The BEST Nail Polish Base Coats and Top Coats | 2023

[@nickspolish]

my toxic trait is already being happy with my current fave top and base coats… yet still wanting to try every single new one i find lol

[@JambolinasWorld]

Same 😆😆😆

[@PolishwithRae]

That's a dangerous game but I'm the same way. 🤣

[@Sbannmarie]

Which are the best?

[@KzooBeerGirl]

I'm a huge fan of the Cuticula line as well because I LOVE scented polishes!

[@PolishwithRae]

So do I! For me that's half the fun! ☺️

[@PolishwithRae]

Sidenote- the Cuticula top coat and PFD Blurring base coat in Snow are available this weekend in the PPU shop!

[@Gotaluvpolish]

You have no idea how much I was looking forward to this video! I loved it and how in-depth you where with your choices. I need to get on that comparison video 😅

[@PolishwithRae]

Awww yay! I was hoping you'd catch that. I'll share it when you do get around to it! ☺️

[@cindyhoomalu1566]

Yes to ALL the videos!!! I mostly use Double Bond base coat and Fast & Hard quick dry top coat from Vibrant Vinyls. They have amazing scents, too!

[@PolishwithRae]

🥰 Thank you! I tried VV once and need to give it another shot.

[@zahraonokevbagbe2725]

The Cuticula limitless top coat is my favourite top coat for sure! So good!

[@PolishwithRae]

It's amazing!

[@nluther22]

Love cuticula’s mic drop top coat. I picked one up during PPU and would love to grab more scents. My current favorite base coat is the anchor and heart mermaid tears base coat.

[@PolishwithRae]

It's fantastic! I wish I loved the anchor and heart one more. I feel like it doesn't agree with my body chemistry.

[@JENMG7]

So helpful!! I just love base coats that are nourishing and protect from staining. Thanks for sharing!

[@PolishwithRae]

Same! They're my favorite! Thanks Jennifer. 🥰

[@Manicentric]

I'll definitely need try some of these when I run out of my standbys, they look sooooo good!!!

[@PolishwithRae]

You always make me want to give KBShimmers ridge filler another try. I loved that when I had it, it's just been so long!

[@koalalily]

Thank you for promoting PfD Crystalline because it is AMAZING. i love it so much and it is my mission for everyone to know how good it is. And 7 free?? Even more incredible.

[@PolishwithRae]

Yesss! I wish I would have tried it sooner. Does it get gloopy halfway through. I really hope it doesn't get too bad!

[@hurricanepolish]

I’m very prone to staining also and the Guardian BC from Starrily has been amazing even against my super strainers… I love it so much I have numerous backups in case they ever stop making it 😂

[@PolishwithRae]

I've heard AMAZING things about that base . I have to grab some! Thanks for the reminder!

[@loopyfrog]

I love this Rae! I had no idea milky basecoats were better for staining - I need to get on that coz I stain so easily. If you don't mind me asking, which of the milky basecoats are the fastest drying or are they all much the same?

[@PolishwithRae]

I was so excited when I found out and now it's all I use! I would say they're all about the same for me which is very fast. By the time I've applied it to all my nails they're dry and ready for polish.

[@loopyfrog]

@@PolishwithRae oh that's so great to hear! Thanks so much!

[@lindamh7904]

GREATLY appreciated video, Rae! Ty so much. And pls do consider adding videos on how-to's of your personal regimes! 😁💙💥

[@PolishwithRae]

You're so welcome! I'm glad you liked it. Definitely will make more videos like this. I've been meaning to for a while!

[@carolgerstmann4852]

Hi! Great video!!!

[@PolishwithRae]

Thank you so much Carol!

