A base coat is the base of it all
The base coat is the first essential step in a successful manicure. Applied to bare nails before polish, it is usually transparent. Just like a makeup primer, a base coat evens out the surface and preps the nail for colour application. But its role doesn’t stop there… it’s much more than just a corrector!
Protection, adhesion, and long-lasting wear
Applied before polish, the base coat creates a smooth surface that helps polish adhere and extends its longevity. It also acts as a protective barrier between the nail and coloured polish, preventing pigments from staining your nails and shielding them from external factors (like humidity) that could weaken them.
Before or after polish?
At Manucurist, both the Green™ and Green Flash™ manicure routines follow a simple 4-step rule:
- 1 layer of base coat
- 2 thin coats of polish
- 1 layer of top coat to seal the colour and extend wear
⚠️ Don't confuse base coat with top coat!
While the top coat is the final step, adding shine and ensuring a perfect finish, the base coat is the very first layer before applying polish. Thanks to it, you get a smooth surface for seamless polish application. Another benefit: it prevents pigments from adhering directly to the nail plate, making colour removal much easier with a gentle, acetone-free remover.
Which base coat for which polish?
First and foremost, it's crucial to use products from the same range, as their formulas are designed to work in harmony.
The type of base coat you choose depends on the polish you’re using:
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If you're using Green Flash™ gel polish, the Green Flash™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat is the one for you. And here’s some fabulous news—it now features a brand-new formula combining hexanal, vitamin C, and vitamin E for the first time! Thanks to these active ingredients, it strengthens nails from the very first manicure and enhances the wear of your gel polish for up to 12 days! Application remains the same: apply a thin layer and cure under an LED lamp. Let’s flash ⚡️
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If you're using Green™ classic polish, you'll want the Green™ Base Coat. Packed with vitamins and nutrients with antioxidant properties, it creates a protective barrier that preserves nail health. Enriched with hexanal, the Green™ Base Coat shields the nail, sets the colour, and extends the wear of your Green™ polish—giving you a stunning, long-lasting manicure. 😍
When a base coat becomes nail care
The Green Flash™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat: an innovative formula
The Green Flash™ Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat is developed with an exclusive technology that blends nail care with high performance. Its unique molecular complex, KeraHCE+, provides a dual action:
☝🏻 It restructures keratin fibres and stimulates keratin production.
✌️ It ensures effective protection against oxidative stress and dehydration.
The result? Beneath your polish, your nails regenerate deeply, and you get to enjoy your beautiful manicure even longer—up to 12 days. In short, it’s the ultimate base coat!
A treatment base for every need
When your nails feel tired and show signs of weakness, it's time to turn to a treatment base. Formulated with up to 84% plant-based ingredients, Manucurist's treatment base coats are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, making them ideal for giving fragile nails a much-needed boost!
Depending on your nail type, it’s important to choose the base coat that suits you best. Our nail diagnosis tool will help you find the perfect match for your needs.
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For healthy nails, go for the Vitamin-Enriched Base Coat. This nourishing formula is packed with a powerful complex of 5 vitamins (A, B5, C, E, and F) and 5 plant extracts (aloe vera, lemon, ginseng, pomegranate, and grape), offering protection, hydration, and a boost for tired nails. After just one week of use, breakage and splitting are reduced, keratin production is stimulated, and the overall condition of your nails is visibly improved.
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For soft and brittle nails, opt for the Strengthening Base Coat. Formulated with AHAs, PHAs, and silica, this treatment base reinforces weak and thin nails while being compatible with Green™ polish. It protects nails from daily aggressors and stimulates cell renewal. After a week of use, nails grow back healthier and naturally stronger.
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For damaged nails, the ultimate solution is the SOS Base Coat, specifically designed to repair brittle, splitting, or weakened nails after harsh manicures. This intensive treatment restores and strengthens the nail plate thanks to its ultra-concentrated formula with AHA, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and hexanal. It exfoliates to stimulate cell regeneration, restructures keratin fibres, and deeply revitalises the nail. After three weeks of use, fragile nails are visibly stronger and healthier!
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Finally, for ridged nails, there's Active Smooth. This isn’t just a smoothing base—it’s a nail care polish that instantly evens out and conceals ridges and imperfections thanks to its formula enriched with castor fibres, hexanal, AHA, and vitamin E. Like a CC cream for nails, it enhances them with a soft satin nude veil. The best part? Active Smooth comes in four shades with warm, neutral, and cool undertones to complement all skin tones (launching 4 April 2025). We love it!
Much more than just a base coat, a good base is an essential ally: it protects and strengthens your nails while extending the wear of your manicure. At Manucurist, each formula is thoughtfully crafted to provide a tailored solution for every need, using natural and effective ingredients. So, for beautiful nails and a long-lasting manicure, don’t forget—the secret is in the base 😉
