Professional hair care

Gel Polish Top & Base Coats

The base coat and top coat are properly the unsung heroes of every gel manicure. Get them right and your colour lasts the full 2-3 weeks without lifting, chipping or fading. Get them wrong and the most beautiful gel polish in the world will lift within days. Our gel polish top and base coats collection brings together the system support products working nail technicians actually rely on: Andreia Professional Lab (the comprehensive Portuguese specialist with the broadest top/base coat range we stock), OPI Intelli-Gel (the heavyweight branded system), Gelish (the trusted established gel system), Chroma, S Professional, and 2AM London. Plus primers and bonders for chronic lifting issues. Whether you're a working nail technician restocking your treatment room, a salon owner topping up trade stock, or a confident at-home gel user wanting genuinely salon-quality results, the right system products live here.

Why base coats and top coats matter more than you think

Worth being properly honest about this. Most gel polish buyers focus on the colour — but the colour is the showcase product. The base coat is what makes it stick to your nail. The top coat is what makes it last 3 weeks instead of 3 days. The primer or bonder is what stops it lifting if you've got chronic adhesion problems. Skip these or use cheap supermarket alternatives, and you'll fight your gel polish constantly. Use proper professional system products, and your manicures suddenly perform the way they're supposed to.

The technique is layered: primer (optional, for adhesion issues) → bonder (optional, for extra grip) → base coat (always) → colour (cured between coats) → top coat (always). Each layer does a specific job, and together they create a properly bonded manicure that walks out of your salon (or bathroom) looking salon-fresh for weeks rather than days.

Choosing the right system products for the job

Base coats

The foundation of every gel manicure. Base coats bond the gel system to the nail plate, prevent staining from pigmented colours, and significantly extend wear time. Never skip the base coat — it's properly the difference between a 3-week manicure and a manicure that lifts within days.

  • Andreia Professional Power Base Clear - High Viscosity Base Coat 10.5ml — properly thick base coat for maximum adhesion and lifting prevention. The right choice for clients with persistent lifting issues or for nail technicians wanting maximum hold reliability across challenging nails.
  • Andreia Professional Fast & Easy Base Coat 10.5ml — speedier-application base coat for high-volume practices wanting consistent results without complicated technique requirements.
  • Andreia Professional True Pure Base Coat - Hema Free 10.5ml — the HEMA-Free option in the Andreia range for clients with HEMA sensitivity or salons committed to HEMA-Free systems across their service menu.
  • Andreia Professional Base/Top Coat 2 In 1 10.5ml — dual-purpose product for properly time-saving everyday use. Works as both base and top coat with one bottle. Brilliant for travel, mobile therapy, or simplified home routines.
  • Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish Foundation Base Coat 15ml — the original Gelish base coat, properly trusted in the industry and specifically formulated for compatibility with the full Gelish gel polish system.
  • 2AM London First Base 7.5ml — base coat from the trend-led indie brand, properly suited to use with 2AM London colour shades. See the full 2AM London collection.

Top coats

Top coats seal the manicure, add the high-shine finish, prevent chipping, and protect the colour underneath. The choice between standard, no-wipe, matte and specialty top coats comes down to the finish you want and how much application time you've got:

Standard high-shine top coats

  • OPI Intelli-Gel Super Gloss Top Coat 15ml — the heavyweight branded gel top coat from OPI's Intelli-Gel system. Properly high-shine, properly durable, the right choice for clients who specifically want OPI brand recognition.
  • Andreia Professional Shine Master Top Coat 10.5ml — the everyday workhorse high-shine top coat in the Andreia range.
  • Andreia Professional Hard Gloss Top Coat 10.5ml — extra-durable high-shine finish, properly suited to clients with hand-intensive lifestyles where standard top coats wear faster.
  • Andreia Professional All In One Top Coat 10.5ml — versatile high-shine top coat suitable for use across the full Andreia gel system.
  • Andreia Professional True Pure Top Coat - Hema Free 10.5ml — the HEMA-Free top coat option for clients and technicians committed to HEMA-Free systems.
  • S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml — properly bulk trade size for high-volume salons. Significantly more cost-effective per millilitre than smaller bottles for working professionals.
  • Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish Xtra Shine Top Coat 9ml — premium-shine Gelish top coat specifically formulated for the Gelish system.

