Pivot Point Nails 113 Practice Test

Base coat provides a prepared, slightly tacky surface that helps nail color adhere to the natural nail. It acts as a primer, smoothing tiny ridges and preventing pigments from staining the nail, so the polish grips better and lasts longer. Top coat, by contrast, is about sealing and finishing—adding shine and protecting the color from wear—so it doesn’t serve to improve initial adhesion. Nail polish is the color itself and doesn’t help it cling to the nail. Cuticle oil nourishes the surrounding skin and can leave an oily layer that interferes with adhesion, which is why it’s best used after the polish is applied or only on the surrounding skin.