Gel manicures are known for being glossier and more durable than regular nail polish. But can you use regular nail polish with a gel top coat?
In short, you shouldn’t. Combining the two is just too risky and can damage your nails.
This article will explain why you should not use a gel top coat over your regular nail polish.
What This Article Covers:
- Can You Use a Gel Topcoat Over Regular Nail Polish?
- Why Do People Use a Gel Topcoat with Regular Nail Polish?
Can You Use a Gel Topcoat Over Regular Nail Polish?
Regular nail varnish takes about 24 hours to become completely dry. Your nail polish might become dry to the touch before that time, but it will still be vulnerable to dents and creasing.
On the other hand, gel polish dries within 30-60 seconds. When gel polish dries, it takes on a much harder consistency.
It might seem like a great idea at first, but you are actually confining the moisture from your nail varnish to your nail bed. This can create a breeding ground for fungus.
If you want to ensure that the moisture is not trapped, you should know how long to wait between coats of nail polish.
There is a whole protocol around the application of gel nail polish, which is why professionals advise against mixing regular lacquer with gel varnish. Even if your regular nail polish is marketed as having a “quick-drying” time, you should still be careful.
Even then, you should always make sure that you are using a good quality fast-drying nail polish top coat.
For this reason, you should not use a gel top coat over your regular nail polish, since it can be very harmful to your nails.
Combining Regular Nail Polish with Gel
If you’re still set on combining the two, It is best to seal your regular varnish with a gel top coat after it has fully dried. In other words, you should apply the gel top coat after 24 hours.
You can also apply a gel base coat layer underneath the nail polish, and then seal it in with the gel topcoat.
Make sure you are sure about how many coats of nail polish you should use.
If your regular nail polish has not dried before you applied the gel top coat, then your nail polish will shrink and crease.
Why Do People Use a Gel Topcoat with Regular Nail Polish?
Many nail varnish users say that a gel top coat makes your regular nail polish last longer, and gives it a glossy appearance and a smoother texture.
Gel polishes are great, because they look glossy, and last for a long time without chipping or peeling. But, gel polish can be pricier than regular nail polish.
That’s why many beauty fans like to use a gel top coat with regular nail polish. They want the durability and glossiness of the gel nail polish while also saving money. That is why the “Gelly sandwich” has become so popular.
Make certain that you know how to use top coat nail polish before attempting it.
The “Gelly Sandwich”
This technique requires that you seal a regular nail polish between a gel base coat and top coat. This results in a squishy inside and a colorful outside. If you are looking for colorful varnishes, then you need to look for the best matte nail polish brands.
But is this technique effective?
If you try the “gelly sandwich” then you will notice that your manicure will not last longer than a couple of days before it starts peeling.
This is due to the gel base coat.
What About a Gel Base Coat with Regular Nail Lacquer?
Similar to a gel top coat, you should not use a UV gel base coat with regular nail lacquer. Your regular nail polishes will not adhere very well to a gel base coat.
A base coat’s function is to anchor your nail polish onto the nail plate. A gel base coat has a different chemical formation compared to regular nail lacquer. For this reason, the nail polish will not bond properly with the gel base coat.
If the nail polish does not anchor properly to the nail plate, then your polish will peel and flake more easily.
You still need to invest in a good base coat. You can find out why base coat nail polish is important for your manicure.
The Takeaway
In short, you should not apply a gel top coat to your regular nail polish since regular nail polish has a long drying time and gel polish will trap moisture under the top coat.
We recommend that you stick with a regular base coat and top coat when painting your nails with regular nail lacquer.
Before starting your manicure, you should learn the difference between base coat and top coat nail polish.
Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking:
- Best Top Coat Nail Polish
- How Much Does Nail Polish Cost
- Clear Nail Polish VS Top Coat
- Gel Nail Polish Vs Regular
- Gel Polish vs Acrylic Nails
- Can You Use Gel Polish on Acrylic Nails?
- How to Remove Gel Nail Polish off Acrylic Nails?
- Why Does Gel Nail Polish Change Color?
- What Is Gel Nail Polish Made of?
- Is Gel Nail Polish Vegan
- Why Does My Nail Polish Peel Off
- How to Use Nail Polish Remover?
- What Does Your Nail Polish Say About You?
- What Color Nail Polish Goes with Everything
- Does Nail Polish Freeze
Alright, buckle up for some nail knowledge! I've got the lowdown on why you shouldn't mix regular nail polish with a gel top coat.
First things first, let's talk about the science. Regular nail polish takes a whole 24 hours to fully dry, and even though it might feel dry to the touch before that, it's still susceptible to dents and creases. On the flip side, gel polish dries like a speedster in 30-60 seconds and hardens up real nice. Now, the catch is, if you throw a gel top coat on your regular polish, you're basically trapping in all that moisture. Moisture plus trapped space equals a cozy environment for fungus to throw a party on your nails. Not the kind of party you want, trust me.
Professionals are adamant about this for a reason. Even if your regular polish is labeled as a "quick-drying" wonder, you still need to tread carefully. Using a good quality fast-drying top coat is non-negotiable.
Now, if you're still itching to mix the two, there's a cautious way to do it. Seal your regular polish with a gel top coat only after a full 24 hours of patience. Alternatively, you can throw in a gel base coat before your regular polish and lock it in with the gel top coat. Just be sure you know your coat count and let that regular polish dry before you dive into the gel world, or else you're looking at some serious shrinkage and creasing.
Now, why do people even want to risk this nail chemistry experiment? Some swear by the durability and glossy charm that a gel top coat adds to regular polish. It's like getting the best of both worlds—long-lasting glam without breaking the bank. The "Gelly Sandwich" is a technique where you sandwich regular polish between a gel base and top coat for a squishy inside and a vibrant outside. But heads up, it's not a long-lasting affair; expect a couple of days before the peeling party begins.
Lastly, don't even think about slapping a gel base coat with regular lacquer. Chemistry isn't a fan of that mix, and your regular polish won't stick around for the gel base coat party. It's all about chemical formations and proper bonding.
In a nutshell, stick to a regular base and top coat combo for your regular polish. It might not be as quick and glossy, but it's a safer bet. And hey, before you embark on your manicure journey, get to know the difference between base coat and top coat nail polish—it's the ABCs of nail care. Got questions about other nail polish mysteries? Spill, and I'll spill the tea!
