Clear base and top coats for gel nails – flawless finish starts here

Clear base and top coats: the invisible foundation of flawless gel nails

In every long-lasting manicure, there’s one quiet hero: a high-quality base gel nail and a professional nail top coat. Whether you’re after bold colour, minimal nude, or intricate nail art, your work means little without the reliability of a trusted base and top coat gel nail polish combo.

At DARK BY RIOR, our clear base gel nails and top coat nail polish products are crafted for versatility and resilience. Whether you’re a seasoned nail tech working back-to-back appointments or a beginner experimenting at home, these formulas deliver a consistent, salon-worthy finish.

Looking to buy a top coat for nails that offers brilliant shine or a base gel nail that glides on effortlessly and anchors your colour perfectly? Our transparent systems are built to perform — no lifting, no pooling, just professional control.

What makes a good base coat? It’s more than just the first layer

A base gel colour might be invisible once cured, but its function is anything but minimal. It provides strong adhesion between the natural nail plate and your gel colour, smooths out minor imperfections, and creates a lightweight reinforcement — without bulk.

The rubber base coat formula from DARK BY RIOR is self-levelling, highly elastic, and sits securely without flooding the cuticles. It’s the ideal choice for classic French, clean nude looks, or as a stable base for detailed linework and colourful nail art.

Unlike generic base coats that often require endless trial and error, this base coat for gel nails has been engineered through real salon use. It’s fast, forgiving, and perfectly suited to professionals under pressure.

Why pair with the right top coat?

Just as a base coat lays the groundwork, the nail polish with top coat defines the finish. Whether your client wants a glossy sheen or a velvety matte, a reliable top coat nail polish protects colour from chips and dullness.

DARK BY RIOR’s best top coat nail options cure quickly, resist yellowing, and enhance the vibrancy of your chosen gel colour. And with seamless compatibility between our base coat and top coat gel nail polish, you're guaranteed a smooth system from start to finish.

Clear top coats by DARK BY RIOR: finish types that define the look

A nail top coat is far more than just a final touch — it’s the crown of any gel manicure. The choice of top coat nail polish directly impacts the durability, appearance and personality of your finish. At DARK BY RIOR, we’ve developed a trio of clear gel top coats tailored to specific colour palettes and technical demands, all tested under real salon conditions.

1. Top coat with UV filter: preserving clarity and tone

If you work with whites, pastels, or nude shades, you know how easily UV light can yellow or fade colour. Our top coat nail polish with UV filter protects gel manicures from sun-induced discolouration while maintaining a crisp, vibrant tone throughout wear. It’s particularly valuable during summer months or for clients who spend a lot of time outdoors.

This option delivers a rich, mirror-like gloss without fogging or film build-up. It’s a must-have in any base and top coat gel nail polish kit for techs who need to balance beauty and long-lasting performance. If you’re searching for the best top coats for nail polish to use with your French or natural tones — this one was made for you.

2. Top coat without UV filter: for bold and pigmented shades

For deep, dark colours like black, navy, or burgundy, the addition of a UV filter can sometimes interfere with the final look. That’s why DARK BY RIOR offers a nail top coat without it — giving full respect to rich pigments and custom blends.

This coat nail top enhances shine without altering undertones, making it ideal for high-pigment applications. The result? Pure depth and a gloss that complements, rather than cools. And since there’s no overly “laminated” effect, the nails maintain a more natural, refined finish.

3. Matte top coat: the cashmere finish

For clients who favour texture over shine, our matte top coat is a fan favourite. Created with a unique cashmere-touch technology, this top coat nail polish doesn’t just mattify — it transforms the nail surface into a velvety, soft-touch canvas.

It’s the ideal match for editorial work, minimalistic geometry, or everyday looks with character. Unlike many budget mattes, this finish won’t scuff easily or lose its effect after a week. If you’re aiming to deliver a matte finish that looks luxe and feels refined — this is the best top coat nail for the job.

Whether you’re sealing a classic gel nails base or finishing a fashion-forward design, DARK BY RIOR’s top coat nail polish range offers options to elevate every manicure. Pair it with our base gel nail and enjoy the seamless synergy of a full professional system — from foundation to final gloss (or velvet).

Why nail techs choose clear base and top coats by DARK BY RIOR

The base and top coat gel nail polish range by DARK BY RIOR was created to remove friction from every stage of the service — whether you're working in a busy salon or perfecting nails at home. These formulas are engineered to deliver flawless application, stable structure and a professional finish, all without extra effort.

Self-levelling texture
Each base gel nail and nail top coat is self-levelling, helping to form a smooth surface without ridges, flooding, or product pooling. Whether you’re applying a base gel colour for overlays or sealing with a top coat nail polish, the formula adjusts evenly across the nail plate for a seamless result.

No flooding under the cuticle
Designed for controlled application, even if your brush angle isn’t perfect. This makes DARK BY RIOR especially helpful for newer techs or time-sensitive sessions where you need the product to behave.

No shrinkage after curing
You won’t experience distortion or tension after lamp curing. The finished result remains stable and smooth — essential when building gel nails base or setting a high-gloss coat nail top.

Reliable curing across all lamp types
Whether you're using a high-powered salon lamp or a compact LED light at home, these base coat and top coat gel nail polish products cure completely and evenly. No under-cured patches. No surprise peeling. Just consistent, trustworthy wear.

Salon-speed simplicity
DARK BY RIOR products are built for high-flow environments. You open the bottle — and work. No special prep. No fiddly adjustments. From the base coat gel nails to the top coat of nail polish, each formula is ready to perform, right out of the bottle.

If you’re looking for a nail polish with top coat and base coat gel that takes the pressure off and guarantees client satisfaction — DARK BY RIOR is your professional shortcut to a perfect finish, every time.

Who should use clear base and top coats?
Clear base and top coat gel nail polish products from DARK BY RIOR are true all-rounders. They’re designed for every level of expertise, from seasoned pros to absolute beginners, and adapt easily to any working style — at the salon, freelance, or at home.

For professional nail techs
Time-saving, reliable, and designed for flow. Whether you're applying a gel nails base for a busy back-to-back schedule or finishing with a nail top coat, these products ensure structure and stability with no need for rework. You get clean architecture and long-lasting wear — even when the clock is ticking.

For beginners
These formulas are forgiving. Even if your brush angle isn’t perfect or your product control isn’t quite there yet, the base gel nails level out beautifully, giving a smooth surface and strong adhesion every time. It's the ideal foundation to build your confidence.

For at-home users
Forget expensive training or trial and error. Just open the bottle, apply your base coat gel nail polish, finish with the top coat nail polish, and enjoy a salon-quality result from the very first go. No stress. No mess. Just satisfaction.

Final thoughts
When your products work from the first stroke, doing nails becomes a joy — not a chore. The clear bases and best top coats for nail polish from DARK BY RIOR are more than just formulas — they’re a fusion of technology, trust and care for every detail of your work.

Choose DARK BY RIOR clear base coat and top coat gel nail polish — and deliver a manicure that feels like it came straight out of a world-class studio.