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Doing my nails at home has always left them looking a little lackluster, that is, until I discovered the best top coat nail polish. The right one creates such a smooth, glossy finish that even my shaky-handed DIY manicures look surprisingly salon-worthy. Nail artist Mazz Hanna confirms it as an essential final step, as it locks in color and protects against early chipping, ultimately extending the life of your manicure.
Vogue’s Favorite Top Coats
So for those who smudge their nails on impact or want the look of a gel manicure without the long-term commitment, we asked professional manicurists what to look for in a top coat, how to apply it properly, and which ones they actually use—both on set and in their everyday routines.
In This Article
- Why We Love It: “This is one of my go-to top coats when I’m on set,” says celebrity manicurist Stephanie Stone, explaining that it’s ultra-glossy, high-shine, and most importantly, quick-drying. “It’s formulated to give the appearance of gel, so it’s especially great if you have thin nails and want to add a little volume.” Manicurist Mazz Hanna adds that it delivers a gel-like finish without the need for a lamp. “It’s ideal for when you want that salon look at home with minimal effort. Plus, it removes just like regular polish.”
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.46 Fl oz.
- Why We Love It: Hanna recommends this as a “reliable everyday option that keeps your polish looking shiny and fresh.” Fair warning: she notes that the formula performs best when paired with other OPI polishes, though it still works well with most other brands. And if you’re worried about the dreaded top coat shrinkage that can leave polish looking uneven around the cuticle, manicurist Mel Shenagaris reassures, “This one never shrinks.”
- Finish: Matte
- Size: 15 mL
- Why We Love It: Described by Shenagaris as a “classic,” she notes that Chanel recently redesigned the brush to be incredibly user-friendly and easy to control. “It gives such a smooth finish, with a lovely thick, gel-like appearance, great shine, and quick dry time, which we love. The square cap also pops off, so it’s a comfortable brush to hold.” Stone agrees, adding, “This top coat is a huge hit with my clients during award season for many reasons. There’s no curing needed, but the gel-like finish feels super luxe and makes the polish look incredibly glossy in red carpet photos.”
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.4 Fl oz.
- Why We Love It: If a high-shine finish is what you’re after, this glossy top coat from Londontown deserves a spot in your kit ASAP. Like all of the brand’s polishes, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and formulated for long-lasting wear. What sets it apart is the brush, which is designed to hug the natural contour of your nail, making it easier to achieve a smooth finish, even if your hands aren’t the steadiest. For best results, the brand recommends applying the top coat daily or reapplying whenever you start to notice signs of wear.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.40 Fl oz.
- Why We Love It: It’s always a dagger to the heart when you smudge your manicure mere moments after applying it. Not anymore, thanks to this top coat, which also works as a quick-dry solution so you can get back to your errands in peace. It contains a UV filter that helps protect against fading and yellowing, which is especially important if you love lighter polish shades.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 11 mL
- Why We Love It: J’adore Dior for many things, including their nail line, and especially this top coat, which helps polish last longer, often for weeks rather than the usual couple of days. It also speeds up dry time and adds a subtle shine, giving even the most matte polish a bit of a glossy finish.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.3 oz
- Why We Love It: Another quick-drying top coat, this one is known for preventing both chipping and smudging—so even the butterfingers among us are in good hands with Butter London. It goes on easily with just one coat, delivers a high-shine finish, and even includes UV protection to keep your color looking fresh.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.4 Fl oz.
- Why We Love It: “CND Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat is part of a system designed for weekly wear, helping to prevent chips while locking in color,” says Hanna. In other words, no matter how many boxing classes you take or Nara Smith-esque recipes you attempt, your nails will stay put. “The formula bonds well to polish and stays glossy throughout the week,” she adds.
- Finish: High-shine
- Size: 0.5 Fl oz.
- Why We Love It: Time is money, which is why we reach for this quick-drying top coat whenever we only have a few minutes to get out the door. The formula is vegan, chip-resistant, and free from 21 toxic ingredients. It’s also impressively durable, though worth noting that it’s designed to be applied over nail color only and won’t adhere properly to bare nails.
