Which is the best Base & Top Coat?

[asteropi]

Hey all
I seem to have a problem and I need some help. Let me explain.
I live in Greece and so far I've been using the base and top coat (2 products) of Peggy Sage. It's very used here and it's very good. At least, my nail technician suggested it to me and it worked for me, even though I've noticed my friend's nails turn super-strong (thumbs up) but kinda yellow also (damn...) with it. But the dealer here have given up on it and we are all, professionals and not, like ... now what?
Oh and, I've ordered from ebay sally hansen's Hard as Nails, which currently I use as base coat, in lack of anything else.

So I need some advice selecting a new base and top coat. Another known brand here is Essie (if I'm correct it was formelly named Jessica, but I'm not sure) but I've never used it, neither its cures nor its colors.
Orly and OPI have only been imported the last months. It's hard to find but I've spotted them. Also I heard China Glaze came last month, no idea where though.

In a few forums I checked, people were saying that Seche Vite Top Coat is great, which I think I can order on-line.

So, which one of these would you suggest for base and top coat? Cuz I'm kinda lost with so many unknown (to me) brands to choose from...

Thanks!

 

[Mich77]

Hiya,

I use 'Lumos' base and top coat and CND's 'Stickey' base and 'Super shiney' top coat.
In my opinion they are some of the best on the market. If you do a search for any of the above, you will find a fair few threads about them....that should give you some more information!

HTH's

 

[Sam81]

Definitely Lumos! I can't recommend it highly enough, super fast drying, super shiny, super long wear. I hope you can get it where you are

 

[MissJulesBeauty]

I stand by these ladies with their recommendations of Lumos. It is the best I have ever used!

 

[McKendrick22]

Definitely lumos base and top coat! Its amazing how they work together highly recommended.
Vicki xx

Sent from my GT-I9100 using SalonGeek

 

[nicole333]

I did used to use China Glaze and I do like it. But, I have tried Lumos in the last couple of weeks and in my opinion it really is as good as everyone says. I couldn't believe how quick it made the normal manicure process. I won't bother using anything else now.

 

[NailsByShakira]

Lumos top & base coat is the best I've ever used. Base coat dries in seconds and the top dries within 2-3 mins
Shakira x

 

[izzidoll]

Is there any point in recommending a product which may not have a distributor in Greece? Lumos (wonderful as it is) is a pretty new product to the market and may not be available in some countries.

Essie, Orly and OPI are all good brands and if they are available then you shouldn't go far wrong with them. China Glaze and Seche Vite are also good quality brands.
I would steer clear of Sally Hansen as it is a nail hardener, and if your nails do not need a treatment like this it would do more harm than good.

Asteropi, when you say you are all professionals do you mean you are in the Nail Industry as you have not filled out your profile with any details.

In the meantime I shall move this to the Consumer Queries.



A

 

[asteropi]

No, I'm not a professional myself, although I do intend to take some courses in the future. However, my nail technician had the same problem with me, and she wasn't the only one. Everyone I asked that used Peggy Sage ( I went to some professional nail shops and even some other nail technicians), were looking for some other brand to use.
As for sally hansen, my nails are weak and break easily. That's why I got that Hard as Nails.
As for Lumos, it's not currently available in Greece. I will have to order it on-line I guess. I would appreciate if you could give me a site.
How about the other brands I did mention though? It would be easier for me to use one that's distributed here.

 

[izzidoll]

Essie, Orly and OPI are all good brands and if they are available then you shouldn't go far wrong with them. China Glaze and Seche Vite are also good quality brands.

I have used Orly and found it very good quality, with a lot of choice of basecoats for different nails, also a fabulous range of polishes for French manicures.

Essie also are excellent quality as is OPI.

I personally have not used China Glaze so can't comment, but if one of the others can be tracked down by you I would go for it!!

 

[asteropi]

I've looked around a bit and I decided to either got for Orly Bonder or CND Stickey. I can't find Lumos anywhere and they seem to be very recommended. Which one do u suggest? I can find both in stores here and on-line. Also Seche Vite top coat.

Can someone tell me though if they work with holographic polishes? My favorite french design (well actually the only french design I don't hate...) I make with a light pink-purple-white-kinda-shade Peggy Sage holographic polish.
In a few google answers I found they said regular base coats doesn't work well on hg polishes (I guess using both the base coat and polish from the same firm helped before), and I have to get another one. But I have no clue which...
Any ideas?