A hardening base coat is a protective layer that strengthens and conditions nails before nail polish application. It helps prevent breakage and damage while also improving how well the polish adheres and lasts on the nail.

Red Aspen uses a hardening base coat in the Nail Polish system to protect your nails during regular polish use and help ensure better results. A quality base coat is essential to a complete nail polish system, so it's a key part of delivering the flawless finish we designed Polished to provide.

Red Aspen Base Coat helps create a smooth, even surface for Nail Polish application while improving adhesion for longer-lasting wear. It also helps protect natural nails from staining, especially when using darker or highly-pigmented shades.

After using Nail Primer, start at the base and apply one layer of Base Coat to each nail. Allow to dry for 2 minutes before applying Nail Polish.

We recommend applying one thin coat of Base Coat. Applying too much product may increase drying time and affect manicure performance.

For best results, we recommend using Base Coat with every manicure to help maximize wear time, improve adhesion, and protect natural nails.

Allow Base Coat to dry for approximately 2 minutes, or until it feels slightly tacky but not wet.

Yes, Red Aspen Base Coat is both vegan and cruelty free.

Store Base Coat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Always keep the bottle tightly sealed when not in use.

Base Coat is designed to dry quickly to help streamline your manicure routine. Dry time may vary depending on how much product is applied and environmental conditions, but a thin layer of Base Coat will dry in 2 minutes.

Yes, the Base Coat formula is intended for use on natural nails as part of a standard manicure routine.

Yes, the Base Coat formula creates a protective barrier that helps reduce staining caused by deeply pigmented nail colors.

Peeling can occur if nails were not fully clean or dry before application, if coats were applied too thick, or if nails were exposed to excessive moisture or oils shortly after application.

Yes, lightly brushing the base coat across the tip (free edge) of the nail can help improve wear and reduce premature chipping.

A light tackiness is normal as this helps nail polish grip better and improves overall adhesion of your manicure system. 

We recommend only one thin coat of Base Coat as extra layers may interfere with proper drying and reduce polish performance. 

Yes, always make sure your nails are clean, completely dry, and free of oils or lotion before applying. We recommend starting with Red Aspen Nail Primer to help remove natural oils from your nails before applying Base Coat. 

Base Coat can be removed (as can nail polish) by using Red Aspen’s Nail Polish Remover. 

If nail polish is peeling off like a film, it’s usually because the polish has not properly bonded to the nail plate, often due to oils, moisture, or skipping proper nail prep. Base Coat helps, but nail prep is just as important for longer lasting manicures. 

If Base Coat is lifting at the cuticle, it’s usually because product has flooded the cuticle area or there’s a buildup of oil near the nail bed. You should paint just up to the cuticle but not over it to ensure a clean application. 

If the Base Coat has bubbles, it is likely caused by shaking the bottle, applying too thick of a layer, or applying in a warm environment. Gently roll the bottle instead of shaking and apply thin coats.

No, nail oils should only be used after completing a manicure. Using a nail oil prior to applying Base Coat can prevent proper adhesion and lead to lifting and/or chipping.

It is best to use Red Aspen Base Coat within 12 months after opening it. After 12 months, we advise purchasing a new Base Coat to maintain quality and durability. 

No, Base Coat cannot be shipped by air because it’s classified as a flammable product. To comply with shipping regulations, it can only be transported via ground or ocean shipping.

Other base coats may focus on filling in ridges, quick drying, or long lasting. Red Aspen Base Coat is a hardening base coat that helps create a smooth, even surface for nail polish application, while also improving adhesion for longer-lasting wear. It is both hardening and long-lasting with a 2-minute dry time.

Polished by Red Aspen is designed to work as a complete nail polish system, including our Nail Primer, Base Coat, Color Polish, and Top Coat. Each step is formulated to work together for a smoother application, better wear, and longer-lasting manicure.