No-wipe top coats

The modern professional standard. No-wipe top coats leave no sticky inhibition layer after curing, so no acetone wipe-down needed at the end. Genuinely speeds up application time and reduces the risk of accidentally smudging fresh manicures during the wipe-off step.

  • OPI Intelli-Gel Super Gloss No Wipe Top Coat 15ml — the OPI Intelli-Gel no-wipe option for high-shine finish without the wipe-down step.
  • Andreia Professional All In One No Wipe Top Coat 10.5ml — Andreia's no-wipe option, properly time-saving for busy salons.

Matte top coats

  • Andreia Professional All In One Matte Top Coat 10.5ml — modern matte finish for the trend-led no-shine look. Velvet matte finish without the gloss.
  • Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish Matte Top It Off Top Coat 15ml — Gelish's matte top coat for properly modern matte gel manicures within the Gelish system.

Specialty top coats

  • Andreia Professional Galactic Top Coat - 01 Stardust Glitter 10.5ml — sparkle-finish top coat that adds glittery dimension to any colour underneath. Properly clever for adding festive sparkle without committing to a full glitter polish change.

Primers

The prep product applied to the natural nail before base coat. Primers strip oil and moisture from the nail plate for proper adhesion. Particularly important for clients with naturally oily nail beds or where lifting has been a previous issue.

  • OPI Treatment Chipskip Primer 15ml — the OPI primer for proper nail prep before gel polish application. Reduces chipping by ensuring proper bond between gel and nail.
  • Andreia Professional Extreme Primer - Acid Based 10.5ml — properly strong acid-based primer for maximum adhesion. The right choice for clients with chronic lifting issues or for the trickiest nail types.
  • Andreia Professional Ultrabond Primer 10.5ml — the alternative Andreia primer offering proper bonding without the acid-based formulation. Suitable for sensitive clients or where acid-based products aren't preferred.

Bonders

The additional adhesion-boosting layer applied between primer and base coat for clients needing maximum hold. Particularly useful for clients with chronic lifting issues, or for nail extensions and structured manicures where extra grip matters.

  • Chroma Gel Bonder 15ml — bonding layer to maximise gel adhesion. Used between primer and base coat for clients with adhesion challenges.

The full gel polish application sequence

For salon-quality results that genuinely last the full 2-3 weeks, follow this proper sequence:

  1. Prep the nails thoroughly. Remove any old polish, file and shape the nails, gently push back cuticles, and lightly buff the nail surface for better adhesion. Browse our cuticle care collection for proper prep tools.
  2. Apply primer to the entire nail plate. Use OPI Chipskip, Andreia Extreme or Andreia Ultrabond depending on your needs. Allow to dry briefly. (Skip this step for clients without lifting issues.)
  3. For challenging nails, apply Chroma Gel Bonder. Cure under the lamp. (Optional, for maximum adhesion.)
  4. Apply a thin layer of base coat. Cap the free edge (run the brush across the very tip of the nail) to seal the cuticle and prevent lifting. Cure under your LED or UV lamp.
  5. Apply your first colour coat thinly. Don't try to get full coverage on coat one — a thin first coat cures properly without bubbling or shrinking. Cap the free edge again. Cure under the lamp.
  6. Apply a second colour coat. Slightly thicker than the first if needed for full coverage. Cap the free edge. Cure under the lamp.
  7. Apply your top coat. Choose by finish — high-shine for classic, no-wipe for time-saving, matte for modern, sparkle for festive. Cover the entire nail surface, capping the free edge to seal. Cure under the lamp.
  8. Wipe off the inhibition layer if needed with an acetone-soaked nail wipe (skip this step entirely if you used a no-wipe top coat).
  9. Apply cuticle oil to nourish the surrounding skin and finish the manicure.

Featured brands

Andreia Professional Lab

Portuguese professional brand with the most comprehensive top/base coat range we stock. Andreia covers every possible system product variation — high-shine, no-wipe, matte, hard gloss, HEMA-Free, base coat, base/top 2-in-1, primer (acid-based and non-acid), and even specialty glitter top coats. The 10.5ml standard professional size is properly cost-effective for trade use, and the breadth of the range means you can build a complete Andreia system across cleaners, primers, bonders, base coats, top coats and treatments. Brilliant for salons committing to a single-brand system.

OPI Intelli-Gel

OPI's gel polish system, properly trusted as the heavyweight branded option. The Intelli-Gel range covers Super Gloss Top Coat, No Wipe variant, and Chipskip Primer in 15ml professional sizes. Particularly relevant for salons offering OPI as their main gel polish system, or for clients who specifically request OPI brand recognition.

