Perfect Manicure Step #3: Base Coat

Hi guys! Today's post is step three to my perfect manicure series; base coat! This step is often overlooked because it seems like an unnecessary part of a manicure. So what exactly does a base coat do? A base coat is a thin layer of clear polish that is applied as the base layer. It creates a smooth surface on the nail, which gives the polish something to adhere and stick to. It is also a layer of protection, preventing the nails from being stained by the coloured polish. 

I like to use base coats that are strengthening because my nails are weak. If you've read my other posts, you would have noticed that I include a little information section about what I used for the manicure. Most of the time, I use a base coat from the brand Pro FX. I found it at Walmart for about 5 dollars, which is pretty good considering the size it comes in. I'll link my post in which I explain each bottle in more detail here. 

There are a lot of base coats on the market. Ones that claim to make your nails grow fast, grow stronger, grow thicker, make your nail polish last longer.... the list goes on. I recommend choosing a base coat that is moderately priced, around 5 or 6 dollars is reasonable. If it's a strengthening base coat and made by a more expensive brand (OPI, Nailtiques, Essie...), it should not cost more than 12 dollars... Keep in mind that really cheap base coats may not work well. I'm not saying that the really expensive ones will work the best, because that is not true, but I do find from my own experience that cheap polishes in general contain ingredients that are more harsh and will more often damage my nails. 

Here are two of my favourite base coats from Pro FX. 

Thanks for reading! Come back soon for more posts!

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