Base and Top coat for semi-permanent: guide to choosing and using

1. Evaluate the condition of the nail plate

A fundamental criterion for choosing the base is the state of the natural lamina: is it strong or fragile, soft or rigid, healthy or prone to flaking?

Even sweaty hands or sensitive skin can influence the choice of the most suitable foundation.

2. Consistency of the base

• Liquid bases
  Ideal for those with very curved arched nails. They are applied quickly, create a thin layer and help avoid too much thickness. Recommended for pedicures.
• Dense bases
  They require greater precision in application, but allow you to shape the architecture of the nail, correcting any imperfections such as flat nails, nails that grow upwards or deformed due to trauma.

3. Flexibility

There are different types of bases on the market: flexible, rigid, enriched with glass fibres…

• Flexible bases
  Like the so-called “Rubber Base” (for example, ours Pro Gummy Base) are particularly appreciated for their resistance and for their ability to follow the natural movements of the nail, reducing the risk of lifting and guaranteeing adhesion for approximately 4 weeks.
• Rigid bases
  Often these are real "gels", like ours Fiber, which allow you to reconstruct, reinforce medium and long lengths, and reconstruct missing corners. However, to be truly effective and long-lasting, they require a flexible base layer underneath, capable of following the movements of the nail plate.

4. Nail color and design

In addition to the classic transparent bases, today there are colored bases available (especially nude) that are perfect for creating a natural French manicure or for evening out the tone of the nail.

And in fact, here from MIDA we have expanded the range of Pro Gummy Base with 6 new colors, allowing you to create manicures with a delicate and uniform appearance without necessarily having to add an additional layer of color.

1. Top coat with or without dispersion layer

• Top with dispersion layer
  They are elastic products that follow the movements of the nail, ideal for thin or fragile nails. They are also perfect for fixing decorative elements and can be used on both flexible and rigid structures. 
• Top without dispersion layer
  In the past they were mainly rigid and had to be applied in a very thin layer to avoid cracks and, above all, they could not be used for semi-permanent.
  Today there are also flexible versions (like our MIDA Pro Extra Gloss o Pro Expert Top) which can also be successfully applied on flexible semi-permanent bases.

2. UV filters

• Top coats rich in UV filters
  Like our Pro Extra Gloss, they are ideal for light, pastel and fluorescent colours, as they protect the colour from yellowing and maintain its brilliance over time.
• Top coat with few UV filters
  As ours Pro-Expert, are perfect for dark colours, as they avoid the formation of the typical blue patina which can alter the original shade.

3. Glossy or matte finish

• Glossy finish
  It gives a shiny and reflective effect, emphasizing the colors and making the manicure particularly elegant. 
• Matte finish
  Very trendy, it gives a velvety and minimalist look, ideal for those who want a softer effect.

4. Top with glitter, flash effect or cat eye

• Top with glitter or flash effect
  Perfect for those looking for a touch of glamour or a sparkling effect. 
• Top cat eye
  Particularly original and trendy, they create a metallic “cat’s eye” effect reflection on the nail.

5. Milky tops

These top coats, with a light milky effect, are ideal for creating manicures such as the baby boomer or the French, giving a delicate and luminous look. They also help to hide slight imperfections.

In the MIDA range you will find a wide selection of top coats with different finishes (glossy, matte, glitter, cat eye, milky) to experiment with every type of look.