Gelish

One of the most established and trusted gel polish brands in the professional industry. The Gelish system support range includes the iconic Foundation Base Coat 15ml, Matte Top It Off Top Coat 15ml, and Xtra Shine Top Coat 9ml. Properly engineered for compatibility with the full Gelish gel polish system, and the right choice for salons committed to the Gelish brand.

Chroma, S Professional and 2AM London

The supporting brands across our range. Chroma Gel Bonder for adhesion-boosting work. S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml for properly bulk trade-quantity buying — significantly cost-effective per use for high-volume practices. 2AM London First Base for trend-led indie nail polish system support, properly matched to the 2AM London colour range. Browse the full 2AM London collection for the matching colour shades.

Why HEMA-Free options matter

Worth flagging properly because it affects buying decisions. HEMA (Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) is a common ingredient in many gel polishes, and it's an increasingly recognised allergen. Repeat exposure can cause contact dermatitis, skin reactions, and even permanent sensitivity over time. Both nail technicians (with daily exposure) and clients (with regular gel applications) are at risk. The HEMA allergy issue has become significant enough that the EU has restricted HEMA in consumer products, and many UK professionals are actively switching to HEMA-Free systems to protect themselves and their clients.

Within this collection, the Andreia Professional True Pure Top Coat and True Pure Base Coat are the HEMA-Free options. For salons committed to HEMA-Free across their service menu, building the system around the Andreia True Pure range alongside HEMA-Free gel polish colours (like Halo Hema-Free in our wider gel nail polish collection) delivers a fully HEMA-Free service from base to colour to top coat.

Why bulk sizing makes sense for working salons

If you're running a salon doing regular gel polish services, the per-millilitre price difference between trade-bulk system products and consumer-size system products is properly significant. The S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml is the standout trade-size option in this collection — significantly more cost-effective per use than smaller 9-15ml bottles for working professionals using top coat at every appointment.

For smaller-volume practices or home users, the standard 9-15ml sizes are properly suited — enough for many manicures per bottle, with the cost-per-use staying reasonable.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between primer, bonder and base coat?

Three different products with different jobs in the gel polish system. Primer (like OPI Chipskip, Andreia Extreme) strips oil and moisture from the nail plate to prep the surface for adhesion — applied first. Bonder (like Chroma Gel Bonder) is an additional adhesion-boosting layer for challenging nails or extra hold — applied after primer. Base coat (like Gelish Foundation, Andreia Power Base, OPI Intelli-Gel system base) bonds the gel polish system to the nail and prevents staining — applied after primer and bonder. For most everyday gel manicures, primer plus base coat is enough; bonder is the proper addition for chronic lifting issues.

Do I need a no-wipe top coat?

Not strictly necessary, but properly time-saving for high-volume practices. Standard top coats leave a slightly sticky inhibition layer after curing that needs wiping off with acetone. No-wipe top coats skip this step entirely. For salons doing back-to-back manicures, the time saving across a working day is meaningful. For home users, either format works fine — choose by what you've already got in your kit.

Can I mix brands in the same gel polish system?

Generally yes — most professional gel polish system products are interchangeable across brands. You can use Andreia base coat with Gelish colour and an OPI top coat without major issues. That said, for guaranteed compatibility and the most predictable results, sticking with a single-brand system (especially for primer + base + top combinations) is the safest bet. Mixing colours from different brands is genuinely fine; mixing base/top coat brands works in most cases but can occasionally cause adhesion issues.

What's the difference between OPI Intelli-Gel and OPI Infinite Shine?

Different OPI systems for different products. OPI Intelli-Gel is the gel polish system — cured under UV/LED lamp, lasts 2-3 weeks. OPI Infinite Shine is the long-wear regular polish system — air-dried, no lamp required, lasts 7-11 days. The Intelli-Gel top coats in this collection are for use with gel polish; OPI Infinite Shine top coats (sold in our wider nail polish collection) are for regular polish.

What's the most cost-effective top coat for trade use?

The S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml is properly the standout trade-size option — significantly more cost-effective per millilitre than the standard 9-15ml bottles. For high-volume salons going through top coat at every appointment, the bulk size delivers genuine cost savings. For occasional or moderate use, the smaller 9-15ml bottles are properly fine and offer easier handling.

