As the final step in the manicure process, a top coat acts as a blanket to all the other layers. It doesn't matter how many coats of nail polish you apply, the top coat will seal it. It holds the color and protects the nail polish against scuffs and bangs.
Just like paint, nail polish has different top coats that reflect or absorb light. For example, a gloss top coat is reflective and gives the surface a glossy or shiny appearance. On the contrary, matte top coats are flat. A matte top coat is a clear protective nail polish that is applied over the base coat and primary coats of color and gives the nail a matte top coat.
Known to transform glossy nails into a velvet manicure, matte top coats can add dimension and create a touchable texture to any look.
So today this article will talk about what is a matte top coat and some tips for you to get your favorite nails with a matte top coat.
An introduction to matte top coat
A good top coat does much more than make nails shiny. Think of the top coat as the armor for your manicure. It protects the color from the environment, as everything from sunlight to water shortens the life of your manicure. The top coat seals in the color and gives it more staying power than it would have on its own. And today's top coats are fashionable as well as functional, providing the top coating touch to any great manicure.
Top coats keep your nail polish intact for much longer. But best of all, a matte top coat will give your nails a unique and edgy top coat. Matte works with any color. But, my favorite color to use it with is black.
One of the first runway appearances of the matte nail trend was in 2010 and manufacturers from high-end to drug-store have created lines of matte top coat polish. The exact opposite of what a conventional manicure entails — shiny, high gloss nails — the matte trend is considered somewhat edgier.
You might think a matte top coat will just flatten everything out, but you'd be wrong!
A matte top coat makes everything really pop because it really saturates the color. The texture is really big right now and a matte top coat creates a cool one, especially when layered over silvers and metallic.
Moreover, a matte top coat even makes that classic red nail you can't and never will quit look better. A matte top coat makes a regular red nail look a little stronger and really durable. If your hands are still very dry despite the calendar saying its technical spring now, and your nails are still breaking left and right, it's an easy way to make your manicure feel less fragile.
The matte top coat nail polish quickly transforms your existing nail polish from shiny to matte. All you have to do is apply one or two coats over your favorite nail polish to get the look. The top coat looks satin-matte, but when touching it, it is hard.
MATTE TOP coat nail polish might appear cream-colored in the bottle, it is clear when it dries. This is great because it means you can use it with any color. It's also a great, cost-effective option because our top coat is salon-quality at a fraction of the price.
How do matte top coats work?
here's how matte top coats work – it's pretty simple!
Much like linear vs scattered holo top coats, it's all about how smooth the surface is – in a glossy top coat, the particles are uniformly spread on the surface in an even layer, and so the reflection is continuous. In a matte top coat, if you zoom in to a microscopic level, the surface is rough and therefore the light bounces everywhere and you don't get a smooth reflection – the light is diffused and scattered, which gives a dull top coat.
The ingredient in commercial matte top coats that makes the surface rough is silica gel – the same as the stuff in those little water-absorbing desiccant packets but ground up very very finely.
The benefits of matte top coat
The advantage of a matte top coat is that it can be used to flatten any type of polish, be it gloss or matte. When a matte top coat is applied over a glossy polish, the top coat becomes something between satin and matte, depending on the quality of the base and top coats.
Since matte polishes sometimes tend to be "chalky" and dense in appearance, a matte top coat can be a better way to produce the matte top coat over an easier-to-apply traditional shine polish. Using a matte top coat is also a more economical way to switch up the at-home manicure as one bottle can be used over any of the other types of nail polish currently on hand.
As follows are more benefits of a top coat:
Lasting Power
Nail professionals seal all manicures with a top coat for a reason: It helps color last longer. When you pair a long-lasting polish with a top coat, you can even get seven-day wear. Top coats can also help block UV rays from damaging color, protecting them from water and other things your hands regularly touch. Pair a professional top coat with quality oil, and your clients' nails will have the best shot at protection perfection.
Peak Performance
For your clients to get the optimum performance out of their manicures, they require a little home care. When wearing a seven-day polish, clients do not need to reapply the top coat between manicures. Daily use of cuticle oil and wearing gloves when in prolonged contact with water or doing any gardening or cleaning will help your clients see the service shine.
If your clients choose a traditional polish, in addition to protecting the nails with gloves, reapplying the top coat every two to three days will help the color last past the usual few days. Apply the top coat in a thin layer and seal the tip of the nail for ideal protection. Keeping it off the skin is always a win since contact with your skin makes everything more likely to peel off. With a strong top coat, your manicure is sure to achieve peak performance.
