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Credit: Instagram @Paintboxnails

Top and base coat nail polishes are kind of like pit crews in racecar driving, or the rest of U2 – they do a lot of the work, but get none of the glory. Not anymore though, for the latest line-up of before and after lacquers are anything but quiet achievers, and can seriously boost the efforts of whatever colour goes on in between them.

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Credit: Instagram @Paintboxnails

Leading the bases with benefits category is Sally Hansen’s genius Peel Off polish, which does exactly what it says, and CND’s Sticky Coat, which grabs onto colour polish with gusto, stretching out your manicure by a few days (just be sure not to touch it while it dries as the oil from your fingers will dilute it’s stickiness, true story)

Taking it to the top, Chanel’s new chic tinted Metamorphsis polish shifts whatever colour it’s layered on top of, while Revlon’s Matte version gives nails an on-trend, velvet finish. If you’re addicted to gels, OPI’s Plumping polish gives next level gloss while somehow making nails look healthier too. And while Dior Nail Glow looks bright pink in the bottle, it layers on like BB cream for your nails, making your nails look like the real thing only prettier.

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CHANEL, LE TOP COAT, Tinted Top Coat, $41. SHOP NOW

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CIATÉ LONDON, Speed Coat, $20. SHOP NOW

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REVLON, Transforming Effects Top Coats Matte Top Coat, $13.95. SHOP NOW

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SALLY HANSEN, Big Peel Off Base Coat, $12.95. SHOP NOW

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OPI, Plumping Top Coat, $26. 95. SHOP NOW

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CND, Sticky Base Coat, $19.95. SHOP NOW

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Dior, Nail Glow, $40. SHOP NOW