[@agatabg]

I have never tried Cuticula's line but now I will. Right now I am using BKL base coat and like it a lot! As for top coat G&G but it dose get gloopy half way though. Thank you Rae for sharing and looking forward to more like videos!:-)

[@sherric7860]

I used Glisten & Glow’s quick dry top coat and love it and it never got goopy for me. I read where someone said, I think a swatcher but am not sure, she adds 4-5 drops of thinner after every use. So I tried it. Usually, top coat gets too thick and too goopy and i don’t notice it for a while. I use Seche Restore because it has Toulene in it as well as the other two typical ingredients most thinners have and G & G has Toulene. This worked really well and I used almost every last bit of the polish without time er getting stringy or too thick or too goopy. Because I am a nail nerd-to anyone reading this: polish dries via solvents evaporating. Quick dry top coats have solvents in them that evaporate really quickly. Toulene is a perfect safe in the tiny amount that is used in polish and is especially fast at evaporating. (google or look up on KZbin or FB Doug Schoon and Toulene/toxic ingredients.) These solvents evaporate out of the bottle as well as on the nail. That’s why it’s important to keep the bottle neck and the cap threads clean of polish and the cap on tight when it’s not being used. If you are like me, you don’t use a colored polish nearly as much as top coats and base coats. So you might not ever experience a colored lacquer getting too thick.

[@PolishwithRae]

Yay! It's seriously my favorite. I hope you like it too! Yeah that's my biggest hang up with the GG is that it gets so gloopy. That paired with the toluene makes me want to reach for other things.

[@carolgerstmann4852]

Purchased a lot of Rogue Product's lately during black friday. I like their ridge filler which is also sticky and has protective oils, and love the desert Varnish top coat. It is thick and gel like and has no toluene. Also love dimension nails moisturizing base coat for my peeling nails. For glitter smoother I love colors de carol the Leveler and it also has no toluene. Can.

[@PolishwithRae]

I really need to give Rogue's a try! I haven't ever tried Dimension Nails stuff either but I've heard great things. Thanks Carol!

[@carolgerstmann4852]

You are so welcome !

[@christinesteiner7023]

Thanks so much for sharing your favs 💖 I love both the Cuticula Quenched and the Limitless TCs. I also like the Mic Drop BC however the last to times I used the BC it stained my nails orange and the TC turned goopy on me. I wonder if the different climate here has an impact 🧐 regarding the staining my bet is on body chemistry. These days my go-to Base and Top Coats are from Vibrant Vinyls - I always purchase them through PPU and I also very much like Sweet & Sour Gloss Sauce 💖

[@PolishwithRae]

Oh wow! I can't believe it stained your nails. That stinks. I wonder why. The TC gets gloopy for me when I get near the bottom but I just add thinner and I'm good to go. ☺️ I recently bought the SSL top coat and can't wait to try it!

[@wendidimus]

I love the QDTCs that have toluene! Thankfully I don't get headaches from the smell. My current fave is the formula from Vibrant Scents (fka Vibrant Vinyls) Fast & Hard. I love the all scented options - I haven't found any I disliked. I'm using one scented in "Rainy Day" right now and it's perfect for the end of winter into spring. When the bottles get low, I combine them into weird scent conglomerates and they still smell good!

[@PolishwithRae]

Good to know on the VV! I've tried their stuff once and did like it. I might have to give it another shot. I love scent conglomerates! 😂

[@mollyscloset]

Hi, I REALLY enjoyed this. I like your vibe, you're a fresh face to the scene and really solid in your opinions, and I like your honesty! Thank you! def trying out curticula. I would love for you to do a smell review of almost all scents, since you buy so many base coats from them anyways! I think that would be helpful , with a background of what scents you typically like to help other people gauge which scents to buy. Also, do you have any nail stain removal tips?

[@PolishwithRae]

Awww thank you so much! 🥰 I hope you love the Cuticula! I can sometimes get some staining off with acetone and blue cross cuticle remover on a cotton pad and rubbing it into nail plate. 👍

[@gaylecooley3630]

I like the Guardian BC from Starilly to protect from staining, but mosty I use OPI Nail Envy as a basecoat. It has served me well for many years and makes my nails really strong. I have used Seche Vite TC for many years too and always come back to it. Glisten and Glow's TC is quite good, and I really like their Glitter Grabber for anything that is textured.

[@PolishwithRae]

I forgot I've been wanting to try that Starrily. Thanks for reminding me. I've heard great things about nail envy but have taken the plunge because of the price.

