The 11 Best Base Coats of 2024 for Long-Lasting Nail Polish
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
These foundational lacquers make nails stronger and more resistant to peeling, chipping, and overall breakage.
InStyle / Kristin Kempa
Base coats are an essential part of nail care, and critical to a long-lasting, shiny, and gorgeous manicure. “A base coat acts as a solid foundation for any nail polish application,” explains nail technician and cosmetologist Alisha Mathis. Aside from just prepping the nail bed for polish, base coats strengthen nails, promoting nail health with one fell swipe. A good base coat can also ensure polish doesn't chip, which helps your manicure appear more glossy and last longer.
Whether you want to nail your at-home manicure or need for the perfect pair for your polish, these base coats will provide a sturdy foundation for any lacquer. Ahead, find the best base coats for nail polish of 2024.
Best Overall: Essie Strong Start Nail Treatment Base Coat
What We Love: This vegan base coat is infused with biotin, which strengthens and fortifies nails.
What We Don’t Love: It takes about five to 10 minutes for this polish to fully dry.
Essie is a top-rated brand with a vast selection of lacquers, including this impressive base coat. Infused with biotin, it nourishes, fortifies, and strengthens nails both on the spot and over time. This powerhouse ingredient ensures that nails stay healthy and provides them with the nutrients needed to prevent peeling and breaking. On top of that, this base coat works well with any nail polish, guaranteeing the lacquer does not stain nails, which is a game-changer for those who like to wear black nail polish. Just keep in mind that this polish takes around 10 to 15 minutes to dry.
Size: 0.46 oz | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, 8-free
Best Budget: L.A. COLORS Craze Base Coat
What We Love: This two-in-one product doubles as a base coat and top coat.
What We Don’t Love: This polish is thick, which means it can smudge if you don’t give it enough time to fully dry.
For just under one dollar, this base coat ensures your nail polish stays chip-free for up to a week. We love that this base coat also doubles as a top coat, so your nails won’t only be primed, but your polish will also stay protected. And, what’s more, this lacquer leaves behind a high-shine finish that makes both natural nails and bright hues pop.
For the best results, apply one layer of base coat and let it fully dry. (Because this formula is a bit thick, this can take up to 15 minutes.) Then, apply a coat or two of nail polish, and follow with a thin layer of this top coat. Voila! You just gave yourself the most affordable at-home mani.
Size: 0.44 oz | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, 7-free, Cruelty-free
Best Splurge: Hermès Les Mains Hermès Enamel Base Coat
What We Love: This base coat has a sheer, milky white finish that looks beautiful on its own.
What We Don’t Love: This polish can look streaky if applied too fast.
If you’re going to go all out, you might as well pamper yourself with an Hermès product. This chic base coat differs from the rest due to its translucent white finish (and high price tag). The subtle white hue makes DIY-ing the glazed donut trend a breeze, but unsurprisingly, it’s also just as functional as it is eye-catching.
This luxe lacquer protects nails from breakage and deeply nourishes them, thanks to the addition of avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, and aloe leaf extract. It also keeps polish from staining the nail bed, which in turn helps with yellowing. One note: Just be sure to apply this polish slowly and evenly as it can sometimes look streaky if you put it on too fast.
Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Glossy, translucent white | Formula: Cruelty-free
Best Drugstore: Ella+Mila Firm Foundation Nail Hardening Treatment + Base Coat
What We Love: This product contains garlic bulb extract, which is a natural antioxidant that strengthens and hardens nails.
What We Don’t Love: The consistency of this polish is very thin and almost watery.
Formulated with garlic bulb extract, this Ella+Mila favorite provides both short- and long-term benefits, including hardening nails on the spot, as well as promoting future growth. Additionally, this base coat acts as a glue for nail polish, securing it to the nail bed for up to a week and a half (read: No chipping). While some base coats don’t leave behind a shiny finish, this one is beautifully glossy and can actually double as sheer nail polish.
The only thing we will point out is that the consistency of this polish is thin and watery, so just be sure you don’t apply too much. The upside of this? It dries quickly!
Size: 0.45 oz | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, 7-free
Best Ridge-Filler: Butter London Nail Foundation Priming Base Coat
What We Love: This clean product is free from gluten, parabens, formaldehyde, and other harmful ingredients.
