How to Cure Top Coats for Fingernail Polish

Applying a top coat helps protect nail polish.

Applying a top coat helps protect the finish on your polished nails and protects any nail art you've applied. Some top coats are simply painted on and allowed to dry; these do not require curing. Other top coats, such as nail treatment products from OPI, are heat cured. A heat source, such as a 75-watt bulb is required.

Things You'll Need

• Heat cure top coat
• 75-watt bulb

Instructions

1. Apply the heat cure top coat over dry nails. Make sure any polish has thoroughly dried before applying a top coat.

2. Hold your nails beneath a 75-watt bulb, close enough to the source to feel the heat. Leave them under the heat for 3 minutes to cure to a hard shell.

3. Add additional time if your nails are not dry.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are ready to remove the polish and top coat, use nail polish remover.

References

• OPI Heat Cure Top Coat (sample)