Mastering the art of an at-home manicure not only means picking the right nail file, polish, or topcoat—it starts with using the best base coats. “Base coats protect your natural nails, and many of them have great nourishing and strengthening benefits,” says Samantha Jade, a New York City-based nail artist. “They also protect your nails against yellowing and staining from certain nail polishes. Just as importantly, they improve polish adhesion, helping manicures last longer and chip less.
The challenge? There are dozens of base coats on the market, each promising different benefits depending on your nail type and concerns. To find the ones actually worth your time, we tested over a dozen formulas and narrowed it down to the best six. Our top pick overall is Essie Strong Start Nail Treatment Strengthening Base Coat, because it acts as both a nail strengthener and a base coat. We also found effective options for stained nails, peeling nails, gel manicures, and long-lasting wear—including several drugstore finds.
The best base coats, at a glance
- Best Overall: Essie Strong Start Nail Treatment Strengthening Base Coat, $11
- Best for Natural Nails: Manucurist Active Plump, $19
- Best for Nail Stains: Dermelect Luminous Nail Brightening Treatment, $20
- Best for Peeling Nails: Orly Nail Defence Nail Strengthener, $9
- Best for Gel Nails: OPI GelColor Base & Top Coats, $24
- Most Long-Lasting: Olive & June Gel Polish Base Coat, $14
Best Overall: Essie Strong Start Nail Treatment Strengthening Base Coat
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Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein is a longtime fan of Essie base coats, and this strengthening formula stands out in the brand’s lineup. Designed to protect nails while creating a glossy, even base, it can be worn alone or under polish. It’s strengthening ingredient of biotin help thicken thin nails, while glycerin hydrates dry areas. It also prevents staining, which is why it earned our top spot.
Testing notes from Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
“I've pretty much been using Essie base coats since I started getting my nails done around middle school, and they've never failed to give me a long-lasting manicure. I'm still doing the same as an adult, and loved this strengthening base coat when I tried it, because it not only helps give you chip-free manis, it also contains biotin and glycerin. The biotin helps thicken your tips and prevents them from breaking and snagging, while glycerin gently hydrates,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Fast Facts:
- How to use: Apply one coat before colored polish, follow with a topcoat
- Size: 0.46 fl oz.
Best for Natural Nails: Manucurist Active Plump
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If you prefer wearing your natural nails with minimal polish, a plumping, hydrating base coat can make all the difference. This pearly pink formula revives dry, brittle nails with peach extract, glycolic acid, and plant-based collagen, to gently exfoliate, plump and thicken their look and feel. You'll be left with smoother, shinier, and healthier-looking tips all together.
Testing notes from Glamour's Kilkeary
“My nails have always been quite dry, and wintertime always seems to exacerbate the issue. This natural nail base coat polish has done wonders for me during this time every year because it really hydrates my nail beds and helps keep my nails intact and chip-free. I love that it has a little glycolic acid in it to help slough away dead skin, and the collagen really does wonders at making my nail beds look and feel strong,” says Kilkeary.
Fast Facts:
- How to use: Apply 1-2 coats underneath colored polish
- Size: 0.50 fl oz.
Best for Nail Stains: Dermelect Luminous Nail Brightening Treatment
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For nails that have yellowed from dark polish, this brightening treatment helps restore a natural, even tone. It blurs discoloration while strengthening nails with peptides. Wear it alone for a milky finish, or under colored polish for added protection. It also helps prevent and protect nail staining from pigmented nail polish colors like blacks, blues and reds.
Testing notes from Glamour copy director Talley Sue Hohlfeld
“It was love at first swipe,” says Glamour copy director Talley Sue Hohlfeld. “I’m always up for a multitasker, and this formula is like a filter for your nails, blurring and brightening as it strengthens, with ingredients like vitamin E, peptides, and biotin.” Hohlfeld likes the slightly milky hue that helps neutralize yellowish nails. “Each coat dried quickly, and my nails look and feel healthier. And there has been no chipping after five days and a lot of dishwashing.”
Fast Facts:
- How to use: Apply 1-2 coats, follow with color polish or top coat
- Size: 0.40 fl oz.
Best for Peeling Nails: Orly Nail Defence Nail Strengthener
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This strengthening base coat helps reinforce weak spots while protecting against further breakage. It’s infused with proteins and hydrolyzed wheat protein that work to fortify thin, fragile nails and create a smoother surface for polish application. It also contains chamomile flower extract which leaves behind a nice shine. Bonus: It doubles as a topcoat for a more streamlined routine.
