Choosing amazing nail polish colors in bright pinks, blues, reds, and much more is awesome. So is trying out matte nail polishes, fleck effects, or layering. But, in my opinion, the most important part of a manicure, whether you’re getting it done at a Pittsburgh nail salon or applying it yourself on the sofa, is the base and top coat.

In addition to all of their fabulous polishes, Zoya has a really great base and top coat. Zoya’s base coat is a highly durable yet flexible base coat that grips your nail and holds nail polish in place to maximize how long your manicure looks good!

Without the base coat, peeling and chipping is bound to happen because colored polishes aren’t designed to adhere to the oils naturally emitted from nails. The base coat adheres to nails by forming a bond between the nail plate and polish. In addition to this benefit, there is a bonus to using this product! It contains complex protein chains that strengthen and protect your nails underneath any of your favorite polishes.

Making sure to use a base coat is very important, but it is also smart to use a top coat to finish off your manicure. Zoya has a really great top coat product called “Zoya Armor Top Coat“. This top coat is a very strong and flexible polish that protects nails and extends the wear and shine of nail polish. This is polish is also a UV protector that prevents polish from yellowing. Using a top coat also prevents chipping by sealing in the polish.

Here’s a little tip a friend shared with me that I’ve been doing ever since: After you apply your top coat to the nail, go back and apply it to the edge of each nail. This seals the polish to your nail at the tip, where it is most susceptible to chipping and cracking. Hopefully these suggestions can help make your manicure last until you’re ready to change it!