Doing my nails at home used to leave them looking dull—until I found the perfect top coat. The right one gives such a smooth, glossy finish that even my clumsy DIY manicures end up looking salon-worthy. Nail artist Mazz Hanna agrees it’s a must-have final step, sealing in color and preventing chips to make your manicure last longer.
### Vogue’s Favorite Top Coats
– Best Gel-Like Finish: Essie Gel Couture Top Coat, $13
– Best Everyday: OPI Nail Lacquer Top Coat, $11
– Best Brush: Chanel Le Gel Coat, $33
– Best Clean Formula: Gitti High Gloss Top Coat, $20
– Best Splurge: Hermès Les Mains Hermès Top Coat, $58
For anyone who smudges their nails instantly or wants a gel look without the commitment, we asked manicurists what to look for in a top coat, how to apply it, and which ones they swear by—both on the job and at home.
### In This Article
– What top coat makes nail polish last longer?
– What to Look For in a Top Coat
– How to Apply Nail Polish Top Coat
– Is there a top coat that doesn’t chip?
– Meet the Experts
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### Essie Gel Couture Top Coat
$13 | $9 at Amazon
Why We Love It: “This is my go-to on set,” says celebrity manicurist Stephanie Stone. “It’s ultra-glossy, high-shine, and dries fast—plus, it mimics gel without a lamp.” Mazz Hanna adds, “Perfect for salon-worthy nails at home, and it removes like regular polish.”
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.46 oz
### OPI Nail Lacquer Top Coat
$11 | Amazon
Why We Love It: Hanna calls this a “reliable everyday option” for shine and longevity. It works best with OPI polishes but pairs well with most brands. Manicurist Mel Shengaris notes, “It never shrinks or leaves uneven edges.”
Finish: Matte
Size: 15 mL
### Chanel Le Gel Coat
$33 | Chanel
Why We Love It: Shengaris praises its redesigned brush for easy application: “Smooth, gel-like shine with quick drying—and the square cap makes it comfortable to hold.” Stone adds, “A red-carpet favorite for its luxe, glossy finish—no lamp needed.”
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.4 oz
### Londontown High Shine Glossy Top Coat
$20 | Amazon
Why We Love It: Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, this top coat’s curved brush hugs nails for a flawless finish. Pro tip: Reapply daily to maintain shine.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.40 oz
### JINsoon Gloss Quick Dry Top Nail Coat
$18 | Amazon
Why We Love It: Say goodbye to smudges—this doubles as a quick-dry solution. Bonus: UV protection helps prevent fading.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.5 ozHere’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
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Protects against fading and yellowing, which is especially important if you love lighter polish shades.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 11 mL
### Dior Vernis Top Coat
Price: $32 (Nordstrom, Dior)
Why we love it: Dior’s nail line is a favorite, and this top coat is no exception. It helps polish last for weeks instead of just days, speeds up drying time, and adds a subtle shine—even giving matte polishes a glossy finish.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.3 oz
### Butter London Shine UV Top Coat
Price: $18 (Amazon)
Why we love it: This quick-drying top coat prevents chipping and smudging, making it great for clumsy hands. It applies smoothly in one coat, delivers high shine, and includes UV protection to keep your color vibrant.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.4 fl oz
### CND Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat
Price: $12 (Amazon)
Why we love it: Designed for weekly wear, this top coat locks in color and prevents chips—perfect for active lifestyles. The formula bonds well to polish and stays glossy all week.
Finish: High-shine
Size: 0.5 fl oz
### Deborah Lippmann Ultra Quick-Dry Top Coat
Price: $22 (Amazon)
Why we love it: Ideal for when you’re in a rush, this vegan, chip-resistant top coat dries fast and lasts. Note: It works best over polish, not bare nails.
Finish: High-shine
Size: 0.5 fl oz
### Manucurist Green Sunshine Top Coat
Price: $15 (Amazon)
Why we love it: This French-made, plant-based formula dries quickly and hardens naturally for up to seven days of wear. It cures with natural UV light (no lamp needed) and works best with other Manucurist products.
Finish: High-shine
Size: 0.5 fl oz
### Tenoverten The Outlast Chip-Resistant Top Coat
Price: $20 (Amazon)
Why we love it: Mimics the look of gel without the harsh removal. It keeps colors vibrant, especially shades prone to fading or yellowing.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.45 fl oz
### Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Price: $8–$13 (Amazon)
Why we love it: A budget-friendly option that lasts up to eight days with a gel-like shine. Works best with the Miracle Gel system but improves longevity over other polishes too.
Finish: High-shine
Size: 0.5 fl oz
### Gitti High Gloss Top Coat
Price: $20 (Moda Operandi)
Why we love it: Vegan, cruelty-free, and free from harmful ingredients, this top coat is enriched with lab-grown diamond powder for extra shine. Lasts up to eight days.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 15 mL
### Hermès Les Mains Hermès Top Coat
Price: $59 (Nordstrom, Hermès)
Why we love it: Hermès polishes are top-tier—
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Let me know if you’d like the rest of the Hermès section completed!This top coat is no exception. Hanna calls it the perfect finishing touch for any manicure, delivering a smooth, glossy shine and a formula that feels like skincare for your nails. “The design and texture make it a standout in the luxury polish category,” she adds.
Finish: Glossy
Size: 0.5 fl oz
### Everything You Need to Know
#### What top coat makes nail polish last longer?
Stone explains that most top coats are designed to extend wear. “Any top coat will help prevent polish from wearing or peeling,” she says. “If you skip it, your manicure will likely chip by the end of the day, like a ’90s grunge look.” Hanna adds that a good top coat locks in color and prevents early chipping, helping your manicure last longer. “Choose one that offers both shine and durability, especially if you don’t want to reapply often,” she suggests.
#### What to Look For in a Top Coat
Hanna recommends considering drying time, shine, and chip resistance when choosing a top coat. “If you’re using a specific polish system, make sure the top coat is compatible,” she says. “Also, think about consistency—thinner formulas feel lighter, while thicker ones seal polish more firmly.”
Fast-drying options are especially important. Shengaris notes, “Quick drying helps prevent smudging, which weakens the bond between polish and nail, leading to early chipping.”
#### How to Apply Nail Polish Top Coat
Proper application is key to longevity. “Sloppy application can cause shrinking or faster chipping,” says Stone. She advises covering the entire nail, from base to tip, and cleaning up any excess with a brush dipped in remover. “Dried top coat outside the nail creates weak spots that peel easily.”
Shengaris stresses starting with clean, oil-free nails and letting each layer dry fully. After polish is dry, apply top coat and seal the free edge to prevent chipping.
“One coat is usually enough,” says Hanna, “but reapplying every few days helps maintain shine and protection, especially with frequent hand washing.”
#### Is there a top coat that doesn’t chip?
The experts agree—no top coat is completely chip-proof. “It will wear down eventually, especially with heavy hand use,” says Stone. “But some chip less or last longer than others.”
Hanna suggests long-wear or gel-effect formulas for better durability, especially when paired with a good base coat and quality polish.
### Meet the Experts
– Stephanie Stone – Celebrity manicurist based in Los Angeles
– Mel Shengaris – Celebrity manicurist based in Los Angeles
– Mazz Hanna – Nail artist and CEO of Nailing Hollywood