Testing notes from Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
“This Orly base coat really made a difference in my at-home mani. I tested it by applying it only on my left hand and noticed that my right hand nail polish started chipping much earlier so it definitely made a difference,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle. “I also like that it leaves a glossy shine if you want to wear it on its own.”
Fast Facts:
- How to use: Apply one to two coats under colored polish, finish with one to two coats as a glossy topcoat
- Size: 0.32 fl oz.
Best for Gel Nails: OPI GelColor Base & Top Coats
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A salon-quality gel manicure at home starts and ends with a reliable gel base coat and gel top coat. This two-in-one product lightly coats nails with a protective finish that cures under UV light. It helps prevent gel chipping and discoloration and comes in multiple finishes, including matte and shiny. It can also be used as a top coat to lock in your color.
Testing notes from Glamour’s Kilkeary
“I've switched over to gel recently, and my nails have gotten a little thinner since. To make my manicures last longer, I always request this base coat at the salon. It's a little thick and goopy upon first swatch, but it dries down to a strong, thick coat that helps keep my nails chip and break-free. After incorporating this into my gel routine, my nails have been a lot stronger and less prone to breakage,” says Glamour's Kilkeary.
Fast Facts:
- How to use: Apply as a base coat, cure under UV light, apply color, and add one more layer as a topcoat and cure
- Size: 0.5 fl oz.
Most Long-Lasting: Olive & June Gel Polish Base Coat
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If your goal is a long-wearing at-home gel manicure, this base coat helps lock in color while protecting nails from staining and dryness. It delivers a smooth, slightly plumped finish and cures in just 60 seconds, cutting down on overall manicure time without sacrificing durability.
Testing notes from Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs
“I'm a big fan of Olive + June’s gel polish set, including its base coat. Unlike others I’ve tried, the base paints on in a thin layer that smooths my nail without adding too much thickness (some polishes look too layered once everything's all painted on, which is annoying). I think the base extends the life of my mani to at least a week,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs.
Fast Facts:
- How to use: Apply a thin coat and cure for one minute before applying colored gel polish and top coat
- Size: 0.46 fl oz.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need a base coat?
Yes. According to Gerstein, skipping a base coat is one of the most common manicure mistakes. “A base coat protects the natural nail, improves polish longevity, and prevents nail staining,” she notes. Using one consistently helps keep nails healthier over time.
What should you look for when shopping for a base coat?
Both nail artists we spoke with agree that matching your base coat to your nail concerns is key. “I like to reach for base coats that strengthen at the same time. It’s important to be constantly treating your nails with care and nourishing them, even if your nails are painted,” says Jade. They also give you a long-lasting manicure and help increase shine. Gerstein agrees and notes that it’s important to look for a base coat that matches your nail type and concerns. “Dry nails need hydration, thin nails need gentle reinforcement, and ridged nails benefit from smoothing formulas. Avoid bases that feel overly hard or chalky,” she adds.
What is the best base coat for dry nails?
For very dry nails, Gerstein recommends a hydrating treatment base coat with vitamins or botanical oils. “These will help prevent peeling and reduce brittleness over time,” she says. Jade also recommends using a cuticle oil regularly if your nails are on the drier side. “You have to hydrate your nails as much as possible, especially if you have signs of severe dryness like extreme nail curving.” She suggests keeping a cuticle oil on your nightstand and using it before bed every night.
What base coats do professional nail artists use?
Both artists say they tend to opt for base coats with strengthening ingredients, such as proteins, peptides, vitamins, and plant oils. “Base coats should be part of the nail essentials in your kit and will take your manicure to that salon-level look instantly. Be sure to always follow up with your favorite top coat to seal in the look and make it last,” says Jade.
How we tested
We tested base coats by evaluating their ingredients, ease of application, dry time, and manicure longevity. The top performers contained hydrating and strengthening ingredients like proteins, peptides, and nourishing plant oils. We prioritized formulas that applied evenly, dried quickly, and created a smooth base for our colored polish. The best base coats that won also helped prevent chipping and left nails looking healthier over time.
Meet the experts
- Samantha Jade, a nail artist based in New York City
- Elle Gerstein, a celebrity nail artist
