The Best Nail Primers for Your Next Manicure

Even if you’re doing it at home, treating yourself to a manicure is one of the best forms of self-care. Getting a manicure not only helps you feel more put together but also promotes overall nail health. Even if you are a manicure novice, you should invest in a good nail primer. Nail primers provide the perfect foundation for polish application. The right primer will help your manicure last longer and enhance the color saturation of your polish choice. Here are some fantastic nail primers we recommend.

Choosing the Best Primer for Your Polish

Whether you prefer acrylic, gel, or natural polish manicures, make sure that you choose a nail primer that works well with the polish of your choice. Look for a primer that extends the wear of your manicure by preventing chipping and lifting. Your primer should bond polish to your natural nails while also protecting your nail bed from color staining and discoloration.

Best for Acrylic Polish: AZUREBEAUTY Professional Nail Prep Dehydrator & Bond Primer

Before you get an acrylic manicure, you should prep your nails to ensure that your manicure is long-lasting. This set has everything you’ll need to achieve the perfect acrylic manicure: the nail dehydrator removes all oils from the nail surface, and the primer makes the nail bed tacky in order to firmly adhere the acrylic nail to your natural nail. When used together, this set helps prevent your polish from lifting or chipping. The nail dehydrator and primer also work well for gel manicures. Thanks to this dehydrator + primer set, giving yourself an acrylic manicure at home has never been easier.

Best for Gel Polish: Morovan Acid-Free Primer

When giving yourself a gel manicure, one of the most important steps is to create a solid foundation for the gel polish to build upon. This acid-free nail primer prevents lifting and helps the gel polish adhere to your natural nails. Pesky air bubbles that pop up throughout your polish application can ruin the overall look of your manicure, but this high-quality primer helps to eliminate the presence of bubbles in your finished product. The primer acts like double-sided tape by bonding gel polish to your natural nails, enhancing your manicure’s color saturation and durability. If your gel manicure never seems to last as long as you thought it would, you should try out this nail primer.

Best for Natural Polish: OPI Nail Polish Base Coat

This primer is the perfect base coat for your classic manicure. Your preferred polish will have no problem working with this primer, as it is a suitable foundation for all-natural polishes. The primer creates a barrier between your nail and the polish, preventing discoloration, staining, and yellowing due to color application. It not only works to extend the wear of your current manicure but also promotes nail health for longer-lasting future manicures. For a quick yet durable manicure, this primer gets the job done.

Best Set: Modelones Gel Top Coat and Base Coat With Nail Primer

Whether you’re a professional manicurist or a nail polish novice, this gel manicure set will work for you. It comes with a nail primer, a base coat, and a topcoat. The nail primer works to prepare your natural nails for polish application. The base and topcoat are made of non-toxic resin, and they work together with the nail primer to ensure that your manicure remains chip-free. This set is a great choice for those looking to perfect their at-home manicure skills.