Should I use base coat AND primer, or just one?

For most everyday manicures on healthy nails, base coat alone is enough. Primer is the proper addition for clients with naturally oily nail beds, chronic lifting issues, or for nail extensions and structured manicures where extra adhesion matters. If your gel polish keeps lifting despite proper application technique, adding a primer step before base coat usually solves the problem.

How long does a 10.5ml base coat or top coat bottle last?

For working salon use, a 10.5ml base coat or top coat typically delivers 50-100+ manicures before running out, depending on application technique and bottle handling. For home use, a single 10.5ml bottle can last properly long — months of regular use. The 73ml S Professional bottle delivers significantly more uses for high-volume practices.

What's the difference between high-viscosity and standard base coats?

High-viscosity base coats (like Andreia Power Base Clear) are properly thicker, designed for maximum adhesion and lifting prevention. Standard base coats are thinner and faster-applying. Choose by need — high-viscosity for chronic lifting issues or challenging nails, standard for everyday healthy nails where lifting hasn't been a problem.

Can I use these top coats over regular nail polish?

Generally no — gel polish top coats need UV/LED curing to set. Over regular air-dry polish, they'll stay sticky and won't form the proper protective layer they're designed to create. For regular polish, you need an air-dry top coat (like OPI Infinite Shine, Andreia Gel Effect Top Coat, or similar) instead.

Are these products suitable for HEMA-sensitive clients?

The Andreia Professional True Pure Top Coat and True Pure Base Coat are specifically formulated as HEMA-Free options. For clients with confirmed HEMA sensitivity, building the entire system around HEMA-Free products (HEMA-Free base, HEMA-Free colour, HEMA-Free top coat) is properly important. Other products in this collection may contain HEMA — always check individual product details for ingredient credentials if HEMA-sensitivity matters.

Shop the gel polish top & base coats collection

Browse the full range below across all stocked brands and product types. For gel polish colours to use with these system products, see our gel nail polish collection. For wider nail polish options including regular lacquer and treatments, browse our nail polish collection. For proper acetone for soak-off removal, see our acetone and removers collection. For complete manicure setups including tools and accessories, browse our manicure and pedicure collection. Free UK delivery on all orders.

21 products

21 products

Gel Polish Top & Base Coats

The base coat and top coat are properly the unsung heroes of every gel manicure. Get them right and your colour lasts the full 2-3 weeks without lifting, chipping or fading. Get them wrong and the most beautiful gel polish in the world will lift within days. Our gel polish top and base coats collection brings together the system support products working nail technicians actually rely on: Andreia Professional Lab (the comprehensive Portuguese specialist with the broadest top/base coat range we stock), OPI Intelli-Gel (the heavyweight branded system), Gelish (the trusted established gel system), Chroma, S Professional, and 2AM London. Plus primers and bonders for chronic lifting issues. Whether you're a working nail technician restocking your treatment room, a salon owner topping up trade stock, or a confident at-home gel user wanting genuinely salon-quality results, the right system products live here.

Why base coats and top coats matter more than you think

Worth being properly honest about this. Most gel polish buyers focus on the colour — but the colour is the showcase product. The base coat is what makes it stick to your nail. The top coat is what makes it last 3 weeks instead of 3 days. The primer or bonder is what stops it lifting if you've got chronic adhesion problems. Skip these or use cheap supermarket alternatives, and you'll fight your gel polish constantly. Use proper professional system products, and your manicures suddenly perform the way they're supposed to.

The technique is layered: primer (optional, for adhesion issues) → bonder (optional, for extra grip) → base coat (always) → colour (cured between coats) → top coat (always). Each layer does a specific job, and together they create a properly bonded manicure that walks out of your salon (or bathroom) looking salon-fresh for weeks rather than days.

Choosing the right system products for the job

Base coats

The foundation of every gel manicure. Base coats bond the gel system to the nail plate, prevent staining from pigmented colours, and significantly extend wear time. Never skip the base coat — it's properly the difference between a 3-week manicure and a manicure that lifts within days.

