Every manicure begins with a prepping stage. For acrylic and gel manicures, you use nail primer to prepare your nails and make the manicure last longer. For traditional polish, you use a base coat. But can you use these two products interchangeably?
The short answer: no, you can’t. Nail primers and base coats are distinct products with different functions. But how exactly do they work? Why can’t you use base coat as a nail primer? Uncover all you need to know with this overview of base coats and nail primers.
What Is a Base Coat?
A base coat is a key part of any regular nail polish look. You apply it before applying any polish. It acts as a base for the manicure, creating a smooth surface that makes it easier for traditional or gel polishes to adhere to the nail. The base coat also acts as a protective layer for your natural nail, protecting it from discoloration and preventing you from filing down to the natural nail whenever you remove your polish.
Furthermore, base coats contain plasticizers that add a flexible base beneath the polish. This allows the polish to bend instead of just cracking or chipping under pressure, which also helps make your manicure last longer.
What Is a Primer?
Nail primer is the foundation for your acrylic and gel nail systems. Like a base coat, it helps with adhesion and makes your manicure stay in place longer. Nail primer rids your natural nail of any residue—such as natural oils from your skin—to create a dry surface that’s perfect for acrylic or gel nail systems to stick to. It also helps prevent your polish from chipping and peeling, making the manicure look great for as long as possible.
Primers and Base Coats Aren’t the Same
Though both nail primers and base coats perform a similar function, they’re different products that use different ingredients. As such, primers work for acrylics and gel nail systems but not for traditional nail polish, and vice versa. You cannot use a base coat as a nail primer. Instead, start your acrylic or gel manicure with a strong acid-free primer, such as Mia Secret’s XTRABOND Primer. This will help prep your nail, approve adhesion, and let you get the most out of every beautiful manicure.
You can get primers, gel polish base coats, and more when you shop our collection of Mia Secret top and base coats. No matter what kind of manicure you prefer, you can make the most of it with the tools and products available at Mia Secret.