What is the difference between Base and Base Plus?

Base is a thin, lightweight base coat designed for gel polish manicures with fast soak-off removal. Base Plus is a higher adhesion base coat designed as the foundation for every service type including structure gel, hard gel, and Revival Powder. Use Base when the client wants a standard gel polish manicure with easy removal. Use Base Plus when the service needs maximum adhesion or goes under heavier products.

What is the difference between Base and Base Boost?

Base is a thin base coat for standard gel polish manicures on healthy nails. Base Boost is a higher viscosity reinforcing base for weak, thin, or flexible nails that need structural support and apex creation. Use Base on healthy nails that hold product without issues. Use Base Boost when the client lifts with regular base coat because the nails flex under daily pressure.

Which Arch Rival base coat should I use?

Match the base to the nail type and the service. Base for standard gel polish manicures on healthy nails with fast soak-off. Base Boost for weak, thin, or flexible nails that need reinforcement. Base Plus for maximum adhesion under gel polish, structure gel, hard gel, or Revival Powder. Each base coat solves a different problem.

What is the difference between base coat and top coat?

Base coat bonds color to the nail plate. Top coat protects the color and adds shine. They are different formulations designed for different jobs. Base coat is formulated for adhesion to the prepared nail surface. Top coat is formulated for scratch resistance, gloss, and protection of the layers underneath. Do not swap them.

Is base coat necessary for gel manicures?

Yes. Gel polish is not formulated for direct nail plate adhesion. It is formulated to bond to the cured base coat underneath. Skipping base coat results in lifting regardless of product quality or application technique.

How do I remove Base?

File the top coat to break the seal. Soak in acetone until softened. Push off softened product with an orangewood stick. Do not use metal cuticle pushers or scrapers. Metal tools abrade the nail plate during removal. If the product has not fully released, re-soak. Do not force removal. After removal, lightly refine the nail surface with a 400 grit buffer only. Do not over-file between services. Apply cuticle oil to prevent further dehydration. For the fastest removal, apply without primer. With Optima UV Primer on the full nail, removal takes longer because the adhesion bond is stronger.

Can I use Base under hard gel or structure gel?

No. Base is designed for gel polish manicures. For hard gel, structure gel, or Revival Powder applications, use Base Plus. Base Plus provides the adhesion strength and compatibility those heavier products require.

Why does my gel polish lift after a week?

Lifting within a week usually traces back to prep, cure, or base coat selection. Oil or moisture on the nail plate prevents bonding. Undercured product stays soft and separates. On flexible nails, a thin base coat may not absorb enough flexion to hold. Check prep and cure first. If the client has thin or flexible nails, consider Base Boost for reinforcement.

Can I fill over Base instead of removing it?

Base is designed for soak-off removal, not fills. For fillable applications, use Base Plus with SALT Acid Primer. SALT creates a permanent bond for maintenance fills. Base does not use SALT and is not formulated for fill services.

Why won't my gel polish soak off?

Three common causes. The product was overcured, which creates a denser crosslinked network that resists acetone penetration. The top coat was not filed through before soaking, which blocks acetone from reaching the layers underneath. Or the product is not actually soak-off gel. Some brands label products as soak-off that behave more like hard gel during removal. Base is formulated for clean release in acetone when the top coat seal is broken first.

How do I speed up gel polish removal?

File the top coat to break the seal before soaking. Use 100% pure acetone, not diluted remover. Keep the acetone in contact with the nail by wrapping with foil or using clips. Warmth accelerates the process. A faster-releasing base coat makes the biggest difference. Base is formulated for quick soak-off. The thinner application and formulation allow acetone to penetrate and release the product faster than thicker or higher-adhesion base coats.

How long does gel polish removal take?

With Base applied without primer, removal is the fastest in the Arch Rival system. File the top coat, soak in pure acetone, and the product releases cleanly. Exact time depends on how long the product has been on the nail and how thoroughly the top coat seal was broken before soaking. With Optima UV Primer on the full nail, removal takes longer because the adhesion bond is stronger.

Does removal time affect my appointment schedule?

Yes. Techs budget 15 to 30 minutes for gel polish removal depending on the product. Products that resist soak-off push appointments behind schedule. A base coat that releases faster shortens removal time, which means shorter total appointment time or more clients per day. Base was formulated with removal speed as a priority.

