it turn yellow and it applies nicely.

I agree with the Seche Vite hate, it sucks. I love this topcoat. I'm on my 3rd bottle, it is amazing and doesn't have the peeling, shrinkage or tip wear issues.

I know nothing about nail polish but thats probably a holographic glitter flake like https://www.amazon.com/INM-Northern-Lights-Silver-Hologram/dp/B000PZA1MC/ref=pd_cp_194_4/138-3389342-1547021?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000PZA1MC&pd_rd_r=613c96c5-681c-495b-a78f-f06c9e875d0a&pd_rd_w=t5l9Y&pd_rd_wg=S6VBw&pf_rd_p=0e5324e1-c848-4872-bbd5-5be6baedf80e&pf_rd_r=JEGJZ23EEXGRDWRWB2DH&psc=1&refRID=JEGJZ23EEXGRDWRWB2DH painted on a black nail?

Price History

• Lagunamoon Gel Nail Polish Gel Base Coat and No Wipe   ^PureLink
  CamelCamelCamel │ Keepa
  
  _
  Price of a Pawn, value of a Queen.
  ^(Info) ^| ^(Developer) ^| ^(Inquiries) ^| ^(Support Me!) ^| **[^(Report Bug)](/message/compose?to=The_White_Light&subject=Bug+Report&message=%2Fr%2Famazondealsus%2Fcomments%2Fbqrbjh%2Flagunamoon_base_coat_and_no_wipe_top_coatgel%2Feo72uty%2F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0APlease+explain+here+what+you+expected+to+happen%2Fwhat+went+wrong.)**

OPI Nail Lacquer Top Coat, Matte, 0.5 Fl Oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001435D4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_eBob4ngT89Jec

Oh, sorry! Memento Mori and Carpe Diem are from Cirque Colors and Northern Lights is INM. I got the Cirque polishes from their site and the INM polish from Amazon.

3 cents off : /

EDIT:
Closest added before today

I swear by this topcoat.. Everyone seems to swoon over seche vite, but mine has gone goopy loopy in under two months!