- Finish: High-shine
- Size: 0.5 Fl Oz
- Why We Love It: Made in France, this vegan, primarily plant-based formula speeds up drying time and naturally hardens for up to seven days of wear. Hanna says it’s designed to cure using natural UV light, so there’s no need for a physical UV lamp. “It’s a clean, plant-based option that still delivers on shine and durability.” That said, she notes it performs best when paired with other products from the Manucurist Green line.
- Finish: High-shine
- Size: 0.5 Fl Oz
- Why We Love It: Gel nails are a great idea… until it’s time to remove them. Thankfully, this top coat mimics the appearance of gel with a high-shine finish, but it’s much gentler on your nails and removes easily with the brand’s acetone-free polish remover. If you’re opting for a shade that tends to fade or yellow over time, this top coat also helps maintain vibrancy.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.45 Fl oz.
- Why We Love It: “This top coat offers great value for long wear at the drugstore level,” says Hanna. “It’s designed to work best with the Miracle Gel system, but still helps improve shine and longevity when layered over other polishes.” Bonus points for the fact that it removes like regular polish, lasts up to eight days, and delivers a gel-like finish without the need for a UV lamp.
- Finish: High-shine
- Size: 0.5 Fl Oz
- Why We Love It: Plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free, Gitti is known for avoiding over 3,000 potentially harmful or controversial ingredients, so you can feel good about your manicure whether you’re bringing your own polish to the salon or doing it at home on a Sunday afternoon. Enriched with lab-grown diamond powder for added shine, this top coat is capital-G glossy and lasts up to eight days.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 15 mL
- Why We Love It: Hermès polishes are top-tier, and this top coat is no exception. Hanna describes it as a luxurious final step for any manicure, offering a soft, high-gloss finish and a formula that feels almost like skincare for your nails. “The design and feel make it a standout in the high-end polish category,” she adds.
- Finish: Glossy
- Size: 0.5 Fl oz.
Everything You Need to Know
What top coat makes nail polish last longer?
According to Stone, most top coats are designed with longevity in mind. “As long as you’re using some sort of top coat, it will help prevent polish wear and peeling,” she explains. “If you’re skipping it altogether, you can expect your manicure to look like a ‘90s grunge chipped manicure by the end of the day.” Hanna agrees, adding that a good top coat locks in color and protects against early chipping, which ultimately extends the life of your manicure. “Look for a formula that offers both shine and durability, especially if you don’t plan to reapply every few days,” she says.
What to Look For in a Top Coat
“When choosing a top coat, consider how fast it dries, how shiny it is, and how well it protects against chips. If you’re using a polish that’s part of a specific system, make sure your top coat is compatible,” says Hanna. “You’ll also want to think about the formula’s consistency. Thinner top coats feel lighter and more natural, while thicker ones tend to seal in polish more firmly.”
Fast-drying formulas are particularly important, as they lock everything in place. Shenagaris explains, “Drying quickly helps the manicure last longer because there’s less time for smudging, which can disrupt the bond between the polish and the nail plate. That disruption is what leads to early chipping and peeling.”
How to Apply Nail Polish Top Coat
There’s an art to applying top coat properly, and your technique plays a major role in how long your manicure lasts. “If you apply it sloppily, it may shrink or chip faster than if applied with care,” says Stone. She recommends fully covering the polish from the base of the nail to the free edge. If any top coat ends up in the cuticle area or along the sidewalls, use a clean brush dipped in nail polish remover to tidy up. “If you let top coat dry outside the nail, you’re essentially creating little tabs that can be peeled up, which will ruin your manicure faster.”
Shenagaris also emphasizes the importance of starting with a clean, oil-free nail plate and making sure each layer of polish dries properly before moving on to the next. Once your polish is fully dry, apply your top coat and be sure to “cap” the free edge—sealing the tip of the nail to create a protective layer that helps prevent chips and peeling.
“One coat is usually enough,” adds Hanna, “but reapplying every few days can help maintain shine and protection, especially if your hands are in water often.”
Is there a top coat that doesn’t chip?
Unfortunately, according to the experts, no top coat is completely chip-proof. “It will always break down eventually, especially depending on how much you use your hands,” says Stone. “But there are top coats that chip less than others or take longer to show wear.”
Hanna agrees, noting that some formulas hold up much better, especially when paired with a solid base coat and a high-quality polish. “Look for long-wear or gel-effect formulas if chipping is your main concern,” she advises.
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