Does extended acetone soaking damage nails?

Acetone dehydrates the nail plate during soaking. Longer soak times mean more dehydration. A weakened nail plate is more susceptible to damage during removal, especially if a tool is used to push off product that has not fully released. Shorter soak-off time reduces exposure and preserves nail plate integrity. Apply cuticle oil after removal to prevent further dehydration.

Do I need primer with Base?

PREP is always required. Primer is optional. Without Optima UV Primer, Base soaks off fastest. With Optima on the free edge, durability improves at the tips while keeping soak-off manageable. With Optima on the entire nail, maximum wear but longer soak-off time. Choose based on how long the client wants the manicure to last and how fast the next removal needs to be.

How long does Base cure?

30-60 seconds under the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.

Does Base feel heavy or thick on the nail?

No. Base has thin viscosity and applies as a low-profile layer. The client does not feel the product during wear. Rubber base and builder base add structure and bulk that gel polish clients do not need. Base provides adhesion without unnecessary thickness. The nail feels like a nail, not like a product.

Will gel polish stain my nails through Base?

Base creates a barrier between the color and the natural nail. Dark and highly pigmented gel polishes can stain the natural nail when applied without base coat or when the base coat layer is too thin or unevenly applied. Apply Base in an even layer with full coverage across the nail plate before color application.

My client peels their gel polish at home. How do I prevent nail damage?

Peeling removes layers of the natural nail plate along with the product. The damage is cumulative. Each peel thins the nail further. Educate the client that peeling causes the thin, weak nails they complain about at the next appointment. If the client consistently peels, a base coat with easier soak-off reduces the temptation. Base applied without primer releases fastest in acetone, making professional removal quick enough that the client has less reason to peel at home between appointments.

Do I need rubber base for gel polish manicures?

Not on healthy nails. Rubber base adds reinforcement and structure for weak, thin, or flexible nails. On healthy nails that hold product without issues, rubber base adds unnecessary thickness and makes removal harder. Base provides the adhesion a standard gel polish manicure needs without the added bulk. If the client has weak or flexible nails that lift with regular base, use Base Boost instead.

Why are there so many different base coats?

Different nails need different products. A healthy nail that holds gel polish needs adhesion and clean soak-off. That is Base. A weak or flexible nail that lifts with regular base needs reinforcement and apex support. That is Base Boost. A service that goes under structure gel, hard gel, or Revival Powder needs maximum adhesion with soak-off or fillable options. That is Base Plus. Three products because one base coat cannot do all three jobs without compromising on something.

Can I use Base with other brand gel polishes?

Base is designed and tested within the Arch Rival system. Every product in the line was formulated to work together. Mixing base coats and color from different brands is the most common cause of lifting and service failure on professional nail forums. Different brands use different chemistries that were not designed to bond to each other. We cannot guarantee results when Base is combined with products from other brands.

Yes. Base is HEMA-free and TPO-free. Removing HEMA is not a safety guarantee. Allergic sensitization can happen with any methacrylate when uncured product touches skin or when the product is not properly cured. We label HEMA-free as a fact, not a safety claim.

Do I need a special lamp for Base?

Base is formulated and tested for proper cure under the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp. We cannot confirm proper cure with other lamps because we have not tested against them. Proper cure depends on the lamp's diode count, diode quality, and actual output, not the wattage printed on the box. Wattage is an electrical input number, not a measure of what reaches the nail. The Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp runs 53 diodes at 30W. Using a different lamp means unknown cure conditions, and undercured product causes lifting, dullness, and skin sensitivity.

How do I prevent Base from lifting?

Lifting traces back to skipped or incomplete prep, oil or moisture on the nail plate, skin contact during application, undercured product, or mixing products from different brands whose chemistries were not designed to work together. Run through prep and cure first when troubleshooting, and use Arch Rival PREP, Optima UV Primer, and the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp end to end.

How long does Base last?

Standard fill schedule is every 3 to 5 weeks. The product lasts until the next appointment. Regrowth creates mechanical imbalance at the cuticle area that leads to lifting at the proximal end. The product does not break down. Variables that affect wear are tech technique, client nail plate condition, proper prep, and proper cure with the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.

