Nail primer and base coat are both important products for keeping your nails healthy and looking their best, but they have different purposes.
Primer helps your nail polish stick better to your nails and makes it last longer, while base coat protects your nails from damage and helps your nail polish look more even.
Knowing the difference between these two products is key to getting the most out of your manicure. So, what’s the difference? Let’s find out!
Primer
- keeps your nails healthy by preventing damage.
- helps make it last longer.
- increases the length of time between manicures.
Base Coat
- protects your nails from staining, chipping or peeling off when using nail polish or gel.
- helps give smooth appearance to polished nail surface.
Is primer before base coat?
Nail primer is applied before basecoat on clean, dry nails and must be allowed to dry completely before applying basecoat. The process of priming the nail surface helps bond the paint onto a clean nail for lasting wear and color brilliance.
For best results, two thin coats of primer should be used instead of one thick coat because thicker layers can leave visible brush strokes in some polishes.
Nail primer is an important step in the manicure/pedicure process and ensures a great, long-lasting manicure. It provides a base for the nails so that the nail polish stays on longer and doesn’t chip or peel off as easily
Base coats add more protection from staining, chipping, and peeling while also helping to maintain the evenness of your mani color.
In general, most people have had success applying a base coat before their topcoat for a good finish, but some go the other way around – applying a thin layer of topcoat before a thicker base coat to provide extra strength against chips and cracks while polishing.
Ultimately it boils down to personal preference – do what works best for you!
Does nail primer make a difference?
It can make a big difference when it comes to your mani staying power, but results may vary depending on the brand you use.
This is because some primers are already formulated to provide extra strength against chips and cracks while polishing.
So, for example, if you have super strong nails that don’t typically chip or crack easily then using primer won’t necessarily help your manicure last longer since they’re less likely to chip in the first place.
However, if you have weak or flaky nails, damaged cuticles, or other issues that lead to quicker polish wear-off then this will be especially important in making sure your mani stays looking fresh for longer.
What is nail primer used for?
Primer simply prepares the nail to receive color. It helps the polish adhere better and last longer.
Understanding the purpose of each product will make it easier to achieve a flawless manicure at home or in a salon. While there’s debate over whether primer is strictly necessary if your nails are healthy enough for polish you can give it a try.
A small amount goes a long way so don’t go overboard – two coats should do it!
Here’s what you need to know before trying any new products:
Is primer necessary for acrylic nails?
Nail primer isn’t always needed when using acrylic paints since they’re formulated to hold well on most natural nails. So, whether you use primer or not is entirely up to you.
But, if you’re applying acrylic paints onto nails which will be filled in every 2-3 weeks, there’s a good chance they won’t last as long without primer since the nail underneath may have grown out
You should also opt for primer if you’ve recently had artificial nails removed
As with any new product or technique, make sure to test it before using it on yourself or others. If you don’t notice a difference try switching from primer to base coat and vice versa to see if one might work better for your mani
Even though there’s debate over whether primer really makes a difference, many people swear by using it! Ultimately it’s up to your personal preference and what you’ve experienced before.
Final Thoughts
Nail primer can help your nails become healthier and better prepared to absorb topcoats. It’s an extra step in the process, but it doesn’t take that long and there’s no reason not to do it.
Although some people find that they don’t really need nail primer, many people swear by it so if you’re looking for a little extra strength against chipping and peeling, give it a try.
The only way you’ll know if it works for you is to test it yourself so be sure to pick up one of your favorite brands – whether or not you use primer won’t matter as much as how well it works for your specific mani needs.
Just make sure to allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next one. You don’t want to accidentally wipe it away.