What We Don’t Love: This polish features a fairly thin brush, so it might take longer to paint nails.
The Butter London base coat works quickly and effectively to smooth and plump ridges, making nails softer and more uniform after just one coat. It also works as an adhesive for nail polish, gripping the lacquer to the nail and ensuring it doesn’t chip. But, what makes this product really stand out is its impressive formula. The brand formulates it with horsetail extract and hydrolyzed silk to instantly strengthen nails and support future growth. It also utilizes vitamin B and calcium to harden and fortify nails. Plus, what’s not on the ingredient list is equally notable: This base coat is made without 10 harmful toxins frequently found in nail polish. Not to mention, it’s also cruelty-free.
Size: 0.4 oz | Finish: Matte | Formula: 10-free, Cruelty-free
Best Strengthening: Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails Strengthener
What We Love: This affordable base coat instantly strengthens nails, making them less susceptible to breakage and peeling.
What We Don’t Love: The smell of this polish is very strong.
“My favorite strengthening nail polish base coat is Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails hardener,” says celebrity nail artist and CEO and founder of NailBiz, Aaliyah Smith. “It has fibers in the polish that help strengthen, thicken, and fill ridges in your natural nails.” As a bonus, this product is made with omega-3 and soy, both of which nourish and hydrate nail beds. These important ingredients ultimately ensure nails are less prone to peeling and breakage.
Many of the base coats on our list are clear, but this one leaves behind a subtle light pink finish that makes nails look healthier and shinier on the spot. Unfortunately, this has a very pungent smell — it’s not necessarily bad, but if you’re sensitive to scents this may be a bit overwhelming.
Size: 0.45 oz | Finish: Glossy, light pink | Formula: 3-free
Best Bonding Base Coat: Orly Bonder Base Coat
What We Love: This base coat dries tacky, which helps it grasp onto nail polish better.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not the best at protecting nails from color stains.
“My favorite base coat for natural nails is Orly's Bonder,” says Smith. “It acts like a double-sided tape, which means it helps the polish adhere better to the natural nail.” (Essentially, this rubberized base coat sticks to your nail and then grabs onto the polish, providing a strong, chip-free base.)
Aside from keeping polish from flaking or chipping, this base coat also fills ridges and prevents brittle nails from splitting and peeling. Plus, it dries quickly (we’re talking under two minutes) and it has a clear matte finish. We don’t recommend using this if you like to wear dark lacquer, though, as it doesn’t prevent staining on your nail bed.
Size: 0.6 oz | Finish: Matte | Formula: Cruelty-free, Alcohol-free
Best Long-Lasting: Dazzle Dry Base Coat
What We Love: This base coat can keep nail polish from chipping for up to 14 days on hands, and 30 days on toes.
What We Don’t Love: This polish can become stringy over time.
This clean product is highly effective and ensures polish doesn’t chip for up to 14 days on hands and 30 days on toes, which is much longer than most base coats can promise. Made with three ingredients (isopropyl alcohol, water, and polyurethane), this smart formula makes nail plates smoother and prevents them from yellowing. Not to mention, it takes less than five minutes for this polish to dry and you only need one coat. Top it with your favorite long-lasting nail polish and you're set. Be sure to store it in a cool, dry place not in direct sunlight to get the most use out of it, otherwise the polish will start to get stringy and result in a less-than-perfect manicure.
Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Matte | Formula: Vegan, 10-free
Best Chip-Resistant: Londontown Grip Lock Base Coat
What We Love: This plumping polish is tacky, which helps it cling to nail lacquer.
What We Don’t Love: The brush is on the thicker side, so if you have small nail beds, the polish might get on your skin.
This plumping base coat provides a secure grip on nail polish, ensuring it doesn’t chip for days on end. The formula itself is a bit tacky and sticky, which allows it to act as glue, immediately latching onto lacquer. Speaking of the formula, this product is made with a slew of good ingredients including rapeseed flower oil (which strengthens), cucumber extract (which hydrates), garlic bulb extract (which fortifies), evening primrose oil (which restores), and vitamin E (which is anti-yellowing). These good-for-you ingredients make up for the ultra-thick brush. While it makes it easy to coat nails in one fell swoop, those with smaller nail beds may want to switch it out for something a bit thinner to avoid mishaps.