Room temperature, out of direct sunlight. UV exposure breaks down photoinitiators in the bottle and shortens shelf life.

What is the shelf life of Base?

Sealed bottle shelf life is 24 months from manufacture date when stored at room temperature out of UV exposure. Once opened, expect 12 to 18 months of working life with proper storage.

Is Base vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes. The Base formula contains no animal-derived ingredients, and the product is not tested on animals at any stage. Animal-derived ingredients are rarely used in nail products. Animal testing for cosmetics has been banned across the EU since 2004 and across 42 countries globally. We list these as facts, not differentiators, because they are the legal baseline.

Base sources raw materials from specialized chemistry suppliers. Photoinitiators come from Germany. Monomers, oligomers, and polymers come from Japan. Cosmetic-grade pigments from established global manufacturers. Manufacturing meets GMPC certification (Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics). Every Arch Rival product is registered with the CCNB (Canadian Cosmetic Notification Board) for the Canadian market.

Is Base certified or registered with regulatory bodies?

Manufacturing meets GMPC certification (Good Manufacturing Practices for Cosmetics). All Arch Rival products are registered with the CCNB (Canadian Cosmetic Notification Board) for sale in Canada. The formula is HEMA-free, TPO-free, vegan, and not tested on animals.

Is Base 7-free or 10-free?

The X-free arms race (3-free, 7-free, 10-free, 21-free) is fear-based marketing. Most ingredients on those lists were either removed years ago for regulatory reasons or were never present in the concentrations implied. We list what the formula IS (HEMA-free, TPO-free, GMPC certified, CCNB registered) instead of inflating an X-free count.

Is Base hypoallergenic?

No. We do not make that claim. Hypoallergenic means below average allergy potential, not no allergy potential. A 2017 study published in JAMA Dermatology (Xu et al., Northwestern University) found that 83 percent of products marketed as hypoallergenic contained at least one known allergen. The term has no regulated definition. All gel products, including ours, are methacrylate chemistry. Sensitization can happen with any methacrylate when uncured product touches skin or when the product is not properly cured.

HEMA Free | TPO Free | 15ml

Thin viscosity. Low profile on the nail. Easiest soak off.

Arch Rival Base

Quantity

AVOID SKIN CONTACT

How to Use Base

Natural Nail Preparation

Lightly refine the nail surface using a 240-400 grit buffer. Remove surface shine only. Do not overwork the nail.
Cleanse the nail to remove surface debris.

Fastest Soak-Off

Apply PREP to the nail surface. Allow to fully evaporate.
Apply Base directly. Cure 30-60 seconds in the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.

Longer Wear Application

Apply PREP to the nail surface. Allow to fully evaporate.
Apply Optima UV Primer to the entire nail plate. Cure 30 seconds in the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.
Apply Base. Cure 30-60 seconds in the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.

Soak-Off with Free Edge Durability

Apply PREP to the nail surface. Allow to fully evaporate.
Apply Optima UV Primer to the free edge only. Cure 30 seconds in the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.
Apply Base. Cure 30-60 seconds in the Pro Arch Rival Nail Lamp.

Removal

File top coat completely off.
Soak in acetone until softened.
Gently push off softened product with an orangewood stick. Do not use metal cuticle pushers or scrapers. Metal tools abrade the nail plate during removal.
If product has not fully released, re-soak. Do not force removal.
After removal, lightly refine the nail surface with a 400 grit buffer only. Do not over-file. Repeated removals with aggressive buffing between services thin the nail plate over time.
Apply cuticle oil after removal to prevent further hydration.

Avoid Skin Contact

Additional Nail Product Safety Resources

For more independent product safety information, visit the Healthy Nails Collaborative at healthynailscollaborative.org

The Healthy Nails Collaborative provides:

Science-based safety guidelines for salon professionals and consumers
Detailed explanations on curing, lamp compatibility, and allergic reaction risks
Up-to-date research on ingredient safety and regulatory standards
Practical advice for creating a healthier, safer work environment
Direct links to respected authors and industry safety books

HEMA Free | TPO Free

Outside of the continental US? Use our international orders page.