[@gaylecooley3630]

@@PolishwithRae Nail envy is really worth the price, it's an amazing product!

[@lotsa_nailpolish]

Thank you! I’ve not tried any of these except the G&G Glitter Grabber. For indie, I like Anchor & Heart Mermaid Tears Base and Rogue Hydrating Base. Mainstream I love Zoya Anchor base. For top coats, I like Seche Vive (blue bottle), and Lippmann Addicted to Speed. I have a few other base and tops I rotate but those are favs based on what I’ve tried. I am going to try your recs. ❤❤

[@lotsa_nailpolish]

Oh shoot I forgot to add the Vibrant Vinyls line, have to say I love their Double Bond base.

[@PolishwithRae]

I really have been wanting to try some of Rogue's stuff. I haven't tried anything from them. I also haven't really tried many mainstream options. I didn't know there was a blue seche vite! What's the difference between the clear?

[@lotsa_nailpolish]

@@PolishwithRae the blue Seche Vive (not vite) is a gel effect top coat. It doesn’t say quick dry but it dries pretty quickly for me. I just wish the bottle wasn’t blue, it’s hard to tell how much is left in the bottle.

[@cdsdmom4250]

I think I tried Cuticula's top coat because of watching your videos. I love it, too. Cuticula has the BEST scents by far from any scented brand that I have tried! Grim Grinning Ghosts is my favorite Cuticula Scent. I also love Rogue Lacquer's Desert Oasis base (Desert Oasis & Desert Retreat) and Top Coats (Desert Sun & Cactus Water). I usually buy different base & top coats to try. Bluebird Lacquers will be my next to try. Definitely going to pick up Polish for Days Crystalline Top Coat per your recommendation. I love PFD soft focus base coats, too, mainly use Snow & Fog. I love when makers put top & base coats in the PPU shop. Glad to see you are able to do some videos and shorts more. Love all you do.

[@PolishwithRae]

Awww yay! It's so wonderful! The perfect combination of everything I value in a top coat. I agree with you on the scents. Some brands are hit or miss, but even Cuticula's scents that aren't up my alley blow me away. I've seen a lot of people commenting that they like Rogue's stuff. I can't believe I haven't tried them. I wish they'd come to PPU! I've tried BBL's ridge filling base and really enjoyed it!

[@tracyaf6084]

Love cuticula for sure but my current fave is the Olive Ave qdtc. The brush is perfect and the formula is great.

[@PolishwithRae]

I just finished that one and absolutely loved it! I would definitely buy it again!

[@BrittMFH]

I graduated from Seche Vite years ago to CdC and G&G topcoats but think I'll try Cuticula on your recommendation. I love scented polish! Also, if those are your real nails they are perfect! 😃 Thank you, Rae. Britt

[@PolishwithRae]

Seche Vite is an old fave of mine but I couldn't take the gloopiness or the shrinkage. CDC Has a great QDTC. I need to grab another bottle and give it another try. And thank you! Yep they were real! I loved them that long but not sure baby friendly so we're back to shorties.

[@mojitochica]

I love your videos. How long do the Cuticula scents last?

[@PolishwithRae]

From what I hear it varies person to person but I can usually still smell the scent of the top coats for around 24 hours after application. The base coats I think is less because of all the layers of polish on top. Some people like to get matching scents for both and I imagine that would make it last a little longer

[@Lilililimon]

I love my KIKO Gel Effect top coat. It was the first quick dry top coat I've ever tried, and since I have tried many many more, (including brands you've mentioned) but no single one has topped my all time favorite. It dries super fast, smells kind of nice, and it dries rock hard. I always paint my nails before bed and I have never had sheet marks with this one. All that said, I'm always on the look out for new top coats, because it's not perfect. It does tend to shrink a bit (my trick for that is to flud my cuticles and clean it with an orange stick before it dries. That works really well, but it takes time) And, like ALL the other QDTCs I tried, there's bubbles.. There is nothing more frustrating to me than top coating my perfectly done manicure, and getting a bubble in my top coat.. makes me want to scream😱

[@PolishwithRae]

Oooh I've never heard anyone talk about that one. A hidden gem! I'm going to have to search for it. I feel like that bubbles could be a temperature/climate thing? Or a body chemistry thing? That stinks! I don't think I've ever gotten bubbles on top coat, but I hear it's a common problem.

