Hey all! It’s been a while since I painted my nails because I’ve been working on building up their strength and health. I’m super happy with how healthy and long they have become so when I stopped into Ulta the other day I decided it was time to treat myself! 😉 Now normally I just slap on a coat or two of paint and go about my life. Of course my nail polish chips off and in a few days (if not in a few hours) it doesn’t look so great anymore. So I decided to test out an important question… does using a base coat and top coat make any difference in how long my nail polish lasts?
I bought three OPI products… the Natural Nails Base coat, Nail Lacquer in My Studio’s On Spring, and the Top Coat. OPI is one of my favorite nail polish brands. I love the colors they offer and the quality of their products. So let’s test these products together and see how well they hold up!
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Why do I prefer OPI?
OPI is a leader in the nail polish industry! They offer high quality products with vivid color options. Committed to safety and innovation, they have come out with more clean and natural polishes. The majority of their polishes are 3-free so they do not contain a harmful trio of ingredients (toluene, formaldehyde, and DPB). While I definitely prefer cleaner brands, OPI is taking steps in the right direction and is a brand I can easily afford.
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Nails Q & A
Question:
What does it mean when a brand claims it is 3-free?
Answer:
This means the polish is formulated without formaldehyde, toluene and Dibutyl phthalate. These ingredients are toxic and can cause damage to nails and irritate the senses.
Question:
Are 3-free polishes non-toxic?
Answer:
While these polishes do not contain the most common and most toxic chemicals, they may contain other toxic ingredients. If you want to be extra safe, look for 10 or 12-free polishes.
Question:
What is the purpose of a base coat?
Answer:
We know that a top coat seals in the color of the polish and prevents chipping. A base coat is like sandwiching your color between two coats. The base coat helps the polish to adhere to the nail and prevents chipping or peeling.
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
My process of testing…
I tested these polishes out by applying all three to my left hand and only applying the polish to my right hand. I then proceeded with my life as usual and observed how each hand held up. You can see for yourself at the end of the video the results of a few days!
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Introducing the products!
Natural Nails Base coat
Price: $11.49
Key Benefits: Provides up to 7 days of wear and shine, creates a base for a long lasting manicure
How to use: Apply to clean, dry nails with cuticles pushed back.
Pros:
🤍Goes on smoothly and easily
🤍Dries quickly so no added time to your at home manicure
🤍It definitely prevents chipping
🤍It makes for a long-standing manicure even for someone who is as rough on their hands as I am!
🤍Keeps color from staining the natural nail
🤍3 free
🤍Affordable
Cons:
❌It isn’t the most safe base to use even though it is effective
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a 1/2 ⭐️
My review:
This base coat works very well and looks great. I love how easy it is to apply and that it really does create a longer lasting manicure. It isn’t as clean of a brand as I prefer but I do appreciate that it is 3 free!
Natural Nail Base Coat - OPI | Ulta Beauty 
Nail Lacquer in My Studio’s On Spring
Price: $11.49
Key Benefits: Made with OPI’s original nail polish formula, provides up to 7 days of wear
How to use: First, apply one stroke of nail lacquer down the center of the nail, followed by one stroke along each side of the nail. Then apply a second coat of nail lacquer, pulling color over the tips of the nails.
Pros:
💚Goes on beautifully
💚Dries quickly but doesn’t clump
💚Doesn’t chip too easily
💚Absolutely gorgeous color
💚3 free
💚Affordable
Cons:
❌It isn’t the most safe nail polish
❌Isn’t the most saturated color… even after two coats, I had bits that still show through
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a 1/2 ⭐️
My review:
Absolutely in love with the color! Unfortunately it’s not super saturated but it goes on easily and looks beautiful when it’s layered. I would just make sure to apply thicker coats and enjoy the beautiful deep green color! It’s perfect for Christmas!
Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish, Blues/Greens - OPI | Ulta Beauty 
Top Coat
Price: $11.49
Key Benefits: Protective, high-gloss shine, prevents smudges, non-yellowing formula, Seals in color and extends wear
How to use: Add shine, seal your polish, and protect it with one coat of OPI Top Coat, pulling it over the tips of the nails to seal in color
Pros:
🤍Goes on smoothly with no clumping
🤍Dries quickly
🤍Adds a beautiful shine
🤍Doesn’t yellow
🤍Seals and protects my manicure making it extra beautiful and long lasting
🤍3 free
🤍Affordable
Cons:
❌It isn’t the most safe top color, as it still has toxic ingredients.
My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a 1/2 ⭐️
My review:
This is the perfect way to seal in your nail polish! It’s beautifully shiny and my nails have taken on almost no damage even when they typically get chipped by me being super rough on them. But this lasted through a very long earring making day and didn’t get damaged at all! I have really appreciated this top coat!
Top Coat - OPI | Ulta Beauty 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Don’t love OP? Here are some other nail brands to try out!
Static Nails:
I was introduced to this brand through PrismPop! It’s an amazing, clean brand, and definitely a brand that I would buy again (and plan to soon!).
Primer Liquid Glass Lacquer
Pros:
🤍Smooths nail surface
🤍Lasts up to 10 days
🤍Non toxic
🤍Vegan and cruelty free
🤍US made
🤍Fast drying
🤍Long-lasting
Cons:
❌It is a little more expensive but worth it in my opinion!
Sage Liquid Glass Lacquer
Pros:
🤍Beautiful soft sage color
🤍Richly pigmented
🤍Lasts up to 10 days
🤍Non toxic
🤍Vegan and cruelty free
🤍US made
🤍Fast drying
🤍Long-lasting
Cons:
❌It is a little more expensive but worth it in my opinion!
Top Coat Liquid Glass Lacquer
Pros:
🤍Adds beautiful shine
🤍Locks in color
🤍Adds additional strength
🤍Can last up to 10 days!
🤍Non toxic
🤍Vegan and cruelty free
🤍US made
🤍Fast drying
🤍Long-lasting
Cons:
❌It is a little more expensive but worth it in my opinion!
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Why trust me?
I’m pretty new to the nail polish world but I’ve been trying out different polish brands and nail techniques for almost a year now! It’s been super fun to try out new things and challenge myself as well as share what I discover and learn with you!
🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a good, affordable base coat, nail polish, and top coat, this is the perfect pick that offers great quality! And I highly recommend using both a base and top coat for a longer lasting, absolutely gorgeous manicure!
Do you enjoy doing at home manicures?
If so what are your favorite nail brands?
#nailpolishbrands #NailPolishTopCoats #NailPolishBaseCoats #NailProducts #nails @PrismPop Nail @BEAUTYPOP 