  • Andreia Professional Power Base Clear - High Viscosity Base Coat 10.5ml — properly thick base coat for maximum adhesion and lifting prevention. The right choice for clients with persistent lifting issues or for nail technicians wanting maximum hold reliability across challenging nails.
  • Andreia Professional Fast & Easy Base Coat 10.5ml — speedier-application base coat for high-volume practices wanting consistent results without complicated technique requirements.
  • Andreia Professional True Pure Base Coat - Hema Free 10.5ml — the HEMA-Free option in the Andreia range for clients with HEMA sensitivity or salons committed to HEMA-Free systems across their service menu.
  • Andreia Professional Base/Top Coat 2 In 1 10.5ml — dual-purpose product for properly time-saving everyday use. Works as both base and top coat with one bottle. Brilliant for travel, mobile therapy, or simplified home routines.
  • Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish Foundation Base Coat 15ml — the original Gelish base coat, properly trusted in the industry and specifically formulated for compatibility with the full Gelish gel polish system.
  • 2AM London First Base 7.5ml — base coat from the trend-led indie brand, properly suited to use with 2AM London colour shades. See the full 2AM London collection.

Top coats

Top coats seal the manicure, add the high-shine finish, prevent chipping, and protect the colour underneath. The choice between standard, no-wipe, matte and specialty top coats comes down to the finish you want and how much application time you've got:

Standard high-shine top coats

  • OPI Intelli-Gel Super Gloss Top Coat 15ml — the heavyweight branded gel top coat from OPI's Intelli-Gel system. Properly high-shine, properly durable, the right choice for clients who specifically want OPI brand recognition.
  • Andreia Professional Shine Master Top Coat 10.5ml — the everyday workhorse high-shine top coat in the Andreia range.
  • Andreia Professional Hard Gloss Top Coat 10.5ml — extra-durable high-shine finish, properly suited to clients with hand-intensive lifestyles where standard top coats wear faster.
  • Andreia Professional All In One Top Coat 10.5ml — versatile high-shine top coat suitable for use across the full Andreia gel system.
  • Andreia Professional True Pure Top Coat - Hema Free 10.5ml — the HEMA-Free top coat option for clients and technicians committed to HEMA-Free systems.
  • S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml — properly bulk trade size for high-volume salons. Significantly more cost-effective per millilitre than smaller bottles for working professionals.
  • Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish Xtra Shine Top Coat 9ml — premium-shine Gelish top coat specifically formulated for the Gelish system.

No-wipe top coats

The modern professional standard. No-wipe top coats leave no sticky inhibition layer after curing, so no acetone wipe-down needed at the end. Genuinely speeds up application time and reduces the risk of accidentally smudging fresh manicures during the wipe-off step.

  • OPI Intelli-Gel Super Gloss No Wipe Top Coat 15ml — the OPI Intelli-Gel no-wipe option for high-shine finish without the wipe-down step.
  • Andreia Professional All In One No Wipe Top Coat 10.5ml — Andreia's no-wipe option, properly time-saving for busy salons.

Matte top coats

  • Andreia Professional All In One Matte Top Coat 10.5ml — modern matte finish for the trend-led no-shine look. Velvet matte finish without the gloss.
  • Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish Matte Top It Off Top Coat 15ml — Gelish's matte top coat for properly modern matte gel manicures within the Gelish system.

Specialty top coats

  • Andreia Professional Galactic Top Coat - 01 Stardust Glitter 10.5ml — sparkle-finish top coat that adds glittery dimension to any colour underneath. Properly clever for adding festive sparkle without committing to a full glitter polish change.

Primers

The prep product applied to the natural nail before base coat. Primers strip oil and moisture from the nail plate for proper adhesion. Particularly important for clients with naturally oily nail beds or where lifting has been a previous issue.

  • OPI Treatment Chipskip Primer 15ml — the OPI primer for proper nail prep before gel polish application. Reduces chipping by ensuring proper bond between gel and nail.
  • Andreia Professional Extreme Primer - Acid Based 10.5ml — properly strong acid-based primer for maximum adhesion. The right choice for clients with chronic lifting issues or for the trickiest nail types.
  • Andreia Professional Ultrabond Primer 10.5ml — the alternative Andreia primer offering proper bonding without the acid-based formulation. Suitable for sensitive clients or where acid-based products aren't preferred.

Bonders

The additional adhesion-boosting layer applied between primer and base coat for clients needing maximum hold. Particularly useful for clients with chronic lifting issues, or for nail extensions and structured manicures where extra grip matters.

  • Chroma Gel Bonder 15ml — bonding layer to maximise gel adhesion. Used between primer and base coat for clients with adhesion challenges.