[@hollylynn117]

Thank you so much for this! I am always on the lookout for blurring basecoats that will do double duty as ridge fillers and stain resisters (and of course blur out that strong VNL that I have) so your suggestions help alot. My favorite topcoat at the moment is Cuccio's High Gloss Topcoat, which dries quickly and doesn't shrink any of my manicures.

[@PolishwithRae]

Yes! Those milky base coats are great for multitasking. I haven't tried Cuccios. Adding it to my list- thanks!

[@JambolinasWorld]

Everyone mentions that bkl spirit. So I got 2, but still have yet to try it. I REALLY need to go through and try all my top and base. Maybe I should consider doing a video of my current faves, maybe it will give me incentive to try more of them haha. Love to see your videos back🥰 all the love to your growing family ❤

[@PolishwithRae]

I would love to watch it! I still have a bag full of new ones I want to try. There's something so fun about trying new ones!

[@JambolinasWorld]

@@PolishwithRae ❤ Im so glad to see your face again and same I have a little basket of untrieds 😊

[@loopyfrog]

My current faves: Cuticula Cinque Base Coat and my holy grain topcoat: Vibrant Vinyls Fast&Hard, but I do prefer a thinner topcoat over nailart like the Glisten&Glow one

[@PolishwithRae]

I have tried Cinque and I love it too! The VV one is fantastic as well. 🥰

[@kathylamourine7501]

I have both the Cuticula and the Glisten and Glow and lately I've been using the Vibrant Vinyls Double Bond Ridge Filling Sticky Bond Base Coat and their Fast and Hard QD Glossy TC. Wondered if you'd tried those? Haven't tried Polished for Days so I'll have to check that one out.

[@PolishwithRae]

I know that one is so popular! I have tried them but wasn't in love. I couldn't really smell the scent and I usually don't opt for top coats with toluene. I need to give them another try in a different scent though cause that can win me over. 🥰

[@hobbysalad]

Hi Rae! Do you happen to know the difference between Cuticula Limitless vs Timeless topcoats? I've read the product description on their site over and over but couldn't figure out what exactly sets them apart-- afaik both are 5-free and fast-dry.

[@PolishwithRae]

I asked the maker and she said: Limitless is a thicker consistency and dries a bit quicker. Other than that they work similarly in terms of longevity 😊 Hope that helps!

[@lisapiche8900]

I was just thinking about how I needed to get some blurring base coats. What great timing! Lol

[@PolishwithRae]

Yesss! PFD makes my favorite! They have them in quite a few colors too. I need to grab more.

[@lisapiche8900]

@@PolishwithRae PFD has so many! They’re out of stock for now, but I’ll grab them when they come in! Great recommendation. Thank you , Miss Rae.

[@JCWong]

I love the Vibrant Vinyls quick dry top coat so I would recommend that one! Do you have any tips on how to get at the rest of the top coat once the bottle is nearing empty?

[@michl8379]

I usually just buy a new bottle, use some of it, and then pour the remainder of the old top coat into the new bottle. But if you don't want to do that you can try laying the bottle on its side and then dip the brush into the polish accumulating there. Hope that's helpful!

[@JCWong]

@@michl8379 All of my top coats have different scents unfortunately so I don't want to combine them, I've been swirling the bottle around though! Thanks for the suggestions!

[@PolishwithRae]

I was going to give Michelle's recommendation. That's what I usually do although it's not ideal. They make these polish holders that tilt the bottle so you can get to the product easier. I also usually add some thinner too so I can get it out easier.

[@ccaatthheerriinnee]

I like totally gelly by lights lacquer

[@PolishwithRae]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@marciewalton2409]

Love this content! Thanks for the info! Have you ever used Vibrant Scents base & top coats? Would live to hear your thoughts....