Size: 0.4 oz | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Vegan, 8-free, Cruelty-free
Best For Brittle Nails: OPI Original New Nail Envy Original Nail Strengthener
What We Love: This base coat is made with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium, which makes nails longer, harder, and stronger.
What We Don’t Love: It can take up to three months to see significant results.
Brittle, weak nails stand no chance against OPI’s iconic nail strengthener. This beloved base coat is made with an innovative blend of ingredients including hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium, which work overtime to nourish, plump, and strengthen nail beds.
This product is partly a bestseller because you can use it as a daily nail treatment for those who want some serious TLC. Just apply one coat every day, and watch as nails become longer, thicker, harder, and stronger in a few months. (We will note that it can take around three months to see full results, so make sure you stay consistent.) Additionally, this polish leaves behind a glossy, milky finish that makes nails appear almost iridescent.
Size: 0.5 oz | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Cruelty-free
Best Quick-Dry: Mineral Fusion Nail Strengthening Base Coat
What We Love: This base coat dries in two minutes.
What We Don’t Love: This polish has a strong smell.
If you’re looking for a quick-drying base coat that’s cruelty-, paraben-, and gluten-free, you can officially call off your search: This Mineral Fusion favorite dries in under two minutes, which means you don’t have to worry about smudging your manicure ever again.
Aside from its speedy drying abilities, this product nourishes nails over time with horsetail extract, an ingredient that promotes healthy nail growth. But the best part? This base coat keeps polish from staining and yellowing nail beds, so your nails will look good at all times.
Size: 0.33 oz | Finish: Glossy | Formula: Cruelty-free, Gluten-free, Paraben-free
What to Keep in Mind
Ingredients: When buying any beauty product, it’s important to consider what ingredients it’s made of. “Generally speaking, try to avoid cosmetic products that contain harsh and toxic chemicals,” says Mathis. “Over the years as a professional in the beauty industry, I have found myself becoming more intentional about awareness of ingredients that come in contact with hair, skin, and nails, and I encourage others to do the same.” In terms of base coats, this means staying away from bad-for-your-nail ingredients like parabens, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, and xylene, among others. Try to also stick to non-toxic nail polish removers and polishes. As for what you should look for, opt for products with nail-care ingredients like soy, vitamin E, calcium, and zinc. These ingredients are safe for nails and will help them grow longer, thicker, and stronger over time.
Finish: The finish of your base coat may not be one of your main priorities — it is a base coat after all — but many formulas can be worn on their own to enhance your natural nail. And, just like regular lacquer, base coats come in a few different finishes, including glossy and matte.
Your Questions, Answered
Do you need a base coat for nail polish?
“Base coat is an absolute necessity when polishing nails,” explains Smith. “Base coats help to adhere the polish to the natural nail. You’ll get longer wear out of your color with a base coat than polish alone.” And, contrary to popular belief, base coats aren’t the same as nail primer.
“Primer is used for acrylic nails and gel manicures,” notes Smith. “It helps the acrylic and gel adhere to the nail enhancements by removing oil from the nail plate. It is not necessary for a regular manicure.”
Can you use a top coat as a base coat?
It’s best not to use a top coat as a base coat. “A base coat and top coat are very similar, but a top coat adds shine and has a higher viscosity (meaning it has more of a runny consistency) whereas a base coat adds strength and is typically thicker,” explains Mathis. “Each should be fully applied to the nail plate in the appropriate order for a beautiful, non-chip-prone, polished polish!”
Why Shop With Us
Lauren Harano has over seven years of experience in the beauty industry, previously holding editorial positions at Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, POPSUGAR, and NBCUniversal; and writing beauty pieces for InStyle since August 2022. She is knowledgeable in skincare, makeup, and hair care, and has tested hundreds of products during her career. For this article, Lauren interviewed two nail experts: Alisha Mathis, a nail technician, cosmetologist, and educator at Aveda Institute of Charlotte; and Aaliyah Smith, a celebrity nail artist and CEO and founder of NailBiz. Each expert lent their expertise and shared their favorite base coats for nail polish. Additionally, Lauren researched top-rated products to find the best ones that are safe for nails, keep polish from chipping, and strengthen nail beds. Before making her final selections, Lauren looked at the reviews, key specs, and ingredient lists to narrow down which base coats were both safe and effective.
For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on InStyle.