The full gel polish application sequence

For salon-quality results that genuinely last the full 2-3 weeks, follow this proper sequence:

  1. Prep the nails thoroughly. Remove any old polish, file and shape the nails, gently push back cuticles, and lightly buff the nail surface for better adhesion. Browse our cuticle care collection for proper prep tools.
  2. Apply primer to the entire nail plate. Use OPI Chipskip, Andreia Extreme or Andreia Ultrabond depending on your needs. Allow to dry briefly. (Skip this step for clients without lifting issues.)
  3. For challenging nails, apply Chroma Gel Bonder. Cure under the lamp. (Optional, for maximum adhesion.)
  4. Apply a thin layer of base coat. Cap the free edge (run the brush across the very tip of the nail) to seal the cuticle and prevent lifting. Cure under your LED or UV lamp.
  5. Apply your first colour coat thinly. Don't try to get full coverage on coat one — a thin first coat cures properly without bubbling or shrinking. Cap the free edge again. Cure under the lamp.
  6. Apply a second colour coat. Slightly thicker than the first if needed for full coverage. Cap the free edge. Cure under the lamp.
  7. Apply your top coat. Choose by finish — high-shine for classic, no-wipe for time-saving, matte for modern, sparkle for festive. Cover the entire nail surface, capping the free edge to seal. Cure under the lamp.
  8. Wipe off the inhibition layer if needed with an acetone-soaked nail wipe (skip this step entirely if you used a no-wipe top coat).
  9. Apply cuticle oil to nourish the surrounding skin and finish the manicure.

Featured brands

Andreia Professional Lab

Portuguese professional brand with the most comprehensive top/base coat range we stock. Andreia covers every possible system product variation — high-shine, no-wipe, matte, hard gloss, HEMA-Free, base coat, base/top 2-in-1, primer (acid-based and non-acid), and even specialty glitter top coats. The 10.5ml standard professional size is properly cost-effective for trade use, and the breadth of the range means you can build a complete Andreia system across cleaners, primers, bonders, base coats, top coats and treatments. Brilliant for salons committing to a single-brand system.

OPI Intelli-Gel

OPI's gel polish system, properly trusted as the heavyweight branded option. The Intelli-Gel range covers Super Gloss Top Coat, No Wipe variant, and Chipskip Primer in 15ml professional sizes. Particularly relevant for salons offering OPI as their main gel polish system, or for clients who specifically request OPI brand recognition.

Gelish

One of the most established and trusted gel polish brands in the professional industry. The Gelish system support range includes the iconic Foundation Base Coat 15ml, Matte Top It Off Top Coat 15ml, and Xtra Shine Top Coat 9ml. Properly engineered for compatibility with the full Gelish gel polish system, and the right choice for salons committed to the Gelish brand.

Chroma, S Professional and 2AM London

The supporting brands across our range. Chroma Gel Bonder for adhesion-boosting work. S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml for properly bulk trade-quantity buying — significantly cost-effective per use for high-volume practices. 2AM London First Base for trend-led indie nail polish system support, properly matched to the 2AM London colour range. Browse the full 2AM London collection for the matching colour shades.

Why HEMA-Free options matter

Worth flagging properly because it affects buying decisions. HEMA (Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) is a common ingredient in many gel polishes, and it's an increasingly recognised allergen. Repeat exposure can cause contact dermatitis, skin reactions, and even permanent sensitivity over time. Both nail technicians (with daily exposure) and clients (with regular gel applications) are at risk. The HEMA allergy issue has become significant enough that the EU has restricted HEMA in consumer products, and many UK professionals are actively switching to HEMA-Free systems to protect themselves and their clients.

Within this collection, the Andreia Professional True Pure Top Coat and True Pure Base Coat are the HEMA-Free options. For salons committed to HEMA-Free across their service menu, building the system around the Andreia True Pure range alongside HEMA-Free gel polish colours (like Halo Hema-Free in our wider gel nail polish collection) delivers a fully HEMA-Free service from base to colour to top coat.

Why bulk sizing makes sense for working salons

If you're running a salon doing regular gel polish services, the per-millilitre price difference between trade-bulk system products and consumer-size system products is properly significant. The S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml is the standout trade-size option in this collection — significantly more cost-effective per use than smaller 9-15ml bottles for working professionals using top coat at every appointment.

For smaller-volume practices or home users, the standard 9-15ml sizes are properly suited — enough for many manicures per bottle, with the cost-per-use staying reasonable.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between primer, bonder and base coat?