Function Meets Fashion
A top coat is an armor to your manicure — and armor always has a unique look. Sometimes it's polished to a stunning shine. Sometimes it has a different patina from time or battle. No matter what, each look is beautiful in its own way. Your personal style is reflected in your manicure, and the top coat you choose can be a great element of style. A matte top coat gives nails a stark top coat great for complementing matte lipstick or metallic nail color.
How can I make my matte top coat last longer?
– Keep your nails on the shorter side. The matte top coat tends to chip faster than creme versions, and longer tips are more likely to get dinged up quicker. …
– Layer matte polish with a matte top coat. …
– Wait between coats. …
– Don't forget the tip.
Can you use a matte top coat on any nail polish?
Any nail polish shade you coat with it, even if it's been deemed no longer in style for whatever reason, will look new and updated, and fresh for spring. All you have to do is swap your top coat for a matte top coat.
Other applications of the matte top coat
Other applications of the matte top coat include using it to create artistic looks that alternate matte and gloss top coats. For instance, a modern and edgy take on a traditional French manicure can be achieved by painting matte top coat nails with glossy tips in any combination of colors. In addition to matte top coats, other specialty top coats and top coats are available including crackle top coats and glow-in-the-dark polish. Investing in a few different types of top coats can open up endless creative possibilities for varying manicure styles. If nails are artificial, acrylic or gel, be sure to use polish and top coats as well as removers that won't cause damage.
15 dope designs that'll make you want to try matte nail art
A Modern Twist
This juxtaposition of matte and chrome top coats is anything but boring. A unique take on the classic French mani, this look combines two of nail art's biggest trends.
Water Droplets
These wicked water droplets were made with acrylic, but you can create a similar 2D effect with shiny clear nail polish. First allow the matte base to dry, then paint your glossy dots.
Glittery and Gray
Go matte gray, but top it with opalescent flakes like the example shown here. It's the perfect way to add some fun to an otherwise subdued shade.
Gold Embellished
Black is always a classic choice. Keep it interesting by experimenting with polish placement and unexpected embellishments.
Asymmetrical Art
What's more fun than matte cobalt blue polish? Matte cobalt blue polish with negative space and metallic tips.
Gorgeous Gradients
What should you do when you love a trend, such as ombré, but it feels played out? Try it in a new top coat, like matte. This gradient fades from a matte hot pink on the tips into a lighter shade at the base.
Two-Tone Tips
Experiment with multicolor matte shades for a super cool look like this. Choose complementary colors, like orange and blue, or stick with shades in the same family to keep it cohesive. Then use those shades to paint your nails in vertical halves.
Tiny Gold Accents
After you've painted your nails a solid matte shade, use gold striping tape to accessorize.
Marble Mani
Inspired by the sophisticated look of white Carrara marble, this manicure takes the same white, black, and gray free-form pattern. Start with a white base, and while the paint is still wet, use a striping brush to paint thin black or gray lines. Top coat with a matte top coat.
Neutral Nails
To keep your look simple but by no means basic, pair your beige shade with an interesting nail shape and a matte top coat, like the style shown here.
Metallic Splatter
For this look, start with a matte ombré base in different shades on each nail. Then, place a few drops of polish onto a paper plate and dip one end of the straw into the polish. Hold the straw two to three inches away from your nails, and blow out the other end for the splattered effect.
Negative Space
Two ways to make pastel polish edgy: a matte top coat and a negative space design.
Matte-ching Shades
Create a subtle texture by mixing both glossy and matte polishes in the same shade for your nail art design. For this look, paint the shiny top coat over your half-moon and use matte polish to paint the rest of the nail.
Holographic Accents
Break up an over-the-top holographic nail look with a few solid matte accent nails. For an even more unique twist, try a coffin or stiletto nail shape.
Geometric Designs
Geometric art isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Make your nails your canvas, and freestyle with your favorite shapes and colors.
Conclusion
A top coat is a necessary step in any manicure, and adding matte to the mix can give you a very different look that can be dressed up or down to suit your needs.
Matte top coat nail polishes always have a solid top coat without any shine. If you'd prefer to not have any shine on your nails but still want bold color, try this polish. You'll need to do your best to get it applied in a uniform manner, as a matte top coat tends to dry quickly.
Matte top coat really changes the look of nail polishes by giving them a satin top coat that is very smooth. It looks very luxurious and makes your colors turn into a velvet top coat.
Therefore, whether you're looking for a new way to spice up your nails or just want to try something new, a matte top coat is definitely worth considering!