[@PolishwithRae]

You're so welcome- thanks for the feedback! ☺️ I have tried the QDTC and the ridge filling base coat. I liked them okay! I think I would have loved them if they had paddle brushes and if the top coat didn't have toluene. I also feel like the scent I got didn't have much scent. I know they're very popular though. I should give them another try.

[@marciewalton2409]

@Polish with Rae gotcha! I definitely agree. Their brush is tricky. 😆 And if the toluene gives you headaches...don't you dare try em again! :) It doesn't bother me, so I love that it's so fast drying. I am not sure whether it had shrinkage or not. Sometimes, I just wonder if it's a novice user error and that I am not getting close enough to my cuticle. Lol

[@8honeybunnie8]

I have issues with base coats not lasting. The only one that gives me more then a day or two is Mavala barrier base. I love G&G glitter grabber and Vibrant vinyls Hard and fast.

[@PolishwithRae]

Oh wow! I can't imagine them only lasting a day or two. That must be so frustrating! I didn't realize Mavala made regular bases. I used to use their nail biting one way back when.

[@mishas97]

Mooncat’s speed demon top coat is so perfect for me! It’s quick dry and feels so nice and smooth over my nails, almost like gel. I don’t want to say it’s gel like since it doesn’t advertise itself that way but my nails stay nice and hard and smooth!

[@PolishwithRae]

I need to give it a try! Thanks for the recommendation

[@koalalily]

I would be curious to know if the glitter smoothers have any significant difference amongst them!

[@PolishwithRae]

I think Carolina (@gotaluvpolish) is going to make a video about it at some point!

[@JJBabbles]

Omg the bottle of Cuticula Quenched 🤣🤣🤣 That is a well-loved product! 🥳 I'm here for all nail-care & how-to videos 🙂 I've tried 3 glitter smoothing Topcoats - G&G, Cuticula, & Alchemy lacquer glitter elixir. They all perform the same for me. The most important part is to let the polish dry for at least 10mins before applying glitter smoother, then let that dry for at least 10mins before final Topcoat. It took me a while to understand why the drying between layers is so important (I don't have the brain power to explain but Amanda from Cuticula explained it really well somewhere 😂) Something along the lines of: if you apply glitter smoother to polish too quickly it will sink in-between the glitters, instead of filling the gaps as well as leaving a smooth surface.. See - I shouldn't have tried to explain 💀🤣 My fave basecoat is Londontown Kur gel genius (not actually a gel) Topcoats: Rogue lacquer cactus water, Wildflower Lacquer through the looking glass, BKL - I'm fast, I'm very fast. All Toluene free 😊 (It gives me an instant headache. The only Topcoat with Toluene that I love is by Sweet & sour lacquer - gloss sauce. It has absolutely amazing wear time & dries wildly fast but I only use it if I'm in a rush & even then I have to go onto the balcony to apply it with ventilation 😂

[@ladyvibe1]

Rae!!! Where else can I find cuticula quenched.....it's sold out on the website 😩😩😩 new subscriber btw!! Love your content

[@PolishwithRae]

They will restock at some point I'm sure but they do have it on Girly Bits! girlybitscosmetics.com/quenched-smoothing-top-coat-by-cuticula/

[@lhaviland5489]

I am over 50 and not a mani girl. But! I desperately want to do my own nails..not gel, not enhancements, but good old poish. I need some guidance on opacity under basic poish since I'molder and want to cover my aging nails completely. There must be something for me! Thoughts?

[@PolishwithRae]

Oooh go you! Yes regular polish is my favorite. Polished for Days is an indie brand that has my favorite blurring base coat. The shade snow in their soft focus base coat is my recommendation. It's white so it looks good under everything!

[@heidistutzman3278]

Not a fan of cuticula, its too thin. Im loving sweet and sour lacquer’s top coat and I want to try holo tacos next.

[@PolishwithRae]

I'm using the SS now. It's nice!

[@tordre1]

Suddenly I really want a milkshake...

[@PolishwithRae]

😂😂😂