Three different products with different jobs in the gel polish system. Primer (like OPI Chipskip, Andreia Extreme) strips oil and moisture from the nail plate to prep the surface for adhesion — applied first. Bonder (like Chroma Gel Bonder) is an additional adhesion-boosting layer for challenging nails or extra hold — applied after primer. Base coat (like Gelish Foundation, Andreia Power Base, OPI Intelli-Gel system base) bonds the gel polish system to the nail and prevents staining — applied after primer and bonder. For most everyday gel manicures, primer plus base coat is enough; bonder is the proper addition for chronic lifting issues.

Do I need a no-wipe top coat?

Not strictly necessary, but properly time-saving for high-volume practices. Standard top coats leave a slightly sticky inhibition layer after curing that needs wiping off with acetone. No-wipe top coats skip this step entirely. For salons doing back-to-back manicures, the time saving across a working day is meaningful. For home users, either format works fine — choose by what you've already got in your kit.

Can I mix brands in the same gel polish system?

Generally yes — most professional gel polish system products are interchangeable across brands. You can use Andreia base coat with Gelish colour and an OPI top coat without major issues. That said, for guaranteed compatibility and the most predictable results, sticking with a single-brand system (especially for primer + base + top combinations) is the safest bet. Mixing colours from different brands is genuinely fine; mixing base/top coat brands works in most cases but can occasionally cause adhesion issues.

What's the difference between OPI Intelli-Gel and OPI Infinite Shine?

Different OPI systems for different products. OPI Intelli-Gel is the gel polish system — cured under UV/LED lamp, lasts 2-3 weeks. OPI Infinite Shine is the long-wear regular polish system — air-dried, no lamp required, lasts 7-11 days. The Intelli-Gel top coats in this collection are for use with gel polish; OPI Infinite Shine top coats (sold in our wider nail polish collection) are for regular polish.

What's the most cost-effective top coat for trade use?

The S Professional Gel Top Coat 73ml is properly the standout trade-size option — significantly more cost-effective per millilitre than the standard 9-15ml bottles. For high-volume salons going through top coat at every appointment, the bulk size delivers genuine cost savings. For occasional or moderate use, the smaller 9-15ml bottles are properly fine and offer easier handling.

Should I use base coat AND primer, or just one?

For most everyday manicures on healthy nails, base coat alone is enough. Primer is the proper addition for clients with naturally oily nail beds, chronic lifting issues, or for nail extensions and structured manicures where extra adhesion matters. If your gel polish keeps lifting despite proper application technique, adding a primer step before base coat usually solves the problem.

How long does a 10.5ml base coat or top coat bottle last?

For working salon use, a 10.5ml base coat or top coat typically delivers 50-100+ manicures before running out, depending on application technique and bottle handling. For home use, a single 10.5ml bottle can last properly long — months of regular use. The 73ml S Professional bottle delivers significantly more uses for high-volume practices.

What's the difference between high-viscosity and standard base coats?

High-viscosity base coats (like Andreia Power Base Clear) are properly thicker, designed for maximum adhesion and lifting prevention. Standard base coats are thinner and faster-applying. Choose by need — high-viscosity for chronic lifting issues or challenging nails, standard for everyday healthy nails where lifting hasn't been a problem.

Can I use these top coats over regular nail polish?

Generally no — gel polish top coats need UV/LED curing to set. Over regular air-dry polish, they'll stay sticky and won't form the proper protective layer they're designed to create. For regular polish, you need an air-dry top coat (like OPI Infinite Shine, Andreia Gel Effect Top Coat, or similar) instead.

Are these products suitable for HEMA-sensitive clients?

The Andreia Professional True Pure Top Coat and True Pure Base Coat are specifically formulated as HEMA-Free options. For clients with confirmed HEMA sensitivity, building the entire system around HEMA-Free products (HEMA-Free base, HEMA-Free colour, HEMA-Free top coat) is properly important. Other products in this collection may contain HEMA — always check individual product details for ingredient credentials if HEMA-sensitivity matters.

Shop the gel polish top & base coats collection

Browse the full range below across all stocked brands and product types. For gel polish colours to use with these system products, see our gel nail polish collection. For wider nail polish options including regular lacquer and treatments, browse our nail polish collection. For proper acetone for soak-off removal, see our acetone and removers collection. For complete manicure setups including tools and accessories, browse our manicure and pedicure collection. Free UK delivery on all orders.